DEPARTMENTwww.vidyarthiplus.

com
OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
CE 2352 – DESIGN OF STEEL STRUCTURES
TWO MARKS QUESTION ANSWERS
SIXTH SEMESTER

BY

MS. A. VINOTHINI(AP/CIVIL)
CHENDU COLLEGE OF ENGG &TECH
ZAMIN ENDATHUR VILLAGE , MADURANTAKAM TALUK,
KANCHEEPURAM DISTRICT – 603 311.

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MARKS - QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

UNIT – I - CONNECTIONS – RIVETED, WELDED & BOLTED

1. Mention the advantages and disadvantages of steel structures?

Advantages:
Ability to resist high loads

Due to its high density, steel is completely non-porous

Durability
Easy to disassembling or replacing some steel members of a structure
Disadvantages:
Corrosion
At high temperature steel loses most of its strength, leading to deformation or failure
2. What is meant by Girder?
Girder means a major beam frequently at wide spacing that supports small
beams.
3. What is meant by joists?

It is a closely spaced beam supporting the floors and roofs

of buildings
4. What is meant by Purlins?

It is a roof beam usually supported By

truss 5. What is meant by Rafters?

It is a roof beam usually supported by purlin.

6. What is meant by Lintel?

It is a beam over window or door openings that support the wall above.
7. What is Girts?

It is horizontal wall beams used to support wall covering on the side of an

industrial building
8. What is meant by Spandrel beam?

It is beam around the outside perimeter of a floor that support the exterior walls and the outside
edge of the floor

9. Name the different types of connections?

Riveted connections
Welded connections
Bolted connections
Pinned connection

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10. Name the types of riveted connections?
Lap Joint - single riveted and double riveted
Butt joint – single cover and double cover
11. What is meant by rivet value?

The least of the strengths in shearing and bearing is the rivet

value 12. What is meant by gauge distance?
The perpendicular distance between two gauge lines, is called gauge distance

13. Name the different modes of failure of a riveted

joint? Tearing failure of the plate
Shear failure of the plate
Shear failure of the rivet
Bearing failure of the rivet
Splitting failure of plate
14. As per the American practice where the neutral axis lie in the rivet group?

It is assumed that the line of rotation lies at a distance of 1/7 th of the effective bracket
depth from the bottom of the bracket

15. What are the factors that govern will govern the structural
design? Foundation movements
Elastic axial shortening
Soil and fluid pressures
Vibration Fatigue
Impact (dynamic effects)

16. What are the load combinations for the design purposes?
Dead load + Imposed Load (Live load)

Dead Load + Imposed Load + Wind Load or earthquake

load Dead Load + Wind Load or Earthquake load

17. What are the steps involved in structural design?

Forces or loads Structural arrangement and material selection Analyzing
internal stresses Proportioning of members

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UNIT – II - TENSION MEMBERS

1. Tie member – Explain.

Tie member or a tension member is a structural element carrying an axial tensile

force. For the tensile force to be axial it is necessary that the load be applied through
centroid of the section of the member. But under axial tension the member gets straightened
and eccentricity of the force decreases. The member is almost straight at the yield point and
the distribution of the stress over the section becomes uniform.
2. How the tension members are classified?

It is classified according to its shape and size and it depends upon the type of
structures. Wires and cables – Used in hoists, derricks, suspenders in suspension bridges
Rods and bars – Used in radio tower, small spanned roof trusses with different cross-sections
such as round, rectangular or square

3. What is meant by single section member?

Structural sections such as I-section, T-section, angle, and channel are used as
tension members. As the structural shapes provide more rigidity than cables or rods, their
buckling tendency under compression load is reduced and so can be used where reversal of
stress takes place.
4. Under what circumstances you would go for Built-up members?

When single structural sections fail to provide required strength and stiffness to carry
tension as well as compression in case of reversal of stresses, built-up members are used.
5. How the tension members are selected?

