ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the general behaviour of axially compressed members containing residual stresses and deviations from exact straightness. Members axially loaded in tension are found principally in lattice frames, in which they are often called ties. Premature failure of the component elements of a column can occur if limiting width to thickness ratios are exceeded. Because the compressive strength is a maximum for the minimum value of slenderness ratio it follows that the most efficient way to utilise the material in a column is to arrange it so as to maximise the radius of gyration. For the commonly available rolled sections tables of compression resistance are available from which direct design is possible, not only for axially loaded members but also for members carrying a combination of axial load and bending moment. Local buckling in the wall of the steel section will be restrained by the concrete infill.
