Republic of the Philippines

DON HONORIO VENTURA STATE

UNIVERSITY
Villa de Bacolor, Pampanga

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

A. Course Code / Title : STL TIM 413 – Steel and Timber Design
B. Module Number : Module 3: Introduction to Steel Design
C. Time Frame :
D. Description :

I. Course Objectives:
1. To introduce the basic concepts of Steel Design.
2. The students will be able to familiarize the advantages/disadvantages of steel, the different
material composition and sections of steel.
3. The students will be able to familiarize the different codes and provisions used
in professional practice.
4. The students will be able to identify the different

II. Course Outline:

1.1 Introduction
1.2 Advantages of Steel as Structural Material
1.3 Disadvantages of Steel as Structural Material
1.4 Common Structural Steel Shapes
1.5 Objectives of Structural Designer
1.6 Design Specification for Structural Steel
1.7 Design Load Consideration
1.8 Structural Properties of Steel
1.9 Types of Structural Steel

III. Learning Content:

1.1 INTRODUCTION:
STRUCTURAL DESIGN
Structural design maybe defined as a mixture of art and science, combining the experienced
engineer’s intuitive feeling for the behavior of a structure with a sound knowledge of the principle of statics,
dynamics, strength of materials and structural analysis, to produce a safe and economical structure that
will serve its intended purpose.
The structural design of buildings, whether of structural steel or reinforced concrete involves the
planning of the structure for specific purposes, proportioning of members to carry loads in the most
economical manner, and considerations for erection at site. First, the structure should serve the purpose for
which it is intended and this is achieved by proper functional planning. Secondly, it should have adequate
strength to withstand direct and induced forces to which it may be subjected during its lifespan.

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PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
Design is a process by which an optimum solution is obtained, in this course the concern is with
the design of structures in particular steel structures. In any design, certain criteria must be established to
evaluate whether or not an optimum has been achieved. For structure, critical criteria maybe (a) minimum
cost; (b) minimum weight; (c) minimum construction time; (d) minimum labor;
(e) maximum efficiency to owner.

1.2 ADVANTAGES OF STEEL AS STRUCTURAL MATERIALS

High Strength
The high strength of steel per unit weight means dead loads will be small. This fact is of great
importance for long spans bridges, and for structures having poor foundation conditions.
Uniformity
The properties of steel do not change appreciably with time as do those of a reinforced concrete structure.
Elasticity
It is the property of a material to regain its shape and size after removal of load. Steel behaves closer to the
design assumptions than most materials because it follows Hooke’s Law up to fairly high stresses.
The moment of inertia of steel structure can be definitely calculated while the values obtained for
reinforced concrete structures are rather indefinite.
Malleability
It is the property of a material due to which it can be rolled into thin sheets without rupture.
Malleability of a material increases with increasing temperature.
Toughness
Is the property of a material due to which it can be stretched, bent or twisted under a high stress before
fracture.
Hardness
Is the property of a material that enables it to resist abrasion, indentation and scratching. Hardness on
material decreases on heating.
Creep
Is the continuous slow deformation of a material under a constant stress.
Permanence
Steel frames that are properly maintained will last indefinitely.

Ductility
It is the property of a material to withstand extensive deformation without failure under a high
tensile stresses.

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Additions to Existing Structure
Steel structures are quite well suited to having additions made to them. New bays or even entire new wings
can be added to existing steel frame buildings, and steel bridges may often be widened.

Miscellaneous
Several other important advantages of structural steel are: (a) ability to be fastened together by
several simple connection devices including welds, bolts and rivets, (b) adaptation to pre fabrication, (c)
speed of erection, (d) ability to be rolled into wide variety of sizes and shapes, (e) toughness, (f) possible
reused after structure is disassembled and (g) scrap value even though not reusable in its existing form.

1.3 DISADVANTAGES OF STEEL AS A STRUCTURAL MATERIAL

Maintenance Cost
Most steel are susceptible for corrosion when freely exposed to air and water and must therefore be
periodically painted. The use of weathering steel in suitable design applications tends to eliminate this
cost.
Steel is an excellent conductor of heat and requires fireproofing which increases the cost of structure.
Susceptible to Buckling
The longer and slender compression members, the greater the danger to buckling.

