(Columns - TotalConstructionHelp)

Member information		'Columns' - Axial Compression Capacity of Solid Wood Elements Wood Used = Dense No.1 Douglas Fir-Larch under normal moisture and load conditions
Nominal Column Size	Actual Wood Area (sq.inches)	Maximum Unbraced Length of Column Note: Loads are in kips, and kips = 1000's of pounds Example: 6.0 kips = 6000 pounds
Nominal Column Size	Actual Wood Area (sq.inches)	6 ft	8 ft	10 ft	12 ft	14 ft
2 x 4	5.25	1.3 kips	-	-	-	-
3 x 4	8.75	6.0 kips	3.4 kips	2.2 kips	-	-
3 x 6	13.75	9.4 kips	5.3 kips	3.4 kips	-	-
4 x 4	12.25	14.7 kips	9.3 kips	5.9 kips	4.1 kips	3.0 kips
Caution! Care needs to be taken when using the tables. You must be sure of what type of loading you are going to place on the Column. If you are not sure then be sure ask your Engineer or Architect.
Definitions: Nominal Column Size = Size used to order material, such as, a 2 x 4, but which is Actually 1 1/2" x 3 1/2". Therefore, when an Engineer or Architect perform the calculations on a wood member they use the Actual dimension (which is smaller than the nominal size). Maximum Unbraced Length of Column = The length of the column from one brace or support point to another (length shown in feet). kips = Example: 6.0 kips = 6000 pounds Axial Load = Directly loaded down the center of the column (these columns are not designed for cantilevered loads, which produce bending). These Tables are to be used to Estimate the Lumber needed for Construction and MAY ONLY BE USED FOR DESIGN BY SOMEONE WHO HAS THE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE IN CONSTRUCTION.

Member information		'Columns' - Axial Compression Capacity of Steel Beams Fy = 36 ksi W Shapes Allowable axial load in kips
Effective KL least ry	Column Length (feet)	Maximum Load on Column Note: Loads are in kips, and kips = 1000's of pounds Example: 6.0 kips = 6000 pounds
Effective KL least ry	Column Length (feet)	W8 x 28	W8 x 24	W6 x 20	W6 x 15	W4 x13
	8	144 kips	124 kips	100 kips	75 kips	52 kips
	10	132 kips	113 kips	90 kips	67 kips	39 kips
	12	118 kips	101 kips	79 kips	58 kips	28 kips
	14	103 kips	88 kips	67 kips	48 kips	24 kips
	Area =	8.25 in²	7.08 in²	5.87 in²	4.43 in²	3.83 in²
	Ix =	98.0 in⁴	82.8 in⁴	41.4 in⁴	29.1 in⁴	11.3 in⁴
	ry =	1.62 in	1.61 in	1.50 in	1.45 in	1.00 in
Caution! Care needs to be taken when using the tables. You must be sure of what type of loading you are going to place on the Column. If you are not sure then be sure ask your Engineer or Architect.
Definitions: Column Size and Info = Steel Manual Maximum Unbraced Length of Column = The length of the column from one brace or support point to another (length shown in feet). kips = Example: 67.0 kips = 67000 pounds Axial Load = Directly loaded down the center of the column (these columns are not designed for cantilevered loads, which produce bending). These Tables are to be used to Estimate the Lumber needed for Construction and MAY ONLY BE USED FOR DESIGN BY SOMEONE WHO HAS THE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE IN CONSTRUCTION.

These Table are provided as Examples of Columns and Loading. There are many Tables available for Selecting Columns under various Loading Conditions.

We plan to provide extended information in the future, regarding various type of Column Loading Conditions.