J. Construct. Steel Res. Vol. 42, No. 2, pp.

141-158, 1997
1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved
Printed in Great Britain
0143-974X/97 $17.00 + 0.00

ELSEVIER
P n : S0143-974X(97)00010-2

Equivalent Buckling Length of Non-uniform Members

J o h n Ch. E r m o p o u l o s
National Technical University of Athens, Department of Structural Engineering, Laboratory
of Steel Structures, 42 Patission Street, 10682 Athens, Greece
(Received 7 February 1996; revised version received 26 November 1996;
accepted 17 December 1996)

ABSTRACT
The non-linear equilibrium equations of framed non-uniform members under
compression are established for non-sway and sway mode. The models considered are similar to those proposed by EC3 Annex E for uniform members.
Using an iteration procedure the critical loads and the corresponding equivalent buckling lengths are calculated, while results are presented in tabular
and graphical form, to make direct use from practising engineers easy.
1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.

NOTATION

g m = lm/L c
g i : li/L i
k
Lc
Li

Modulus of elasticity
Moment of inertia of the beams (i = 1...4)
Moments of inertia of the tapered bar AB at A and B,
respectively
Moments of inertia at the middle of the tapered bar AB (i.e.
for x = 0.5Lc)
Moment of inertia of the tapered bar AB at distance x
Reference stiffness coefficient of the tapered member
Reference stiffness coefficient of beams 1-4
Equivalent buckling length ratio
Length of the tapered bar
Lengths of the beams (i = 1...4)

M,V
rh, rl2

Bending moment and shear force of a bar

Distribution factors

I/
Ic, Ic'
G
Ix

141

142

J. Ch. Ermopoulos

External axial compressive force

Dimensionless external load
/Dcr = PcrLZ/EIm Dimensionless critical load
a
Distance from origin to A
Dimensionless parameters of the slope-deflection method for
the tapered bar AB
Dimensionless parameters (i = 1...4)
ai, fi
Dimensionless parameters of the slope-deflection method
Oln~ Olf
Transverse deflection of node B, regarding node A
Angles of rotation at A and B, respectively
,gAG
{(pot2/EIc) - 0.25
tx
Dimensionless parameters
~)n, ~ f
[Dm = pL2/EIm

1 INTRODUCTION
The determination of the exact buckling length of axially compressed bars
which belong to a framed structure presupposes the stability analysis of the
entire structure. Through this analysis the critical loading system and the corresponding axial forces in the various members can be calculated and consequently their equivalent buckling length coefficients can be obtained. In order
to avoid this cumbersome procedure, some approximate methods have been
proposed in the past, which enable practising engineers to estimate in a simple
and accurate way these coefficients [ 1-3], in the case of frames consisting of
uniform members (i.e. with constant moment of inertia along their axis).
Based on these methods, various countries have established specifications
(e.g. AISC/ASD [4], AISC/LRFD [5], BS5950 [6], DIN 18800 [7], EC3 [8],
etc.) according to which simple ways of estimating the buckling length of
such members are suggested or required. In addition, the influence of the
semirigidity of the connections has also been faced [9] using the same model
as in Annex E of EC3.
In the case of non-uniform members, various researchers have proposed
approximate procedures to obtain the equivalent buckling lengths [10-15], and
some of the recent codes have used these procedures in a graphical form (e.g.
AISC/ASD, AISC/LRFD, etc). Regarding in particular Eurocode 3, it has to
be noted that the following is stated in Annex E: 'An equivalent buckling
length may also be used to relate the buckling resistance of a non-uniform
member to that of a uniform member under similar conditions of loading and
restraint', without any suggestion of a specific methodology.
In this paper, on the basis of the slope-deflection method as it is applied
for tapered bars under compression [ 16,17], the non-linear equilibrium equations for the systems of Fig. 1 (which correspond to EC3, Annex E models) are

Equivalent buckling length of non-uniform members

~,

.~.~.'~_.~---~-

S
,a
r

143

-~

--J

..
v~

I:1.

r'~

,.

u_

e.
o

Z
V

,li

/11

,--~

144

J. Ch. Ermopoulos

derived (both for non-sway and sway mode). The solution of these equilibrium
equations gives the critical loads [18,19] of the models and consequently the
corresponding equivalent buckling length ratios of the tapered members.
The results of the study are presented both in a graphical form similar to
that of EC3, Annex E for uniform members, and in a tabular form.

