Third SSRC Design Guide, with Column Design Applications

The 3rd edition of the Structural Stability Research Council Guide to Stability Design Criteria for Metal Structures (formerly the Column Research Council Guide to Design Criteria for Metal Compression Members ) is reviewed. The effective length and equivalent slenderness ratio concepts are defined and differentiated. Multiple column strength curves, made available in the 3rd edition, together with an accurate determination of effective length, are shown to provide a means of reducing the uncertainties in column strength calculations. Procedures for determining modified effective lengths in the inelastic range are developed through simplified frame examples that include: (1)Columns connected to restraining members; (2)columns that support adjacent members; and (3)columns in building frames. Limitations in the use of the effective length concept are delineated.