Fatigue
Another undesirable property of steel is that its strength maybe reduced if it is subjected to a large number
of stress reversals or even to a large number of variations of stresses of the same character.

1.4 COMMON STRUCTURAL STEEL SHAPES

A. Wide Flange Section ( W Shapes )
Wide flange I or H shaped steel beam are referred to as W shapes and are designated by the letter W
followed by their nominal depth in inches with their mass in pound per linear foot given last. For example,
W12 x 31 means that this W shape is 12 inches nominal depth and has a mass of 31lb/ft. this shape consist
of two rectangular shaped flanges connected by a rectangular web plate. It is symmetrical about x
and y-axes

tf

tw

bf

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B. I-Beam ( S Shapes )
These shapes were formerly called the American Standard Beams. They are produced in accordance with
the dimensions adopted in 1896. The difference between W and S shapes are; the flange width of S shape
is narrower than the W shape, the inner face of the flanges of the S shape has slope of about 16.7o.

C. Channel Sections ( [ - Shapes )

These shapes were formerly called as the American Standard Channels. The theoretical and
nominal depth are identical. The inner face of the flange has the same slope as S shapes. A [ 5
x 9 is a standard channel shape with a nominal depth of 5 inches with a mass of 9 lb/ft.

D. Angle Sections ( L Shapes )

These are either equal or unequal leg angles. All angles have parallel flange faces. An L 6 x 6 x ¼
is an equal leg angle with leg dimensions of 6inches and 6inches and a leg thickness of
¼ inch.

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Tee Sections ( T Shapes )
Structural tees are obtained by splitting W or S shape such that each split section has one half the
original area of the original shape. Material loss caused by splitting either by sewing or flamed
cutting is disregarded. A WT6 x 15.5 is a structural tee with 6inches nominal depth and mass of
15.5lb/ft obtained by splitting a W12 x 31 shape.

F. Structural Tubes

G. Plates and Bars

flat
square round

1.5 OBJECTIVES OF STRUCTURAL

DESIGNER

WORK OF THE STRUCTURAL DESIGNER

The structural designer arranges and proportions structures and their parts so that they will
satisfactorily support the loads to which they may feasibly be subjected. It might be said that he or
she is involved with the general layout of structures; studies of the possible structural forms that
can be used; consideration of loading conditions; analysis of stresses, deflections, and so on;
design of parts; and the preparation of design drawings. More precisely, the word design pertains
to the proportioning of the various parts of a structure after the forces have been calculated, and it
is this process which will emphasized throughout the text, using structural steel as the material.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STRUCTURAL DESIGNER

The structural designer must learn to arrange and proportion the parts of structures so that they
can be practically erected and will have sufficient strength and reasonable economy.

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 • Safety
• Not only must the frame of a structure safely support the loads to which it is
subjected, but it must support them in such a manner that deflections and vibrations
are not so great as to frighten the occupants or to cause unsightly cracks.
• Cost
• The designer needs to keep in mind the factors that can lower cost without sacrifice of
strength. These items, which are discussed in more detail throughout the text, include
the use of standard-size members, simple connections and details, and members and
materials that will not require an unreasonable amount of maintenance through the
years.
• Constructability
• The design of structures shall be fabricated and erected without great problems.
Designers need to understand fabrication methods and should try to fit their work to the
fabrication facilities available.
Designers should learn everything possible about the detailing, fabrication, and field
erection of steel. The more the designer knows about the problems, tolerances, and
clearances in shop and field, the more probable it is that the reasonable, practical,
and economical designs will be produced. This knowledge should include information
concerning the transportation of the materials to the job site (such as the largest pieces
that can be transported practically by rail or truck), labor conditions, and the
equipment available for erection. Perhaps the designer should ask, “Could I get this
thing together if I were sent out to do it?” Finally, he or she needs to proportion the
parts of the structure so that they will not unduly interfere with the mechanical features
of the structure (pipes, ducts, etc.) or the architectural effects.

1.6 DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS FOR STRUCTURAL STEEL

The design of most structures is governed by specifications. In the design of buildings and bridges in the
Philippines the controlling specifications are based on the National Structural Code of the Philippines
(NSCP). The contents of this code for steel are patterned after the American Institute of Steel Construction
(AISC) specifications, American Welding Society (AWS), American Association of State Highway and
Transportation Officials (AASHTO), American Railway Engineering and Maintenance–of-Way
Association (AREMA) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).

