DESIGN OF UNRESTRAINED BEAMS

If the compression (top) flange is not restrained from moving sideways, it buckles laterally and does
not reach yield i.e σ<fy. The effects of the LTB are most pronounced in sections where h/b>2.0 and
the physical effect is that the compression flange will tend to move laterally (sideways) when the load
is applied. This compression flange local buckling phenomenon is called Lateral torsional buckling.

Lateral torsional buckling can be discounted when:

 The section is bent about its minor axis
 Full lateral restraint is provided.
 Closely spaced bracing is provided making the slenderness of the weak axis low
 The compressive flange is restrained against torsion

A section that is susceptible to lateral torsional buckling must be designed for a reduced bending
stress, leading to the buckling moment capacity.

Steel beams-Unrestrained RA 1
If a beam’s compression flange is only connected to a floor diaphragm at the supports or discrete
points between, then it has partial lateral restraint.
The dotted lines show
the possible deflected
shape of the
compression flange.
LLR is the effective length
between points of lateral
retraint. The effective
length is the distance
between points of
contraflexure and
depends on the type of
end connection.

If the load carried by the beam moves with the compression flange, then the load is termed
‘destabilising’ and a larger effective length applies

Beam lateral torsional buckling effective lengths,LLTB

Steel beams-Unrestrained RA 2
There are three methods for calculating the LTB resistance of a member in Eurocode 3 Part 1-1:
1. Primary method (Clauses 6.3.2.2 and Clauses 6.3.2.3)
2. Simplified assessment method (Clause 6.3.2.4)
3. General method (Clause 6.3.4)
Note: This lecture will only deal with the primary method.
GENERAL AND SPECIAL CASES
When using the primary method, there are two cases which are available for you to use. The first case
is the ‘General Case’ which can be used for all sections, and the second case is the ‘Special Case’ which
is specifically for rolled sections of standard dimensions.
The methods for both cases are very similar with the addition of a few extra parameters in the Special
Case. This small amount of extra work for the Special Case is worthwhile as it provides greater
resistance of the section.

LTB RESISTANCE
EN 1993-1-1 Clause 6.3.2.1 Equation 6.54 states that the design moment (MEd) must be less than the
design buckling resistance moment (Mb,Rd)
𝑀𝐸𝑑 𝑓𝑦
≤ 1.0 … … … … … … . . 𝐸𝑞𝑛 6.54 𝑀𝑏,𝑅𝑑 = 𝜒𝐿𝑇 𝑊𝑦 … … … … … … . . 𝐸𝑞𝑛 6.55
𝑀𝑏,𝑅𝑑 𝛾𝑀1

For class 1 and 2 Cross-sections, Wy=Wpl, y

For Class 3 Cross-sections: Wy=Wel,y
For class 4 Cross-sections, Wy=Weff,y
REDUCTION FACTOR χLT
1
a) General Case: 𝜒𝐿𝑇 = 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝜒𝐿𝑇 ≤ 1.0………..Eqn 6.56
̅𝐿𝑇 2
𝜙𝐿𝑇 +√𝜙𝐿𝑇 2 −𝜆

2
Where 𝜙𝐿𝑇 = 0.5 [1 + 𝛼𝐿𝑇 (𝜆̅𝐿𝑇 − 0.2) + 𝜆̅𝐿𝑇 ] 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝛼𝐿𝑇 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟

To get the imperfection factor, determine the buckling curve that you need to use from table 6.4 and
then refer to table 6.3 to get the corresponding value of αLT

Steel beams-Unrestrained RA 3
 𝜒𝐿𝑇 ≤ 1.0
1
b) Special case (for rolled sections): 𝜒𝐿𝑇 = . 𝑏𝑢𝑡 {𝜒 ≤ 1 . . 𝐸𝑞𝑛 6.57
2 𝐿𝑇 ̅ 2
𝜙𝐿𝑇 +√𝜙𝐿𝑇 2 −𝛽 𝜆
̅𝐿𝑇 𝜆𝐿𝑇

2
𝜙𝐿𝑇 = 0.5 [1 + 𝛼𝐿𝑇 (𝜆̅𝐿𝑇 − 𝜆̅𝐿𝑇,0 ) + 𝛽𝜆̅𝐿𝑇 ] 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝜆̅𝐿𝑇,0 = 0.4 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝛽 = 0.75

