CEN/TC 250

Date: 2020-02

prEN 1993-1-13
Secretariat: BSI

Introductory element — Main element — Complementary element

Einführendes Element — Haupt-Element — Ergänzendes Element

Élément introductif — Élément central — Élément complémentaire

ICS:

CCMC will prepare and attach the official title page.

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Contents Page

European foreword ............................................................................................................................................ 4

1 Scope .......................................................................................................................................................... 5
1.1 Scope of EN 1993 ................................................................................................................................... 5
1.2 Scope of EN 1993-1-13 ........................................................................................................................ 5
1.2.1 General...................................................................................................................................................... 5
1.2.2 Shapes of openings ............................................................................................................................... 6
1.2.3 Stiffened openings ................................................................................................................................ 6
2 Normative references .......................................................................................................................... 7
3 Terms, definitions and symbols ...................................................................................................... 8
3.1 Terms and definitions ......................................................................................................................... 8
3.2 List of symbols........................................................................................................................................ 9
4 Basis of design ...................................................................................................................................... 13
4.1 Verifications.......................................................................................................................................... 13
4.2 Methods of design for Vierendeel bending ................................................................................. 13
4.2.1 Equivalent rectangular opening method.................................................................................... 13
4.2.2 Alternative methods .......................................................................................................................... 14
5 Materials ................................................................................................................................................ 14
5.1 General.................................................................................................................................................... 14
5.2 Tolerances ............................................................................................................................................. 14
5.3 Welding................................................................................................................................................... 14
6 Durability ............................................................................................................................................... 14
7 Structural Analysis ............................................................................................................................. 14
7.1 Member stiffness for global structural analysis .......... Errore. Il segnalibro non è definito.
7.2 Serviceability ........................................................................................................................................ 16
7.3 Section classification subject to global bending .......... Errore. Il segnalibro non è definito.
7.4 Section classification of Tees subject to Vierendeel bending .............................................. 17
7.5 Section classification of longitudinal stiffeners ....................................................................... 17
8 Ultimate Limit State ........................................................................................................................... 18
8.1 General Requirements for all openings ...................................................................................... 18
8.1.1 General.................................................................................................................................................... 18
8.1.2 Geometric limits for unstiffened web openings....................................................................... 18
Table 8.1 — Limiting dimensions for different shapes of unstiffened openings for use of this
Part ........................................................................................................................................................... 19
8.1.3 Geometric limits for web openings with stiffeners ................................................................ 19
8.2 Shear resistance at web opening positions ............................................................................... 20
8.3 Bending resistance of a beam with web openings in the presence of shear ................. 21
8.4 Resistance of the Tees in Vierendeel bending ........................................................................... 22
Table 8.3: Equivalent rectangular opening dimensions of different opening shapes for
verification of Vierendeel bending ................................................................................................ 22
8.5 Web buckling next to widely spaced openings ........................................................................ 23
8.5.1 General.................................................................................................................................................... 23
8.5.2 Web buckling ........................................................................................................................................ 24
8.6 Rules for closely spaced openings ................................................................................................ 25

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8.6.1 General ................................................................................................................................................... 25

8.6.2 Asymmetric sections or asymmetric opening positions ...................................................... 25
8.6.3 Web-post buckling ............................................................................................................................. 27
8.6.4 Web-post shear.................................................................................................................................... 28
8.7 Longitudinally stiffened openings ................................................................................................ 28
8.7.1 Scope of the guidance for openings with longitudinal stiffeners ...................................... 28
8.7.2 Additional verifications for stiffened openings ....................................................................... 29
8.7.3 Global bending resistance for stiffened openings .................................................................. 29
8.7.4 Vierendeel bending resistance for stiffened openings .......................................................... 30
8.7.5 Web buckling for widely spaced stiffened openings ............................................................. 30
8.7.6 Web-post buckling for closely spaced stiffened openings ................................................... 30
8.7.7 Transverse stiffened openings ...................................................................................................... 31
8.8 Requirements for other cases ........................................................................................................ 31
8.8.1 End-posts ............................................................................................................................................... 31
8.8.2 Loads applied over or close to the openings............................................................................. 31
8.9 Alternative method for Vierendeel bending for circular openings ................................... 32
8.10 Alternative method for stability of web-post between circular openings ..................... 33
8.11 Alternative approach for sinusoidal openings......................................................................... 36
8.11.1 General ................................................................................................................................................... 36
8.11.2 Vierendeel bending ............................................................................................................................. 36
8.12 Lateral torsional buckling ............................................................................................................... 37
9 Serviceability limit state .................................................................................................................. 38

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European foreword
This document (prEN 1993-1-13) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 250 “Structural
Eurocodes”, the secretariat of which is held by BSI.

This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.

Complete Foreword will be added when SC 10 finalized the template for all Eurocodes.

[NOTE to the drafter: Add information about related documents or other parts in a series as necessary. A
list of all parts in a series can be found on the CEN website.]

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1 Scope
1.1 Scope of EN 1993

Text of the scope. (To be added by SC 3)

1.2 Scope of EN 1993-1-13

1.2.1 General

(1) This Part gives supplementary provisions that extend the application of EN 1993-1-1 and EN
1993-1-5 to the design of rolled and welded steel sections with various shapes of web openings. The
following cases are considered:

• Rolled or welded beams with widely spaced web openings.

• Rolled or welded beams with closely spaced web openings.

• Cellular beams with circular openings made by cutting and re-welding two parts of steel sections that
may be different in dimensions.

• Beams with hexagonal and sinusoidal openings made by cutting and re-welding two parts of steel
sections that may be different in dimensions.

(2) This Part applies to uniform members with I or H profiles, which are symmetric about the weak
axis. It does not apply to non-uniform or curved beams although the same principles may apply.

(3) This Part applies to steel beams with web openings that are subjected to sagging (positive) and
to beams that are also subjected to hogging (negative) bending moments.

(4) This Part covers the verification of the resistance at the openings and their effect on the global
behaviour of the beam, including lateral torsional buckling.

(5) Alternative methods are presented for beams with circular openings and with sinusoidal
openings in which the forces and resistances are calculated by increments around or along the openings
and which are suitable for computer methods.

(6) This Part applies to web slenderness, hw/tw, not exceeding 121ε. The local checks at and between
adjacent openings apply to web slenderness up to this limit. Tension field action of plate girders is not
part of the scope.

Note The limit of 121ε corresponds to the section classification for a symmetric steel section and is used as a
convenient limit for the application of this Part, including asymmetric sections. The material parameter ε is defined
in EN 1993-1-1 5.2.5 (3).

