9/25/2017 Example Problem 10.

A Beginner's Guide to the Steel Construction Manual, 14th ed.

Chapter 10 - Composite Beams

© 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011 T. Bartlett Quimby

Introduction
Section 10.8.2
Mechanics of
Composite Example Problem 10.2
Behavior
The solution for this example problem are found in the spreadsheet that can
Shear Strength be obtained by clicking on the link below.

Download spreadsheet file: BGSCM14C10ExProb.xls

Flexural Strength
Given: A floor system similar to that shown in BGSCM Figure 10.1.1. The slab
is 4" thick and is made from concrete with f'c = 3,000 psi. The floor beams
Design of Shear
span 50 ft and are spaced 5 ft apart. Assume that the beams are shored at
Connectors
third points during construction. The beams only have lateral support at
shoring and the ends during the initial construction. The imposed floor dead
Deflection load is 25 psf , the construction live load is 20 psf, and the occupancy floor live
Calculations load is 50 psf. Consider studs of 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", and 7/8" diameter.

Wanted: Select the lightest I-shaped section for the application considering
Design Process both ASD and LRFD. Also determine the number and spacing of shear studs
needed for full composite action.

Example Solution:
Problems The problem statement implies that a complete solution is required. This
means that we need to check all applicable limit states. For each potential
Homework member, the following limits are considered:
Problems
Flexural capacity of just the steel beam during construction (before the
References concrete sets).
Flexural capacity of the composite section under occupancy loads.
Shear capacity under occupancy loads.
Report Errors or Deflection during construction.
Make Suggestions Live Load only deflection during occupancy.
Purchase Hard
Copy The general approach is to select a steel section and see if it works. If not, or
if it provides too much excess capacity, another section is chosen. The solution
Make Donation provided here works off a list sorted by size. The process begins with the
lightest section then works up to the first section that satisfies all the limit
state criteria. This search process is easily programmed with VBA code in
Excel.

Basic Section Information

The first section after the results summary includes the computation of the
effective flange width for flexural calculations, bE, and a listing of the relevant
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9/25/2017 Example Problem 10.2

section properties to be used in later calculations.

Load Computations

The given loads are "imposed" loads. In other words, these are loads that are
in addition to the self weight of the beam and slab. Consequently, it is
necessary to re-compute the loads with every change in steel section and slab
thickness. This is a common exercise in beam design. The distributed loads are
computed as the beam weight plus the pressure loads times the beam's
tributary width. The tributary width for load calculations is the beam spacing
,
not the effective width for flexural calculations, bE.

Since we are considering both the construction and occupancy conditions, we

need to compute the loads at those stages.

Steel Beam Capacity During Construction

The major concern during construction is the flexural capacity of the section
without composite action. The loads supported include the beam weight, slab
weight, and the construction live loads. In this case, the beam is shored at
third points and acts as a continuous beam over three spans, substantially
reducing moment and deflection. The beam is also considered to have lateral
support at the ends and at the shoring supports. This results in a long laterally
unbraced length that must be considered when computing the LTB limit state.

Composite Beam Capacity During Occupancy

After the concrete sets, the member becomes composite and the shoring can
be removed. The moment capacity calculation is based on the location of the
plastic neutral axis, PNA. As there are three possible conditions for setting up
the equilibrium equations for finding the PNA, we solve for all three then select
the one that is applicable. This is easy to do in a spreadsheet. Not so easy
when doing a hand solution.

Once the PNA is located, then the internal forces and resulting moment
capacity are computed. The final result is compared against the demand. The
demand at this point includes the beam and slab weights plus the imposed
occupancy dead and live loads.

Shear Capacity During Occupancy

As the shear capacity is not affected by the composite action, it need only be
considered under the worst case loading, which is during occupancy with the
span is longer and the loads larger. It is also interesting to note that there is
significant reserved capacity for shear, as is normally the case for longer span
beams.

Shear Anchors

The problem statement asks for four different sizes of studs to be

considered. The shear stud capacity is primarily a function of stud diameter
and concrete strength. The computation in the spreadsheet shows results.

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9/25/2017 Example Problem 10.2

Spacings are provided for both single and double rows of studs. The final
design is to use one of the computed solutions.

Deflection Calculations

Two deflections are considered in this problem. Total load deflection during
construction and live load only deflection during occupancy. The total load
deflection must be kept to a minimum during construction or there may be a
ponding effect that occurs during the concrete pour that results in a slab that
is thicker than designed. During occupancy, the primary concern is the
differential deflection caused by transient loads.

As we see, deflections are not an issue for the selected beams.

Summary

Of the various limit state, the controlling limit state is composite flexural
strength during occupancy. This is not always the case, but appears to be so
in this one.

Also, note that the best solutions are different between ASD and LRFD, though
both members are essentially the same weight. The best choice for both is the
W16x26 because you get some extra depth (increases strength and stiffness)
without any extra weight over the W14x26 that is adequate for LRFD.

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