2 ANALYSIS
2.1 General
The model that is considered in this study is similar to that used in Eurocode
3 [8], Part 1.1 (Annex E, Figure E.2.3), where the uniform column is replaced
by a non-uniform (tapered) one, as shown in Fig. 1. This column is acted
upon by an axial compression force P, while the axial force of the beams is
assumed to be zero. The geometric characteristics of the tapered column are
shown in Fig. 1(c). The law governing the variation of the moment of inertia
I, along the axis of the bar is given by [15]:

where I x is the moment of inertia of the cross-section at a distance x from the

origin and Ic is the moment of inertia at a distance t~ from the origin. This law
corresponds sufficiently to cross-sections having constant or approximately
constant area (simple or built-up tapered members), thus describing most cases
of ordinary steel structures. Both non-sway and sway modes are examined
and the critical loads and the equivalent buckling length ratios are obtained
in a closed form, for the model considered.
For the model shown in Fig. l(a), the following relations of the slopedeflection method are valid:

4EII
MaE- L~ Oa

(la)

4EI2
MBF = L20B

(lb)

4EI3

MAC-- ~3"0A

(lc)

Equivalent buckling length of non-uniform members

4E14

(1 d)

MAD -- L-4 0A

MBA =

145

[ot30a + ~40B + (a3 + a4) ~cc]

2EIc[_Lc

Lc [C~IOA
I-_
MAB = 2Elc
+

~2'9B +

(le)

(~1 + ~2) ~ ]

2EI[_

(If)

~-P~]

(lg)

For the analysis, the following dimensionless parameters are introduced:

e LC,
=

pL2c

,Por

Pc,L2c
-

/Pot2 ~>0.
1

eT-m,p`= VEI~
!

(2)

The coefficients in eqns (le) and (If) which refer to the non-uniform member AB are the following [16,17]:
(fz - f4)(p`2 + 0.25)2

(3a)

2fo

~2 =f4(p`2 + 0"25)/?2

(3b)

2fo

~3 =

{(/"2 - f4) cos[p, ln(1 + e)] + (f3 - fl) sin[~ ln(1 + e)]}(t, 2 + 0.25)e2X/1 + e
2fo

(3C)

{f4 cos[p` ln(1 + e)] - f3 sin[p, ln(1 + e)]}(p` z + 0.25)e2Xfi + e

~ 4 ~"~-

(3d)

2fo

where
(4a)

f 0 ~-~f d 4 -- f2.f3

f~ -

~ cos[/* ln(1 + e)] - ~ sin[p` ln(1 + e)]

- o.5e

(4b)

J. Ch. Ermopoulos

146

f2 -

/x cos[tx ln(1 + f)] + ~ sin[tx ln(l + f)]

f 3 = xfi + f cos[Ix ln(1 + f)] - 0.51~ -

f 4 = " ~ "1- ~ sin[ix ln(1 + f)] -- lXf.

- txf

(4c)

(4d)
(4e)

Introducing eqns (4a-e) into eqns (3b) and (3c), it can easily be proved
that a2 = a3.
2.2 Non-sway mode

The equilibrium of the moments at A (EMA = 0) and B (~MB = 0), taking

into account that ~ = 0 in the case of n o n - s w a y mode, lead to the following
equilibrium equation:

1-

(5)

where T~l and Th are the same as the EC3, Annex E distribution factors, given
here by:

KB
(6a)

~h = KB + K1 + 1(2

KA
772 = KA + K3 + K4

(6b)

and

~'

/c

K A = L ~ , K B - Lc - Lc(1 + e ) 2

(6c)

Ii
Ki = ~

(6d)

(i = 1...4).

In the particular case of a uniform column, which corresponds to ~ = Lc/a

= 0, the equilibrium equation takes the form:

Equivalent buckling length of non-uniform members

147

(7)
where
~n

~Of

an - 2(q~z _ q~2), ogf- 2(q~nZ_ q~fZ)

1-P~m/tan(P~m)
~On~---

em =

iPm

'

(8a)

~mm/Sin( P ~ m ) - - 1
~f=

(8b)

Pm

PLy (Im = constant for uniform member).

Elm

(8c)

2.3 Sway mode

For the model shown in Fig. l(b) where ~:/:0, the relations ( l a ) - ( l g ) are
valid, and the equilibrium system consists of the following equations:
ZMA = 0

(9a)

ZMB = 0

(9b)

V. = O.

(9c)

Equations (9a-c), after some manipulation and taking into account that
~z = ~3, lead finally to the following equation, which corresponds to sway
mode:

0/2 +

. . . . . . . . .

[ ~ - ~ , + ~ +~+
( ~ 3 + a a ) Z _z

Pm
2

(~+~2+~3+~4

. 2

~4~]
1

[2(1_~,,/~,+,~2+
O~4

+oq+

---2

-1-

J. Ch. Ermopoulos

148

In the particular case of uniform column (i.e. /? = 0), the equilibrium equation (10) takes the form:

O/f+P2

2(o~+ O/r)J

I(~22

2 1 _ l)+a.+

on+f,2
. . . . . .

