Misconceptions regarding the K-factor

Since the publication of the paper entitled “K-Factor Paradox” ( Cheong-Siat-Moy, 1986 ), the topic of column effective length factor has received much attention from researchers ( Aristizabal-Ochoa 1994a , 1994b : Cheong-Siat-Moy 1991 ; Geschwindner 1994; Hajjar and White 1994 ; Lui 1992; Shanmugam and Chen 1995 ; white and Hajjar 1991 ). Judging by the number of papers published on this subject, and considering the formal adoption of structural analysis column effective length factor by the American Institute of Steel Construction Load and Resistance Factor Design (AISC LRFD) Specification (1993) , there is no doubt that structural design has moved into a new era in which a lack of understanding of the column effective length factor (K-factor) concept can present problems to the designer.