To get the imperfection factor, determine the buckling curve that you need to use from table 6.5 and
then refer to table 6.3 to get the corresponding value of αLT

You can use a modified value of χLT in the special case to give some extra resistance. Clearly, by designing
a beam to resist the maximum bending moment, there will be lengths of the beam which have much more bending capacity
than is necessary. To account for this it is possible to increase the bending capacity by making use of a modified lateral
torsional reduction factor.
𝜒𝐿𝑇
𝜒𝐿𝑇,𝑀𝑜𝑑 = 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝜒𝐿𝑇,𝑚𝑜𝑑 ≤ 1.0 … … … . 𝑒𝑞𝑛 6.58
𝑓
2
𝑓 = 1 − 0.5(1 − 𝑘𝑐 ) [1 − 2.0(𝜆̅𝐿𝑇 − 0.8) ] 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑓 ≤ 1.0 𝑘𝑐 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟

Steel beams-Unrestrained RA 4
NON-DIMENSIONAL SLENDERNESS RATIO FOR LTB 𝝀̅𝑳𝑻
We need the value of the non-dimensional slenderness for lateral torsional buckling for both the
general and special cases.
𝑊𝑦 𝑓𝑦
𝜆̅𝐿𝑇 = √ 𝑀 where Mcr is the elastic critical moment for lateral torsional buckling.
𝑐𝑟

An expression to evaluate Mcr is not given in BS EN 1993-1-1. It can be obtained using formulae
proposed in other publications.
Method 1
Access Steel Document SN003 (available from www.access-steel.com) provides appropriate
expressions to calculate Mcr. For loads which are not destabilizing, and for doubly symmetric sections
(i.e. UKB and UKC)

𝜋 2 𝐸𝐼𝑧 𝑘 2 𝐼𝑤 (𝑘𝐿)2 𝐺𝐼𝑡 2

𝑀𝑐𝑟 = 𝐶1 √
( ( ) + 2 + (𝐶2 𝑍𝑔 ) − 𝐶2 𝑍𝑔 )
(𝑘𝐿) 2 𝑘𝑤 𝐼𝑧 𝜋 𝐸𝐼𝑧

L is the distance between points of lateral restraint (Lcr)

E is the Young’s Modulus = 210000 N/mm2
G is the shear modulus = 80770 N/mm2

Steel beams-Unrestrained RA 5
Iz is the second moment of area about the weak axis
It is the torsion constant
Iw is the warping constant
k is an effective length factor (usually 1.0)
kw is an effective length factor (usually 1.0)
zg is the distance between the point of load
application and the shear center. The value will
be positive or negative depending on where the
load is applied as shown in figure 1

C1 and C2 are coefficients that depend on the

shape of the bending moment diagram. For
transverse loading, C1 and C2 are obtained from
Table 5.2 in SN003:

Steel beams-Unrestrained RA 6
 For members with end moments, the value of C1 is
obtained from table 1 of SN 003.

Table 3.1 from SN003 (Values of C1 for

members with end moments)
Method 2
As an alternative to calculating Mcr the value of the lateral torsional buckling reduction factor can be
calculated dierctly from the expression given below. Where loads are not destabilising, for simply
supported rolled I, H and channel sections, the non-dimensional slenderness, the LTB reduction
factor is given by:
1
𝜆̅𝐿𝑇 = 𝑢𝑉𝜆̅𝑧 √𝛽𝑤
√𝐶1
U is a section property (given in section property tables, or may conservatively be taken as 0.9)
V is a parameter related to slenderness, and for symmetric rolled sections where the loads are not
1
destabilising, may be conservatively taken as 1.0 or as 𝑉 = 2
4
1 𝜆
√1+ ( ℎ𝑧 )
20
𝑡𝑓

𝑘𝐿
𝜆𝑧 = in which k can be taken as 1.0 for beams supported and restrained against twist at both ends
𝑖𝑧

𝑊𝑦
𝜆𝑧 𝐸 𝛽𝑤 = 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑐ℎ 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑏𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑦 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛 𝑎𝑠 1.0
𝜆̅𝑧 = 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝜆𝐿 = 𝜋√ = 93.9𝜀 𝑊𝑝𝑙,𝑦
𝜆𝐿 𝑓𝑦

Steel beams-Unrestrained RA 7
 1
is a parameter dependant on the bending moment diagram shape and which may conservatively
√𝐶1
be taken as 1.0 or otherwise as given in table 6.4 of SCI Publication 362 reproduced below for loads
that are not destabilising.