[P2_2(a.+ae)

+O/n+

oo+of,2il

]]

O.

(11)

2.4 Design procedure

In order to determine the equivalent buckling length ratios k of the non-uniform member AB [Fig. l(a) and (b)], the critical load Per of this member has
to be established first.
Thus, using the equilibrium equations obtained in the previous paragraphs
[eqns (5) and (7) for the non-sway mode and eqns (10) and (11) for the sway
mode], the critical loads ecr can be calculated for non-uniform and for uniform
members by means of an iteration procedure.
The following Euler's formula is valid:

7r2EIm
ecr - (kLc)2

(12)

and using eqn (2), the equivalent buckling length ratio k is finally obtained
from:
'Bk-

#cr"

(13)

This ratio corresponds to that given by EC3, Annex E for uniform members,
but also covers the case of tapered columns, as stated in paragraph E. 1.4 of
Annex E.
3 NUMERICAL RESULTS--EXAMPLES
On the basis of the above analysis a computer program has been constructed
which enables the calculation of the buckling length ratio k for the case of
tapered columns in non-sway and sway modes.

Equivalent buckling length of non-uniform members

149

By utilizing this program, the dimensionless critical loads /Ocr and the ratio
k have been calculated and the results are presented in Tables 1 and 2, for
various values of the ratio e = Ldo~, and the distribution factors r/l, 772.
Furthermore, in order to have the results in the same form as in Annex E
of EC3, the diagrams of Figs 2 and 3 have been plotted. From these figures,
for a given ratio f = Lc/O~ and for a certain pair of the factors r/1 and r/2
[expressed by eqns (6a) and (6b)] the corresponding buckling length ratio k
is obtained.
For example, let us consider that the beams have an equal length Li = 5 m
with moments of inertia Ie = 50,000 cm 4, while the tapered column has a length
Lc = 7.5 m, moment of inertia Ic = 10,000 cm 4 and a distance o~ = 1.5 m.
The moments of inertia Im in the middle of the column and I~' at end B are:
(x) 2
Im = Ic

(t +~-tc/2) 2
= lc

= 10,000

_-

lc' = tc

c\

a ~ / = 10,000

(1-5+3-75/2
1.5
j = 122,500 cm 4

+__7.5?

1.5

j = 360,000 cm 4.

Moreover,
e-

Lc 7.5
-5
t~ 1.5
IB
Lc

r/~

I B + I1 + 12
L2

360,000
750
= 0.706
-360,000
- +
250,000
750
500

IA

10,000

Lc

750

r/2 - IA 13 14 - 10,000 250,000

Lc + L3 + L4
750 +
500

= 0.06

and the ratio k is found to be:

non-sway mode (Fig. 2, e = 5): k = 0.84
sway mode

(Fig. 3, e = 5): k = 1.68

while the corresponding

122,500 cm 4 and

ratio

for

the

uniform

column

with

Im =

J. Ch. Ermopoulos

150

TABLE 1
Critical L o a d s / 3 and Equivalent Buckling Length Ratios k for a Tapered Member in a Nonsway Mode
"0/

"02

/~ = 0

P,,

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8

39.43
37.35
35.10
32.79
30.52
28.3;/
26.38
24.58
22.95
21.48
20.17
37.35
35.43
33.34
31.18
29.05
27.01
25.12
23.38
21.82
20.40
19.13
35.10
33.34
31.42
29.43
27.45
25.54
23.75
22.11
20.61
19.25
18.03
32.79
31.18
29.43
27.61
25.78
24.00
22.33
20.78
19.36

/? = 0.5

~
0.500
0.514
0.530
0.549
0.569
0.590
0.612
0.634
0.656
0.678
0.700
0.514
0.528
0.544
0.563
0.583
0.604
0.627
0.650
0.673
0.696
0.718
0.530
0.544
0.560
0.579
0.600
0.622
0.645
0.668
0.692
0.716
0.740
0.549
0.563
0.579
0.598
0.619
0.641
0.665
0.689
0.714

P,r
38.34
35.87
33.32
30.85
28.58
26.56
24.78
23.22
21.87
20.68
19.64
36.65
34.34
31.94
29.61
27.44
25.50
23.79
22.28
20.96
19.81
18.79
34.77
32.63
30.40
28.21
26.17
24.33
22.69
21.24
19.97
18.86
17.87
32.76
30.78
28.72
26.69
24.79
23.05
21.50
20.12
18.91

f = 1.0

~
0.507
0.525
0.544
0.566
0.588
0.610
0.631
0.652
0.672
0.691
0.709
0.519
0.536
0.556
0.577
0.600
0.622
0.644
0.665
0.686
0.706
0.725
0.533
0.550
0.570
0.591
0.614
0.637
0.660
0.682
0.703
0.723
0.743
0.549
0.566
0.586
0.608
0.631
0.654
0.678
0.700
0.722

