STABILITY DESIGN CRITERIA FOR STEEL STRUCTURES.

This paper attempts to present, on the one hand, an up-to-date state-of-the-art review of the philosophy behind the various column design formulas that have been used or being proposed and are currently under consideration by the specification writing bodies in North America such as the American Institute of Steel Construction. On the other hand, it presents an in-depth and critical discussion of the need for more rational column design formulas, particularly in view of the recent development of the limit state approach to design. A valid limit state approach to analysis and design of any structural member requires the consideration of all important factors that are imperative to determining the behavior of the member throughout the entire range of loading up to the maximum capacity of the member. In the case of columns, the three main factors that need to be considered are residual stresses; initial geometrical imperfections; and end restraints. Refs.