Steel beams-Unrestrained RA 8
Example 1: Design a simply supported beam, 6m long which supports a slab that does not offer lateral
restraint and that the load is not destabilizing. The connection is by use of fin plates such that rotation is
allowed at the ends. The design value of action on the beam is 60.8kN/m, inclusive of the self-weight of
the beam.
Reference Calculations
All references in this section are to BS EN1993-1-1 (Eurocode 3) and its UK National Annex unless stated
otherwise.
BS EN 1990 γG=1.35, γQ=1.5
Table A1.2
Design bending moment, assuming simple supports,
𝜔𝑙2 60.8𝑥6
𝑀𝑦,𝐸𝑑 = = = 273.6𝑘𝑁𝑚
8 8
𝑤𝑙 60.8𝑥6
Design shear force, 𝑉𝐸𝑑 = = = 182.4𝑘𝑁
2 2

Trial section: the required section should have a plastic modulus about the major axis that
is greater than
𝑀𝑦,𝐸𝑑 𝛾𝑀0 273.6𝑥106 𝑥1
𝑊𝑝𝑙,𝑦 = = = 994.9𝑐𝑚3
𝑓𝑦 275
Try a 457x191x98 UB S275 which has a plastic section modulus of 2230cm3 h=467.2mm,
b= 192.8mm, d=407.6mm, tf=19.6mm, tw=11.4 mm, r=10.2mm, A=125cm2 , Iyy=
45700cm4 , izz=4.33cm
𝑐𝑓 𝑐𝑤
=4.11 =35.8 E=210000N/mm2
𝑡𝑓 𝑡3

Table 5.2 Classification of section

Flange: Limiting ratio for class 1 section = 9ε and ε=0.92.
𝑐𝑓
≤ 9𝜀 = 8.28. Since 4.11<8.28, Flange is Class 1
𝑡𝑓
Web: Limiting ratio for class 1 section = 72ε =66.2. Since 35.8<66.2, Web is Class 1
Entire section is Class 1
Cl. 6.26 Shear resistance
Eqn.6.18 𝐴𝑣 𝑓𝑦
𝑉𝑝𝑙,𝑅𝑑 =
√3 𝛾𝑀0
𝐴𝑣 ≥ 𝜂ℎ𝑤 𝑡𝑤 . 𝜂 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑏𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛 𝑎𝑠 1
𝐴𝑣 ≥ 1(467.2 − 2 ∗ 19.6)11.4 = 4879.2𝑚𝑚2
4879.2𝑥265
𝑉𝑝𝑙,𝑅𝑑 = = 746.5𝑘𝑁
√3
Steel beams-Unrestrained RA 9
Reference Calculations
𝑉𝐸𝑑 182.4
= = 0.24 < 0.5, 𝐿𝑜𝑤 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝑉𝑐,𝑅𝑑 746.5
Cl. 6.2.6 (6) Shear buckling. Shear buckling of the unstiffened web need not be considered provided
Eqn. 6.22
ℎ𝑤 𝜀 428 0.92
< 72 𝜂 ; = 37.5. 72 𝑥 = 66.2. 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 37.5 <
𝑡𝑤 11.4 1
66.2, 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑏𝑢𝑐𝑘𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑐𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙
Cl. 6.2.5(1) Bending resistance of cross section
Eqn. 6.13 𝑊𝑝𝑙 𝑓𝑦 2230𝑥1000𝑥265
𝑀𝑐,𝑅𝑑 = 𝑀𝑝𝑙,𝑅𝑑 = = = 591𝑘𝑁𝑚
𝛾𝑀0 1
𝑀𝐸𝑑 273.6
Eqn. 6.12 𝑀𝑐,𝑅𝑑
= 591
= 0.46 < 1.0, 𝑜𝑘

Lateral Torsional buckling resistance

General Case
Eqn 6.56 1
𝜒𝐿𝑇 = 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝜒𝐿𝑇 ≤ 1.0
2 2
𝜙𝐿𝑇 + √𝜙𝐿𝑇 − 𝜆̅𝐿𝑇
2
𝜙𝐿𝑇 = 0.5 [1 + 𝛼𝐿𝑇 (𝜆̅𝐿𝑇 − 0.2) + 𝜆̅𝐿𝑇 ]