(7) This Part does not cover fatigue. In case of fatigue, refer to EN 1993-1-9.

(8) This Part does not cover fire design. In case of fire, refer to EN 1993-1-2.

(9) This Part does not cover the buckling verification of members with web openings under axial
force.

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1.2.2 Shapes of openings

(1) The different shapes of openings that are considered in this Part are shown in Figure 1.1.

(a) Circular opening (b) Rectangular opening

(c) Elongated opening (d) Closely spaced circular openings

(e) Closely spaced hexagonal openings (f) Closely spaced sinusoidal shaped
openings

Note for DIN review: for (f), the line along bs has a sinusoidal shape.

Figure 1.1 — Different shapes of openings in steel beams

1.2.3 Stiffened openings

(1) This Part also covers openings in the web of beams that are reinforced by longitudinal stiffeners
and/or transverse stiffeners on one or both sides of the web, see Figure 1.2.

NOTE: The National Annex for use in a country can give rules for alternative types of stiffener.

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Single-sided Double-sided
(a) Longitudinal stiffeners on one or both sides of the web

(b) Transverse stiffeners combined with longitudinal stiffeners on opposite sides of the web

Figure 1.2 — Stiffening of openings in beam webs

Note for DIN review: to add dotted line to represent the cut web on the right hand drawings .

2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 1090-2, Execution of steel structures and aluminium structures — Part 2: Technical requirements for
steel structures

EN 1993-1-1:20XX, Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures — Part 1.1: General rules and rules for
buildings

EN 1993-1-2:20XX, Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures — Part 1.2: Structural fire design

EN 1993-1-5,20XX Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures — Part 1.5: Plated structural elements

EN 1993-1-8,20XX, Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures — Part 1.8: Design of Joints

EN 1993-1-9,20XX Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures — Part 1.9: Fatigue

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Note for DIN review: to adjust margin for page 8 .

3 Terms, definitions and symbols

3.1 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1.1
asymmetric section
steel section with different dimensions of the top and bottom Tees

3.1.2
eccentricity of opening
distance eo of the centre-line of the opening from the centre-line of the steel section, as shown in Figure
3.1

Note : eo is positive when the centre-line of the opening is above the centre-line of the section and is negative below
the centre-line of the section.

centre-line of the opening

centre-line of the beam

Note for DIN review: dotted line to be added for the cut web

Figure 3.1 — Definition of eccentricity of opening position

3.1.3
Tee
combined web and flange section above or below the opening

3.1.4
Vierendeel bending
local bending of Tees caused by the transfer of shear force across the opening

3.1.5
web-post
part of the web between adjacent openings, as shown in Figure 3.2

3.1.6
end-post
end-post is located between the opening and the adjacent support, as shown in Figure 3.2

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3.1.7
widely spaced web openings
openings where web buckling next to the openings is not influenced by adjacent openings

3.1.8
closely spaced web openings
openings where web buckling is influenced by the adjacent openings, as defined in 8.6.1

3.1.9
stiffened Tee
Tees with longitudinal stiffeners welded to the Tee section and with suitable anchorage on both sides of
the opening

Figure 3.2 — Definition of web-post and end-post for the case of circular openings

3.1.10
significant load
load at or adjacent to the opening that exceeds 15% of the shear resistance of the loaded Tee

3.2 List of symbols

aeff Effective length of an opening for buckling and deflection calculations

aeq Equivalent length of an opening for Vierendeel bending
ao Overall length of an opening
av Anchorage length of stiffener past an opening
AbT Cross-sectional area of bottom Tee
As Cross-sectional area of stiffener
AtT Cross-sectional area of top Tee
AV,bT Shear area of bottom Tee
AV,tT Shear area of top Tee
bo Width of horizontal part of opening in hexagonal or sinusoidal openings, see
Figure 1.1

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bs Length of sinusoidal part of opening, see Figure 1.1

bw Effective width of web next to an opening for web buckling
dt Depth of web outstand of Tee section. For rolled profiles, the outstand dt is
measured from the root radius.
dwp Height of critical cross-section of web-post above the centre-line of the opening
(subscripts b and t refer to the bottom and top parts of the web-post)
eo Eccentricity of centre-line of opening (taken as positive above the centre-line of
beam and negative below the centre-line) see Figure 3.1.
E Modulus of elasticity of steel
fy Yield strength
fy,red Reduced yield strength considering shear effect
H Depth of steel section
hb Depth of bottom Tee
heff Effective depth of steel section between the centroids of the Tees
ho Depth of opening (or diameter of circular opening)
ht Depth of top Tee
hT Depth of Tee
heq Equivalent rectangular opening height, heq
hw Depth of web of solid web section
Ia Second moment of area of the solid web section
IbT Second moment of area of bottom Tee with or without longitudinal stiffeners as
appropriate
Ieff,a,o Effective second moment of area of the section at an opening used for global
analysis
ItT Second moment of area of top Tee with or without longitudinal stiffeners as
appropriate
ko Factor on the shear deflection in Vierendeel bending due to the effect of
longitudinal stiffeners
L Span length of beam
MbT,Rd Design value of bending resistance of bottom Tee
MEd Design value of the global bending moment at the centre-line of the opening
Mel,wp,Rd Design value of elastic bending resistance of web-post
MN,bT,Rd Design value of reduced bending resistance of bottom Tee due to axial force
MNV,bT,Rd Design value of reduced bending resistance of bottom Tee due to axial force and
shear
MNV,tT,Rd Design value of reduced bending resistance of top Tee due to axial force and
shear
Mo,Rd Design value of bending resistance of beam at the opening position
Mpl,Rd Design value of plastic bending resistance of Tee
Mwp,Ed Design value of the in-plane moment acting on the web-post
MtT,Rd Design value of bending resistance of top Tee

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Μφ,Ed Design value of the in–plane moment applied on the plane at angle φ to the
vertical around an opening
Μφ,Rd Design value of in–plane bending resistance on the plane at angle φ to the vertical
around an opening
MT,el,Rd Design value of elastic bending resistance of the Tee

