M.Ing. (Civil Engineering) / The purpose of this investigation was to develop the basic information necessary for formulating creteria for the design of Type 3CR12 steel hot-rolled sections as columns. The mechanical properties needed for structural design are established. Investigations into the behaviour of axially loaded compression members indicated that the overall column buckling of compression members may be predicted with confidence by the tangent modulus approach. Finally simplified design recommendations are made for the design of Type 3CR12 steel hot-rolled columns. The need for future research are identified.