Per
36.37
33.66
30.98
28.53
26.38
24.54
22.98
21.65
20.52
19.54
18.70
34.95
32.40
29.86
27.51
25.45
23.67
22.16
20.87
19.76
18.81
17.99
33.36
30.97
28.58
26.37
24.40
22.70
21.24
20.00
18.93
18.00
17.20
31.60
29.38
27.16
25.09
23.23
21.62
20.23
19.04
18.01

e = 5.0

k
0.521
0.541
0.564
0.588
0.612
0.634
0.655
0.675
0.694
0.711
0.726
0.531
0.552
0.575
0.599
0.623
0.646
0.667
0.688
0.707
0.724
0.741
0.544
0.564
0.588
0.612
0.636
0.659
0.682
0.702
0.722
0.740
0.757
0.559
0.580
0.603
0.627
0.652
0.676
0.698
0.720
0.740

i:,,,~
24.60
21.39
19.00
17.32
16.13
15.26
14.59
14.07
13.65
13.30
13.02
23.96
20.87
18.55
16.92
15.76
14.90
14.25
13.73
13.32
12.98
12.69
23.23
20.27
18.04
16.45
15.32
14.49
13.85
13.34
12.94
12.61
12.33
22.37
19.56
17.43
15.91
14.82
14.01
13.38
12.89
12.50

0.633
0.679
0.721
0.755
0.782
0.804
0.822
0.837
0.850
0.861
0.871
0.642
0.688
0.729
0.764
0.791
0.814
0.832
0.848
0.861
0.872
0.882
0.652
0.698
0.740
0.774
0.802
0.825
0.844
0.860
0.873
0.885
0.895
0.664
0.710
0.752
0.788
0.816
0.839
0.859
0.875
0.888

Equivalent buckling length of non-uniform members

151

TABLE 1
Continued
~h

"02

e=0

Pcr

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.9
1.0
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8

18.07
16.90
30.52
29.05
27.45
25.78
24.09
22.45
20.89
19.44
18.10
16.88
15.76
28.37
27.01
25.54
24.00
22.42
20.93
19.48
18.12
16.86
15.70
14.64
26.38
25.12
23.75
22.33
20.89
19.48
18.13
16.85
15.67
14.57
13.57
24.58
23.38
22.11
20.78
19.44
18.12
16.85
15.65
14.54

f=0.5

k
0.739
0.764
0.569
0.583
0.600
0.619
0.640
0.663
0.687
0.713
0.738
0.765
0.791
0.590
0.604
0.622
0.641
0.663
0.687
0.712
0.738
0.765
0.793
0.821
0.612
0.627
0.645
0.665
0.687
0.712
0.738
0.765
0.794
0.823
0.853
0.634
0.650
0.668
0.689
0.713
0.738
0.765
0.794
0.824

~'cr
17.84
16.89
30.67
28.86
26.96
25.09
23.32
21.70
20.24
18.94
17.78
16.76
15.86
28.58
26.91
25.17
23.45
21.81
20.30
18.94
17.71
16.62
15.65
14.79
26.55
25.01
23.40
21.81
20.30
18.90
17.62
16.48
15.45
14.53
13.72
24.63
23.18
21.70
20.22
18.82
17.52
16.33
15.25
14.29

e=l.0

k
0.744
0.764
0.567
0.585
0.605
0.627
0.650
0.674
0.698
0.722
0.745
0.767
0.789
0.588
0.606
0.626
0.649
0.673
0.697
0.722
0.746
0.770
0.794
0.817
0.610
0.628
0.649
0.673
0.697
0.723
0.748
0.774
0.799
0.824
0.848
0.633
0.652
0.674
0.698
0.724
0.751
0.777
0.804
0.831

]'cr
17.12
16.34
29.71
27.67
25.62
23.70
21.96
20.44
19.13
18.00
17.01
16.16
15.41
27.77
25.89
24.00
22.22
20.61
19.19
17.96
16.89
15.95
15.14
14.43
25.81
24.08
22.34
20.70
19.21
17.89
16.74
15.73
14.85
14.08
13.41
23.90
22.28
20.68
19.17
17.79
16.57
15.49
14.54
13.72

f=5.0

k
0.759
0.777
0.576
0.597
0.621
0.645
0.670
0.695
0.718
0.740
0.762
0.781
0.800
0.596
0.617
0.641
0.666
0.692
0.717
0.741
0.764
0.786
0.807
0.827
0.618
0.640
0.665
0.690
0.717
0.743
0.768
0.792
0.815
0.837
0.858
0.643
0.665
0.691
0.717
0.745
0.772
0.798
0.824
0.848

