TLHS,
You've rightly assumed that I've got an AISC bias built in. I spent my twenties state-side. I'm back practising in Canada now, however, so I find your comments to be both relevant and helpful. Like you, I find S16 to be a bit confusing when it comes to this topic.
The reason that I asked about the analysis method being used is that the name used for the direct analysis method in Canada is the thing that confuses me the most. The commentary refers to it as the "notional load method". This, even though 8.4.1 and the commentary both require designers to use notional loads for both the K-factor method and the direct analysis method.
I also take issue with the several places in S16 where they say something to the effect of "notional loads deal with sway buckling". I think that notional loads are just loads representing initial misalignment etc. That's why we're supposed to include them in both design methods. It's the use of a second order analysis algorithm that converts buckling into amplified moments for design purposes. At best, notional loads simply provide a perturbation for load cases with no direct lateral loads.
While the code provisions are awkward to parse, I do believe that they are consistent amongst themselves with regard to the use of K=1.0 for the direct analysis method. Consider:
13.8.2 a. Length doesn't come into play for this check so neither does K. It's just a section stress check modified to account for residual stress. No conflict here.
13.8.2 b. This specifies K=1 for overall member buckling about both axes which is consistent with K=1 for the direct analysis method. All good.
13.8.2 c. For out of plane buckling modes and buckling modes involving torsion, we're to use a K value that suits the situation, as you've indicated above.
13.3 Any compression only check is, by definition, a non-sway check. And that means that K <= 1, making K=1.0 conservative.
KootK
The greatest trick that bond stress ever pulled was convincing the world it didn't exist.