The AISC-ASD 9th Edition specifies the design of steel tube and pipe columns under axial compression by checking against allowable compressive stresses. Key design considerations include cross-section properties, slenderness ratio, effective length, and the column buckling curve defined in the code. This Excel sheet automates these checks for both HSS (Hollow Structural Section) rectangular tubes and circular pipes.
Tube and Pipe Columns in Steel Construction
Tube and pipe sections are widely used as columns in industrial platforms, mezzanines, canopies, and light-to-medium rise construction due to their favorable radius of gyration in both axes and clean appearance. Because these sections have equal or near-equal stiffness about both axes, slenderness and buckling checks govern the design in a straightforward manner compared to open sections such as wide-flange shapes.
What This Excel Sheet Calculates
- Allowable axial compressive stress per AISC-ASD 9th Edition column curves
- Slenderness ratio (KL/r) for the governing axis
- Section properties for standard HSS and pipe sizes
- Allowable axial load capacity for the selected section
- Comparison of applied axial load against allowable capacity
- Effective length factor (K) based on end support conditions
Design Inputs Required
- Section designation (HSS rectangular/square or standard pipe size)
- Steel grade and yield stress (Fy)
- Unbraced length in each axis
- Effective length factor (K) based on end conditions
- Applied axial compressive load
- Any bracing or intermediate support locations
Applicable Design Codes
This sheet is based on the AISC-ASD 9th Edition Manual of Steel Construction, using the allowable stress provisions for axially loaded compression members.
Who Should Use This Tool
This tool suits structural engineers sizing columns for platforms, mezzanines, pipe racks, and canopies, as well as students learning allowable stress design for compression members.
Download the Free Tube / Pipe Column Design Sheet
This free Excel sheet automates the allowable axial load calculation for HSS and pipe columns per AISC-ASD 9th Edition, removing the manual work of looking up column curve values and cross-checking slenderness ratios for every trial section. Engineers can enter the section size, unbraced length, and end conditions to quickly confirm whether a given tube or pipe column has adequate capacity for the applied axial load, making it useful for early sizing as well as final design checks.
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