Addis Ababa institute of Technology 1

STEEL AND TIMBER STRUCTURES (CENG4123)

PART TWO: DESIGN OF STRUCTURAL STEEL MEMBERS

December 6, 2017
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Topic 1: Tension Members

Presentation Topic 2: Compression Members
Outline Topic 3: Flexural Members
Topic 4: Beam-Column Members

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 Topic 3: Flexural Members-II-Unrestrained Beams
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 Introduction: Beams
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A beam is a structural member which is subjected to transverse loads, and accordingly must be designed to withstand
predominantly shear and moment, Generally, it will be bent about its major axis..

Addis Ababa institute of Technology December 6, 2017

 Introduction: Unrestrained Beams
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This presentation is a continuation of the discussion of “Flexural Members-I” and covers the design of unrestrained
beams that are prone to lateral torsional buckling.
Beams without continuous lateral restraint are prone to buckling about their major axis, this mode of buckling is called lateral
torsional buckling (LTB).

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 again torsion
► The section has a high torsional and lateral bending stiffness

Addis Ababa institute of Technology December 6, 2017

 Introduction: Unrestrained Beams
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Behaviour
Perfectly elastic, initially straight, loaded by equal and opposite end moments about its major axis.

► Unrestricted along its length.

► End Supports
► Twisting and lateral deflection prevented
► Free to rotate both in the plane of the web and on plan.

Three components of displacement are observed i.e

► Vertical (y),
► Horizontal (x) and
► torsional (ϕ) displacement

Addis Ababa institute of Technology December 6, 2017

 Introduction: Unrestrained Beams-Elastic Critical Moment
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Elastic critical moment

Consider the following assumptions:
► Perfect beam, without any type of imperfections
(geometrical or material);
► Doubly symmetric cross section;
► Material with linear elastic behavior;
► Small displacements ( cos(ϕ)=1 ; sin(ϕ) = ϕ)
The critical value of the moment about the major axis My ,
denoted as MEcr (critical moment of the “standard case”)
resulting in lateral torsional buckling is obtained:

Addis Ababa institute of Technology December 6, 2017

 Introduction: Unrestrained Beams-Elastic Critical Moment
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Elastic critical moment

It can be observed that the critical moment of a member under bending depends on several factors, such as:
► loading (shape of the bending moment diagram);
► support conditions;
► length of the member between laterally braced cross sections;
► lateral bending stiffness;
► torsion stiffness;
► warping stiffness.
Besides these factors, the point of application of the loading also has a direct
influence on the elastic critical moment of a beam.

Stabilizing effect No effect Destabilizing effect

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 Introduction: Unrestrained Beams- Behavior of Real Steel Beams
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Real Steel Beams

► In reality beams are not free from imperfection, not purely elastic, not always simply supported, not always loaded with only a
constant flexure and are not of a doubly symmetric sections, consequently, subject to different bending moment diagrams.
► The derivation of an exact expression for the critical moment for each case of real beams is not practical, as this implies the
computation of differential equations of some complexity. Therefore, in practical applications approximate formulae are used,
which are applicable to a wide set of situations.
► Students are strongly advised to refer “Trahair IS- The Behaviour and Design of Steel Structures to EC3 (2008)”
Chapter 6, in particular for set of approximate equations for calculating the elastic critical buckling load.
As an alternative to some of the expressions, the elastic critical moment can be estimated using expression below proposed
by Clark and Hill (1960) and Galéa (1981). It is applicable to members subject to bending about the strong axis, with cross
sections mono-symmetric about the weak z axis, for several support conditions and types of loading.
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
Iz is the second moment of area about the weak axis
It is the torsion constant
Iw is the warping constant
kz is an effective length factor related to rotations at the end section about the
weak axis z (can be conservatively taken as 1.0)
kw is an effective length factor related to warping restriction in the same cross
sections (can be conservatively taken as 1.0)
Addis Ababa institute of Technology December 6, 2017
 Introduction: Unrestrained Beams- Behavior of Real Steel Beams
10

Real Steel Beams

► In reality beams are not free from imperfection, not purely elastic, not always simply supported, not always loaded with only a
constant flexure and are not of a doubly symmetric sections, consequently, subject to different bending moment diagrams.
► The derivation of an exact expression for the critical moment for each case of real beams is not practical, as this implies the
computation of differential equations of some complexity. Therefore, in practical applications approximate formulae are used,
which are applicable to a wide set of situations.
► Students are strongly advised to refer “Trahair IS- The Behaviour and Design of Steel Structures to EC3 (2008)”
Chapter 6, in particular for set of approximate equations for calculating the elastic critical buckling load.
As an alternative to some of the expressions, the elastic critical moment can be estimated using expression below proposed
by Clark and Hill (1960) and Galéa (1981). It is applicable to members subject to bending about the strong axis, with cross
sections mono-symmetric about the weak z axis, for several support conditions and types of loading.
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 the
figure.
zj is a parameter that reflects degree of asymmetry of the cross section in
relation to the y axis.

