Structural Steel Design to BS5950

ENCE5204: Steel Design [II]

Design of Beams
By:
Dr. Ali Hussein M. Bass
 [1] Types and Uses

 Beams span between supports to carry lateral loads which are resisted by
bending and shear. However, deflections and local stresses are also
important.

 Beams may be cantilevered, simply supported, fixed ended or continuous,

as shown in Figure 1(a). The main uses of beams are to support floors and
columns, carry roof sheeting as purlins and side cladding as sheeting rails.

 Any section may serve as a beam, and common beam sections are shown in
Figure 1(b). Some comments on the different sections are given:

(1) The universal beam where the material is concentrated in the flanges is the
most efficient section to resist uniaxial bending.
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Fig. (1): Beams

Types and Sections.

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(2) The universal column may be used where the depth is limited, but it is less
efficient.

(3) The compound beam consisting of a universal beam and flange plates is
used where the depth is limited and the universal beam itself is not strong
enough to carry the load.

(4) The crane beam consists of a universal beam and channel. It is because the
beam needs to resist bending in both horizontal and vertical directions.

 Beams may be of uniform or non-uniform section. Sections may be

strengthened in regions of maximum moment by adding cover plates or
haunches. Some examples are shown in Figure (2).

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Fig. (2): Non-uniform Beams.

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[2] Beam Loads
 Types of beam loads are:
(1) Concentrated loads from secondary beams and columns;
(2) Distributed loads from self-weight and floor slabs.

 The loads are further classified into:

(1) Dead loads from self weight, slabs, finishes, ….etc.
(2) Imposed loads from people, fittings, snow on roofs, ….etc.
(3) Wind loads, mainly on purlins and sheeting rails.

 Loads on floor beams in a steel frame building are shown in Figure 3(a).
The figure shows loads from a two-way spanning slab which gives
trapezoidal and triangular loads on the beams. An actual beam with the
floor slab and members it supports is shown in Figure 3(b).
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Fig. (3): Beam Loads.

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[3] Classification of beam x-sections
 The projecting flange of an I-beam will buckle prematurely if it is too thin.
Webs will also buckle under compressive stress from bending and from
shear.
 Beam cross-sections are classified as follows in accordance with their
behaviour in bending:
 Class 1 Plastic: This can develop a plastic hinge with sufficient rotation
capacity to permit redistribution of moments in the structure. Only class I
sections can be used for plastic design.
 Class 2 Compact: This can develop the plastic moment capacity, but local
buckling prevents rotation at constant moment.
 Class 3 Semi-compact: The stress in the extreme fibres should be limited
to the yield stress because local buckling prevents development of the
plastic moment capacity.
 Class 4 Slender: Premature buckling occurs before yield is reached.

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 Flat elements in a cross section are classified as:

(1) Internal elements supported on both longitudinal edges.

(2) Outstand elements attached on one edge with the other free.

 Elements are generally of uniform thickness, but, if tapered, the average

thickness is used. Elements are classified as plastic, compact or semi-
compact if they meet limits given in Tables 11 and 12 of BS5950.

 An example for the limiting proportions for elements of universal beams

and channels are shown in Figure 4.

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Fig. (4): Limiting proportion for Rolled sections.

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[4] Bending stresses and Moment capacity

4.1: Elastic theory

(1) Uniaxial bending:
• The bending stress distributions for an I-section beam subjected to uniaxial
moment are shown in Figure 5(a).We define following terms for the I-
section:
M ≡ applied bending moment;
Ix ≡ moment of inertia about x–x axis;
Zx ≡ 2Ix / D = modulus of section for x–x axis; and
D ≡ overall depth of beam.
• The maximum stress in the extreme fibres top and bottom is:
…………………. Eq. (1)

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Fig. (5): Beams in Uniaxial bending.

