ROMBLON STATE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

Steel Design
Module 3
BEAM AND OTHER FLEXURAL
MEMBERS

Course Description:
This course is concerned with the design of structural steel members
subjected to flexure tension, and compression members (columns),
combined stressed members (beam columns),riveted, welded, and
bolted connections using the Elastic Limit Method, also known as
the Allowable Stress Design (ASD), and the Plastic Limit Method. The
course also deals with an introduction to the Load Resistance Factor ENGR. APRILLE ANN M. SIM
Design Method (LRFD) in designing structural steel. Applications and Department of Civil Engineering
specifications as applied to buildings, bridges, and other steel
structures are also given emphasis. A thorough knowledge and
proficiency in Structural Theory is imperative.
 MODULE 3 BENDING STRESS

BEAMS & OTHER Beams are structural members that support

transverse loads, either horizontal sloping or vertical
loads, depending upon their connections.
FLEXURAL MEMBERS
Table of Contents If a beam is subjected to a bending moment, the
stress maybe computed using the formula ,
Bending Stress where
Types of Beams Supports fb = extreme fiber stress
M = bending moment at the section under
Allowable Bending Stress
consideration
Computation of Radius of Gyration (rt) I = moment of inertia of the cross-section with
Shearing Stresses respect to the neutral axis
Deflection of Beams c = distance from the neutral axis to the extreme
fiber
Beams Bending in both Axes
(Unsymmetrical Bending)
Types of Beams
Learning Objectives 1. Joist –these are closely spaced beams
Student Upon completion of this module, supporting the floors and roofs of building
Learning you will be able to: 2. Lintels – beams over openings in masonry
Objectives for  Know the types of beams walls such as windows and doors
this Module based on their functions 3. Spandrel Beams – these beams supports the
and supports exterior walls of the building
 Design beams considering 4. Floor Beams – larger beams found in may
bending stress, shearing bridges perpendicular to the roadway of the
stress and deflection bridge and they are used to transfer the floor
 Determine the effects loads from stringers to the supporting girders
stresses of beams with or trusses
unsymmetrical bending 5. Stringers – these are beams in the floor of the
Learning Activities bridges which are running parallel to the
Activities for  Do the assignments roadway.
this module  Take the quizzes 6. Girder – these are large beams into which
Graded Assessment smaller beams are framed.
Evidence to  Completed all the
proceed exercises and tasks in this
module Types of Beams Supports
References  Fundamentals of
Structural Steel Design by
Gillesania
 Steel Design by Besavilla

ENGR. APRILLE ANN M. SIM STEEL DESIGN 1

Allowable Bending Stresses
 For compact sections bending about strong
axis
o Fb = 0.66 Fy
A. A compact section I one that satisfy the
following conditions
1. Its flanges must be continuously connected
to the web.
2. The section must have the following flange
width-thickness ratio of its compression
elements
o
√
3. The section must have the following depth to
web thickness ratio
o
√
4. The laterally unsupported length of the
compression flange Lb does not exceed the
value of Lc; where Lc is the smaller value of
L1 and L2
o
√
o

B. Partially Compact
√

Examples
(Partially compact) 1. A 12m simple beam is to support two
√ √
movable 134 kN loads a distance of 4.6 m
C. Non-Compact apart. If the beam is to have full lateral
(non-compact) Fb = 0.60 Fy support , select a W section to resist the
√ largest possible bending moment. Use A 36
steel with Fy = 248 MPa
Computation of Radius of Gyration (rt)
Properties of W 12 x 14
 See figure
x = 1/3 (145.567)

 Area of the 2. The figure shows the arrangement of beams

shaded portion and girders which are used to support a
 Moment of inertia of the shaded portion 150mm reinforced concrete floor for a small
rt = 24.38 industrial building. Live load is 7196 N/m2.
Assume the beams to be simply supported
and fully laterally supported. Use A 36 Steel:
Fy =248 MPa. Weight of concrete is 23.5
kN/m3
a. Determine the size of beam using W
section
b. Check whether the section you
selected is either compact, partially
compact or non compact.
c. Design the seize of the girder using W
section.