MT,pl,Rd Design value of plastic bending resistance of the Tee

NEd Design value of the axial force acting on the section
Nb Ed Design value of the axial force in bottom Tee
Nep,Rd Design value of buckling resistance of the end-post
NbT,Rd Design value of axial resistance of bottom Tee
Nm,Ed Design value of the axial force acting on a Tee due to the global bending at the
centre-line of the opening
No,pl,Rd Design value of the plastic axial resistance of the steel section with opening.
Npl,Rd Design value of axial resistance
Nt, Ed Design value of the axial force in top Tee
NT,el,Rd Compression elastic resistance of the Tee
NtT,Rd Design value of axial resistance of top Tee
Nw,Ed Design value of the compression force in the web next to an opening
Nw,Rd Design value of buckling resistance of web next to an opening
Nwp,Ed Design value of the compression force in web-post between openings
Nwp,Rd Design value of buckling resistance of web between openings
Νφ,Ed Design value of the force applied perpendicular to the plane at angle φ to the
vertical around an opening
Νφ,Rd Design value of tension or compression resistance on the plane at angle φ to the
vertical around an opening
no Number of regularly spaced openings along the beam
r Root radius of rolled section
s Centre to centre spacing of adjacent openings
se Width of end post between the connection and the nearer edge of the first
opening
se,eff Effective width of the end-post
so Edge-to-edge spacing of openings (= s – ao)
so,eff Effective width of the web-post for slenderness in web-post buckling
swp Width of the critical section of the web-post above the centre of the opening
tf Thickness of flange (subscripts b and t refer to bottom and top flanges)
tw Thickness of web (subscripts b and t refer to bottom and top webs)
tw,min Minimum thickness of web for beams with different web thicknesses

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Vφ,Ed Design value of the force applied parallel to the plane at angle φ to the vertical
around an opening
Vb,Ed Design value of the shear force in bottom Tee
Vb,Rd Design value of the shear resistance of the bottom Tee limited by pure shear or
Vierendeel bending
VEd Design value of the shear force acting on the beam at the centre-line of opening
Vm,Ed Design value of the shear force acting on a Tee due to the global bending at the
centre-line of the opening
Vpl,Rd,b Design value of plastic shear resistance of the bottom Tee
Vpl,Rd,t Design value of plastic shear resistance of the top Tee
Vo,pl,Rd Design value of plastic shear resistance at the opening
Vpl,Rd Design value of plastic shear resistance of the solid web beam
Vser, Ed Shear force at the centre-line of the opening at the serviceability limit state
Vt,Ed Design value of the shear force in the top Tee
Vt,Rd Design value of the shear resistance of the top Tee limited by pure shear or
Vierendeel bending
VVier,Rd Design value of shear resistance due to Vierendeel bending across the opening
Vw,Ed Design value of the compression force acting on the web
Vw,Rd Design value of the buckling resistance of the web
Vwp,Ed Design value of the horizontal shear force acting on the web-post
Vwp,Rd Design value of horizontal shear resistance of the web-post
wVier,add Additional deflection across an opening due to Vierendeel bending
wadd Additional mid-span deflection due to the web openings
wb Mid-span deflection of solid web beam
xo Distance of centre of opening from nearer support
zb , zt Distance of the centroid of the T-section from outer edge of flange (subscripts b
and t refer to bottom and top flange)
α Ratio of the centre to centre spacing of circular openings to the opening
diameter; α = s/ho
αV Interaction factor for Vierendeel bending resistance of beams with sinusoidal
opening
ε Material parameter depending on fy; ε = (235/fy)0.5
λw Relative slenderness of web next to opening
λ Relative slenderness
λep Relative slenderness of end-post
λwp Relative slenderness of web-post between closely spaced openings

λ1 Reference slenderness

γM0, γM1 Partial factors for steel

ΓMNV Moment, shear and axial force interaction parameter for a Tee (subscripts bT and
tT refer to top and bottom Tee respectively)

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ΓMNVo Moment, shear and axial force interaction parameter at an opening

κ Post-critical factor for web post buckling
ϕ Angle to the vertical around a circular opening
σw,cr Critical principal stress in web
χep Reduction factor due to end-post buckling
χw Reduction factor due to web buckling
χwp Reduction factor due to web-post buckling
ξ Shape factor

4 Basis of design
4.1 Verifications

(1) The steel beam should be verified according to EN 1993-1-1 and EN 1993-1-5.

(2) The following additional verifications are required at web opening positions, which are covered
by this Part:

(a) Global bending resistance,

(b) Shear resistance,

(c) Combined Vierendeel bending resistance of the Tees reduced for axial forces and shear,

(d) Stability of the Tee in compression at long openings,

(e) Web-post shear, bending and buckling.

(3) The following additional verifications are required for beams with web openings:

(a) Lateral torsional buckling, which is included in this Part,

(b) Additional deflections caused by the openings, which is included in this Part,

(c) Checks on connections and load introduction points at or near to the openings, which may
require separate checks.

(4) For widely spaced openings with maximum dimension less than 30% of the section depth and
with eccentricity of its centre line not exceeding 10% of the section depth, the shear verification in 8.2 is
sufficient to satisfy the other checks in (2) provided that the web slenderness does not exceed 72 ε. For
circular opening, the maximum diameter may be increased to 40% of the section depth.

4.2 Methods of design for Vierendeel bending

4.2.1 Equivalent rectangular opening method

(1) The basis of design for Vierendeel bending is to represent the shape of opening by an equivalent
rectangle to determine the applied moments and the bending resistances of the Tee sections.

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(2) For the opening shapes illustrated in Figure 1.1, the dimensions of the equivalent rectangular
openings that may be used for the verification of Vierendeel bending are presented in 8.4.

4.2.2 Alternative methods

(1) For circular openings, an alternative method is presented in 8.9 that is based on equilibrium on
radial planes around an opening. This method may be combined with alternative methods for web-post
buckling presented in 8.10 that may be used within a defined range of application.
(2) For sinusoidal openings, an alternative method is presented in 8.11.

4.3 Tolerances

(1) For sections with web openings, the tolerances in EN 1090-2 should be adopted.
(2) Opening dimensions should not exceed the nominal dimensions by more than 5mm.
(3) To avoid over-cutting of rectangular openings at the corners of the openings, the corners should
be profiled, or holes should be pre-drilled at the corners of the openings to which the horizontal and
vertical cuts are made. The minimum radius at the corners of the openings is 10mm.

5 Materials
5.1 General

(1) This Part covers the design of steel beams with web openings in which the steel conforms to the
grades listed in EN 1993-1-1:20XX, Table 5.1 and Table 5.2.
(2) For the verifications around the web openings that rely on local plasticity, the maximum steel
grade is S460.
(3) For steel grades above S460 and up to S700, elastic resistances should be used.
(4) Different steel grades may be used for the flanges and webs or for the top and bottom Tees,
provided the relevant steel strength is used in the verification in this Part.
(5) Material properties should be adopted as defined in 5.2 of EN 1993-1-1:20XX.

