SAMYAK SANKALPA COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE 0

LONG SPAN BEAMS

ASSIGNMENT I

LONG SPAN BEAMS

MADHU MURALIDHAR KINI

TO STUDY THE TYPES OF LONG SPAN BEAMS AND ITS
APPLICATION ON VARIOUS STRUCTURE BROAD RANGE OF LONG
SPAN, STEEL-BASED SOLUTIONS THAT IS AVAILABLE. SPANS IN
EXCESS OF 20 M CAN BE ACHIEVED.
August 23, 2019

SAMYAK SANKALPA
COLLEGE OF
ARCHITECTURE

B.TECH REPORT

ROLL. NO. 6

5TH. Y.B.ARCH

8/23/2019
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LONG SPAN BEAMS

INDEX
TOPIC PAGE NO.

1:- INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………2

2:- DESIGN OF LONG SPAN BEAMS ………………………………..2

3:- TYPES OF LONG SPAN BEAMS ………………………………….2

3.1:- PARLLEL BEAM APPROACH ……………………………………….3

3.2:- COMPOSITE BEAMS WITH WEB OPENINGS ……………………..4

3.3:-CELLULAR COMPOSITE BEAMS ……………………………………5

3.4:- TAPERED GIRDERS …………………………………………………..6

3.5:- STUB GRIDERS ………………………………………………………..6

3.6:- HAUNCHED COMPOSITE BEAMS …………………………………..7

4:- REFERENCE ………………………………………………………….8

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LONG SPAN BEAMS

1] INTRODUCTION

Generally long spans result in flexible, column-free internal spaces, reduce substructure costs,
and reduce steel erection times. This broad range of benefits means that they are commonly
found a wide range of building types. The particular advantages and disadvantages of each
individual solution are summarised below, so that a designer can assess the benefits offered
by a particular solution in relation to the drives for a given project, to identify the most
appropriate and cost effective solution.

Cambered cellular roof beams

2] DESIGN OF LONG SPAN BEAMS

The use of long span beams results in a range of benefits, including flexible, column-free
internal spaces, reduced foundation costs, and reduced steel erection times. Many long span
solutions are also well adapted to facilitate the integration service without increasing the
overall floor depth.
The design of long span steel and (steel-concrete) composite beams is generally carried out in
accordance with BS 5950, BS EN 1993 or BS EN 1994. For some types of beam this codified
guidance is complemented by specific design guidance, such as that on the design of beams
with large web openings, or manufacturers' information. Such specific guidance is normally
based on extensive testing of a given product, and often presented in the form of design
software.

3] TYPES OF LONG SPAN BEAM

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The solutions described below are presented in order of increasing spanning ability, with
some overlap between options. The aim is to present a wide range of solutions. By far the
most common types of beam used today are plate girders, and beams with web openings (be
they cellular, fabricated, or rolled sections). Many solutions exploit the benefits of composite
construction, which offers considerable strength and stiffness increases over a bare steel
alternative.
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LONG SPAN BEAMS

3.1] PARALLEL BEAM APPROACH

Parallel beam approach

The parallel beam approach is effective for spans up to around 14 m. Floor grids
comprise two layers of fully continuous beams running in orthogonal directions.
Services running in either direction can be integrated within these two layers, so that
services passing in any direction can be accommodated within the structural floor
depth. A further benefit is that, being fully continuous, the depth of the beams
themselves is reduced without incurring the expense and complexity of rigid, full
strength connections.
The figure on the left shows a composite floor using the parallel beam approach.

3.2] COMPOSITE BEAMS WITH WEB OPENINGS

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Service integration with cellular beams

Web openings are typically formed in beams to allow services to pass through the
beam. This enables the structural and service zones to occupy the same space, thereby
reducing the effective overall depth of floor construction for a given spanning
capability. Openings may also be formed for aesthetic reasons, for instance with
cambered beams used to support a roof. Composite beams with web openings have
been shown to be a cost effective solution for spans in the range 10 to 16 m.
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LONG SPAN BEAMS

A particular type of composite beam with web openings is the so-called cellular beam,
which is formed in a specific way and therefore described separately below. The
alternative way of forming the web openings is simply to cut them into the plate used
to form the web of a plate girder or into the web of rolled sections. The most
appropriate solution to adopt depends on the size, shape and regularity of the
openings, or more commercial drivers such as the method used by a preferred
supplier. Beams with web openings present no disadvantages in terms of erection and
familiarity as they are much the same as a 'standard' solid web beam.
The design of beams with web openings must recognise the fact that the openings
introduce a number of potential failure modes not found in solid web beams. Around
the openings the beam behaves as a Vierendeel girder, and web post buckling may
govern design .Large openings may require stiffening to avoid instability (buckling)
of the web posts.

