Comparative Performance of H-Sections and Symmetrical Cruciform Columns Under Axial Compression

Axially loaded steel columns are fundamental elements for a wide range of structural applications, and their performance is often governed by flexural buckling under increasing slenderness. Conventional column designs typically rely on hot-rolled H-sections that are susceptible to weak-axis instability, particularly in tall or slender configurations. Built-up cruciform sections, such as King and Queen cross-sections, have been proposed as alternatives offering improved geometric balance and enhanced buckling resistance. However, a systematic comparison of their axial performances relative to standard H-sections, particularly on an equivalent weight basis, remains limited. This study aims to address this gap by conducting a detailed comparative analysis of the design axial load-carrying capacities of representative H-sections (H150, H200, and H300) and their equivalently weighted King (K198, K248, and K350) and Queen (Q200, Q298, and Q400) cruciform counterparts. The analysis was performed in accordance with the AISC 360-16 provisions, considering pinned-pinned boundary conditions and column lengths ranging from 3 m to 10 m to capture varying slenderness effects. The results demonstrate that while King cruciform sections perform well in short, stocky columns, their efficiency diminishes at higher slenderness. In contrast, the Queen cruciform sections consistently outperformed both the King and conventional H-sections in both strong-axis and weak-axis buckling across all lengths, particularly in slender columns. These findings offer valuable design insights for optimising the column selection in applications where global stability and material efficiency are critical.