It depends upon the various factors such as type of fabrication, type of structure, type
of loading, i.e. whether the member undergoes reversal of stresses, and the maximum
tension to be carried by the member.
6. Sketch the different forms a single section member

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 7. How is net effective area ofwww.vidyarthiplus.com
single angle used as tension
member calculated? Net effective area = A1 + A2K
A1- Net area of connected leg
A2- area of outstanding leg

3A1
K=
3A1  A2

9. What is net sectional area of a tension member? How it is calculated in chain riveting?

The gross sectional area of the tension member minus the sectional area of the
maximum number of rivet/bolt holes is known as net sectional area. In case of chain
riveting,
anet= (b – nd) t
10. What is Lug angle?

A larger length of the tension member and the gusset plate may be required sometimes
to accommodate the required number of connection rivets. But this may not be feasible and
economical. To overcome this difficulty lug angles are used in conjunction with main
tension members at the ends. It provides extra gauge lines for accommodating the rivets and
thus enables to reduce the length of the connection. They are generally used when the
members are of single angle, double angle or channel sections.

11. What are the main objectives of the lug angles?

They produce eccentric connections, due to rivets placed along lug angle. The centroid of
the rivet system of the connection shifts, causing eccentric connection and bending moments.
Stress distribution in the rivets connecting lug angles is not uniform. It is preferred to put a lug
angle at the beginning of the connection where they are more effective and not at the middle or at
the end of the connection. Rivets on the lug angles are not as efficient as those on the main
member. The out-standing leg of the lug angle usually gets deformed and so the load shared by the
rivets on the lug angles is proportionately less.
12. What is meant by Tension splice?

Splicing of tension members is necessary when the required length of the member is
more than the length available or when the member has different cross-sections for different
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member is to be of greater length, two or more lengths shall
have to be spliced at the joints.
13. What is the net effective area of a pair of angles placed back to back connected by one leg
of each angle subjected to tension?
Anet = A1 + A2 K
A1 - effective cross – section area of connected legs
A2 – Gross area of outstanding legs
5A
K=
A2
5A1
14. What is the permissible stress in axial tension? 1

As per IS: 800 – 1984, the permissible stress in axial

2
tension σat = 0.6 fy N/mm
2
fy = minimum yield stress in steel in N /mm .
15. How will you join the member of different thickness in a tension member?

When tension member of different thickness are to be jointed, filler plates may
be used to bring the member in level.

16. What happens when a single angle with one leg is connected to a gusset plate, which is
subjected to an eccentric load?

The rivets connecting the angle to the gusset plate does not lie on the line of action of
load. This gives rise to an eccentric connection due to which the stress distribution becomes
non-uniform. The net cross-sectional area of such a section is reduced to account for this
non-uniform stress distribution resulting from eccentricity.

UNIT – III - COMPRESSION MEMBERS

1. What do you mean by compression members?

Compression members are the most common structural elements and it is termed
as columns, struts, posts or stanchions. They are designed to resist axial compression.
2. Name the modes of failures in a column.

Failure of the cross-section due to crushing or yielding Failure by buckling,

due to elastic instability Mixed mode of failure due to crushing and buckling

3. Define slenderness ratio

It is defined as the ratio of effective length l of the column to the least radius
of gyration r of the column section.
4. Classify the columns according to the slenderness ratios.

Short columns - l/r <60

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Medium columns - 60< l/r <100
Long columns - l/r >100
5. Distinguish column and strut
Columns are the vertical members which carry the loads to the beams, slabs etc,
generally they are used in ordinary buildings.
Struts are commonly used for compression members in a roof truss; it may either be
in vertical position or in an inclined position.
6. What is meant by stanchions?
These are the steel columns made of steel sections, commonly used in
buildings. 7. What is Post?
It is loosely used for a column, but in truss bridge girders, end compression
members are called end posts.
8. What is a boom?
It is the principal compression member in a crane.
9. State the assumptions that made in Euler’s theory.
The axis of the column is perfectly straight when unloaded. The line of thrust
coincides exactly with the unstrained axis of the strut. The flexural rigidity EI is
uniform The material is isotropic
10. Why the lateral systems are provided in compound columns?

If the plates are not connected throughout their length of the Built up sections,
lateral systems may be provided, which act as a composite section. In such cases the load
carrying elements of the built-up compression member in the relative position, without
sharing any axial load. However when the column deflects, the lateral system carries the
transverse shear force.

11. Name the lateral systems that are used in compound columns and which is the mostly used
one?
Lacing or latticing, Battening or batten plates, perforated cover plates.