~'cr
12.17
11.90
21.38
18.74
16.72
15.28
14.23
13.44
12.85
12.37
11.99
11.68
11.41
20.25
17.79
15.90
14.54
13.55
12.80
12.23
11.78
11.41
11.11
10.85
18.98
16.71
14.97
13.69
12.76
12.06
11.52
11.09
10.74
10.45
10.21
17.59
15.52
13.91
12.74
11.87
11.22
10.71
10.31
9.98

k
0.900
0.910
0.679
0.726
0.768
0.804
0.833
0.857
0.876
0.893
0.907
0.919
0.930
0.698
0.745
0.788
0.824
0.853
0.878
0.898
0.915
0.930
0.942
0.953
0.721
0.768
0.812
0.849
0.879
0.904
0.926
0.943
0.959
0.972
0.983
0.749
0.797
0.842
0.880
0.912
0.938
0.960
0.978
0.994

J. Ch. Ermopoulos

152

TABLE

Continued
T~I

'~2

g = 0

P,,r

0.8

0.9

1.0

0.9
1.0
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0

f = 0.5

13.50
12.55
22.95
21.82
20.61
19.36
18.10
16.86
15.67
14.54
13.48
12.49
11.58
21.48
20.40
19.25
18.07
16.88
15.70
14.57
13.50
12.49
11.56
10.69
20.17
19.13
18.03
16.90
15.76
14.64
13.57
12.55
11.58
10.69
9.86

P,,.

0.855
0.887
0.656
0.673
0.692
0.714
0.738
0.765
0.794
0.824
0.856
0.889
0.923
0.678
0.696
0.716
0.739
0.765
0.793
0.823
0.855
0.889
0.924
0.961
0.700
0.718
0.740
0.764
0.791
0.821
0.853
0.887
0.923
0.961
1.000

13.42
12.65
22.83
21.47
20.08
18.71
17.40
16.18
15.07
14.06
13.15
12.34
11.60
21.16
19.87
18.56
17.28
16.05
14.91
13.87
12.92
12.06
11.29
10.59
19.63
18.40
17.16
15.94
14.79
13.71
12.73
11.83
11.02
10.29
9.62

Im

72

im
L~+~

I1

0.857
0.883
0.657
0.678
0.701
0.726
0.753
0.781
0.809
0.838
0.866
0.894
0.922
0.683
0.705
0.729
0.756
0.784
0.813
0.844
0.874
0.904
0.935
0.965
0.709
0.732
0.758
0.787
0.817
0.848
0.880
0.913
0.946
0.979
1.012

Pcr
12.99
12.36
22.06
20.55
19.06
17.66
16.38
15.25
14.24
13.36
12.58
11.90
11.30
20.31
18.89
17.51
16.20
15.01
13.95
13.01
12.19
11.46
10.82
10.25
18.68
17.33
16.03
14.81
13.69
12.70
! 1.82
11.05
10.36
9.76
9.22

122,500

Lc

71

f = 1.0

750
~
+L2

122,500
750

= 0.45
250,000

-500

~ =

k
0.871
0.894
0.669
0.693
0.719
0.747
0.776
0.804
0.832
0.859
0.885
0.910
0.934
0.697
0.723
0.751
0.780
0.811
0.841
0.871
0.900
0.928
0.955
0.981
0.727
0.754
0.785
0.816
0.849
0.881
0.913
0.945
0.976
1.005
1.034

Pcr
9.70
9.48
16.11
14.21
12.76
11.68
10.88
10.28
9.81
9.43
9.12
8.87
8.65
14.57
12.83
11.51
10.53
9.80
9.25
8.81
8.46
8.18
7.95
7.75
12.99
11.39
10.19
9.31
8.65
8.14
7.75
7.43
7.17
6.95
6.77

5.0

k
1.008
1.020
0.783
0.833
0.879
0.912
0.952
0.980
1.003
1.023
1.040
1.055
1.068
0.823
0.877
0.926
0.968
1.003
1.033
1.058
1.079
1.098
1.114
1.128
0.871
0.931
0.984
1.030
1.068
1.101
1.128
1.152
1.173
1.191
1.207

Equivalent buckling length of non-uniform members

153

TABLE 2
Critical Loads ~bcr and Equivalent Buckling Length Ratios k for a Tapered Member in a Sway
Mode
"01

