Beam Bearing on Concrete

Last Revised: 06/16/2011

A bearing plate takes the reaction of a steel beam and distributes that force over a larger area that
is made of a material that is not as strong as steel. The action is essentially the same as a footing
that distributes a large load to softer soil. The bearing plate is necessary to avoid crushing of the
weaker material and to distribute the reaction force over a sufficient length of beam to prevent
web yielding or crippling.

A bearing plate is generally a rectangular plate that can described by its dimensions as shown in
Figure 8.6.4.1.1: width (N), length (B), and thickness (t).

Figure 8.6.4.1.1
Bearing Plate Concepts
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As previously discussed in section 8.6.4, the bearing plate is modeled as a double cantilever
beam, with the load distributed over the bottom where the plate contacts the weaker material and
a "point" reaction where the beam contacts the plate, distributed over a smaller area that is N
wide and a distance "2k" wide.

Relating these variables to the general discussion found in section 8.6.4, the distances "B" and
"N" are the same as previously defined, while "C" equals 2k, where "k" is the distance from the
face of the beam flange to the toe of the fillet that connects the web with the flange. The value of
k is tabulated in the AISC section property tables.

Determining the Width, N, of the Plate

The width of the plate, N, is dictated by web yielding, web crippling, or the available width on
the supporting surface. Typically a designer will first determine the required width, N, based on
beam web yielding and web crippling then compare this against the available length for bearing
on the supporting surface. If the supporting surface is not large enough then N is taken as the
available width and bearing stiffeners are added to the beam.

Determining the Length, B, of the Plate

Once the width, N, has been determined the length, B, is determined so as to create a large
enough area to lower the bearing stress to the point that the supporting surface will not
experience crushing failure.

The limit state for bearing on concrete is found in SCM J8. The strength of the concrete bearing
surface is a function of the plate contact area (NB). Since N is known, this limit state can be
solved for B.

The Limit State of Bearing on Concrete

The basic limit state follows the standard form. The statement of the limit states and the
associated reduction factor and factor of safety are given here:

LRFD ASD

Ru < Pp Ra < Pp/

Req'd Pp = Ru /  < Pp Req'd Pp = Ru  < Pp

Ru / (Pp) < 1.00 Ra / (Pp/) < 1.00

 = 0.60  = 2.50

[2010 Spec note: The values for  and have been increased in the 2010 Specification]

The values of Ru and Ra are the LRFD and ASD factored loads, respectively, applied to the
beam.

In this case Pp is the nominal bearing strength of the concrete surface is computed using SCM
equations J8-1 and J8-2. In actuality, equation J8-1 is a special case of equation J8-2 (when A1 =
A2), so equation J8-2 can be used at all times.

The allowable stress on the concrete is taken as 0.85f'c, where f'c is the 28-day compressive
strength of a standard laboratory cured 6 in. diameter x 12 in. long test specimen of the concrete
used for the bearing surface.

A1 is the actual contact area (NB) between the concrete and the steel plate. It has been observed
that when A1 is surrounded by additional surface area that the concrete can take more
stress. This is the result of the contacted concrete being contained. Consequently, the allowable
bearing stress may be increased by the square root of the ratio of A2/A1 (up to a limit).

Figure 8.6.4.1.2 illustrates most of the physical dimensions associated with the computation of
Pp.

Figure 8.6.4.1.2
Pp Parameters
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Figure 8.6.4.1.3 illustrates the computation of A2. A2 is defined as the "maximum area of the
portion of the supporting surface that is geometrically similar to and concentric with the loaded
area". The maximum area will always have one edge in common with the available concrete
surface.

Figure 8.6.4.1.3
A2 Computation
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Geometrically similar means that (B1/N1) = (B2/N2). N2 can be determined by the distance to
edge of the available concrete. This means that B2 = B1 (N2/N1). If B2 then overhangs the edge
of the available concrete, then determine B2 by the distance to the edge of the available concrete
and compute N2 = N1 (B2/B1). Depending on which is easier to obtain (N2 or B2) you can use
one of the equations below to find the ratio of A2/A1 without knowing the other dimension:

A2/A1 = (N2B2) / (N1B1) = (N2 B1(N2/N1)) / (N1B1) = (N2/N1)2

or

A2/A1 = (N2B2) / (N1B1) = (N1(B2/B1) B2) / (N1B1) = (B2/B1)2

Typically, N2 is easier to determine than B2 since N2 is often limited by width of the concrete
element in that direction. The resulting substitution for A2/A1 can then be substituted into the
design inequality for the limit state of concrete bearing strength.

By writing the design inequality and having already selected the dimension N the dimension B
can now be determined

Req'd Pp = (Ru/ or Ra) < min[0.85 f'c (B1N1) sqrt(A2/A1), 1.7 f'c (B1N1)]

or, if N2 is known

Req'd Pp < min[0.85 f'c (B1N1) (N2/N1), 1.7 f'c (B1N1)]

Req'd Pp < min[0.85 f'c (B1N2), 1.7 f'c (B1N1)]

Req'd Pp < f'c B1min[0.85 N2, 1.7 N1]

This equation can be solved directly for B1 which is the dimension B of the base plate.