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• The moment capacity; Mc = σb×Zx ………………….. Eq. (2)
Where; σb ≡ is the allowable bending stress. [see Tables (16) & (17)]
• The moment capacity for a semi-compact section subjected to a moment
due to factored loads is given in Clause 4.2.5.2 of BS 5950-1: 2000 as;
……………………………... Eq. (3)

• For the asymmetrical crane beam section shown in Figure 5(b), the
additional terms require definition:
Z1 = Ix/y1 ≡ modulus of section for top flange,
Z2 = Ix/y2 ≡ modulus of section for bottom flange,
y1, y2 ≡ distance from centroid to top and bottom fibres.

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• The bending stresses are:
– Top fibre in compression; fbc = Mx /Z1
– Bottom fibre in tension; fbt = Mx /Z2
• The moment capacity controlled by the stress in the bottom flange is;

Mc = py×Z2 ……………………… Eq. (4)

(2) Biaxial bending:
• Consider that I-section in Figure 6(a) which is subject to bending about
both axes. We define the following terms:
Mx ≡ moment about the x–x axis,
My ≡ moment about the y–y axis,
Zx ≡ modulus of section for the x–x axis,
Zy ≡ modulus of section for the y–y axis.

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Fig. (6): Biaxial bending.

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 The maximum stress at A or B is:
fA = fB = Mx / Zx + My / Zy …………………… Eq. (5)
 If the allowable stress is σb, the moment capacities with respect to x–x and
y–y axes are:
Mcx = σb×Zx
Mcy = σb×Zy
 Taking the maximum stress as σb and substituting for Zx and Zy in the
expression above gives the interaction relationship;

……………….. Eq. (6)

 This is shown graphically in Figure 6(b).

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(3) Asymmetrical sections:
• Note that with the channel section shown in Figure 7(a), the vertical load
must be applied through the shear centre for bending in the free member to
take place about the x–x axis, otherwise twisting and biaxial bending
occurs.

• For an asymmetrical section such as the unequal angle shown in Figure

7(b), bending takes place about the principal axes u–u and v–v in the free
member when the load is applied through the shear centre. When the angle
is used as a purlin, the cladding restrains the member so that it bends about
the x–x axis.

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Fig. (7): Bending of a

symmetrical sections.

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4.2: Plastic theory
(1) Uniaxial bending:
 Consider the I-section shown in Figure 8(b). Under moment, the stress first
follows an elastic distribution. As the moment increases, the stress at the
extreme fibre reaches the yield stress and the plastic region proceeds
inwards as shown, until the full plastic moment is reached and a plastic
hinge is formed.
 For single axis bending, the following terms are defined:
Mc ≡ plastic moment capacity,
S ≡ plastic modulus of section,
Z ≡ elastic modulus of section,
py ≡ design strength.
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Fig. (8): Behaviour in

bending.

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• The moment capacity given in Clause 4.2.5.2 of BS 5950-1: 2000 for class
1 and 2 sections with low shear load is:
Mc = py S
≤ 1.2 py Z ……………………………. Eq. (7)
• In the plastic range, bending takes place about the equal area axis and there
is one value for the plastic modulus of section:
S = Mc /py
= Ab /2 ……………………………... Eq. (8)
• Where; A ≡ is the area of cross section and b ≡ is the lever arm between the
tension and compression forces.

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 Example (1)
• Consider the 457 × 152 × 52 UB S275 as shown in Fig. (9). The section is
Class 3 semi-compact when subject to a compressive axial load of 800 kN and a
bending moment. Calculate the effective plastic modulus Sx,eff ??

Fig. (9)

Solution
 The effective plastic modulus about the major axis is obtained from:

Clause:
3.5.6.2

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 Example (1)
• For a 457 × 152 × 52 UB, Zx = 950 cm³, Sx = 1100 cm³, d/t = 53.6 mm and
b/T = 6.99 mm.