Modes of failure at large closely spaced openings

Composite beam with stiffened web openings

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LONG SPAN BEAMS

3.3] CELLULAR COMPOSITE BEAMS

Cellular beams and services

Cellular Beams are a form of beam with multiple regular web openings, formed by
splitting two rolled sections longitudinally, to form two Tee sections. The two Tees,
which may not come from the same donor section) are then welded together to form
an I-section with web openings which have a characteristic shape .The process used to
form cellular beams enables the bottom half of the final beam to be formed from a
heavier donor section than the top half - in other words the bottom flange can be
significantly bigger than the top flange. This makes sense when, as is often the case,
the beams are to act compositely and therefore a concrete flange effectively replaces
the upper steel flange in the final state.

3.4] TAPERED GIRDERS

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Tapered cellular girder

Tapered girders can be a cost effective solution in the span range 10 m to 20 m. They
are another solution that allows services to be accommodated within the structural
floor zone. The depth of the girder increases towards mid-span, where applied
moments are greatest, and thereby facilitating hanging services under the shallower
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LONG SPAN BEAMS

regions near the beam supports. It is also possible to form web openings in tapered
girders in regions of low shear, towards mid-span. These provide more options
for service integration.

Tapered girder supporting steel decking

3.5] STUB GIRDERS

Composite stub girders

Stub girders are a Vierendeel form of truss, a rather exotic hybrid that can be thought
of as lying somewhere between a solid web I-section and a truss. The bottom chord is
typically formed from a shallow open sections, on which sit short lengths (stubs) of
deeper I-sections. The top chord, at least in the final state, is formed by the composite
slab, and therein lies one of the disadvantages of this option - until composite action
with the cured concrete is achieved the beams may need temporary support/restraint.
An inverted Tee section may be used to fulfil the functions of a top chord during
erection. Composite interaction is achieved by welding shear studs to the top of the
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stubs. The number of elements/surfaces associated with a stub girder may increase
the cost of fire protection compared with simpler solutions.
A big advantage of this option is that spans in excess of 20 m can be economically
achieved. Services and/or secondary beams can pass through the gaps between the
beam stubs, reducing overall construction depth. The figure on the right shows a
composite stub girder supporting a secondary beam, which is in turn supporting
a composite slab.
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LONG SPAN BEAMS

3.6] HAUNCHED COMPOSITE BEAMS

Haunches may be added at the ends of composite beams to provide moment

continuity. The stiffness and strength of the connections mean that the rest of the span
can be shallower (the bending moment diagram is 'lifted' and the effective stiffness of
the beam substantially increased), and services passed under it. In buildings where the
services are likely to need frequent replacement (for example in hospital), hanging the
services under the beams rather than passing them through holes in the webs, or
through a truss, can be advantageous. Spans in excess of 20 m can readily be
achieved.

4.] REFERENCES
https://www.steelconstruction.info/Long-span_beams

https://www.google.co.in/search?source=hp&ei=qk9eXZiPCbjgz7sP24W44AM&q=long+spa
n+beams&oq=lon&gs_l=psy-
ab.3.1.35i39l2j0i67l4j0j0i67j0j0i67.1755.9098..12155...4.0..0.126.1036.0j9......0....1..gw
s-wiz.....10..0i131i67j0i131.b9AHm9tkAx8

http://personal.cityu.edu.hk/bswmwong/pl/pdf/longspan.pdf

http://www.kstr.lth.se/fileadmin/kstr/pdf_files/Timber_Engineering_2017/Schlaich.pdf

https://www.aisc.org/globalassets/modern-
steel/archives/2007/08/2007v08_designing_long_spans.pdf
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