1.7 DESIGN LOAD CONSIDERATIONS

The determination of the loads to which a structure or structural element will be subjected is, at
best, an estimate. Some of the most common kinds of loads are discussed in the following
sections.
• Dead Load
- Is a fixed-position gravity service load, so called because it acts continuously toward
the earth when the structure is in service. The weight of the structure is considered
dead load, as are attachments to the structure such as pipes, electrical conduit, air-
conditioning, and heating ducts, lighting fixtures, floor covering, roof covering, and
suspended ceilings; that is, all items that remain throughout the life of the structure.

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• Live Load
- Gravity loads acting when the structure is in service, but varying in magnitude and
location, are termed live loads. Examples are human occupants, furniture, movable
equipment, vehicles, and stored goods.
• Highway Live Load
- Highway vehicle loading in the United States has been standardized by the American
Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) into
standard truck loads and lane loads that approximate a series of trucks.
• Impact
- The term impact as ordinarily used in structural design refers to the dynamic effect of
a suddenly applied load.
• Snow Load
- The live loading for which roofs are designed is either totally or primarily a snow
load.

• Wind Load
- All structures are subject to wind load, but usually only those more than three or
four stories high, as well as long bridges, require special consideration. On any
typical building of rectangular plan and elevation, wind exerts pressure on the
windward side and suction on the leeward side, as well as either uplift or
downward pressure on the roof.
• Earthquake Load
- An earthquake consists of horizontal and vertical ground motion, with the vertical
motion usually having the much smaller magnitude. Because the horizontal motion
of the ground causes the most significant effect, it is that effect which is often
thought of as an earthquake load. When the ground under an object (structure)
having mass suddenly moves, the inertia of the mass tends to resist the movement. A
shear force is developed between the ground and the mass.

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1.8 STRUCTURAL PROPERTIES OF STEEL

1. Yield Stress, Fy , is that unit tensile stress at which the stress-strain curve exhibits a well-
defined increase in strain (deformation) without an increase in stress.
2. Tensile strength, Fu, is the largest unit stress that the material achieves in a tension test.
3. Modulus of Elasticity, E, is the slope of the initial straight line portion of the stress-strain
diagram. The usual range for all steel is 193 to 207 GPa. The value used for design is 200GPa.
4. Weldability is the property of steel to be welded without changing its basic
mechanical properties.
5. Shear Modulus, G

For any elastic material shear modulus is given by the formula

𝐸
𝐺= 2(1+𝜇)

Where µ is the Poisson’s ratio equal to 0.3 for steel. For µ=0.3, G = 77,000MPa
6. Coefficient of Expansion, α

α = 11.25 x 10-6 /oC

ΔL = α ( Tf – Ti ) L

Where Tf and Ti are the final and initial temperature respectively, in oC and L in meter. ΔL is
the change in length due to change in temperature.

7. Mass Density
The mass density of steel is 7.850 tons/m3. The specific gravity is 7.85

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1.9 TYPES OF STRUCTURAL STEEL
There are three groups of hot-rolled structural steels for use in buildings
1. Carbon Steels – use carbon as the chief strengthening elements with minimum yield stresses
ranging from 220 MPa to 290MPa. An increase in carbon content raises the yield stress but reduce
ductility, making welding more difficult.
2. High-strength low-alloy steels- have yield stresses from 480MPa to 840MPa. In addition to
carbon and manganese, these steels contain one or more alloying elements such as columbium,
vanadium, chromium, silicon, copper and nickel.
3. Atmospheric, corrosion-resistant high strength low alloy steels- are obtained by heat-treating
low-alloy steels. The heat treatment consists of quenching (rapid cooling) and
tempering, (reheating).

IV. REFERENCES
1. Steel Structures Design and Behaviour by Charles G. Salmon & John E. Johnson.
2. Structural Steel Design 5th Ed. By Jack C. McCormac & Stephen F. Csernak
3. National Structural Code of the Philippines (Chapter 5: Steel Structures) 2015
(Buildings, Towers & other Vertical Structures).

4. American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) specifications.

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