B > Req'd Pp / (f'c min[0.85 N2, 1.7 N1])

Determining the Thickness, t, of the Plate

The last thing to specify is the thickness of the plate. This is done using the equation for
thickness developed in section 8.6.4. Since the value of "C" equals 2k, the equation for thickness
can be written as:

Web Local Yielding

Last Revised: 06/16/2011

The web local yielding limit state assumes that the entire applied force/reaction passes through a
critical area of web located at the top of the fillet that connects the flange to the web and equals
the thickness of the web times a distance that equals the actual bearing distance plus a distance of
2.5k on each side of the bearing length, where the length is available. Figure 8.5.1.1 shows how
this is applied both at the end of a beam and on somewhere away from an end of the beam.

Figure 8.5.1.1
Web Local Yielding Parameters
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[2010 Spec note: The variable 'N' in the 2005 Specification has been replaced with 'lb' in the
2010 Specification.]

Note that, at the end of the beam, there is less material available in the web (i.e. the length of the
critical area is shorter) than when away from the end of the beam. Consequently there is not as
much strength available near the end of the beam as there is when away from the end of the
beam.

The maximum stress that can occur on this area is taken to be the steel yield stress, Fy. Thus the
maximum force that can be applied equals the critical area times the yield stress.

As a designer, once a beam is chosen and the reaction is known, the only variable you have
direct control over (without adding bearing stiffeners) is the actual bearing length N.

Bearing stiffeners, similar to shear stiffeners except they are in contact with the flange where the
load is applied, distribute the shear reaction over the depth of the web. The critical area can be
increased by the addition of bearing stiffeners, which are discussed in a different section of this
text.

The Limit State

SCM specification J10.2 covers web local yielding due to concentrated point loads applied to the
flange.

The basic limit state follows the standard form. The statement of the limit states and
the associated reduction factor and factor of safety are given here:

LRFD ASD

Ru < Rn Ra < Rn/

Req'd Rn = Ru / < Rn Req'd Rn = Ra < Rn

Ru / (Rn) < 1.00 Ra / (Rn/) < 1.00

 = 1.00  = 1.50

The values of Ru and Ra are the LRFD and ASD factored loads, respectively, applied to
the beam.

In this case Rn is the nominal web yielding strength of the member is computed using
SCM equations J10-2 and J10-3 re-arranged here slightly:

Rn = FyAcr

Where:

 Fy is the tensile yield stress of the beam steel.

 Acr is the critical cross sectional area at the top of the fillet that connects the web
and flange of the member.
 o For forces applied away from the end of the beam, Acr = (5k + N) tw
o For forces applied at the end of the beam, Acr = (2.5k + N) tw
 N is the actual bearing length on the flange. This is the length of contact with the
supporting or supported element.
 k is the distance from the face of the flange to the top of the fillet that connects the web to
the flange. This value is tabulated in the W shape section property tables.

This limit state is to be checked at each location where a concentrated force is applied transverse
to the axis of a member. This typically occurs at support reaction locations and where the beam
supports a column or beam reaction applied to the top of the top flange.

Web Crippling
Last Revised: 06/06/2016

Web crippling is actually local buckling that occurs Figure 8.5.2.1

when the web is slender (i.e. h/tw is large). Figure Web Crippling
8.5.2.1 is a rough illustration of the behavior being
considered. The behavior is more restrained when the
point load is applied away from the ends of the member,
consequently there are separate equations for when a
concentrated transverse load is locate near or away from
the end of the member.

This limit state is to be checked at each location where a

concentrated force is applied transverse to the axis of a
member.

The Limit State

SCM specification J10.3 covers web crippling due to

concentrated point loads applied to the flange.

The basic limit state follows the standard

form. The statement of the limit states and the
associated reduction factor and factor of safety are
given here:

LRFD ASD

Ru < Rn Ra < Rn/

Req'd Rn = Ru / < Rn Req'd Rn = Ra < Rn

Ru / (Rn) < 1.00 Ra / (Rn/) < 1.00

  = 0.75  = 2.00

[2010 Spec note: The variable 'N' in the 2005 Specification has been replaced with 'lb' in the
2010 Specification.]

The values of Ru and Ra are the LRFD and ASD factored loads, respectively, applied to
the beam.

In this case Rn is the nominal web crippling strength of the member is computed using
SCM equations J10-4 and J10-5.

The two equations are needed to account for the difference in available web material between the
web at the end of the beam and the web away from the end of the beam. The same principle was
discussed in the section on web yielding.

Equation J10-4 (see SCM specification J10.3) applies when the applied force is not near the ends
of the member. It is a buckling equation and has numerous terms.

Equations J10-5 apply at the ends of the member. The two equations are slightly different and
depend on the ratio of bearing length to overall depth of the beam.

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