Publisher's Synopsis
This committee report elucidates several contemporary techniques for assessing column stability in the design of steel frame structures. The primary intent of the document is to provide an understanding of the strengths, limitations, and assumptions with respect to column and frame stability made in the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) Load and Resistance Factor Design Specification for Structural Steel Buildings (LRFD). The report focuses on three techniques for stability design. Two approaches are based on the use of effective length factors and are specifically outlined in sections of the commentary of the Second Edition (1993) of the AISC LRFD Specification. The third method involves the use of a notional load approach for stability design (with the use of an effective length factor equal to one for all columns in the frame). While notional load approaches are not mentioned in the AISC specifications, this technique is commonly used in some form within several other design standards throughout much of the rest of the world. Examples are included to illustrate the procedures for both common and unusual conditions encountered in practice.;This document is applicable to both unbraced and braced frames having either fully-restrained or partially restrained connections. In addition, while most of the discussions pertain equally to either AISC\IAllowable Stress Design\n or LRFD practice, to provide focus to the report, all discussions are framed within the context of the more current LRFD specification. A practical introduction to this material is provided through the discussions of the assumptions, advantages and disadvantages of each of the methods, and the step-by-step examples. The more detailed discussions and derivations provide a reference regarding some of the more complex issues involved with design for stability.