Table 6.4 h/b=467.2/192.8=2.42>2, Use Curve b

Table 6.3 Imperfection factor is 0.34
SCI P362 1 1
𝜆̅𝐿𝑇 = 𝑢𝑉𝜆̅𝑧 √𝛽𝑤 ; = 0.94, 𝑢 = 0.881
√𝐶1 √𝐶1
𝐿𝑐𝑟 6000
𝜆𝑧 = = = 138.6
𝑖𝑧 43.3
1 1 1
𝑉= = = = 0.781
2 2 1.28
4
√1 + 1 ( 138.6 )
4

√1 + 1 ( 𝜆 𝑧 ) 20 467.2
20 ℎ
19.6
𝑡𝑓

Eq. (6.50) 𝐴𝑓 𝐿
𝜆̅ = √𝑁 𝑦 =𝑖𝜆𝑐𝑟
𝐸
λL=𝜋√𝑓 = 93.9𝜀 = 93.9 ∗ 0.92 = 86.4 . Therefore 𝜆̅= 86.4 = 1.604
138.6
𝑐𝑟 𝐿 𝑦

Steel beams-Unrestrained RA 10
Reference Calculations
𝑊𝑦
𝛽𝑤 = = 1.0 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 1 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠.
Clause 6.3.2.1 𝑊𝑝𝑙,𝑦
1
𝜆̅𝐿𝑇 = 𝑢𝑉𝜆̅𝑧 √𝛽𝑤 = 0.94𝑥0.881𝑥0.781𝑥1.604𝑥1 = 1.037
√𝐶1

𝜙𝐿𝑇 = 0.5[1 + 0.34(1.037 − 0.2) + 1.0372 ]=1.18

1 1
𝜒𝐿𝑇 = = 1.743 = 0.57 ≤ 1.0,ok
1.18+√1.182 −1.0372

Special case
𝜒𝐿𝑇 ≤ 1.0
1
Eqn 6.57 𝜒𝐿𝑇 = . 𝑏𝑢𝑡 {𝜒 ≤ 1 . . 𝐸𝑞𝑛 6.57
2 𝐿𝑇 2
𝜙𝐿𝑇 + √𝜙𝐿𝑇 2 − 𝛽 𝜆̅𝐿𝑇 𝜆̅𝐿𝑇

2
𝜙𝐿𝑇 = 0.5 [1 + 𝛼𝐿𝑇 (𝜆̅𝐿𝑇 − 𝜆̅𝐿𝑇,0 ) + 𝛽𝜆̅𝐿𝑇 ] 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝜆̅𝐿𝑇,0 = 0.4 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝛽 = 0.75

Table 6.5 h/b=467.2/192.8=2.42>2, Use Curve C

Table 6.3 Imperfection factor is 0.49
𝜙𝐿𝑇 = 0.5[1 + 0.49(1.037 − 0.4) + 0.75(1.037)2 ] = 0.5(1.31 + 0.81) = 1.06
1 1 1
𝜒𝐿𝑇 = = = = 0.62
1.06 + √1.062 − 0.75 (1.037)2 1.06 + 0.563 1.623

1
𝜒𝐿𝑇 = 0.62 ≤ 1.0. = 0.93 > 0.62, 𝑂𝑘𝑎𝑦
1.0372
Eqn 6.55 𝑓𝑦 265
𝑀𝑏,𝑅𝑑 = 𝜒𝐿𝑇 𝑊𝑦 = 0.57𝑥2230𝑥103 𝑥 = 336𝑘𝑁𝑚
𝛾𝑀1 1

Eqn 6.54 𝑀𝐸𝑑 273.6

= = 0.81 < 1.0; 𝑈𝐵 𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑈𝐿𝑆
𝑀𝑏,𝑅𝑑 336

BS EN 1990 Serviceability Limit state

Eqn. 6.14
Design value of combined actions, estimating the unfactored load to be
60.8/1.35=45kN/m
5𝜔𝑙4 5𝑥45𝑥60004
Vertical deflection at midspan=384𝐸𝐼 = 384𝑥210000𝑥45700𝑥104 = 7.91𝑚𝑚
𝑦

Vertical deflection limit for beam carrying plaster or any other brittle finish=L/360

Steel beams-Unrestrained RA 11
Reference Calculations
𝑆𝑝𝑎𝑛 6000
𝐷𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑡 = = = 16.7𝑚𝑚
360 360
Since 16.7mm>7.9mm, beam Passes the deflection check.