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 Example (1)

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(2) Biaxial bending:
• The relationship expressed in Sections 4.9 of BS 5950-1: 2000 for plastic
or compact cross sections is given in the following form:

……………………………... Eq. (9)

Where; Mx ≡ factored moment about the x–x axis,

My ≡ factored moment about the y–y axis,
Mcx ≡ moment capacity about the x–x axis,
Mcy ≡ moment capacity about the y–y axis,
Z1 = 2 for I- and H-sections and 1 for other open sections, and
Z2 = 1 for all open sections.
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(3) Unsymmetrical sections
• For sections with no axis of symmetry, plastic analysis for bending is
complicated, but solutions have been obtained. In many cases where such
sections are used, the member is constrained to bend about the rectangular
axis (see Section 4.4.1(3)).

[4] Lateral Torsional Buckling:

• Consider the simply supported beam with ends free to rotate in plan but
restrained against torsion and subjected to end moments, as shown in
Figure 10. Initially, the beam deflects in the vertical plane due to bending,
but as the moment increases, it reaches a critical value ME less than the
moment capacity, where it buckles sideways, twists and collapses.

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Fig. (10): Lateral

torsional buckling.

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• Elastic theory is used to set up equilibrium equations to equate the
disturbing effect to the lateral bending and torsional resistances of the
beam. The solution of this equation gives the elastic critical moment:

……………………………... Eq. (10)

Where; E ≡ Young’s modulus,

G ≡ shear modulus,
J ≡ torsion constant for the section,
H ≡ warping constant for the section,
L ≡ span, and
Iy ≡ moment of inertia about the y–y axis.

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 Terms used in the curve Fig. (10) are defined as follows:
M ≡ moment causing failure,
Mc ≡ moment capacity for a restrained beam,
ME ≡ elastic critical moment, and
LE /ry ≡ slenderness with respect to the y–y axis.
4.1: Lateral restraints and Effective length
• Members not provided with full lateral restraint must be checked for
buckling.
• The following two types of restraints are defined in Sections 4.3.2 and
4.3.3 of the code:
(1) Intermediate lateral restraint, which prevents sideways movement of the
compression flange; and

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(2) Torsional restraint, which prevents movement of one flange relative to the
other.
 Restraints are provided by floor slabs, end joints, secondary beams, stays,
sheeting, etc., and some restraints are shown in Figure 11.

 The effective length LE for a beam is defined as the length between points
of effective restraints multiplied by a factor to take account of the end
conditions and loading.

 The effective length for beams is discussed in Section 4.3.5 of BS 5950-1:

2000. When the beam is restrained at the ends only, that is, without
intermediate restraint, the effective length should be obtained from Table
13 in the code.
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Fig. (11): Lateral and torsional restraint.

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4.2: Code design procedure
(1) General procedure:
1- Select section, steel grade and determine the design strength py.
2- Determine the section classification.
3- Calculate the equivalent uniform moment factor mLT; from Table (18).
4- Estimate the effective length LE of the unrestrained compression flange
using the rules from Section 4.5.2.
5- Calculate the equivalent slenderness, λLT. Where;
6- Ratio βw should be determined in accordance to Clause 4.3.6.9.
7- Read the bending strength, pb from Table 16 for rolled sections and Table 17
for welded sections.
8- Calculate the buckling resistance moment.
 for class 1 plastic or class 2 compact cross-sections:

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(2) Conservative Approach:

4.3: Biaxial bending

• Where biaxial bending occurs, BS 5950-1: 2000 specifies in Section 4.9
that the following simplified interaction expressions must be satisfied for
plastic or compact sections:

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1- Cross-section capacity check at point of maximum combined moments:

……………………………... Eq. (11)

2- Member buckling check at the centre of the beam:

………………………….. Eq. (12)

• Where;
Mb ≡ is the buckling resistance moment,
MLT ≡ is the maximum major axis moment in the segment length L
governing Mb.