5.2 Welding

(1) For welded sections and for welding of the web-post between the rolled sections, the weld design
should be compatible with the forces to be resisted. The web-post welds should be continuous.
(2) Distortion of the web due to welding should be controlled within the stated manufacturing
tolerances.

6 Durability
(1) The basic requirements for durability are set out in EN 1993-1-1.

7 Structural Analysis
7.1 Methods of analysis

(1) Elastic global analysis should be used for beams with large web openings, except as stated in (2).

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(2) Plastic global analysis may be applied according to EN1993-1-1 provided it can be demonstrated
that any plastic hinge forms at a distance exceeding twice the beam depth from the edge of an
opening position.

7.2 Member stiffness for global structural analysis

(1) For global analysis of frames consisting of members with multiple web openings, the effect of the
openings on the flexural stiffness of the members should be taken into account. For single opening or
openings with maximum dimension not exceeding 50% of the section depth, this effect may be ignored
for global analysis.
(2) For beams with L/h ≥18, the loss of shear stiffness of a series of regularly spaced circular or
hexagonal openings may generally be ignored in terms of their effect on the stiffness of the members for
structural analysis. In this case, the effective second moment of area of the beam with multiple openings
may be taken as:
𝑎𝑎eff ℎo3 𝑡𝑡w (7.1)
𝐼𝐼eff,a,o = 𝐼𝐼a − 𝑛𝑛o � �
𝐿𝐿 12

where
Ia is the second moment of area of the solid web section
no is the number of regularly spaced openings
aeff is the effective opening length given in 7.5 (4).
(3) For beams with L/h <18, the additional flexibility due to the effects of shear on a series of
regularly spaced circular or hexagonal openings should be taken into account. The effective bending
stiffness of the beam due to bending and shear at the openings may be reduced and the corresponding
effective second moment of area is given by:
−1 (7.2)
𝑛𝑛o 𝑎𝑎eff ℎo3 𝑡𝑡w 𝑎𝑎eff 3 𝐼𝐼𝑎𝑎
𝐼𝐼eff,a,o = 𝐼𝐼a �1 + � � + 0,8 𝑛𝑛o � � �
12 𝐿𝐿 𝐼𝐼a 𝐿𝐿 ( 𝐼𝐼bT + 𝐼𝐼tT )

where

IbT and ItT are the second moments of area of the bottom and top Tee sections respectively.

(4) For beams with non-standard openings and with regularly spaced openings, more advanced
methods of structural analysis may be used in which the beam at the opening positions is modelled as a
Vierendeel girder.

(5) A beam with multiple openings and with L/h ≥ 8 may be modelled for analysis as a Vierendeel
girder using equivalent rectangular openings with dimensions according to Table 8.3. The chords may
be modelled using beam elements at the centroid of the Tee sections of the equivalent rectangular
opening. The chord at the opening (key 2 in figure 7.1) is the Tee corresponding to the equivalent
rectangular opening. The web-posts (key 3 in figure 7.1) may be modelled using beam elements
positioned at their axis with cross-section properties corresponding to the web area between the
equivalent rectangular openings. The part (key 6 in figure 7.1) of the chords with a length equal to the
centre spacing of the openings less the width of the equivalent rectangular opening should have cross-
sectional properties corresponding to the flange area plus one half of the web area. The web remote from

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an opening may be modelled as a truss (key 5 in figure 7.1) with diagonal members of cross-sectional
area equal to 50% of the area of the full depth of the web.

< hw
Keys: 1 Beam with regularly spaced circular openings
2 Chord
3 Post
4 Equivalent opening
5 Panel without opening
6 Stiffened chord
Figure 7.1 — Modelling of a beam with regularly spaced circular openings

7.3 Serviceability

(1) The increased deflection of beams due to the openings should be considered at the serviceability
limit state. Simplified rules for the additional bending and shear deflection due to single openings and
multiple openings are given in 9.

(2) The difference between the deflection at the two ends of a single rectangular or elongated opening
should not exceed the limit in 9 (5).

7.4 Classification for global bending.

(1) For global bending resistance, the cross-sections should be classified at each web opening and
web post. At the opening, the flanges or the web outstand, treated as an “outstand flange”, should be
classified according to EN 1993-1-1:20XX, Table 7.3.
(2) Where the flange is Class 1 or 2, the Class 3 web outstand at the opening may be classified as Class
2 by taking the depth as equal to Class 2 limit in pure compression.
(3) Where the flange is Class 1 to 3, the Class 4 web outstand at the opening may be classified as Class
3 by taking the depth as equal to the Class 3 limit in pure compression.
(4) Where the flange is Class 4, the Class 4 flange outstand at the opening may be classified as Class
3 by taking the width as equal to the Class 3 limit in pure compression.

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7.5 Section classification of Tees subject to Vierendeel bending

(1) The bending properties of Tee sections in Vierendeel bending should be determined from the
section Class of the flange and the web.
(2) The classification of the flange should be determined according to on EN 1993-1-1.
(3) The web outstands should be classified depending on the effective length of the Tee at the
opening, aeff, and the outstand depth dt. For rolled profiles, the outstand dt is measured from the root
radius.
(4) The effective opening length, aeff, used to assess the stability of the web outstand for the different
shapes of opening should be taken as:
aeff = ao - rectangular openings
aeff = 0,7ho - circular and hexagonal openings
aeff = ao – 0,3ho - elongated openings
aeff = bo + 0,5bs - sinusoidal openings
(5) Class 3 web outstands of depth dt may be treated as Class 2 for Vierendeel bending when:
For aeff >32 twε 10𝑡𝑡w 𝜀𝜀 (7.3)
𝑑𝑑𝑡𝑡 ≤
2
�1 − �32𝑡𝑡w 𝜀𝜀 �
𝑎𝑎eff

All Class 3 web outstands may be treated as Class 2 when aeff ≤ 32tw ε.
For Class 3 web outstands, the effective plastic section properties may be calculated using the limiting
value of dt for a Class 2 web.
(6) Class 4 web outstands of depth dt may be treated as Class 3 for Vierendeel bending when:
For aeff >36 twε 14𝑡𝑡w 𝜀𝜀 (7.4)
𝑑𝑑𝑡𝑡 ≤
2
�1 − �36𝑡𝑡w 𝜀𝜀 �
𝑎𝑎eff

All Class 4 web outstands may be treated as Class 3 if aeff ≤ 36twε.

