Example

Design of a 5-storey braced frame

Frame geometry
• The geometry of the building reflects modern composite construction
practice.
• 5-storey building, representing a small, 4-storey office development
constructed over a showroom.
Typical cross-section (dimensions in mm)
Typical part plan (dimensions in mm)
Construction
• Flat roof Asphalt on 130 mm lightweight concrete on
profiled metal decking
• Floors (office use) Raised floor on 130 mm lightweight concrete
on profiled metal decking
• External walls Proprietary cladding
• Fire protection 4-hour fire rating between ground floor and 1st
floor 2-hour fire rating between 1st floor and roof
• Bracing The building is braced against side-sway
Design assumptions
• It is assumed that resistance to lateral wind loads is provided by a
system of localised cross-bracing, and that the main steel frame is
designed to support gravity loads only.
• The connections are designed to transmit vertical shear, and to be
capable of transferring a horizontal tying force to preserve the
integrity of the structure in the event of accidental damage.
• It is also assumed that the connections offer little, if any, resistance to
free rotation of the beam ends.
Design assumptions
With these assumptions, the frame is classified as 'simple', and the
internal forces and moments are determined using a global analysis
which assumes the members to be effectively pin-connected.
Loading
Permanent actions
Typical floor kN/m2
• Raised floor (manufacturer's literature) 0.2
• 130 mm lightweight concrete on profiled metal decking 2.5
• Steelwork and fire protection 0.5
• Services 0.3
• Ceiling 0.2
• ... characteristic permanent action, Gk1= 3.7
Loading
Permanent actions
Roof kN/m2
• Paving and insulation 1.0
• Asphalt 0.5
• 130 mm lightweight concrete on profiled metal decking 2.5
• Steelwork and fire protection 0.5
• Services 0.3
• Ceiling 0.2
• ... characteristic permanent action, Gk2= 5.0
Loading
Permanent actions
Cladding kN/m2
• Proprietary cladding 0.8
• ... characteristic permanent action, Gk3= 0.8
Loading
Variable actions
Floor loads kN/m2
• Imposed loads (client request) 4.0
• Allowance for metal partitions not shown on plans 1.0
• ... characteristic imposed floor load, Qk1= 5.0
Loading
Variable actions
Roof loads kN/m2
• Imposed loads for roof with access 1.5
• ... characteristic imposed roof load, Qk2= 1.5
Ultimate limit states
• The partial safety factors for ultimate limit states are:
• Permanent actions
YGsup = 1.35 for unfavourable effects
• Variable actions
YQ.sup = 1.5 for unfavourable effects

This structure is classified as a simple frame, and therefore pattern

loading of imposed loads need not be considered.
1.3 Fully restrained beam (B1)
• The secondary beam (B1) is simply supported at both ends and is fully
restrained along its length.
• For the loading shown, design the beam in grade Fe 430 steel,
assuming that it is carrying plaster or a similar brittle finish.

Fully restrained beam

1.3.1 Loading
• Characteristic values
Variable action Q = 5.0 x 2.5 kN/m = 12.5 kN/m
Permanent action G = 3.7 x2.5 kN/m = 9.25 kN/m

The permanent action includes an allowance for the weight of the beam
and
Partial safety factors casing.
Variable action YQ.sup = 1.5
Permanent action YG.sup = 1.35
1.3.2 Design values
Fd = YGsup Gk+ YQsup Qk
=1.35 x 9.25 + 1.5 x 12.5
=31.2kN/m

Design moment
Msd =FdL2/8 = 31.2 x 7.522/8 =219 kNm

Design shear force

Vsd =FdL/2 = 31.2 x 7.52/2 =117 kNm
1.3.2 Design values
• To determine the section size, assume that the flange thickness is less
than 40 mm so that the design strength is 275 N/mm², and that the
section is class 1 or 2.
Msd ≤ Mc,Rd

whence, for class 2 section,

Mc,Rd = Mply.Rd = Wplfy/Ymо

Wpl.required = Msd YMo/fy = (219 x 103 x 1.05)/275 = 836 cm³

Try a 406 x 140 × 46 UB
• Section properties
• Depth h = 402.3 mm
• Width b = 142.4 mm
• Web thickness tw = 6.9 mm
• Flange thickness tf = 11.2 mm
• Depth between fillets d = 359.7 mm
• Plastic modulus Wpl = 888 cm³
1.3.3 Classification of cross-section
• As a simply supported beam is not required to have any plastic
rotation capacity (only one hinge required), it is sufficient to ensure
that the section is at least class 2 to develop the plastic moment
resistance.