Lacing or latticing is the most common used lateral system and the sections are flats,
angles and channels.

12. What will be the thickness for the single and double lacing bars?

The thickness of flat lacing bars shall not be less than one-fortieth of the length
between the inner end rivets or welds for single lacing, and one-sixtieth of the length for
double lacing.
13. What is the purpose of providing battens in compound steel columns?

Batten plates consist of flats or plates, connecting the components of the built-up
columns in two parallel planes. These are used only for axial loading. Battening of the
composite column should www.vidyarthiplus.com
not be done if it is subjected to eccentric loading or a applied
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moment in the plane of battens.

14. What is the thickness of a batten plate?

The thickness of batten plate shall not be less than one fiftieth of the distance
between the inner most connecting lines of rivets or welds. This requirement eliminates
lateral buckling of the batten.
15. Where the perforated cover plates are used and mention its advantages?

They are mostly used in the box sections, which consist of four angle sections
so that the interior of column remains accessible for painting and inspection.
Advantages:

They add to the sectional area of column and the portions beyond the perforation
share axial load to the extent of their effective area.
There is economy and fabrication and maintenance
Perforations conveniently allow the riveting and painting work on the inside
portion. 16. Name the types of column base?

Slab Base, which is a pinned base.

Gusseted base, which is a rigid base.
17. State the purpose of column base?

The base of the column is designed in such a way to distribute the concentrated
column load over a definite area and to ensure connection of the lower column end to the
foundation. It should be in adequate strength, stiffness and area to spread the load upon the
concrete or other foundations without exceeding the allowable stress.
18. Give the difference between slab base and gusseted base for steel columns.

Slab base is a thick steel base plate placed over the concrete base and connected to it
through anchor bolts. The steel base plate may either be shop-welded to the stanchion, or else
can be connected at the site to the column through cleat
angles. 19. What is slab base and for what purpose is it
provided?

The base plate connected to the bottom of the column to transfer over wider area is
known as slab base. Column end is machined to transfer the load by direct bearing. No
gusset materials are required.

20. When the slenderness ratio of compression member increases, the permissible stress
decreases. Why?

The section must be so proportioned that it has largest possible moment of inertia for the
same cross-sectional area. Also the section has approximately the same radius of gyration
about both the principal axes.

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UNIT –IV BEAMS

1. What is a beam?

A beam is a structural member, which carries a load normal to the axis. The load
produces bending moment and shear force in the beam.
2. What is meant by castellated beam?

A rolled beam with increased depth is to be castellated. To obtain such sections, a

zigzag line is cut along the beam by an automatic flame-cutting machine. The two halves thus
produced are rearranged so that the teeth match up and the teeth are then welded together.

3. How the beams are failed?

Bending failure
Shear failure
Deflection failure

The designs are based on these three failures which are to be

determined.
4. What do you mean by bending failure?
Bending failure may be due to crushing of compression flange or fracture of the tension
flange of the beam. Instead of failure due to crushing, the compression flange may fail by a
column like action with side ways or lateral buckling. Collapse would follow the lateral
buckling.
5. What is the maximum deflection that to be allowed in steel beams?

The deflection of a member, shall not be such as to impair the strength or efficiency
of the structure and lead to finishing. The deflection is generally should not exceed 1/325 of
the span.
6. What is web crippling?
Web crippling is the localized failure of a beam web due to introduction of an
excessive load over a small length of the beam. It occurs at point of application of
concentrated load and at point of support of a beam. A load over a short length of beam can
cause failure due to crushing and due to compressive stress in the web of the beam below
the load or above the reaction. This phenomenon is also known as web crippling or web
crushing.
7. What are laterally supported beams?
The beams which are provided with the lateral supports either by embedding the
compression flange in the concrete slab or by providing effective intermediate (support)
restraints at a number of points to restrain the lateral buckling is called laterally supported

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8. Mention the advantages of using rolled steel wide flange section as

beams More section modulus

Lesser area
Economical
9. Why does buckling of web occur in beams?
Diagonal compression due to shear
Longitudinal compression due to bending
Vertical compression due to concentrated loads

10. What are the permissible stresses used in the beams?

The permissible stresses, which are used in the beams are bending and shear stress.
Bending Stress
For laterally supported beams,

σ bt or σ bc  0.66 f y
For laterally unsupported beams,
f f
cb. y

σ bc 0.66 ( fcb )n  ( f y )n
Shear Stress   1/ n , Where n is assumed to be 1.4

τ vm  0.45 f y , τ vm = maximum permissible shear stress

11. Under what situations the plated beams are used?

When a bending moment is large which cannot be resisted by the largest

available rolled beam section
The depth of the beam is restricted due to headroom
requirements. 12. Why intermediate stiffeners are required for plate girders?

