Eccentrically loaded structural members and methods of forming the same

1. An elongated member comprising:

an elongated body having a load central longitudinal axis;

a first fitting coupled to a first end of the elongated body for applying a compressive load to said elongated body along a first axis offset from said load central longitudinal axis when not under said compressive load; and

a second fitting coupled to a second end of the elongated body opposite the first end for applying a compressive load to said elongated body along a second axis offset from said load central longitudinal axis when not under said compressive load, wherein said elongated body

L

e

r

min

π

2

⁢

E

σ

y

 is greater or equal to 0.5, wherein:

L=Length of the elongated body

L e =Effective Length of the elongated body

I min =Minimum Second Moment of Inertia of the elongated body

A=Cross sectional Area of the elongated body

r min =Minimum Radius of Gyration of the elongated body

=

I

min

A

σ y =Yield Stress of the elongated body

E=Modulus of Elasticity of the elongated body.

2. The elongated member of claim 1 , wherein the first axis is parallel and spaced apart from the second axis, when not under said compressive load.

3. The elongated member of claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first and second axes is offset from said load central longitudinal axis by at least 0.0001 inch per inch of length of the structural member, when not under said compressive load.

4. The elongated member of claim 1 , wherein the first and second axes are the same axis.

5. The elongated member of claim 1 , wherein the first fitting is threaded into a first threaded opening formed in the body through the body first end about the first axis and wherein the second fitting is threaded into a threaded second opening formed in the body through the body second end about the second axis.

6. The elongated member of claim 1 , further comprising:

a first insert inserted into the body from the first end, said first insert comprising an insert first opening formed about said first axis, wherein the first fitting is received in said insert first opening;

a second insert inserted into the body from the second end, said second insert comprising an insert second opening formed about said second axis, wherein the second fitting is received in said insert second opening.

7. The elongated member of claim 6 , wherein the first insert is swaged in place with a first end portion of the body and the second insert is swaged in place with a second end portion of the body.

8. The elongated member of claim 6 , wherein the body comprises a body first threaded opening formed through the first end about the load central longitudinal axis and wherein the body further comprises a body second threaded opening formed through the second send about the load central longitudinal axis, wherein the first insert is threaded in the body first threaded opening and the second insert in threaded in the body second threaded opening.

9. The elongated member of claim 8 , further comprising a first mark on said first insert along a diameter of said insert first opening and a second mark on said second insert along a diameter of said insert second opening.

10. The elongated member of claim 1 , wherein the first fitting comprises a first fitting opening for receiving a load applying member, wherein said first fitting opening comprises a diameter parallel and spaced apart from said load central longitudinal axis, and wherein the second fitting comprises a second fitting opening for receiving a load applying member, wherein said second fitting opening comprises a diameter parallel and spaced apart from said load central longitudinal axis.

11. The elongated member of claim 1 , wherein said elongated body is plastically deformed at its mid-span.

12. The elongated member of claim 1 , wherein said elongated body is plastically deformed proximate its mid-span.

13. An elongated member comprising:

an elongated body having an outer surface about a central longitudinal axis, said central longitudinal axis being arcuate and said elongated body being arcuate along said central longitudinal axis, wherein said central longitudinal axis is arcuate when said elongated body is not under a compressive load applied at opposite ends of said elongated longitudinal body;

a first fitting coupled to a first end of said elongated body for applying a compressive load to said elongated body; and

a second fitting coupled to a second end of said ends of the elongated body opposite the first end for applying a compressive load to said elongated body, wherein said elongated body

L

e

r

min

π

2

⁢

E

σ

y

 is greater or equal to 0.5, wherein:

L=Length of the elongated body

L e =Effective Length of the elongated body

I min =Minimum Second Moment of Inertia of the elongated body

A=Cross sectional Area of the elongated body

r

min

=

Minimum

⁢

⁢

Radius

⁢

⁢

of

⁢

⁢

Gyration

⁢

⁢

of

⁢

⁢

the

⁢

⁢

elongated

⁢

⁢

body

=

I

min

A

σ y =Yield Stress of the elongated body

E=Modulus of Elasticity of the elongated body.

14. The elongated member of claim 13 , wherein said elongated body is plastically deformed at its mid-span.

15. The elongated member of claim 13 , wherein said elongated body is plastically deformed proximate its mid-span.