Addis Ababa institute of Technology December 6, 2017

 Introduction: Unrestrained Beams- Behavior of Real Steel Beams
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C1, C2 and C3 are coefficients depending on the shape of the bending moment diagram and on support conditions,

Addis Ababa institute of Technology December 6, 2017

 Introduction: Unrestrained Beams- Behavior of Real Steel Beams
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C1, C2 and C3 are coefficients depending on the shape of the bending moment diagram and on support conditions,

In case of mono-symmetric I or H cross sections, the tables can be used if the following condition is verified:
-0.9 ≤ ψ ≤ 0.9

Addis Ababa institute of Technology December 6, 2017

 Introduction: Unrestrained Beams-Behaviour of Real Steel Beams
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Resistance of Real Steel Beams

► Real beams differ from an ideal beams in much the same way as do real compression members.

► Thus any small imperfections such as initial crookedness, twist,

eccentricity of load, or horizontal load components cause the
beam to behave as if it had an equivalent initial crookedness and
twist, as shown by curve A

► Imperfections such as residual stresses or variations in material

properties cause the beam to behave as shown by curve B.

► The behavior of real beams having both types of imperfection is

indicated by curve C.

► Curve C shows a transition from the elastic behaviour of a beam

with curvature and twist to the inelastic post-buckling behaviour of
a beam with residual stresses.

Addis Ababa institute of Technology December 6, 2017

 Introduction: Unrestrained Beams- Behavior of Real Steel Beams
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The influence of Slenderness

Considering the analogy between Ncr and Mcr , the lateral-torsional behavior of beams in bending is similar
to a compressed column. Therefore:
► The resistance of short/stocky members depends on the value of
the cross section bending resistance (plastic or elastic bending
moment resistance, depending of its cross section class).

► The resistance of slender members depends on the value

of the critical moment (Mcr ), associated with lateral-
torsional buckling.

► The resistance of members with intermediate slenderness

depends on the interaction between plasticity and instability
phenomena.

Addis Ababa institute of Technology December 6, 2017

 Introduction: Unrestrained Beams- Behavior of Real Steel Beams
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The influence of Slenderness

Non-dimensional plot permits results from different test series to be compared.

► Stocky beams (λLT<0.4) unaffected by lateral torsional buckling

► Slender beams (λLT>1.2) resistance close to elastic critical

moment Mcr.

► Intermediate slenderness adversely affected by inelasticity and

geometric imperfections.

► EC3 uses a reduction factor χLT on plastic resistance moment

to cover the whole slenderness range..

Addis Ababa institute of Technology December 6, 2017

 16 End of Class Twelve! Questions?
Thank you for your kind attention!

Addis Ababa institute of Technology December 6, 2017

 Introduction: Unrestrained Beams- Behavior of Real Steel Beams
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Summary of factors to consider influence of Slenderness

► Warping ► The stiffness in the minor axis Vs stiffness in the major axis
Is the distortion of the elements of a steel section out of the plane Section with relatively equal stiffness about both axis are almost never likely
perpendicular to the axis of the member under twisting/torsion. to experience LTB.

Restraining this effects will have a favorable impact in avoiding lateral

torsional buckling
► End Constraints ► Bracing ► Point of Load application
Restraints have a major influence on the occurrence of Lateral bracing of beams is the In relation to the shear center of the section the point
instability and can be utilized to enhance the load carrying common measure to overcome of load application may have a favorable/stabilizing
capacity of the beam whenever instability is likely to occur. the occurrence of LTB. or unfavorable/destabilizing effect

Addis Ababa institute of Technology December 6, 2017

 Introduction: Unrestrained Beams- Behavior of Real Steel Beams
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Over all Summary

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 Design According to EC3: Unrestrained Beams
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Lateral-Torsional Buckling Resistance

The verification of resistance to lateral-torsional buckling of a prismatic member consists of the verification of the
following condition (clause 6.3.2.1(1)):

Mb,Rd is the design buckling resistance, given by (clause 6.3.2.1(3))

where : W y = W pl,y for class 1 and 2 cross sections;

Wy = W el,y for class 3 cross sections;
Wy = W eff,y for class 4 cross sections;
χLT is the reduction factor for lateral-torsional buckling.

In EC3-1-1 two methods for the calculation of the reduction coefficient χLT in prismatic members are proposed:

A General Method that can be applied to any type of An Alternative Method that can be applied to rolled
cross section (more conservative) cross sections or equivalent welded sections.
Addis Ababa institute of Technology December 6, 2017
 Design According to EC3: Unrestrained Beams
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A General Method - Any section

with :
αLT is the imperfection factor, which depends on the buckling curve
0.21, 0.34, 0.49 and 0.76 for curves a, b, c and d
Mcr is the elastic critical moment.

The buckling curves to be adopted depend on the geometry of the cross section of the member

Addis Ababa institute of Technology December 6, 2017

 Design According to EC3: Unrestrained Beams
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An Alternative Method - Rolled or equivalent welded sections

Students are highly advised to read more on this topic. The discussion of this method presented in “Design
of Steel Structures Eurocode 3, 2010, by da Silva L.S. ” is recommended as a starting literature.

