ABSTRACT
Columns make open space possible and keep everything up. Without them we would be subject to the limitations of walls. Columns range from round pipe to heavy wide flanges that are also part of the lateral force resisting system. The discussion of columns applies equally to truss compression members.
In this chapter we look at buckling stability of columns, and its effect on strength. We then look at critical buckling stresses, and column capacity. This is followed by a thorough example of a two-story column in a high-snow load region.
