Review of Column Behavior Under Biaxial Loading

Columns in a multi-story building framework are usually designed to resist bending moments acting in the plane of the frame. An actual column, however, is frequently subjected to bending moments acting in two perpendicular directions in addition to an axial load. Except in Great Britain, no such considerations are now included in column design. It is the purpose of this paper to survey the present stand of the problem of columns under biaxial loading. The survey deals with two equally important aspects of progress—New solutions emerging from the analytical study and experimental results reported from laboratory tests, with emphasis placed on the fundamental concepts advanced by various investigators. Three typical solutions ranging from an almost exact to a rather crude approximation have been selected for a rather detailed discussion. Comparison of the analytical work with test results is reviewed. Directions of further study are indicated.