For Class 4 web outstands, the effective elastic section properties may be calculated using the limiting
value of dt for a Class 3 web.
(7) Where the flange is Class 4, the Class 4 flange outstand in Vierendeel bending may be classified as
Class 3 by taking the width as equal to the Class 3 limit in pure compression.
(8) Tension in the Tee may modify the section classification of the web outstand in Vierendeel bending
and this effect may be taken into account in EN 1993-1-1:20XX, Table 7.2.

7.6 Section classification of longitudinal stiffeners

(1) Table 7.3 of EN 1993-1-1:20XX applies to the section classification of longitudinal stiffeners.
(2) The longitudinal stiffeners should be Class 1, 2 or 3. When they are Class 3, their effective width
may be reduced to the limits of a Class 2 section for Vierendeel bending resistance.

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prEN XXXX:XXXX (E)

8 Ultimate Limit State

8.1 General Requirements for all openings
8.1.1 General

(1) At the ultimate limit state, verifications at each web opening and also in the region affected by the
openings should be made. The following sections of this Part should be used in these verifications:

(a) Global shear resistance – 8.2,

(b) Global bending resistance and the stability of the compressed Tee– 8.3,
(c) Resistance to shear by Vierendeel bending of the Tees – 8.4,
(d) Web buckling resistance next to widely spaced openings – 8.5,
(e) Web-post buckling, shear and bending resistance between closely spaced openings – 8.6,
(f) Influence of stiffeners on web-post buckling – 8.7,
(g) End-post buckling and shear resistance next to the connections – 8.8.1,
(h) Where loads or forces are applied that might require the use of transverse stiffeners –
8.8.2,
(i) Alternative method for Vierendeel bending at circular openings using radial stresses– 8.9,
(j) Alternative method for web-post buckling between circular openings – 8.10,
(k) Alternative method for Vierendeel bending of sinusoidal–shaped web openings – 8.11.
(2) The lateral-torsional buckling stability of the beam should be verified according to 8.12.

(3) The design methods of this standard apply to beams subject to axial forces not exceeding
No,pl,Rd/50, where No,pl,Rd is the axial resistance of the steel section. For beams subject to axial forces, the
cross-section should be class 1 or 2 at the centre of the largest opening. The axial forces should be
distributed between the Tees in proportion to their cross-section areas and combined with the local
forces due to global bending and shear when checking the resistance of the Tees and lateral torsional
buckling of the beam. For higher axial forces, more refined methods should be used.

8.1.2 Geometric limits for unstiffened web openings

(1) For application of the method given in 8, limits on the maximum dimensions of openings without
longitudinal stiffeners and the minimum depths of the Tees are presented in Table 8.1, where aeff is
defined in 7.5 (4).

Note: The National Annex for use in a country can give the possibility that limits may be exceeded if
justified by more advanced calculations.

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 prEN XXXX:XXXX (E)

Table 8.1— Limiting dimensions for different shapes of unstiffened openings for use of this Part

Shape of Maximum Maximum Minimum edge to Minimum depth of Tee

opening opening opening edge spacing, so Tee in Tee in tension
height, ho length, ao compression
Circular 0,8h - 0,1 ho Max(tf+r+10mm; Max(tf+r+10mm;
tf+30mm) tf+30mm)
Hexagonal 0,75h 1,5 ho 0,25 ho
Rectangular 0,75h 2,5 ho Max(0,5ao;ho) Max(ao/12;0.1h) 0.1h

Elongated 0,8h 3 ho Max(0,25aeff;0.5ho) aeff /12 Max(tf+r+10mm;

tf+30mm)
Sinusoidal 0,8h 5 ho 0,25 ho aeff/12

(2) For adjacent openings of different shapes and dimensions, the average of the relevant limits in
Table 8.1 may be taken.

8.1.3 Geometric limits for web openings with stiffeners

(1) The minimum cross-sectional area of a longitudinal stiffener above or below an opening should
be at least equal to half the cross-sectional area of the web of the Tee section to which it is connected in
order for an opening to be considered as stiffened. In case of double-sided longitudinal stiffeners, the
minimum area refers to combined area of both stiffeners.

(2) Limits on the maximum dimensions of rectangular, elongated and sinusoidal openings with
longitudinal stiffeners and minimum dimensions are presented in Table 8.2, where aeff is defined in 7.5.

Note 1: For stiffened circular and hexagonal openings, the limiting dimensions may be taken as in table
8.1.

Note 2: The National Annex for use in a country can give the possibility that limits may be exceeded if
justified by more advanced calculations.

19
prEN XXXX:XXXX (E)

Table 8.2 — Limiting dimensions for different shapes of stiffened openings for use of this Part

Shape of Maximum Maximum Minimum Edge to Minimum depth of Tee

opening opening opening edge spacing, so Tee in Tee in
height, ho length, ao compression tension
Rectangular 0,75h 3,2 ho Max(0,5ao;ho) Max(ao/14;0,1h) 0,1h

Elongated 0,8h 3,5 ho Max(0,25aeff;0,5ho) Max(aeff/14; tf + tf + 50 mm

50 mm)
Sinusoidal 0,8h 5 ho 0,25 ho

(3) For adjacent stiffened openings of different dimensions or for adjacent unstiffened and stiffened
openings of different shapes, the average of the relevant limits in Tables 8.1 and 8.2 may be used.

8.2 Shear resistance at web opening positions

(1) For local checks at each web opening, the plastic shear resistance of the Tees may be used. The
design value of the shear force, VEd , at the centre-line of the opening should satisfy :

VEd / Vo,pl,Rd ≤ 1,0 (8.1)

where:

Vo,pl,Rd = �𝑉𝑉𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝,𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅,𝑏𝑏 + 𝑉𝑉𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝,𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅,𝑡𝑡 � (8.2)

Where
Vpl,Rd,b and Vpl,Rd,t are the shear resistance of the bottom and top Tees respectively as defined in
8.2.6 (3) of EN 1993-1-1:20XX
In case of symmetric sections, 8.3 may be used;
ℎ𝑜𝑜 𝑡𝑡𝑤𝑤 𝑓𝑓𝑦𝑦 (8.3)
Vo,pl,Rd = �𝑉𝑉𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝.𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 − �
√3 𝛾𝛾𝑀𝑀0

where:

Vpl,Rd is the plastic shear resistance of the solid web from 8.2.6 of EN 1993-1-1:20XX.

For class 4 Tees that do not meet the limits of formula (7.4) in 7.5 (6), the depth of the Tee in compression
may be reduced to the limit of formula (7.4) and this reduced shear area is used to calculate the shear
resistance in 8.2.