Figure 4 shows a typical cross-section for a universal beam.

1.3.3 Classification of cross-section
Flange buckling, c/t≤ 10ε

where c = half the width of the flange

t is the flange thickness
ε = sqrt (235/fy) = sqrt (235/275) = 0.924

For this section the limit is 10 ε = 10 x 0.924 = 9.24

c/tf= 142.4 / (2x11.2) =6.36 (simplified calculation)

6.36 < 9.24

1.3.3 Classification of cross-section
Web buckling,d/tw≤ 83ε = 83 ×0.924 = 76.7

where d is the depth between root radii

tw is the web thickness
d/tw = 359.7/6.9 = 52.1

52.1< 76.7
1.3.3 Classification of cross-section
• c/t< 10ε and d/t < 83ε
• section is at least class 2.
Shear on web
• The shear resistance of the web must be checked.
• Vsd ≤ Vpl,Rd

• The design plastic shear resistance of the web is given by:

Vpl,Rd= Av [fy /sqrt(3)]/YM0

For rolled I and H sections loaded parallel to the web,

shear area Av = 1.04 htw
and the partial safety factor YMO = 1.05
Shear on web
VplRd = [1.04 h tw fy] / [sqrt (3) yM0]

VplRd = [1.04*402.3*6.9*275] / [sqrt(3)*1.05*103]= 437 kN

This is greater than the shear on the section (117 kN).

Shear on web
As this beam has partial depth end-plates, a local shear check is
required on the web of the beam where it is welded to the end-plate.

Vpl,Rd= Av [fy /sqrt(3)]/YM0

where A = twd, d depth of end-plate = 250 mm

VplRd = [250*6.9*275] / [sqrt(3)*1.05*103] = 260.8 kN

This is greater than the shear on the section (117 kN).

Shear on web
• A further check is sometimes required, especially when there are
significant point loads, cantilevers or continuity, to ensure that the
shear will not have a significant effect on the moment resistance.
• This check is carried out for the moment and shear at the same point.
The moment resistance of the web is reduced if the shear is greater
than 50% of the shear resistance of the section.
• With a uniform load, the maximum moment and shear are not
coincident and this check is not required for beams without web
openings.
1.7 Column (C1)
• The continuous column has a storey height of 4000mm and has a design axial
force of 450kN.
• The beams are connected to the column using end-plates.
• At the upper end, two beams frame into the web without eccentricity from
the major axis.
• One transfers a design force of R1= 200kN and the other a design force of
R3=300kN.
• Only one beam frames into the major axis transferring a design force of
R2=400kN without eccentricity about the major axis.
• The conditions at the lower end of the column are identical to those at the
upper end.
• Verify the resistance of the column just above the lower beam.
Column in simple construction
Design moments and forces
• Axial force in column = 450 + 200 + 300 + 400 = 1350 kN
• Moments at both upper and lower ends of the column
• Moment about major axis My,Ed = 400 (h/2 + 100)
• Guess h (depth of cross-section) = 320 mm then My,Ed = 400 x 0.26 = 104
kNm
• Moment about minor axis Mz,Ed = (300 – 200)(tw/2 + 100)
• Guess tw = 20 mm then My,Ed = 100 x 0.11 = 11 kNm

