Compression Members:

Compression members in steel need special care in design. Steel possesses high strength in tension/compression; hence the sections are generally small compared to the length, resulting in slender elements. These elements, as you have seen after studying Euler's buckling theory, are easily subjected to failure due to buckling. Thus, the strength of a compression member is strongly affected by its slenderness ratio, which must be estimated beforehand. You have studied the various methods of failure of columns and struts. Various cross-sections' shapes are available for compression members and the best shape is to be selected depending upon the external loading and the location of the member. Designs of pipes or tubular elements as columns as well as encased columns have been discussed. The designs of both axially loaded columns as well as columns subjected to eccentric loading have been explained.