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• Therefore;

[5] Shear in beams: (Clause 4.2.3)

• The value of shear stress at any point in a beam section is given by the
following expression;
………………………….. Eq. (13)

Where; V ≡ shear force at the section,

A ≡ area between the point where the shear stress is required and a free edge,
y ≡ distance from the centroid of the area A to the centroid of the section,
Ix ≡ second moment of area about the x–x axis, and
t ≡ thickness of the section at the point where the shear stress is required.
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• Using the formula above, the shear stresses at various points in the beam
section can be found. Thus, the maximum shear stress at the centroid in
terms of the beam dimensions is:

………………………….. Eq. (14)

• It has been customary in design to check the average shear stress in the web
given by:
………………………….. Eq. (15)

• which should not exceed an allowable value.

 Shear – Plastic theory:
• For a rolled member subjected to shear only, the shear force is assumed to
be resisted by the web area Av shown in Figure 12, where:

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Fig. (12): Shear Areas.

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………………………….. Eq. (16)

(6) Deflection of beams

 The deflection limits for beams specified in Section 2.5.1 of BS 5950-1:
2000. The serviceability loads are the unfactored imposed loads.

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 Deflections at the serviceability limit state can be calculated for simply
supported beams, from the following standard formulae.

Fig. (13): Destabilizing loads.

 Destabilizing loads:
• Destabilizing loads are loads that are applied to the beam above the shear
centre and are free to move with the beam as it deflects laterally and twists (see
Figure 13). Such loads increase the twist on the beam and induce additional
stresses. Therefore, destabilizing loads reduce the resistance of a member to
lateral torsional buckling and to account for this the effective length is
increased.
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[6] Beam web Design:
• End connections to columns and other beams form an essential part of
beam design. Checks for local failure are required at supports and points
where concentrated loads are applied.
• Therefore, checks on the beam web are required to determine whether or
not stiffening is required. Web bearing failure or web buckling failure, as
shown in Figure (14) can occur in thin webs under concentrated loads.

Fig. (14): Web failure modes.

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6.1: Web Bearing
• A web bearing failure occurs when the bearing stress exceeds the yield
strength of the section at the critical location. For design, the critical
location is taken as the part of the web closest to the applied load, adjacent
to the root radius.
• The bearing capacity is given in Section 4.5.2 of BS 5950-1: 2000.
• The web bearing capacity is given by:
………………………….. Eq. (17)

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b1 ≡ is the length of stiff bearing,
be ≡ is the distance from the end of the member to the nearer end of the stiff
bearing, see Figure 15 (ii),
pyw ≡ is the design strength of the web, (i)

r ≡ is the root radius,

T ≡ is the flange thickness, and
t ≡ is the web thickness.
(ii)
Moreover; An end bearing and an
intermediate bearing are shown in
Figure (16).

(iii)

Fig. (15): Web bearing failure.

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Fig. (16): Web and bracket

bearing.

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 If the applied load is greater than the web bearing capacity Pbw, then a
stiffener is required to carry the applied load less the capacity of the web.

6.2: Web Buckling

 Web buckling failure is similar to column buckling subject to axial
compression. The web should therefore be checked to ensure that the
applied load does not exceed the buckling resistance of the web.
 The buckling resistance of a web to loads applied through the flange is
given in Section 4.5.3 of BS 5950-1: 2000.
 The web buckling resistance is given by:

………………………….. Eq. (18)

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Where; d ≡ is the depth of the web,
Pbw ≡ is the bearing capacity of the unstiffened web at the web-to-flange
connection,
ε = √(275/pyw). Thus, all other terms are as defined in Section 6.1.
 However, if the distance ae (see Figure 17) from the load or reaction to the
nearer end of the member is less than 0.7d, then the buckling resistance
should be multiplied by the reduction factor:

 Thus, Pxr = × Px ………………………….. Eq. (19)

 Figure (17) shows a buckling failure and illustrates the definition of ae.

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 The web buckling check assumes that the flange through which the load or
reaction is applied is effectively restrained against both:
(a) Rotation relative to the web (see Figure 18).

(b) Lateral movement relative to the other flange.

Fig. (17): Web Buckling failure.

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Fig. (18): Types of Web Buckling.

• Examples,,,,
• Questions ???

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