Composite Columns—Design and Examples for Construction

The new German standard DIN 18806, part 1 gives the rules for the design of composite columns. The general method, taking into account all the inhomogeneties of the two materials steel and concrete as well as the realistic geometrical and physical imperfections, can only be carried out by the help of a computer. In practice, DIN 18806 gives a simplified design method based on the European buckling curves and on cross-section interaction curves for M and N for compression and bending. This paper describes this simplified design method. In addition, some reflections on the calculation of interaction curves for double symmetrical cross-sections are made. Finally, some examples of the application of composite columns in Germany are shown.