(2) When VEd > 0,5 Vo,pl,Rd, the effect of high vertical shear force on the resistance to bending moment
and axial force should be taken into account by reducing the yield strength of the shear area of the Tees
according to 8.2.10 (3) of EN 1993-1-1:20XX, as follows:

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 prEN XXXX:XXXX (E)

fy,red = fy [1 – ρ] for VEd / Vo,pl,Rd > 0.5 (8.3)

where:

ρ = (2 VEd / Vo,pl,Rd – 1)2 (8.4)

(3) As an alternative, where the combined area of the web of the Tees exceeds 70% of the total shear
area of the Tees, the effective thickness of the web may be taken as equal to the thickness reduced in
proportion to fy,red /fy , may be used.

8.3 Bending resistance of a beam with web openings

8.3.1 General

(1) The bending resistance of the steel beam at the opening position, Mo,Rd, should satisfy:

M Ed (8.5)
≤ 1,0
M o,Rd

𝑀𝑀o,𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 = (ℎ − 𝑧𝑧𝑏𝑏 − 𝑧𝑧𝑡𝑡 )  𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚�𝐴𝐴bT 𝑓𝑓𝑦𝑦,𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 ; 𝐴𝐴tT 𝑓𝑓𝑦𝑦,𝑡𝑡𝑇𝑇 �  (8.6)

(2) The bending resistance in formulae (8.6) should take into account the interaction with the shear
force according to 8.2 (2) or (3).
(3) For Class 4 sections, the elastic bending resistance of the beam cross- section should be calculated
from its effective elastic properties at the centre-line of the opening using the effective width of the
compressed elements reduced to the Class 3 limits.

8.3.2 Buckling resistance of the compressed Tee for long openings

(1) An opening is considered as a long opening if aeff > 6 hT ε (Mo,Rd/ MEd)0.5,

where hT is the depth of the loaded Tee and MEd/ Mo,Rd is given in 8.3.1(1) and aeff is given by 7.5(4).
(2) For long openings, the buckling resistance of the compressed Tee should be verified according to
EN 1993-1-1 xxx, considering the bending moments due to Vierendeel bending, the global bending and
axial force applied to the member and the uniform loads applied to the Tee, and it should satisfy:
𝑁𝑁𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 0.4𝑀𝑀𝑇𝑇,𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸+ 𝑀𝑀𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎,𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸
+ ≤ 1.0 (8.7)
𝑁𝑁𝑏𝑏,𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 𝑀𝑀𝑇𝑇,𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅

𝑉𝑉𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 𝑎𝑎𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 2𝑤𝑤𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉,𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎

Where 𝑀𝑀𝑇𝑇,𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 = + 𝑁𝑁𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 ∗ (8.8)
4 2

𝑀𝑀𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎,𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 is the bending moment due to the uniform loads applied to the compressed Tee at the opening
of length, aeff, assuming that it is fixed at its ends.
𝑀𝑀𝑇𝑇,𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 is the bending resistance of the compressed Tee section in the plane of the web and is determined
at the centre-line of the opening.
𝑁𝑁𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 is the axial force applied to the compressed Tee due to global bending and additional axial forces.
𝑁𝑁𝑏𝑏,𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 is the buckling resistance of the compressed Tee for buckling in the plane of the web and is
determined for an effective length of 0.5aeff.

21
prEN XXXX:XXXX (E)

(3) In formula (8.8), the eccentricity of the axial force across the opening at the ultimate limit state is
taken as 2𝑤𝑤𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉,𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 , where wVier,add is the relative deflection across the opening at the serviceability limit
state, which may calculated according to 9 (6) or may be taken conservatively as wVier,max given in 9 (5).

8.4 Resistance of the Tees in Vierendeel bending

(1) The shear resistance to Vierendeel bending should be obtained from the combined bending
resistances of the Tees divided by the equivalent opening length, aeq given in table 8.3 in (5).
(2) The equivalent rectangular opening height, heq given in Table 8.3 and the eccentricity of the
opening position, eo, relative to the centre-line of the beam should be used to determine the dimensions
of the Tees to obtain their bending and axial resistances in (5).
(3) If the bending resistances of the top and bottom Tees are different, the effect on the development
of a web-post moment for closely spaced openings in 8.6.2 (4) should be taken into account.
(4) The shear resistance to Vierendeel bending at the opening position should satisfy:
VEd / VVier,Rd ≤ 1,0 (8.9)

(5) The shear resistance to Vierendeel bending is:

VVier,Rd = (2MNV,bT,Rd + 2MNV,tT,Rd)/ aeq (8.10)

where MNV,bT,Rd and MNV,tT,Rd are the bending resistances of the bottom and top Tees reduced for the effects
of tension or compression in (6) and shear in 8.2 (2) or 8.2 (3).
Table 8.3: Equivalent rectangular opening dimensions of different opening shapes for verification of
Vierendeel bending
Shape of opening Equivalent opening length, Equivalent opening height,
aeq heq
Rectangular ao ho
Circular 0,45 ho 0,9 ho
Elongated ao – 0,55 ho 0,9 ho
Hexagonal bo + 0,25 ho ho
Sinusoidal For ho ≤ 2bs: ho
aeq = bo + 2bs − 0,5 ho
For ho > 2bs: aeq = bo + bs ho

(6) The bending resistances of the Tees should be reduced due to axial tension and compression,
according to the following approximate formulae:
Plastic resistance (Class 1 and 2 sections according to 7.5):
MNV,T,Rd = M T,pl,Rd (1 – (Nm,Ed/NT,pl,Rd)2) (8.11)

Elastic resistance (Class 3 and 4 sections according to 7.5 ):

MNV, T,Rd = M T,el,Rd (1 – Nm.Ed/NT,el,Rd) (8.12)

where:
MNV,T,Rd is the bending resistance of the Tee section reduced due to axial force and shear.