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

'12

0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8

e =0

~ = 0.5

e = 1.0

e = 5.0

Pcr

ecr

Pcr

ecr

9.86
9.34
8.75
8.09
7.37
6.60
5.79
4.95
4.11
3.28
2.46
9.34
8.85
8.31
7.70
7.03
6.30
5.53
4.74
3.93
3.12
2.33
8.75
8.31
7.81
7.25
6.63
5.96
5.24
4.49
3.72
2.94
2.18
8.09
7.70
7.25
6.75
6.18
5.57
4.90
4.20
3.48

1.000
1.028
1.062
1.105
1.157
1.223
1.306
1.412
1.550
1.735
2.003
1.028
1.056
1.090
1.132
1.185
1.252
1.336
1.443
1.585
1.779
2.058
1.062
1.090
1.124
1.167
1.220
1.287
1.372
1.483
1.629
1.832
2.128
1.105
1.132
1.167
1.209
1.264
1.331
1.419
1.533
1.684

9.63
9.01
8.34
7.63
6.90
6.17
5.44
4.73
4.05
3.41
2.81
9.21
8.63
8.00
7.33
6.64
5.94
5.24
4.56
3.90
3.28
2.69
8.71
8.18
7.60
6.98
6.33
5.67
5.00
4.35
3.73
3.13
2.56
8.14
7.66
7.13
6.56
5.96
5.35
4.73
4.12
3.52

1.012
1.046
1.087
1.137
1.195
1.265
1.347
1.444
1.560
1.700
1.873
1.035
1.069
1.111
1.160
1.219
1.289
1.372
1.471
1.590
1.734
1.913
1.064
1.098
1.139
1.189
1.248
1.319
1.404
1.505
1.627
1.776
1.962
1.101
1.135
1.176
1.226
1.286
1.358
1.444
1.548
1.674

9.23
8.55
7.84
7.13
6.43
5.75
5.11
4.51
3.96
3.45
2.98
8.87
8.23
7.56
6.88
6.21
5.56
4.95
4.37
3.83
3.34
2.88
8.45
7.85
7.23
6.59
5.96
5.34
4.75
4.20
3.68
3.20
2.76
7.95
7.41
6.83
6.24
5.65
5.08
4.52
3.99
3.50

1.034
1.074
1.121
1.176
1.239
1.310
1.389
1.479
1.578
1.691
1.818
1.055
1.095
1.142
1.197
1.260
1.331
1.412
1.502
1.604
1.719
1.850
1.081
1.121
1.168
1.223
1.286
1.359
1.440
1.533
1.637
1.755
1.890
1.114
1.154
1.201
1.257
1.321
1.394
1.477
1.571
1.678

6.77
5.96
5.30
4.78
4.36
4.02
3.75
3.52
3.33
3.17
3.03
6.61
5.83
5.19
4.68
4.27
3.94
3.67
3.45
3.27
3.11
2.98
6.41
5.67
5.06
4.57
4.17
3.85
3.59
3.38
3.19
3.04
2.91
6.17
5.47
4.89
4.42
4.04
3.74
3.49
3.28
3.10

1.207
1.286
1.364
1.437
1.504
1.566
1.622
1.673
1.721
1.763
1.803
1.221
1.300
1.378
1.451
1.519
1.581
1.638
1.689
1.736
1.779
1.820
1.240
1.318
1.396
1.469
1.538
1.600
1.656
1.708
1.756
1.800
1.840
1.264
1.343
1.420
1.494
1.562
1.624
1.682
1.734
1.782

J. Ch. Ermopoulos

154

TABLE 2
Continued
"0/

"02

v=0

Pcr

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.9
1.0
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0
0.0
O. 1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9

2.74
2.01
7.37
7.03
6.63
6.18
5.68
5.13
4.52
3.87
3.20
2.51
1.82
6.60
6.30
5.96
5.57
5.13
4.63
4.09
3.51
2.89
2.25
1.60
5.79
5.53
5.24
4.90
4.52
4.09
3.61
3.09
2.53
1.95
1.34
4.95
4.74
4.49
4.20
3.87
3.51
3.09
2.63
2.14
1.61

e = 0.5

k
1.898
2.216
1.157
1.185
1.220
1.264
1.318
1.387
1.478
1.597
1.756
1.983
2.329
1.223
1.252
1.287
1.331
1.387
1.460
1.553
1.677
1.848
2.094
2.484
1.306
1.336
1.372
1.419
1.478
1.553
1.653
1.787
1.975
2.250
2.714
1.412
1.443
1.483
1.533
1.597
1.677
1.787
1.937
2.148
2.476