Example 2
An office Floor
100mm N.W Concrete……………………………….2.5kN/m2
Trapezoidal deck…………………………………….0.15kN/m2
Reinforcement………………………………………..0.05kN/m2
Ceiling………………………………………………..0.15kN/m2
Steel beam…………………………………………….0.3kN/m2

Reference Calculations
All references in this section are to BS EN1993-1-1 (Eurocode 3) and its UK National Annex unless stated
otherwise.

Steel beams-Unrestrained RA 12
Reference Calculations
𝑃 160
Design shear force, 𝑉𝐸𝑑 = = = 80𝑘𝑁
2 2

Design bending moment, assuming simple supports,

𝑃𝐿 160𝑥8
𝑀𝑦,𝐸𝑑 = = = 320𝑘𝑁𝑚
4 4

Trial section: the required section should have a plastic modulus about the major axis that
is greater than
𝑀𝑦,𝐸𝑑 𝛾𝑀0 320𝑥106 𝑥1
𝑊𝑝𝑙,𝑦 = = = 1163.6𝑐𝑚3
𝑓𝑦 275
Try a 457x191x74 UB S275 which has a plastic section modulus of 1650cm3 h=457mm,
b= 190.4mm, d=407.6mm, tf=14.5mm, tw=9 mm, r=10.2mm, Iyy= 33300cm4 , izz=4.2cm,
u=0.877
𝑐𝑓 𝑐𝑤
=5.55 =45.3 E=210000N/mm2
𝑡𝑓 𝑡3

Table 5.2 Classification of section

Flange: Limiting ratio for class 1 section = 9ε and ε=0.92.
𝑐𝑓
≤ 9𝜀 = 8.28. Since 5.55<8.28, Flange is Class 1
𝑡𝑓
Web: Limiting ratio for class 1 section = 72ε =66.2. Since 45.3<66.2, Web is Class 1
Entire section is Class 1
Cl. 6.26 Shear resistance
Eqn.6.18 𝐴𝑣 𝑓𝑦
𝑉𝑝𝑙,𝑅𝑑 =
√3 𝛾𝑀0
𝐴𝑣 ≥ 𝜂ℎ𝑤 𝑡𝑤 . 𝜂 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑏𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛 𝑎𝑠 1
𝐴𝑣 ≥ 1(457 − 2 ∗ 14.5)9 = 3852𝑚𝑚2
3852𝑥275
𝑉𝑝𝑙,𝑅𝑑 = = 611.6𝑘𝑁
√3
𝑉𝐸𝑑 80
= = 0.13 < 0.5, 𝐿𝑜𝑤 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝑉𝑐,𝑅𝑑 611.6

Cl. 6.2.6 (6) Shear buckling. Shear buckling of the unstiffened web need not be considered provided
Eqn. 6.22

Steel beams-Unrestrained RA 13
Reference Calculations
ℎ𝑤 𝜀 428 0.92
< 72 𝜂 ; = 47.6. 72 𝑥 = 66.2. 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 47.6 <
𝑡𝑤 9 1
66.2, 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑏𝑢𝑐𝑘𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑐𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙
Cl. 6.2.5(1) Bending resistance of cross section
Eqn. 6.13 𝑊𝑝𝑙 𝑓𝑦 1650𝑥1000𝑥275
𝑀𝑐,𝑅𝑑 = 𝑀𝑝𝑙,𝑅𝑑 = = = 453.8𝑘𝑁𝑚
𝛾𝑀0 1
𝑀𝐸𝑑 320
Eqn. 6.12 𝑀𝑐,𝑅𝑑
= 453.8 = 0.71 < 1.0, 𝑜𝑘

SCI P362 1 1
𝜆̅𝐿𝑇 = 𝑢𝑉𝜆̅𝑧 √𝛽𝑤 ; = 0.86, 𝑢 = 0.877, 𝑉 = 1 (𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒)
√𝐶1 √𝐶1
𝐿𝑐𝑟 4000
𝜆𝑧 = = = 95.24
𝑖𝑧 42
𝐴𝑓 𝐿 𝐸 95.24
Eq. (6.50) 𝜆̅ = √𝑁 𝑦 =𝑖𝜆𝑐𝑟 λL=𝜋√𝑓 = 93.9𝜀 = 93.9 ∗ 0.92 = 86.4 . Therefore 𝜆̅= 86.4 = 1.10
𝑐𝑟 𝐿 𝑦

