Measures · Steel column
Steel column pre-sizing FREE
Work out the section of a steel column from its load and clear height. Below the result you find the formula and the standard.
Indicative pre-sizing. It does not replace a structural calculation signed by a licensed engineer. For seismic zones with agS (design ground acceleration) > 0.15g, long spans or use classes III/IV → talk to a structural engineer.
Pick a calculation from the list to start.
Formula, example and standard
Slenderness λ = h/i ≤ 200 · pick from HEA/HEB tables
Example with the starting values (Load N: 400 kN; Clear height: 3 m): Indicative section: HEA 140. Min required radius of gyration: i ≥ 1.5 cm.
- λ ≤ 200 (slenderness limit for ordinary columns, NTC 2018 §4.2).
- Pick an HEA or HEB section from the manufacturer's section tables (i_min, A).
- For slender columns or heavy loads → an EC3 buckling check is required.
Source: NTC 2018 §4.2 + EC3 · design.rootiers.it
Indicative pre-sizing: it does not replace a calculation signed by a licensed engineer.
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