CALCULATION SHEET Document Ref: T3701a-DFE Sheet 1 of 8

Title Example: Calculation of effective section properties for a

cold-formed lipped channel section in bending
Eurocode Ref EN 1993-1-3
Made by V. Ungureanu, A. Ruff Date Dec 2005
Checked by D. Dubina Date Dec 2005

Example: Calculation of effective section

properties for a cold-formed lipped channel
section in bending
This example deals with the effective properties calculation of a cold-
formed lipped channel section subjected to bending about its major axis.

Basic Data
The dimensions of the cross-section and the material properties are:
Total height h = 200 mm
Total width of flange in compression b1 = 74 mm
Total width of flange in tension b2 = 66 mm
Total width of edge fold c = 20,8 mm
Internal radius r = 3 mm
Nominal thickness t nom = 2 mm
Steel core thickness t = 1,96 mm EN1993-1-3
Basic yield strength f yb = 350 N mm 2 § 3.2.4(3)

Modulus of elasticity E = 210000 N mm 2

Poisson’s ratio ν = 0,3
Partial factor γ M0 = 1,00 EN1993-1-3
§ 2(3)
The dimensions of the section centre line are:

Web height hp = h − t nom = 200 − 2 = 198 mm

Width of flange in compression bp1 = b1 − t nom = 74 − 2 = 72 mm

Width of flange in tension bp2 = b2 − t nom = 66 − 2 = 64 mm

Width of edge fold cp = c − t nom 2 = 20,8 − 2 2 = 19,8 mm

T3701a-DFE.doc
 CALCULATION SHEET Document Ref: T3701a-DFE Sheet 2 of 8
Title Example: Calculation of effective section properties for a
cold-formed lipped channel section in bending
Eurocode Ref EN 1993-1-3
Made by V. Ungureanu, A. Ruff Date Dec 2005
Checked by D. Dubina Date Dec 2005

Checking of geometrical proportions

The design method of EN1993-1-3 can be applied if the following conditions EN1993-1-3
are satisfied: § 5.2
b t ≤ 60 b1 t = 74 1,96 = 37,75 < 60 – OK
c t ≤ 50 c t = 20,8 1,96 = 10,61 < 50 – OK
h t ≤ 500 h t = 200 1,96 = 102,04 < 500 – OK

In order to provide sufficient stiffness and to avoid primary buckling of the

stiffener itself, the size of stiffener should be within the following range:
0,2 ≤ c b ≤ 0,6 c b1 = 20,8 74 = 0,28 0,2 < 0,28 < 0,6 – OK
c b2 = 20,8 66 = 0,32 0,2 < 0,32 < 0,6 – OK

The influence of rounding of the corners is neglected if: EN1993-1-3

r t≤5 r t = 3 1,96 = 1,53 < 5 – OK § 5.1(3)
r bp ≤ 0,10 r bp1 = 3 72 = 0,04 < 0,10 – OK

r bp 2 = 3 64 = 0,05 < 0,10 – OK

Gross section properties

Abr = t (2cp + bp1 + bp2 + hp ) = 1,96 × (2 × 19,8 + 72 + 64 + 198) = 732 mm 2

Position of the neutral axis with respect to the flange in compression:

z b1 =
[c (h
p p ]
− cp 2 ) + bp2 hp + hp2 2 + cp2 2 t
= 96,88 mm
Abr

Effective section properties of the flange and lip in compression

The general (iterative) procedure is applied to calculate the effective EN1993-1-3

properties of the compressed flange and the lip (plane element with edge § 5.5.3.2
stiffener). The calculation should be carried out in three steps:

Step 1:
Obtain an initial effective cross-section for the stiffener using effective widths EN1993-1-3
of the flange determined by assuming that the compressed flange is doubly § 5.5.3.2(3)
supported, the stiffener gives full restraint ( K = ∞ ) and that design strength is
not reduced ( σ com,Ed = f yb / γ M 0 ).