Addis Ababa institute of Technology December 6, 2017

 Design According to EC3: Unrestrained Beams
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Conditions for ignoring the lateral-torsional buckling verification

The verification of lateral-torsional buckling for a member in bending may be ignored if at least one of the following
conditions is verified:
Where;

Improving the lateral torsional buckling resistance

In practical situations, for given geometrical conditions, support conditions and assumed loading, the lateral-torsional
buckling behaviour of a member can be improved in two ways: :

► by increasing the lateral bending and/or torsional stiffness, by increasing the section or
changing from IPE profiles to HEA or HEB or to closed hollow sections (square, rectangular or
circular);
► by laterally bracing along the member the compressed part of the section (the compressed
flange in the case of I or H sections). This is more economical, although sometimes it is not
feasible.

Addis Ababa institute of Technology December 6, 2017

 Design According to EC3: Unrestrained Beams
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► Bending Moment Resistance Summary:

1. Draw the bending moment diagram to obtain the value of the maximum bending moment, MEd.
2. Determine fy and calculate the class of the section. Once you know the class of the section then you will
know which value of the section modulus you will need to use in the equation for Mb,Rd.
3. Work out the effective length, Lcr.
4. Work out the value of Mcr , the critical moment.
5. Work out the lateral torsional slenderness ratio using either the general case or alternative expression.
6. Work out ΦLT using either the general case or alternative expression.
7. Work out χLT using either the general case or alternative expression.
8. Calculate the design buckling resistance Mc,Rd.
9. Carry out the buckling resistance Mc,Rd > MEd.

Addis Ababa institute of Technology December 6, 2017

 Worked Example: Example on cross-section resistance in bending
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Example 4.4. Consider the beam, supported by web cleats and loaded by two concentrated loads, P = 70.0 kN
(design loads). Design the beam using a HEA profile, in S235 steel (E = 210 GPa and G = 81 GPa),
according to EC3-1-1. Consider free rotation at the supports with respect to the y-axis and the z-axis. Also assume
free warping at the supports but consider that the web cleats do not allow rotation around the axis of the
beam (x axis). Assume:
a) Unbraced beam; Solution
b) Beam is braced at points of application of the concentrated loads. Step1: Draw the internal action diagrams to get MEd &
VEd.

Step2: Select a trial section and carryout the section

classification.
Addis Ababa institute of Technology Considering a HEA 240 profile. December 6, 2017
 Worked Example: Example on cross-section resistance in bending
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The cross section class of a HEA 240 is obtained as follows

The HEA 240 is class 1,

confirming the use of Wpl,y
S 235 for t≤16mm
Material Properties:
HEA 240 ► fy = 235 MPa
► Wpl, y=744.6cm3 ► I T=41.55cm4 ► fu = 390 MPa
► I y=7763cm4 ► I W=328.5 X 103 cm6 ► E = 210 Gpa
► I z=2769cm4 ► G= 81 GPa
Step3: Check for Lateral-torsional buckling without intermediate L = 6.00 m
bracing [a]. kz = kw = 1.0, as the standard case support
zg = 115 mm
Step3.1: Compute the buckling resistance

W y = W pl,y for class 1= 744.6cm3

Addis Ababa institute of Technology December 6, 2017
 Worked Example: Example on cross-section resistance in bending
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zj = 0 for beams with doubly symmetric cross section (such as I

or H cross sections with equal flanges)
C1 = 1.04, C2 = 0.42 and C3 = 0.562

L = 6.00 m
kz = kw = 1.0, as the standard case support
zg = 115 mm

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 Worked Example: Example on cross-section resistance in bending
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Step4: Check for Lateral-torsional buckling with intermediate
restraints [b].
Step4.1: Compute the buckling resistance
If the beam is laterally braced at the points of application
of the loads, the lateral-torsional buckling behavior is improved.

L = 3.00 m
kz = kw = 1.0, as the standard case support
Here a lesser profile of HEA 240 is selected which is checked zg = 0, The elastic critical moment of the beam is not
to be of class 1, confirming the use of Wpl,y aggravated by the fact that the loads are applied at the upper
HEA 220 flange, because these are applied at sections that are laterally
► Wpl, y=568.5cm3 ► I T= 28.46cm4 restrained.
► I z=1955cm4 ► I W= 193.3 X 103 cm6
W y = W pl,y for class 1= 568.5cm3
Addis Ababa institute of Technology December 6, 2017
 Worked Example: Example on cross-section resistance in bending
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zj = 0 for beams with doubly symmetric cross section (such as I

or H cross sections with equal flanges)
C1 = 1.00, C2 = not important as Zg=0 and C3 = 1.0

Please refer Example 3.11 from “Design of Steel

Structures Eurocode 3, 2010, by da Silva L.S. ” to
further understand the benefit of utilizing the
alternative approach for rolled or welded sections.

Addis Ababa institute of Technology December 6, 2017

 29 End of Class Thirteen! Questions?
Thank you for your kind attention!

Addis Ababa institute of Technology December 6, 2017