1 | Chapter 04 - Beams

BEAMS

4.1 Classifications of Beams

All flexural members are classified as either compact , noncompact ,∨slender , depending on
the width-thickness ratio

Table 4-1 Width-Thickness ratio for Rolled shape I beam

Element λ λp λr
Width thickness ratio Upper limit for Upper limit for
compact section noncompact section
Flange bf

Web
2tf
h
0.38
√ E
Fy
1.0
√ E
Fy

tw 3.76
√ E
Fy
5.70
√ E
Fy

4.2 Plastic Moment

Figure 4-1
2 | Chapter 04 - Beams

Mc M M
f max= = =
I I /c S

Figure 4.2

M p=C∗a=T∗a= Ac F y a=F y ( A2 ) a=F Z

y

Where

Z: ¿ ( A2 ) a=¿ Plastic section modulus

Example 4-1
For built-up shape section in figure 4.3, determine (a) the elastic section modulus S x (b) the
plastic section modulus Z x and the plastic moment M p . Bending is about the x-axis, and
the steel is A 572 Grade 50
Solution:

a) Elastic section modulus S x

Component Í x 10
3
A d Í + A d
2
200
mm4
Flange 260 5000 162.5 132.29 x 106
Flange 260 5000 162.5 132.29 x 106
Web 27000 3600 - 27 x 106 25
Sum 291.58 x 106
300
6
I 291.58 x 10 12
Sx = = =1,666 x 103 mm3
c 175

25

Figure 4.3
3 | Chapter 04 - Beams

b) Plastic section modulus Z x

[ 200∗25 ]∗162.5+[ 150∗12 ]∗75
ý=
6800
ý=139.34 mm

a=2 ý =278.68 mm

Z x= ( A2 )a=947,512 mm 3

c) Plastic moment Mp

M p=345∗947,512=326.89 MPa

Figure 4.4

4.3 Design Strength of Compact Section

The basic design strength equation for beams in bending is

I. For LRFD
M u ≤ ∅ b M n ≤ 0.90 M n

II. For ASD

M M
M a≤ n ≤ n
Ωb 1.67

The nominal bending strength, M n is a function of the following:

1. Lateral-torsional Buckling
2. Flange local Buckling
3. Web Local Buckling

Case I For Lb ≤ L p

If the beam is compact and has continuous lateral support, or if the unbraced length is very short, the
nominal moment strength, M n is the full plastic capacity of the shape, M p

M n=M p

Where

L p=1.76 r y
√ E
Fy
4 | Chapter 04 - Beams

Lp: Maximum unbraced length at which nominal bending strength equals the plastic
moment capacity

Case II For L p < Lb ≤ L r

[
M n=C b M p −( M p−0.7 F y S x )
( )]
Lb−L P
L r−L p
≤Mp

Where

Lr=1.95 r ts


E
√
Jc
0.7 F y S x ho √√
1+ 1+ 6.76
0.7 F y S x ho 2
(
EJc )
NSCP( 506.2−6)

User Note: If the square root term in Equation 506.2−4 is conservatively taken equal
to 1.0, equation 506.2−6 becomes

Lr=π r ts
√ E
0.7 F y
1 /2
√I y Cw
r ts =( Sx )
c=
2 Cw√
ho I y
( for channel shapes ) ,

c=1.0 ( for I −shapes ) ,

J =¿ Torsional Constant
C w =¿ Warping constant

ho =¿ Distance between flange centroids

Case III For Lb > Lr

M n=F cr S x ≤ M p

Where

Cb π2 E
√)
2
Jc Lb
Fcr =
Lb 2
1+0.078 ( )
S x h o r ts
NSCP(506.2−4)

( r ts

*The square root term in equation 506.2 – 4 may be conservatively taken equal to 1.0
5 | Chapter 04 - Beams

12.5 M max
Cb = R ≤ 3.0
2.5 M max + 3 M A + 4 M B + 3 M C m

2 b t f 3 + ( d−t f ) t w 3
J= ; for W −Shapes
3

I y ho2
C w=
4
M max = Absolute value of the maximum moment in the unbraced segment
MA = Absolute value of the moment at ¼ point of the unbraced segment
MB = Absolute value of the moment at the centerline point of the unbraced segment
MC = Absolute value of the moment at ¾ point of the unbraced segment
Rm = Section symmetry factor

= 1.0 for doubly symmetric members (I-shapes)

= 1.0 for singly symmetric sections in single-curvature bending
2
I yc
= 0.5+2 ( )
Iy
for singly symmetric shapes subjected to reverse

Curvature bending
I yc = Moment of inertia of the compression flange about the y-axis

Iy
For doubly symmetric shapes, I yc is approximately . For reverse-curvature bending,
2
I yc is the moment of inertia of the smaller flange.