ENGR. APRILLE ANN M. SIM STEEL DESIGN 2

Problem 1 solution

ENGR. APRILLE ANN M. SIM STEEL DESIGN 3

Problem 2 solution

ENGR. APRILLE ANN M. SIM STEEL DESIGN 4

 3. A W33 x 130 is used to support the loads and
moment as shown in figure. Neglect the
weight of the beam and use A36 steel with
Fy = 248 MPa
Properties of W 33 x 130
Area = 24709 mm2
Depth (d)= 840.74 mm
Flange width (bf) = 292.354 mm
Flange thickness (tf) = 21.717 mm
Web thickness (tw) = 14.372 mm
Section modulus (Sx) = 6653 x 103 mm3
a. Compute the maximum moment due to the
loads acting on the beam
b. Compute the resisting moment capacity of
the beam if full lateral support is provided
c. Compute the resisting moment capacity of
the beam if lateral support is provided at the
ends only.

ENGR. APRILLE ANN M. SIM STEEL DESIGN 5

ENGR. APRILLE ANN M. SIM STEEL DESIGN 6
 4. A 572 Grade 65 steel with Fy = 448 MPa is
used as a simple beam to carry a
concentrated load P at the center of its
span on a 6m simply supported span. The
beam is a W 12 x 14 section having the given
properties shown.
Properties of W12 x 14
Weight of the beam = 204.76 N/m
Area = 2658 mm2
D = 302.514 mm
Bf = 100.787 mm
Tf = 5.690 mm
Tw = 5.029 mm
Sx = 242, 529 mm3
a. Compute the allowable bending stress of
the beam if the compression flange of the
beam is fully supported against lateral
movement
b. Compute the value of the concentrated
load P that the beam could support safely.
c. Compute the allowable bending stress if the
compression flange has lateral support only
at its ends and at the mid span.

Problem 4 solution

ENGR. APRILLE ANN M. SIM STEEL DESIGN 7

SHEARING STRESSES
Allowable shear stress Fv = 0.40 Fy if
√
average shearing stress

actual shearing stress

Fv = Fy/2.89Cv < 0.40 Fy

Examples
1. A W24 x 94 is subjected
to a shear force of 900
kN
a. Compute the shear
stress at junction of
flange and web
b. Compute the shear
stress at neutral axis
c. Compute the shear force carried by the
flange
d. Compute the shear force carried by the
web
e. Compute the average stress on web

ENGR. APRILLE ANN M. SIM STEEL DESIGN 8

 2. For the section shown, the shear stress force
acting is 670 kN and the bending moment of
1475 kN-m
a. Compute the max.bending stress of
the beam
shown
b. Compute the
total shear
carried by the
web and
flanges
c. Compute the
total bending
moment
carried by the
web and the
flanges.

ENGR. APRILLE ANN M. SIM STEEL DESIGN 9

DEFLECTION OF BEAMS
1. A W 18 x 96 has a simple span of 9m. The
beam is supported laterally at third points.
Use A 36 steel Fu = 248 MPa.
a. Determine the maximum uniform
load it could carry so as not to
exceed the allowable flexural stress
b. Determine the maximum uniform
load that it could carry so as not to
exceed allowable bending stress
c. Determine the maximum uniform
load it could carry so as not to
exceed the allowable deflection of
1/360 of span, E = 200 GPa

ENGR. APRILLE ANN M. SIM STEEL DESIGN 10

 b. If lateral loads is applied at the top
flange and does not pass thru the
centroid of the beam section.

B. Shearing Stress

C. Interaction expression

For compact laterally

Fbx = 0.66 Fy
Fby = 0.75 Fy

Example 1
A W section is having a span of 6m. It carries a
normal concentrated load of 110KN at its midspan
and a lateral concentrated load of 23KN at its
midspan which passes through the centroid of the
section. Assume the beam to be fully laterally
supported for the compression flange. Use A36 steel.
Which of the following W section is adequate to
carry loads. Neglect the wt. of the beam.

