50 S T E E L D E S I G N E R S ’ H A N D B O O K

4.5 Elastic flexural buckling load of a member

4.5.1 General
In the previous sections frequent reference is made to the elastic flexural buckling load of
a member, Nom:
π2EI
Nom = }2
(ke l )
where I is the second moment area in the relevant buckling mode, ke is a factor used in
effective length calculations and l is the ‘system’ length of the member—that is, the
length between the centres of the intersecting members or footings.
The value of the effective length factor, ke, depends on the stiffness of the rotational
and translational restraints at the member ends. The effective length (le) of a column-type
member is readily calculated as:
le = ke l
For a braced member, ke has a value between 0.7 and 1.0 (see Figure 4.6.3.2 of AS 4100).
A sway member will have a ke larger than 1.0 and has no defined upper limit. Generally, the
end restraint condition of a compression member can be divided into two categories: those
with idealised end restraints, and those which are part of a frame with rigid connections.

4.5.2 Members with idealised end connections

Clause 4.6.3.2 of AS 4100 lists the applicable effective length factor (ke) for the
combination of idealised connection types at the end of a compression member (e.g.
pinned or encased/fixed in rotation and braced or sway in lateral translation). This is
summarised in Figure 4.3.

Case
Characteristic

Rotational end restraint

Top PIN FIX PIN NIL FIX
Bottom PIN FIX FIX FIX FIX

Translational restraint
Top R R R NIL NIL
Bottom R R R R R
le
ke 5 }} 1.0 0.7 0.85 2.2 1.2
l
Legend: PIN 5 pinned; FIX 5 fixed; R 5 restrained.
Figure 4.3 Effective length factor for members with idealised end constraints