T3701a-DFE.doc
 CALCULATION SHEET Document Ref: T3701a-DFE Sheet 3 of 8
Title Example: Calculation of effective section properties for a
cold-formed lipped channel section in bending
Eurocode Ref EN 1993-1-3
Made by V. Ungureanu, A. Ruff Date Dec 2005
Checked by D. Dubina Date Dec 2005

Effective width of the compressed flange

The stress ratio: ψ = 1 (uniform compression), so EN1993-1-3
the buckling factor is: kσ = 4 for internal compression element. § 5.5.2
and
ε = 235 f yb
EN1993-1-5
The relative slenderness: § 4.4
bp1 t 72 1,96
λp,b = = = 0,789
28,4 ε kσ 28,4 × 235 350 × 4
The width reduction factor is:
λp,b − 0,055(3 + ψ ) 0,789 − 0,055 × (3 + 1)
ρ= = = 0,914
λp,b 2 0,789 2

The effective width is:

beff = ρ bp1 = 0 ,914 × 72 = 65,8 mm

be1 = be2 = 0 ,5beff = 0 ,5 × 65,8 = 32 ,9 mm

Effective width of the edge fold

The buckling factor is: EN1993-1-3
if bp, c bp1 ≤ 0,35 : kσ = 0,5 § 5.5.3.2(5a)

kσ = 0,5 + 0,83 3 (bp, c bp1 − 0,35)

2
if 0,35 < bp,c bp1 ≤ 0,6 :

bp, c bp1 = 19,8 72 = 0,275 < 0,35 so kσ = 0,5

The relative slenderness: EN1993-1-5

cp t 19,8 1,96 § 4.4
λp,c = = = 0,614
28,4 ε kσ 28,4 × 235 350 × 0,5

The width reduction factor is:

λp,c − 0,188 0,614 − 0,188
ρ= = = 1,13
λp,c 2 0,614 2

but ρ ≤ 1 so ρ =1

T3701a-DFE.doc
 CALCULATION SHEET Document Ref: T3701a-DFE Sheet 4 of 8
Title Example: Calculation of effective section properties for a
cold-formed lipped channel section in bending
Eurocode Ref EN 1993-1-3
Made by V. Ungureanu, A. Ruff Date Dec 2005
Checked by D. Dubina Date Dec 2005

The effective width is: EN1993-1-3

ceff = ρ cp = 1 × 19,8 = 19,8 mm § 5.5.3.2(5a)

Effective area of the edge stiffener:

( ) ( )
As = t be2 + ceff = 1,96 × 32,9 + 19,8 = 103,3 mm 2
§ 5.5.3.2(6)

Step 2:
Use the initial effective cross-section of the stiffener to determine the EN1993-1-3
reduction factor, allowing for the effects of the continuous spring restraint.
§ 5.5.3.2(3)

The elastic critical buckling stress for the edge stiffener is EN1993-1-3
2 K E Is § 5.5.3.2(7)
σ cr ,s =
As
where:

K is the spring stiffness per unit length: EN1993-1-3

E t3 1 § 5.5.3.1(5)
K= ⋅ 2
4(1 −ν ) b1 hp + b1 + 0,5 b1 b2 hp kf
2 3

with:
b1 – distance from the web to the centre of the effective area of the stiffener in
compression (upper flange)

be2t be2 2 32,9 × 1,96 × 32,9 2

b1 = bp1 − = 72 − = 61,73 mm
(be2 + ceff )t (32,9 + 19,8) × 1,96
kf = 0 for bending about the y-y axis
K = 0,439 N mm

I s is the effective second moment of area of the stiffener:

2 2
3
be2 t 3 ceff t ⎡ ceff 2 ⎤ ⎡ ceff ceff
2
⎤
Is = + + be2 t ⎢ ⎥ + ceff t ⎢ − ⎥
12 12 ⎣ 2(be2 + ceff ) ⎦ ⎣ 2 2(be2 + ceff ) ⎦
I s = 3663 mm 4