BEAMS BENDING IN BOTH AXES

(Unsymmetrical Bending)

When a beam is subjected to a normal load which

cause bending in the x-axis and a tangential load
which causes bending along the minor axis, it is said
that the member is subjected to an unsymmetrical
bending.

A. Bending Stress:
a. If lateral loads passes through the
centroid of the beam section.

ENGR. APRILLE ANN M. SIM STEEL DESIGN 11

Example 2
A W shape is to be used as a bridge crane runway Example 3
girder. The girder is on a simple span of 6m. Assume A W14 x 95 having a span of 6m carries a uniform
that the crane wheels impart a vertical load of 80KN load which causes bending moment along the
and a lateral load of 8KN at the midspan applied at major axis 165 KN-m. A lateral concentrated load P
the top flange of the girder. A standard rail acting at the flange of the mid span of the beam.
weighing 67 kg/m will be used. Assume that the top Using A 36 steel determine the safe value of P that
flange is not laterally braced between end supports. this beam could support.
Properties of W section Properties of the section
Sx = 1280 x 103 mm3 A = 18000 mm2
Sy = 361 x 103 mm3 d = 358.65 mm
Fbx = 207 MPa bf = 369.44
Fby = 238 MPa tf = 19 mm
1.Determine the bending stress along the x-axis tw = 11.81 mm
2.Determine the bending stress along the y-axis Sx = 2474.4 x 103
3.Determine the ratio of the actual bending stress to Sy = 865.2 x 103
allowable bending stress.

ENGR. APRILLE ANN M. SIM STEEL DESIGN 12

Example 4
A W 24 x 100 section has a span of 5.4 m and carries
a concentrated load of P applied at the center of
the span at an eccentricity of 87.5 mm. The flanges
are restrained from warping at the ends only and
the beam is laterally unsupported. Using A36 steel
with and neglecting its own weight, compute the
safe value of P that the beam could support.
Properties of the section
A = 19032.2 mm2 Design of Purlins and Sag rods
D = 600 mm The presence of the sag rods on the purlins reduces
Bf = 304.8 mm the moment along the minor axis to a maximum of
Tf = 19.865 mm WyL2/32 when sag rods are used at mid span and
Tw = 11.887 mm WyL2/90 when sag rods are used at middle thirds.
Sx = 4096.8 x 103 The sag rods act as a lateral support for the purlins
Sy = 609.6 x 103 and keeping the purlins in proper alignment during
erection until the roof is installed and connected to
purlins.

ENGR. APRILLE ANN M. SIM STEEL DESIGN 13

Example 1
A C375 x 50.5 (channel) is used as purlins of a roof
truss having a pitch of ¼. There are 9 purlins on each
side of the top chord spaced at 2.15m on centers.
The spacing between trusses is 6.75 m. The trusses
are subjected to the following loads.
Tile Roof = 860 kPa of roof surface
Wind Load = 1.20 kPa normal to roof surface

 Determine the diameter of the sag rods for

the purlins of the truss if they are placed at
the mid span.

 Determine the diameter of the sag rods for
the purlins of the truss if they are placed at
the third points.

 Determine the diameter of the tie rod at the
ridge if the sag rods are placed at the third
points.

ENGR. APRILLE ANN M. SIM STEEL DESIGN 14

Example 2

The spacing of the truss is 4.6 m on center. Sag rods

are used in the mid points between trusses. Assume
full lateral support is applied by the roof. Use A36
steel. Assume all loads acting on the purlins to be
acting at the centroid of the purlins to prevent
torsion. Spacing of purlins along the top chord is 1.40
m. Pitch of truss = ¼ .The purlins are subjected to the
following loads.
Snow = 1440 N/m2 of roof surface
Roofing = 288 N/m2 of roof surface
Wind surface = 720 N/m2 perpendicular to
the roof surface. Design W section for the purlins.

ENGR. APRILLE ANN M. SIM STEEL DESIGN 15