Last Updated on July 16, 2025 by Maged kamel
Solved problem 7-2 for k value for columns in frame 1/3.
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We will discuss how to determine the k factors for each of the frame’s columns, as shown in Fig. 7-6, for the solved problem 7-2, which provides the K value for the frame. Here are the W sections tentatively selected for each frame member, along with their I/L values, which are determined and shown in the figure.
The girder’s data are shown for the upper girder W18x50.
The second girder is W24x76, but between brackets, has calculated the inertia Ix value and then divided by the length for each member, whether columns or girders, to save time instead of logging to the tables to estimate inertia for each w section
Please calculate the inertia for each member and then divide by the length of the two floors with bracings.
We have two floors that were braced; movement was restrained for joints B, C, F, G, I, and J. The unbraced part is only on the upper floor. We want to check.
Estimate rotations and translations of joints for the frame.
Let us determine the number of translations and rotations for all the joints for the solved problem 7-2 for the K value for frame 1/2. What matters is the translation between two joints to use the table for the k value, which represents the sway between one joint and the other. Let us evaluate the number of joints; we have 10 joints.
For this frame member, every joint has two translations and one rotation, namely horizontal and vertical movements, as well as one rotation. How much support do we have?
We have two fixed supports and two hinged supports.
For the fixed support, it takes restraint to both horizontal and vertical translation and one rotation.
So we deduct(2*3)=6, as for the hinges, vertical and horizontal movements are prevented, and one rotation is allowed, so we have (2*2)= 4 to be deducted.
For each member, one translation is taken by the member, so we have 5 girders, and five horizontal translations were deducted.
We have six columns, so six vertical translations were deducted. In the end, we have 10 joints × 3 = 30 total translations and rotations. Let us consider each joint individually.
At E we have three total, two translations, and one rotation, taken by the fixed support at E.
We have three total at A: two translations and one rotation, with two of these taken by the hinged support.
We are left with one rotation. Let us inspect point B. We have three total: two translations and one rotation. The two members at B took two translations, and we left with one rotation.
Let us check, joint F, we have three total, two translations, and one rotation. Taken by the two members at F, we are left with one rotation.
We have the fixed joint I, along with all translations and rotations. We have a joint C, and we have three total: two translations and one rotation.
The two members take two translations, so we have one rotation. The same is true at joint G, where we have three total: two translations and one rotation. The two members take two translations, so we have one rotation.
At joint J, we have three total: two translations and one rotation. The hinge requires two translations and one rotation.
Let us proceed to joint D. We have three in total: two translations and one rotation. The two translations were taken by the two members, DC and DH, and one rotation is left.
Let us proceed to joint H. We have three total: two translations and one rotation. Member HG takes one translation. Member Gh is already used by joint D, so we have sway and rotation at joint H.
Let us count the number of rotations for joints A, B, C, F, G, D, J, and H; we have 9 in total, in which there are eight rotations and one translation at H.
We have an unbraced frame for two columns. There are no translations for all remaining columns for B, C, F, G, and J. The calculations are shown in the previous slide image.
In the next post, Part 2, we will continue our discussion of solved problem 7-2, regarding how to obtain the K value for columns of the given Frame.
A handy external link is Chapter 7: Concentrically Loaded Compression Members from
This is the next post. Solved problems 7-2 for the frames part 2.