22
 prEN XXXX:XXXX (E)

MT,el,Rd is the elastic bending resistance of the Tee section including the effective yield strength in
8.2 (2) or web thickness in 8.2 (3) with the depth of its web taken as the lesser of the
actual depth and the limit for a Class 3 web outstand determined in 7.5 (6). In case of a
Class 4 flange, the flange width should be reduced to the Class 3 limit.
M T,pl,Rd is the plastic bending resistance of the Tee section including the effective yield strength
in 8.2 (2) or web thickness in 8.2 (3) with the depth of its web taken as the lesser of the
actual depth and the limit for a Class 2 web outstand determined in 7.5 (5) .
N T,el,Rd is the compression resistance of the Tee including the effective yield strength in 8.2 (2)
or web thickness in 8.2 (3) with the depth of its web taken as the lesser of the actual
depth and the limit for a Class 3 web outstand determined in 7.4 (3).
N T,pl,Rd is the compression resistance of the Tee including the effective yield strength in 8.2 (2)
or web thickness in 8.2 (3)) with the depth of its web taken as the lesser of the actual
depth and the limit for a Class 2 web determined in 7.4 (2).
Nm,Ed is the design value of the axial force acting on a Tee due to the global bending at the centre-
line of the opening and the global axial force according to 8.1.1(3)
(7) For circular openings, an alternative method of verifying the Vierendeel bending resistance is
given in 8.9.
(8) For sinusoidal openings, an alternative method of verifying the Vierendeel bending resistance is
given in 8.11.2.

8.5 Web buckling next to widely spaced openings

8.5.1 General

(1) Circular or hexagonal openings may be considered to be widely spaced when their edge to edge
spacing is greater than ho.
(2) Rectangular, elongated or sinusoidal openings may be considered widely spaced when their edge
to edge spacing so exceeds the larger of (ao,1 + ao,2)/2 and (ho,1 + ho,2), where the subscripts refer to the
relevant dimensions of the adjacent openings, as shown in figure 8.1.

.
Figure 8.1 —"Widely spaced” definition for rectangular openings

23
prEN XXXX:XXXX (E)

(3) When the slenderness of the web conforms to the condition given in 8.2.6(6) of
EN 1993-1 1:20XX, the resistance of a web next to a widely spaced opening may be verified using the
method given in 8.5.2.
Note: Web buckling can be prevented by use of transverse stiffeners, as given in 8.7.7.
(5) A verification of web buckling next to the opening may be omitted if:
ho ≤ 25 tw ε for circular, hexagonal, sinusoidal and elongated (8.13)
openings

ho≤ 15 tw ε for rectangular openings (8.14)

8.5.2 Web buckling

(1) Web buckling next to widely spaced openings should be checked by satisfying:
N w, Ed (8.15)
≤ 1,0
N w, Rd

where Nw,Rd is the buckling resistance of the compressed web next to the opening, shown in Figure 8.2.

Figure 8.2 (Model for web buckling next to widely spaced rectangular openings

(2) The compressive force, Nw,Ed, acting on the web next to an opening should be taken as the larger
of the shear force in the top Tee, Vt,Ed, and the shear force in the bottom Tee, Vb,Ed. The shear forces in the
Tees should be obtained by Formulae (8.16) and (8.17):
 Av,bT  (8.16)
Vb,Ed = VEd  
 Av,bT + Av,tT 

 Av,tT  (8.17)
Vt,Ed = VEd  
 Av,bT + Av,tT 

Where Av,bT and Av,tT are the shear areas of the bottom and top Tees respectively defined in 8.2.6 (3) of EN
1993-1-1:20XX
(3) The web buckling resistance should be taken equal to:
Nw,Rd = χwp bw tw fy/γM1 (8.18)

24
 prEN XXXX:XXXX (E)

where bw is the effective width of the compressed web, which for an unstiffened opening should
be taken equal to bw = 0,5 ho.
(4) χwp should be determined from buckling curve a in 8.3.1.3 of EN 1993-1-1:20XX for all steel grades
with the web relative slenderness, λw , determined in (5).

(5) The slenderness of a web next to a circular, hexagonal or elongated opening should be determined
as:

2,4h 1 (8.19)
λw = o
tw λ1

For rectangular openings:

3,5h 1 (8.20)
λw = o
tw λ1

E (8.21)
where λ1 = π =93,9ε
fy

8.6 Rules for closely spaced openings

8.6.1 General

(1) The rules given here are supplementary to the general rules for web openings given in 8.2, 8.3
and 8.4.
(2) Openings should be considered as closely spaced when they do not satisfy the geometric limits
for widely spaced openings in 8.5.1 (1) and (2).

8.6.2 Asymmetric sections or asymmetric opening positions

(1) For asymmetric sections, or where the centre of the opening is eccentric to the mid-height of the
web, it should be taken into account that the distribution of shear force acting on the Tees, Vt,Ed and Vb,Ed ,
may lead to development of an in-plane web-post moment, Mwp,Ed, between closely spaced openings , as
shown in Figure 8.3.

25
prEN XXXX:XXXX (E)

Figure 8.3 — Shear and moment acting in web-post for equilibrium of forces between
rectangular openings

(2) Web-post bending between adjacent circular, hexagonal or elongated openings should satisfy:

M wp,Ed (8.22)
≤ 1,0
M wp,Rd

(3) Web-post bending between adjacent rectangular openings acting in the presence of web-post
shear, Vwp,Ed, should satisfy:

M wp,Ed + 0,5hoVwp,Ed (8.23)

≤ 1,0
M wp,Rd

For adjacent rectangular openings of different heights, ho may be taken as the average height of the
openings.

(4) The web-post moment at the centre-line of the opening should be determined as:
Mwp,Ed = 0,5(Vt,Ed –Vb,Ed) s + Vwp,Ed eo (8.24)
Where Vt,Ed and Vb,Ed are defined in formulas (8.17) and (8.18) respectively
Vwp,Ed is the horizontal shear force acting in the web-post, defined in figure 8.3.
eo is measured as positive if the centre of the opening is above the centre-line of the section.
The absolute value of Mwp,Ed should be used.
(5) As an alternative, the shear force may be distributed between the top and bottom Tees to
minimize the web-post moment, where Vb,Ed ≤ Vb,Rd , Vt,,Ed ≤ Vt,Rd and Vwp,Ed≤ Vwp,Rd . The maximum value of
the shear forces in the Tees should be taken as equal to their shear resistances Vb,Rd and Vt,Rd limited by
pure shear or Vierendeel bending. The maximum value of the shear force in the web-post should be taken

26
 prEN XXXX:XXXX (E)

as equal to the shear resistance, Vwp,Rd, limited by web-post buckling according to 8.6.3 or pure shear
according to 8.6.4.
(6) The elastic bending resistance of the web-post is used in this verification, which is given by:

Mwp,Rd = so2tw,minfy / (6 γMo) (8.25)

For beams made from two different Tee sections, the smaller web thickness, tw,min should be used in
Formula (8.25).