Example 4-2
Determine the moment gradient factor Cb , for the beam shown in figure 4.5

Figure 4.5
Assuming a maximum moment M max=1.0
6 | Chapter 04 - Beams

12.5∗1.0
Cb = ∗1.0 ≤3.0
2.5∗1+3∗0.25+ 4∗0.50+3∗0.75
Cb =1.67 ≤3.0

Example 4-3
Determine the design bending strength, or moment capacity, ∅ b M n , for a W 14 x 74 flexural
member A992, assuming
1. Continuous lateral support
2. Unbraced length = 4.50 meters, Cb =1.0 and
3. Unbraced length = 9.00 meters, Cb =1.30

Solution:
1. Continuous Lateral Support
a) Check if the section is compact
bf
2 tf
=6.41<0.38
E
Fy √
=9.15 ∴ The flange is compact

h
tw
=25.4< 3.76
E
Fy √
=90.5∴ The web is compact

b) Lateral Support
Lb=0 ∴ M n=M p
c) Design Bending strength
3
M n=M p=F y Z x =345∗2065 x 10 =712.43 N −m

∅ b M n =0.9∗712.43=641.19 kN −m

2. Unbraced length = 4.50 meters, Cb =1.0

a) Lateral Support
Lb=4.50 m

L p=1.76 r y
√ E
Fy
=1.76∗62.99
√
200,000
345
=2.70 m

I y ho2 56 x 106∗(359.92−19.94)2
C w= =
4 4

C w =1.62 x 1012

1 /2
√I yCw
(
r ts =
Sx ) =72.05
7 | Chapter 04 - Beams

Lr=π r ts
√ E
0.7 F y
=π∗72.05
200000
0.7∗345 √
=6.51 m

Since L p < Lb < Lr ; ∴Case II

b) Design Bending Strength

[
M n=C b M p −( M p−0.7 F y S x )
( )]
Lb−L P
L r−L p
≤Mp

[
M n=1.0 712.43 x 106 −( 712.43 x 106−0.7∗345∗1835 x 103 )
4500−2700
( 6500−2700 )]
M n=584.88 kN −m< M p =712.43 kN−m

∅ b M n =0.9∗584.88=529.39 kN −m

3. Unbraced length = 9.00 meters, Cb =1.3

a) Lateral Support
Lb=4.50 m

L p=1.76 r y
√ E
Fy
=1.76∗62.99
200,000
345 √
=2.70 m

I y ho2 56 x 106∗(359.92−19.94)2
C w= =
4 4
12
C w =1.61 x 10

1 /2
√I yCw
r ts =( Sx ) =72.05

Lr=π r ts
√ E
0.7 F y
=π∗71.90
200000
0.7∗345 √
=6.50 m

Since Lb > Lr ; ∴Case III

b) Design Bending Strength

M n=F cr S x ≤ M p

Cb π2 E
√)
2
Jc Lb Cb π2 E
Fcr =
Lb
2
1+0.078 ( )
S x h o r ts
=
Lb
2
∗(1.0)

( r ts ( )
r ts
1.30 π 2∗200,000
Fcr = =164.46 MPa
( 9000/72.05 )2
3
M n=F cr S x =164.46∗1835∗10 =301.78 kNm ≤ 712.43 kNm
8 | Chapter 04 - Beams

∅ b M n =270.47 kN −m

4.4 Design Strength of Non-Compact Section

Few cross-sectional sections are non-compact because of the flange width-ratio, but none are
slender.

For flange local buckling, if λ p < λ≤ λ r , the flange is noncompact, buckling will be inelastic,
and

λ− λ p
M n=M p−( M p −0.7 F y S x ) ( λ r− λ p )
Example 4-4
A simply supported beam with a span length of 13.50 meters is laterally supported at its ends
and is subjected to the following service loads:
kN
Dead load = 5.85 (including the weight of the beam)
m
kN
Live load = 14.60
m
If F y =345 MPa , is W 14 x 90 adequate?