The web of the plate girder relatively being tall and thin it is subjected to buckling.
Hence it is stiffened both vertically and horizontally using intermediate stiffeners.
13. What do you mean by curtailment of flanges?

The section of a plate girder is to be designed first at mid span. The bending
moment will goes on decreasing towards the supports. Hence the flange plates, provided at
the maximum section can be curtailed.
14. What is the purpose of providing the bearing stiffener?

It prevents the web from crushing and buckling sideways, under the action of
concentrated loads
It relieves the rivetswww.vidyarthiplus.com
connecting the flange angles and web, from vertical shear.
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15. Name the components of a plate girder.
Web plate Vertical or transverse stiffeners
Flange plate Bearing stiffeners
Flange angles Longitudinal or horizontal stiffeners
Web splice plates End bearings or end connections
Flange splice plates

UNIT – V – ROOF TRUSSES AND INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS

1. Name the types of roofing systems.

Flat roofing consists of either RCC construction or RSJ slab

construction Sloping roofing
2. Where the steel roof trusses are used?

Industrial buildings, workshop buildings, storage godowns, warehouse and even for
residential buildings, school buildings, offices where the construction work is to be
completed in a short duration of time.

3. Mention the advantages of a roof truss.

Its mid-span depth is the greatest specially where bending moment in the span is the
maximum
Great economy.
Sloping faces of trusses facilitate in easy drainage of rainwater.
4. What is the factor that is considered in the roof truss and why?
The factor, which is considered in the roof truss, is pitch, it is defined as the ratio of
the span length to the depth of the truss, is governed by the roofing material and other
requirements such as ventilation and light.
5. How the trusses are classified according to the pitch?
Small pitch - span depth ratio is more than 12 m
Medium pitch - span depth ratio is between 5m to 12 m
Large pitch - span depth ratio is 5 or less.
6. Sketch the various types of roof truss.

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7. Name the components of a roof truss.
Principal rafter or top chord
Ridge line
Bottom chord or main tie
Eaves
Ties
Panel points
Struts
Roof coverings
Sag tie
Shoe angle
Purlins
Base plate, anchor plate and anchor bolts
Rafters

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8. What is gantry girder and what are the forces that are acting on it?
A gantry girder, having no lateral support in its length, has to withstand vertical loads
from the weight of the crane, hook load and impact and horizontal loads from crane surge.

9. What is meant by purlins?

Purlins are structural members which are supported on the principal rafter, and which
run transverse to the trusses. The span of the purlins is equal to the center-to-center spacing
of the trusses. The purlins support the roof covering either directly or through common
rafters. They are usually made of either an angle section or a channel section and are
therefore subjected to unsymmetrical bending.
10. Why the bracings are provided?
Bracing is required to resist horizontal loading in pin-jointed buildings, including roof
trusses. Bracing of roof trusses and supporting columns provide still rigid structure. When
wind blows normal to the inclined surface of the trusses, it is efficiently resisted by all the
members of the truss and the wind forces are transferred to the supports at the ends of the
truss.
11. Name the most common roof covering materials.
Slates Glass
Tiles Corrugated aluminium sheets
Lead sheets Galvanized corrugated iron sheets (G.I. sheets)
Zinc sheets Asbestos cement sheets (A.C. sheets)
12. Write the equation to calculate the design wind pressure.
Design pressure is p  0.6V  k k k V 
2 2
z z 1 2 3 b

Vb = Basic wind speed in m/s at 10 m height

k1 = Probability factor (or risk

coefficient) k2 = Terrain, height and
structure size factor k3 =Topography
factor

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