T3701a-DFE.doc
 CALCULATION SHEET Document Ref: T3701a-DFE Sheet 5 of 8
Title Example: Calculation of effective section properties for a
cold-formed lipped channel section in bending
Eurocode Ref EN 1993-1-3
Made by V. Ungureanu, A. Ruff Date Dec 2005
Checked by D. Dubina Date Dec 2005

so, the elastic critical buckling stress for the edge stiffener is
2 × 0,439 × 210000 × 3663
σ cr,s = = 355,78 N mm 2
103,3

Thickness reduction factor χd for the edge stiffener EN1993-1-3

The relative slenderness: § 5.5.3.2(3)
λd = f yb σ cr,s = 350 355,78 = 0,992 Figure 5.10d

The reduction factor will be:

EN1993-1-3
if λd ≤ 0,65 χ d = 1,0
§ 5.5.3.1(7)
if 0,65 < λd < 1,38 χ d = 1,47 − 0,723 λd
if λd ≥ 1,38 χ d = 0,66 λd EN1993-1-5

0,65 < λd = 0,992 < 1,38 so χ d = 1,47 − 0,723 × 0,992 = 0,753 § 4.4(2)

Step 3: EN1993-1-3
As the reduction factor for buckling of the stiffener is χd < 1, iterate to refine § 5.5.3.2(3)
the value of the reduction factor for buckling of the stiffener. Figure 5.10e

The iterations are carried out based on modified values of ρ obtained using:

σ com,Ed,i = χ d f yb γ M0 and λp, red = λp χ d EN1993-1-3

§ 5.5.3.2 (10)
The iteration stops when the reduction factor χ converges.

Initial values (iteration 1): Final values (iteration n):

χ d = 0,753 χ d = χ d, n = 0,737
be2 = 32,9 mm be2 = be2, n = 35,9 mm

ceff = 19,8 mm ceff = ceff,n = 19,8 mm

Final values of effective properties for flange and lip in compression are:
χ d = 0,737 be2 = 35,9 mm ceff = 19,8 mm
and be1 = 32,9 mm

T3701a-DFE.doc
 CALCULATION SHEET Document Ref: T3701a-DFE Sheet 6 of 8
Title Example: Calculation of effective section properties for a
cold-formed lipped channel section in bending
Eurocode Ref EN 1993-1-3
Made by V. Ungureanu, A. Ruff Date Dec 2005
Checked by D. Dubina Date Dec 2005

t red = tχ d = 1,96 × 0,737 = 1,44 mm EN1993-1-3

§ 5.5.3.2(12)

Effective section properties of the web

The position of the neutral axis with regard to the flange in compression:
cp (hp − cp 2 ) + bp2 hp + hp 2 + ceff χ d 2
2 2

hc = hc = 101,6 mm
cp + bp2 + hp + be1 + (be2 + ceff )χ d
The stress ratio:
hc − hp 101,6 − 198
ψ= = = −0,949
hc 101,6

The buckling factor: EN1993-1-5

kσ = 7,81 − 6,29ψ + 9,78ψ 2 kσ = 22,58 § 4.4

The relative slenderness: (Table 4.1)

hp t 198 1,96
λp, h = = = 0,914
28,4 ε kσ 28,4 × 235 350 × 22,58

The width reduction factor is:

λp, h − 0,055(3 + ψ ) 0,914 − 0,055 × (3 − 0,949)
ρ= = = 0,959
λp, h 2 0,9142

T3701a-DFE.doc
 CALCULATION SHEET Document Ref: T3701a-DFE Sheet 7 of 8
Title Example: Calculation of effective section properties for a
cold-formed lipped channel section in bending
Eurocode Ref EN 1993-1-3
Made by V. Ungureanu, A. Ruff Date Dec 2005
Checked by D. Dubina Date Dec 2005

The effective width of the zone in compression of the web is:

heff = ρ hc = 0,959 × 101,6 = 97,5 mm
Near the flange in compression:
he1 = 0,4heff = 0,4 × 97,5 = 39 mm
Near the neutral axis:
he2 = 0,6heff = 0,6 × 97,5 = 58,5 mm