Pcr
2.94
2.40
7.49
7.06
6.58
6.07
5.53
4.97
4.40
3.83
3.27
2.73
2.21
6.75
6.37
5.96
5.51
5.03
4.53
4.01
3.49
2.98
2.47
1.98
5.92
5.60
5.25
4.86
4.45
4.01
3.55
3.09
2.62
2.16
1.71
5.01
4.75
4.45
4.13
3.78
3.41
3.02
2.6l
2.20
1.79

e = 1.0

k
1.829
2.026
1.148
1.182
1.224
1.274
1.335
1.408
1.497
1.604
1.736
1.900
2.111
1.209
1.244
1.286
1.338
1.400
1.475
1.567
1.680
1.820
1.996
2.227
1.291
1.327
1.371
1.424
1.489
1.568
1.665
1.786
1.938
2.134
2.398
1.402
1.441
1.488
1.545
1.614
1.700
1.807
1.941
2.114
2.344

Pcr
3.04
2.61
7.37
6.88
6.36
5.83
5.29
4.76
4.24
3.74
3.28
2.84
2.44
6.68
6.25
5.80
5.32
4.84
4.36
3.89
3.44
3.01
2.60
2.22
5.88
5.51
5.13
4.72
4.30
3.88
3.47
3.06
2.67
2.30
1.95
4.97
4.67
4.35
4.01
3.66
3.30
2.95
2.59
2.25
1.92

v = 5.0

k
1.801
1.942
1.157
1.198
1.245
1.301
1.366
1.440
1.525
1.623
1.734
1.862
2.011
1.215
1.256
1.304
1.361
1.427
1.503
1.591
1.693
1.810
1.947
2.107
1.295
1.337
1.387
1.445
1.513
1.593
1.686
1.795
1.921
2.070
2.250
1.409
1.454
1.506
1.568
1.641
1.728
1.829
1.949
2.092
2.265

Pcr
2.95
2.83
5.86
5.21
4.67
4.24
3.88
3.59
3.35
3.15
2.98
2.84
2.71
5.46
4.88
4.39
3.99
3.66
3.39
3.16
2.98
2.82
2.68
2.57
4.93
4.43
4.01
3.65
3.36
3.12
2.91
2.75
2.60
2.48
2.37
4.24
3.83
3.48
3.18
2.94
2.73
2.56
2.41
2.28
2.17

k
1.826
1.867
1.297
1.375
1.452
1.526
1.594
1.658
1.716
1.769
1.818
1.863
1.905
1.344
1.422
1.499
1.573
1.641
1.705
1.765
1.818
1.868
1.916
1.957
1.414
1.491
1.569
1.642
1.713
1.778
1.839
1.894
1.945
1.995
2.039
1.526
1.604
1.683
1.759
1.831
1.900
1.963
2.022
2.078
2.128

Equivalent buckling length of non-uniform members

T A B L E

155

Continued
7h

r/e

e = 0

1.0
0.0
0.l
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0
0.0
o. l
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0
0.0
o. l
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0

0.8

0.9

1.0

is found

e = 0.5

e = 1.0

['cr

ecr

P cr

1.06
4.11
3.93
3.72
3.48
3.20
2.89
2.53
2.14
1.70
1.23
0.74
3.28
3.12
2.94
2.74
2.51
2.25
1.95
1.61
1.23
0.82
0.38
2.46
2.33
2.18
2.01
1.82
1.60
1.34
1.06
0.74
0.38

3.051
1.550
1.585
1.629
1.684
1.756
1.848
1.975
2.148
2.409
2.833
3.652
1.735
1.779
1.832
1.898
1.983
2.094
2.250
2.476
2.833
3.469
5.096
2.003
2.058
2.128
2.216
2.329
2.484
2.714
3.051
3.652
5.096

1.38
4.05
3.83
3.59
3.32
3.04
2.73
2.40
2.06
1.71
1.35
0.99
3.04
2.86
2.67
2.46
2.22
1.97
1.71
1.43
1.13
0.83
0.53
2.01
1.87
1.72
1.55
1.36
1.16
0.95
0.72
0.49
0.24

2.665
1.561
1.604
1.657
1.722
1.801
1.900
2.025
2.187
2.401
2.699
3.147
1.801
1.855
1.921
2.003
2.104
2.233
2.400
2.626
2.944
3.433
4.309
2.211
2.293
2.395
2.522
2.687
2.907
3.215
3.680
4.480
6.349

1.60
3.95
3.71
3.45
3.18
2.90
2.61
2.31
2.02
1.73
1.45
1.18
2.85
2.66
2.46
2.25
2.03
1.80
1.57
1.33
1.10
0.87
0.64
1.69
1.54
1.39
1.23
1.06
0.89
0.71
0.53
0.35
o. 17

