Roof Bracing and Effective Length of Columns in One‐Story Industrial Buildings

The effect of in‐plane roof bracing rigidity on the stability of columns in one‐story industrial buildings with light roofing is investigated. To simplify the analysis, expressions for the equivalent constants of the springs laterally supporting the columns at roof level are derived for common types of bracing, including roof metal decks. Effective length factors for simply supported and fixed‐base columns supporting roof girders and deep trusses, also considering their rotational rigidities, are derived and presented in graphical form. Two numerical examples are given to illustrate the procedure. The examples also demonstrate that the available in‐plane roof rigidity may not be adequate to permit full use of the columns as simply supported.