𝑊𝑦
𝛽𝑤 = = 1.0 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 1 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠.
Clause 6.3.2.1 𝑊𝑝𝑙,𝑦
1
𝜆̅𝐿𝑇 = 𝑢𝑉𝜆̅𝑧 √𝛽𝑤 = 0.86𝑥0.877𝑥1𝑥1.1𝑥1 = 0.83
√𝐶1

Special case
𝜒𝐿𝑇 ≤ 1.0
1
Eqn 6.57 𝜒𝐿𝑇 = . 𝑏𝑢𝑡 {𝜒 ≤ 1 . . 𝐸𝑞𝑛 6.57
2 𝐿𝑇 2
𝜙𝐿𝑇 + √𝜙𝐿𝑇 2 − 𝛽 𝜆̅𝐿𝑇 𝜆̅𝐿𝑇

2
𝜙𝐿𝑇 = 0.5 [1 + 𝛼𝐿𝑇 (𝜆̅𝐿𝑇 − 𝜆̅𝐿𝑇,0 ) + 𝛽𝜆̅𝐿𝑇 ] 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝜆̅𝐿𝑇,0 = 0.4 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝛽 = 0.75

Table 6.5 h/b=457/190.4=2.4>2, Use Curve C

Table 6.3 Imperfection factor is 0.49
𝜙𝐿𝑇 = 0.5[1 + 0.49(0.83 − 0.4) + 0.75(0.83)2 ] = 0.5(1.21 + 0.52) = 0.87
1 1 1
𝜒𝐿𝑇 = = = = 0.74
0.87 + √0.872 − 0.75 (0.83)2 0.87 + 0.49 1.36

1
𝜒𝐿𝑇 = 0.74 ≤ 1.0. = 1.45 > 0.74, 𝑂𝑘𝑎𝑦
0.832

Steel beams-Unrestrained RA 14
Reference Calculations
Eqn 6.58 𝜒𝐿𝑇
𝜒𝐿𝑇,𝑀𝑜𝑑 = 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝜒𝐿𝑇,𝑚𝑜𝑑 ≤ 1.0
𝑓
2
𝑓 = 1 − 0.5(1 − 𝑘𝑐 ) [1 − 2.0(𝜆̅𝐿𝑇 − 0.8) ] 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑓 ≤ 1.0 𝑘𝑐 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟

Table 6.6 kc=0.86.

𝑓 = 1 − 0.5(1 − 0.86)[1 − 2.0(0.83 − 0.8)2 ] = 0.93 < 1, 𝑂𝑘
𝜒𝐿𝑇 0.74
𝜒𝐿𝑇,𝑀𝑜𝑑 = = = 0.8 < 1.0
𝑓 0.93

Eqn 6.55 𝑓𝑦 275

𝑀𝑏,𝑅𝑑 = 𝜒𝐿𝑇,𝑚𝑜𝑑 𝑊𝑦 = 0.8𝑥1650𝑥103 𝑥 = 363𝑘𝑁𝑚
𝛾𝑀1 1

Eqn 6.54 𝑀𝐸𝑑 320

= = 0.88 < 1.0; 𝑈𝐵 𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑈𝐿𝑆
𝑀𝑏,𝑅𝑑 363

BS EN 1990 Serviceability Limit state

Eqn. 6.14
Design value of combined actions=𝛾𝐺 𝐺𝑘 + 𝛾𝑄 𝑄𝑘 = 3.15 + 2.5 =5.65kN/m2

Point load=5.65(20)=113kN
𝑃𝑙3 113𝑥1000𝑥80003
Vertical deflection at midspan=48𝐸𝐼 = 48𝑥210000𝑥33300𝑥104 = 17.2𝑚𝑚
𝑦

Vertical deflection limit for beam carrying plaster or any other brittle finish=L/360
𝑆𝑝𝑎𝑛 8000
𝐷𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑡 = = = 22.2𝑚𝑚
360 360
Since 22.2mm>17.2mm, UB Passes the deflection check.

Steel beams-Unrestrained RA 15