Advanced Steel Design 2018

Assignment 1
1. A 2 m long steel column has the cross section shown in Figure 1(a). You determine the residual
stresses in the steel and find that they are as shown in (b). We assume for the purpose of this
exercise that the residual stress in the web is equal to that at the centre of the flange, i.e. a tensile
stress of 171,5 MPa. Further tests show that the yield stress is 355 MPa and Young’s modulus
200 000 MPa. The column is then erected and subjected to an axial force of 2000 kN.
a) Determine whether the stress distribution in (c) would be the correct one to expect when the
column is loaded, own weight ignored. The compressive stress in the web is also 65,5. All
stresses in MPa.
b) Assuming that the shown stress distribution is correct, calculate accurately by how much the
column will shorten under the load.
c) Calculate the effective value of Iy for this column under load and the corresponding Euler
buckling load PE. Without trying to calculate it, what is your guess for the maximum value PE
will reach as the load is increased above 2000 kN and the effect of the residual stress is taken
into account? Motivate your guess.

Figure 1