Solution:
1. Check if the section is compact
b
1.0
E
√
Fy
=24.08> f =10.23<0.38
2tf
E
Fy √
=9.15
∴ Since λ p < λ ≤ λr this shape is non−compact

3
M p=F y Z=345∗2573 x 10 =887.69 kN −m

M n=887.69 x 106 −( 887.69 x 106 −0.7∗345∗2343 x 103 ) ( 10.23−9.15

24.08−9.15 )
M n=864.41 kNm

2. Check lateral support

Lb=13.50 m

L p=1.76 r y
√ E
Fy
=1.76∗93.98
345 √
200,000
=3.98 m
9 | Chapter 04 - Beams

√ √√
2
200,000 1598.59 x 103∗1 0.7∗345∗2343 x 103∗338.08
Lr=1.95∗104.35
0.7∗345 2343 x 103∗338.08
1+ 1+6.76
(
200,000∗1598.59 x 103∗1 )
Lr=12.78 m

Since Lb > Lr ; ∴Case III

√
2 3 2
1.14 π 200,000 1598.59 x 10 13,500
Fcr =
13,500
2
1+ 0.078 (
2343 x 10 ∗338.08 104.35
3 )
(
104.35 )
Fcr =256.32 MPa

3. Design Bending Strength for lateral-torsional buckling

M n=F cr S x =256.32∗2343 x 103

M n=600.56 kNm< M p=887.69 kNm

∴ Lateral−torsional buckling controls

LRFD Solution
∅ b M n =0.90∗601.21=540.50 kNm

The factored load moment are

W u=1.2∗5.85+1.6∗14.60=30.38 kn /m

W u L2 30.38∗13.5 2
M u= = =692.09 kNm
8 8
Since M u> ∅ b M n , ∴ the beam does not have adequate moment strength

ASD Solution
M n 600.56
= =359.62 kNm
Ωb 1.67

W a L2 20.45∗13.52
M a= = =465.88 kNm
8 8
Mn
Since M a > , ∴ the beam does not have adequate moment strength
Ωb
10 | Chapter 04 - Beams

4.5 Shear Strength

I. LRFD, the relationship between required and available strength is

V u ≤ ∅v V n
II. ASD, the relationship is
V
Va≤ n
Ωv

507.2.1 Nominal Shear Strength

V n=0.6 F y A v C v

Where:
C v =web shear coefficient

1. For webs of rolled I-shaped members with

h
tw
≤ 2.24
√ E
Fy
∅ v =1.00 ( LRFD ) ; Ωv =1.50( ASD)
And
C v =1.00

2. For webs of all other doubly symmetrical shapes and singly symmetrical shapes
and channels, except round HSS, the web shear coefficient, C v , is determined
as follows:
*Formulae 5.7.2-3, 507.2-4, and 507.2-5 can be found in NSCP 6 th edition
Example 4-5
Check the beam in Example 4-4 for shear
Solution:
1. Web thickness ratio
h 285.75
=
t w 11.18
=25.60 ≤2.24
√ 200000
345
∴The section is safe ¿ shear stress
=53.93

2. Nominal Shear strength

V n=0.6 F y A v C v =0.60∗345∗[ 356.11∗11.18 ]∗1.00
V n=824.13 kN

LRFD Solution
∅ v V n=824.13 kN
11 | Chapter 04 - Beams

W u L 30.38∗13.5
V u= = =205.07 kN
2 2
Since V u <∅ v V n ,∴ The section is safe from Shear

ASD Solution
V n 824.13
= =549.42 kN
Ωv 1.50
W a L 20.45∗13.5
V a= = =138.04 kN
2 2
Vn
Since V a < , ∴ The section is safe from Shear
Ωv

4.6 Design

Procedure

1. Compute the required moment strength (i.e., the factored moment M u for
LRFD or unfactored moment M a for ASD). The weight of the beam is part of
the dead load but is unknown at this point. A value maybe assumed and verified
after a shape is selected, or the weight may be ignored initially and checked after
a shape has been selected.
2. Select a shape that satisfies the strength requirement. By assuming a shape,
compute the available strength, and compare it with the required strength.
Revise if necessary.
3. Check shear strength.
4. Check the deflection.
Example 4-6
The beam shown in Figure 4.6 must support two concentrated live loads of 90 kN each at the
L
quarter points. The maximum live load deflection must not exceed . Lateral support is
240
supported is provided at the ends of the beam. Used A992 steel and select a W-shape.
12 | Chapter 04 - Beams

90 kN 90 kN

1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8

7.2001.
8

Solution
I. Neglect the weight of the beam
Pu=1.2 dl +1.6≪¿ 1.2∗0+1.6∗90=144 kN
M umax=259.20 kNm
M
M n= umax =288 kNm
∅b

II. Assume l b >l r

III.