ABSTRACT
The aim of the present study is to show the minimum mass design procedure for welded steel I-section columns loaded by compression force. The normal stresses and overall stability are calculated for pinned columns. The dimensions of the I-columns are optimized by using constraints on overall stability, and local buckling of webs and flanges. The different design rules and standards, like Eurocode 3, Japan Railroad Association (JRA), American Petroleum Institute (API), and American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) have been compared for this predesign. The calculations are made for different loadings, column length and steel grades. The yield stress varies between 235 and 690 MPa. The optimization is made using the Generalized Reduced Gradient method in the Excel Solver. Comparisons show the most economic structure.
