Columns

Allowable Stress – Maximum amount of stress a column can take before it fails
Beam Columns – Columns that are subjected to moment and axial forces
Buckling – The bowing or bending of a column when subjected to loading
Buckling Direction – The direction that a column will tend to bend when subjected to loading
Column Effective Length – Column length subjected to buckling
Column End Condition – The type of connection between the column and the adjacent structural elements
Column Moment Diagrams – Diagram that graphically depicts the moments of a column under loading
Compression Elements – Structural elements that collect loads from horizontal spanning members and transfer them to the foundation or other structural elements
Concentric Loading (Axial Loading) – Loading that is directly applied at the centroid of the column cross section along its long axis
Crushing – Common failure mode of short columns
Critical Load –The maximum load at which a column buckles
Eccentric Loading – Loading that is applied at a distance from the centroid of a column
Effective Length (Critical Length) - The length of a column that is susceptible to buckling
Euler Elastic Theory – Formula that predicts the value of critical load and critical stresses for long columns
Fixed Columns - Columns that are fixed or restrained from movement at both ends
Hinged Columns – A Column that is hinged at both of its ends
Inflection Points (Contraflexure Points) – Location of curvature changes in the buckled column; the bending moment is zero at this point.
Intermediate Column – A column that fails by a combination of crushing and buckling
K Value – A modifier that takes into account the end condition of the column and thus effects the slenderness ratio; a larger k-value will increase the slenderness ratio
Lateral Loads – Loads applied in the horizontal direction such as wind, earthquakes, and impacts
Leonard Euler – A Swiss mathematician who recognized that a long column’s failure under axial loads is caused by buckling and not by strength failure.
Load Capacity – The amount of load a structure or structural element can take before failing
Long Column – A column that is defined as having a small cross sectional area in relation to its length
Masts – A type of large column
Modules of Elasticity –The ratio of the stress inflicted on an element to the strain that is produced;
Moment of Inertia – A mathematical concept that is used to study the strength of a structural member by factoring the effect of cross sectional shape and orientation of the member with respect to loading
Piers – A type of large column
Pilasters – A type of large column
Posts – A type of smaller column
Pylons – A type of larger column
Radius of Gyration – Defined as the square root of the moment of inertia divided by the cross sectional area of the shape; a shape factor that measures the resistance to bending about a defined axis
Section Modulus – A measure of bending resistance
Short Column – A column that has a relatively large cross sectional area when compared to its length; usually fails by crushing
Slenderness Ratio – Defined as the column’s effective length divided by the radius of gyration; a dimensional property that identifies the critical length of the column
Strong/ Major Axis – The axis of a column about which there exists greater resistance to buckling
Struts – A type of smaller column
Weak/Minor Axis – The axis of a column that will be initially subjected to buckling