• As the column is continuous through the length under consideration the

adjacent column lengths have I/L ratios differing by less than 1.5.
Therefore the moments may be divided equally between the upper and
lower column lengths at each beam level and no carry-overs to adjacent
joints are made.
Design moments and forces
• Thus the column needs to be designed for:
• Axial load NEd = 1350 kN
• Moment My,Ed = 52.0 kNm
• Moment Mz,Ed = 5.5 kNm
Select trial section
• From section tables the dimensions of a 254 x 254 x 73 UC are:
• h = 254.1 mm; b = 254.6 mm; h/b = 1.00
• tf = 14.2 mm; cf/tf = 7.77; cw/tw = 23.3;
• iz = 6.48 cm; Wpl,y = 992 cm3; Wpl,z = 465 cm3;
• A = 93.1 cm2 .
• tf <16 mm therefore from Table 7 of BS EN 10025-2 fy = 275
N/mm2
Section classification
• From Table 5.2 (Sheet 2 of 3) of BS EN 1993-1-1 the Class 1 limit for an outstand
flange is c/t = 9.0ε
• ε = sqrt [235/ fy] = 0.92
• The Class 1 limit c/t = 9.0 ε = 8.28
• 7.77 < 8.28, therefore the flange is Class 1.
• From Table 5.2 (Sheet 1 of 3) of BS EN 1993-1-1 the Class 1 limit
for an internal compression element is
• c/t = 33 ε = 30.36
• 23.3< 30.36, therefore the web is Class 1
• Therefore the whole section is Class 1.
Buckling length
• The beams are connected to the column using partial depth end-
plates therefore little rotational restraint will be provided and Lcr
should be taken as 1.0 L for both the major and minor axes.
• Lcr = 1.0 x 4.0 = 4.0 m
Buckling curve
• For an S275
rolled section
with h/b = 1.00
and tf = 14.2
the buckling
curves from
Table 6.2 of BS
EN 1993-1-1
are:
• Buckling about
y-y axis (major)
– Buckling curve
b
• Buckling about
Non-dimensional slenderness
• For flexural buckling about the z-z axis (minor) for a Class 1
section, the nondimensional slenderness is given by Clause
6.3.1.3(1) of BS EN 1993-1-1 as:
Buckling resistance, Nb,z,Rd
(flexural buckling about the z-z axis)
Buckling resistance, Nb,z,Rd
(flexural buckling about the z-z axis)
Buckling resistance, Nb,y,Rd
(flexural buckling about the y-y axis)
Buckling resistance moment,
Mb,y,Rd
Buckling resistance moment,
Mb,y,Rd
Buckling resistance moment,
Mb,y,Rd
Buckling resistance moment,
Mb,y,Rd
Moment resistance, Mcb,z,Rd
Combined bending and axial
compression
Combined bending and axial
compression
• Therefore the column is satisfactory in combined axial load and
bending.
• Check assumptions concerning depth of section and thickness of
flange on
• eccentricities.
• Actual h/2 = 254.1/2 = 127 mm which is less than guessed 160
mm therefore safe.
• Actual tw/2 = 8.6/2 = 4.3 mm which is less than guessed 10 mm
therefore safe.
• Adopt this trial section.
Initial design information
• Design the connection between a pair of secondary beams (406 x 140
x 46 UB, member reference B1), and the primary beam (533 x 210 ×
101 UB, member reference B2).
• For a secondary beam the design ultimate reaction is: Vsd = 117 kN
• The connection is to be nominally pinned so that deformations of the
secondary beam can occur without inducing significant moments in
the primary beams.
• The connection will be designated as a 'Category A: Bearing type'
shear connection using a partial depth flexible end-plate.
Вasic details

Beam-to-beam connection details (dimensions in mm)

Вasic details
• The proposed end-plate is 200 mm wide x 250 mm deep × 8 mm
thick.
• The dimensions of the plate have been selected to comply with the
recommended minimum bolt gauge of 140 mm and a plate depth
greater than 0.6 of the depth of the supported beam.
• It is envisaged that a four-bolt connection will be adequate. Using an
end distance of 35 mm, the bolt pitch is 180 mm.
Shear resistance of the bolt group
Shear resistance of the bolt group
Design end-plate weld
Design end-plate weld