- -

oo

- -

/? = 5.0

k
2.477
1.580
1.630
1.689
1.760
1.844
1.944
2.063
2.208
2.385
2.607
2.892
1.860
1.925
2.001
2.093
2.204
2.339
2.507
2.718
2.994
3.368
3.913
2.415
2.526
2.661
2.3831
3.046
3.330
3.722
4.306
5.301
7.617
oo

i'cr

2.08
3.32
3.01
2.75
2.52
2.33
2.17
2.03
1.91
1.81
1.73
1.64
2.14
1.93
1.75
1.60
1.46
1.35
1.26
1.17
1.10
1.04
0.98
0.68
0.56
---------

2.177
1.724
1.809
1.893
1.977
2.055
2.131
2.202
2.268
2.331
2.388
2.447
2.146
2.259
2.371
2.482
2.591
2.696
2.798
2.893
2.992
3.079
3.165
3.784
4.192
--------o~

to be:

non-sway

mode

sway mode
For this example

(Fig. 2, e = 0):

k = 0.66

( F i g . 3, e = 0 ) :

k = 1.38.

it can be seen that the difference

between

the buckling

156

J. Ch. Ermopoulos

,0\

I"h

\,, \ \

0.9

-4 o.~"-~\L

"\ \

o.7 ~ \ \ \

",\ \

\-\\"\'~
~*",\~\,
\ \~\

0.s \

0.3 - \

- \ '\,,

\ \"\

~r

Fixed

0.0

"\

0.s

"\

\\

,\

,\

",~ \ \

0.4
0.3

0.1

\
, \

0.0' ~'-

\
\

\,

"~,~'~, \

",,~o\ \
"~,~ \,, \ ,
",\
",~o \
\\
"\o_ "N \
\',
\

\~

,~ '\

,~-.. \

",

"\

\\\'~.~.

\\\

\
\

N
\5\

\" \ x
,,

0.0 0.1 02. 0.3 0,4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 09 1.0

F i g . 2.

\ \

\
\

~ .~'<-.

0.6

"\ \,\\\?

\
,

0.7 x

Pinned

o~ \
0.8

\
\

\,, " \ . ,
\' " \ \ \ \

\\\\\
o.o~,-\ \ \ \ \
0.1\

\,,
\

".\ \

0.2

0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0/, 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0

Equivalentbuckling length ratio k for uniform ( f = 0 ) and non-uniformcolumns ( e

0.5, 1, 5) in a non-sway mode.

length ratios of a non-uniform and the corresponding uniform column is

approximately equal to 20%.

4 CONCLUSIONS
In the present paper the non-linear equilibrium equations of framed compression uniform and non-uniform members were established, for both the
non-sway and the sway modes.
Solving these equations by an iteration procedure, one can obtain the equiv-

Equivalent buckling length of non-uniform members

157

1.0

o~~

o.~~
~

C \ ."\"k,\ ~\ ,\x'i
0.6
\\
0.5 "~- " " ]

\>

I ~ \, \ , \ ,\~ \

OA
0.3 ~

"\

0.2

0.o.:o \

,.\
~ \!\\
.,.,
\
\
\ \ ~\ \\
~. w, k
\\\\\
\ \\~

Fixed

\ \ \\1

Pinned

0.0

03

~410"8
0.7
0.6

o.~",
o,~ \
0.3

o., -~;

\~
\
~" ~.

\
\
"~\

\, \

%
\

"~
\

0.0 0.I 0.2 0.3 0.~ 0.5 0.6 0.7 0~ 09 1.0

F-c

\ \\,

-w,

OZ) 0.1 0.2 03 0Z 05 0.S 0.7 0B 0.9 1.0

.q2=

F i g . 3. Equivalent buckling length ratio k for uniform ( = 0) and non-uniform columns (e =

0.5, 1, 5) in a sway mode.

alent buckling length ratios of the members considered, while the corresponding values of the critical loads are also calculated.
The equations for uniform members correspond directly to the diagrams
given in EC3, Annex E (figures E.2.1 and E.2.2), while the equations for nonuniform members satisfy paragraph E. 1.4 of the same Annex.
Using the diagrams presented in Figs 2 and 3 it is easy to obtain graphically
the equivalent buckling length ratio for each particular combination of the
geometric characteristics of the frame under consideration (i.e. non-sway or
sway mode, lengths and moments of inertia, tapering ratio of the column, etc.).
In addition, the corresponding critical loads can also be determined from
Tables 1 and 2.

158

J. Ch. Ermopoulos

It is worth mentioning that the buckling length ratios k for tapered members,
depending on the combination of the distribution factors 771 and 7/2, become
either bigger or smaller than the uniform ones (with constant moment of inertia
equal to Ira), as can be seen from Fig. 2 or Fig. 3.

REFERENCES
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ASCE, 1962, 127, 81-101.
2. Wood, R. H., Effective lengths of columns in multi-storey buildings. Structural
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3. Wood, R. H. and Roberts, E. H., A graphical method of preventing sidesway in
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