The effective width of the web is:

Near the flange in compression:
h1 = he1 = 39 mm
Near the flange in tension:
h2 = hp − (hc − he2 ) = 198 − (101,6 − 58,5) = 154,9 mm

Effective section properties

Effective cross-section area:

Aeff = t[cp + bp 2 + h1 + h2 + be1 + (be 2 + ceff ) χ d ]

Aeff = 1,96 × [19,8 + 64 + 39 + 154,9 + 32,9 + (35,9 + 19,8)× 0,737]

Aeff = 689,2 mm 2

Position of the neutral axis with regard to the flange in compression:

zc =
[
t cp (hp − cp 2 ) + bp2 hp + h2 (hp − h2 2 ) + h1 2 + ceff χ d 2
2 2
]
Aeff
zc = 102,3 mm
Position of the neutral axis with regard to the flange in tension:
z t = hp − zc = 198 − 102,3 = 95,7 mm

T3701a-DFE.doc
 CALCULATION SHEET Document Ref: T3701a-DFE Sheet 8 of 8
Title Example: Calculation of effective section properties for a
cold-formed lipped channel section in bending
Eurocode Ref EN 1993-1-3
Made by V. Ungureanu, A. Ruff Date Dec 2005
Checked by D. Dubina Date Dec 2005

Second moment of area:

3 3
3 3
h1 t h2 t bp2t c t b t 3 b ( χ t )3 c 3 ( χ d t )
I eff,y = + + + p + e1 + e2 d + eff +
12 12 12 12 12 12 12
2
+ cp t ( z t − cp 2) 2 + bp 2tz t + h2t ( z t − h2 2) 2 + h1t ( zc − h1 2) 2 +
+ be1t zc + be2 ( χ d t ) zc + ceff ( χ d t )( zc − ceff 2) 2
2 2

I eff,y = 4139861 mm 4

Effective section modulus:

- with regard to the flange in compression
I eff,y 4139861
Weff,y,c = = = 40463 mm3
zc 102,3
- with regard to the flange in tension
I eff,y 4139861
Weff,y,t = = = 43264 mm3
zt 95,7

T3701a-DFE.doc
 Example: Calculation of effective section properties for a cold-formed lipped
channel section in bending
T3701a-DFE.doc

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RESOURCE TITLE Example: Calculation of effective section properties for a cold-formed

lipped channel section in bending

Reference(s)

ORIGINAL DOCUMENT

Name Company Date

Created by V. Ungureanu, A. Ruff BRITT Ltd. Timisoara, 05/12/2005

Romania

Technical content checked by D. Dubina BRITT Ltd. Timisoara, 08/12/2005

Romania

Editorial content checked by

Technical content endorsed by the

following STEEL Partners:

1. UK SCI

2. France CTICM

3. Sweden SBI

4. Germany RWTH

5. Spain Labein

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 Example: Calculation of effective section properties for a cold-formed lipped
channel section in bending
T3701a-DFE.doc

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Title* Example: Calculation of effective section properties for a cold-formed lipped channel
section in bending

Series

Description* This example deals with the effective properties calculation of a cold-formed lipped channel
section subjected to bending about its major axis.

Access Level* Expertise

Identifiers* Filename C:\Documents and

Settings\viorel.ungureanu\Desktop\STEEL_iteratia2\upload
2\T3701a.doc

Format Microsoft Office Word; 10 Pages; 587kb;

Category* Resource Type Worked example

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Subject* Application Area(s) Residential buildings

Dates Created Date 23/02/2006

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Language(s)* English

Contacts Author V. Ungureanu, A. Ruff, BRITT Ltd. Timisoara, Romania

Checked By D. Dubina, BRITT Ltd. Timisoara, Romania

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Keywords* Effective section properties, bending, cold-formed, lipped channel section

See Also Eurocode Reference EN1993-1-3, EN1993-1-1, EN1993-1-5

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