8.6.3 Web-post buckling

(1) Web-post buckling between closely spaced openings is based on an effective length of the
compressed web-post, illustrated in Figure 8.4, that is dependent on the shape of the opening. The axial
force, Nwp,Ed, in the web-post should satisfy:
N wp ,Ed (8.26)
≤ 1,0
N wp ,Rd

Where Nwp,Rd is the web-post buckling resistance defined in (4).

Figure 8.4 — Model for buckling of web-post between closely spaced circular openings

(2) For this verification, the compressive force acting on the web-post, Nwp,Ed should be taken equal
to the horizontal shear force, given by: Nwp,Ed= Vwp,Ed .
(3) For web-posts subject to an in-plane moment, Mwp,Ed, web-post buckling should be verified by
considering an effective horizontal force in the web-post, Nwp,Ed , given by the larger of the compression
force from Formulae (8.27) and (8.28):
Nwp,Ed = Vwp,Ed + 2Mwp,Ed/ho (8.27)

Nwp,Ed = Vwp,Ed – 2Mwp,Ed/ho (8.28)

Mwp,Ed is determined from 8.6.2 (4) using the positive or negative value of the moment.
For adjacent openings of different heights, the average value of ho may be used in equations (8.27) and
(8.28).
(4) The web-post buckling resistance should be taken as:

27
prEN XXXX:XXXX (E)

Nwp,Rd = χwp so (tw fy) min /γM1 (8.29)

where (tw fy) min is the minimum multiple of the web thickness and yield strength of the top and bottom
Tees considered separately.
(5) χwp should be obtained from buckling curve a in 8.3.1.3 of EN 1993-1-1:20XX for all steel grades,
using the relative slenderness of the web-post in (6).
(6) For unstiffened openings, the relative slenderness of the web-post, λwp should be obtained for:

Circular openings and elongated openings, as:

1,75 so2 + ho2 1 2,4ho 1 (8.30)

λ wp = ≤
tw λ1 tw λ1

Hexagonal and sinusoidal openings, as:

1,75 2 so2 + ho2 1 2,7 ho 1 (8.31)

λ wp = ≤
tw λ1 tw λ1

Rectangular openings, as:

2,5 so2 + ho2 1 3,5ho 1 (8.32)

λ wp = ≤
tw λ1 tw λ1

(7) Where a beam with a series of circular openings is made from two different Tee sections and/or
steel grades, the effective web thickness for the calculation of the web-post relative slenderness in (6)
should be obtained from the average of the web thicknesses above and below the centre-line of the
opening and λ1 is determined from the average yield strength.
(8) For adjacent openings of different shapes and depths, the average relative slenderness of the
relevant cases in (6) may be used.

8.6.4 Web-post shear

(1) The horizontal shear force in the web-post should satisfy:

Vwp ,Ed (8.33)

≤ 1,0
Vwp ,Rd

(2) The pure shear resistance of the web-post should be determined as:

Vwp,Rd = so tw,min fy /( 3 γM0) (8.34)

8.7 Longitudinally stiffened openings

8.7.1 Scope of the guidance for openings with longitudinal stiffeners

(1) Section 8.7 applies to beams with class 1, 2 or 3 flanges and with class 1, 2 or 3 longitudinal
stiffeners.

(2) Longitudinal stiffeners may be single-sided or double-sided and should extend to a suitable
anchorage distance outside the edges of the opening in order that they are fully effective at the edges of
the opening.

28
 prEN XXXX:XXXX (E)

(3) Single-sided longitudinal stiffeners develop transverse bending of the web and should not be used
without transverse stiffeners on the opposite side when the web depth, hw > 72twε. Double sided stiffeners
may be used in all cases.
(4) The minimum cross-sectional area of the stiffener that defines a stiffened opening should be taken
according to 8.1.3 (1).

8.7.2 Additional verifications for stiffened openings

(1) The adjacent full-depth web should be verified that it can resist the force transferred from the
stiffener. The stiffener force may be taken equal to its tensile resistance, ie. for one stiffener:
Fs.Rd = As fys/γM0. The anchorage length, av of the stiffener past each end of the equivalent opening should
satisfy the following criteria (see Figure 8.5):
(a) Shear resistance of the fillet welds,
(b) Shear resistance of the stiffeners,
(c) Shear resistance of the beam web.
The design shear resistance of a fillet weld is taken from EN 1993-1-8.

Figure 8.5 — Criteria for anchorage of longitudinal stiffeners

8.7.3 Global bending resistance for stiffened openings

(1) The longitudinal stiffeners may be included in the resistance to global bending of the steel beam
at the openings provided that:
• they are double-sided.

• they are Class 1 or 2.

• the cross-sectional area of the longitudinal stiffeners above or below an opening that is included
in the global bending resistance and Vierendeel bending resistance does not exceed 0,5hotw.

• the minimum anchorage length, av, is sufficient to develop the tensile resistance of the stiffener at
the edge of the opening.

(2) The loaded stiffened Tee should be designed according 8.3.2.

(3) The stability of the compressed stiffened Tee may be assumed to be fulfilled when its effective
length satisfies:

29
prEN XXXX:XXXX (E)

aeff ≤ 8 hT ε (Mo,Rd/ MEd)0.5 (8.35)

where MEd/ Mo,Rd is given in 8.3 (1).

8.7.4 Vierendeel bending resistance for stiffened openings

(1) For Vierendeel bending, the plastic bending resistances of the longitudinally single-sided or
double-sided stiffened Tees depends also on the class of the stiffeners in pure compression according to
7.5.
(2) A linear interaction between bending resistance and axial forces in the stiffened Tees may be used
in all cases:
MNV,Rd = Mpl,Rd (1 – NEd/Npl,Rd) (8.36)
Where:
NEd is the design value of the axial force due to the global bending acting on a stiffened
Tee at the centre-line of the opening.
Mpl,Rd is the design plastic bending resistance of the stiffened Tee including the effective yield
strength in 8.2 (2) or web thickness in 8.2 (3). For beam with class 3 flange or class 3
stiffener, the flange or stiffener width should be reduced to the class 2 limit.
Npl,Rd is the design axial resistance of the stiffened Tee including the effective yield strength in
8.2 (2) or web thickness in 8.2 (3).

8.7.5 Web buckling for widely spaced stiffened openings

(1) For widely spaced openings with longitudinal stiffeners above and below the openings, the
effective width of the web for buckling checks in 8.5.2 (3) may be increased by considering the projection
of the stiffener, av, past the opening according to:
bw = 0,5ho + av ≤ 0,75 ho (8.37)
The web slenderness is given in 8.5.2 (5).

8.7.6 Web-post buckling for closely spaced stiffened openings

(1) For closely spaced openings that both have double-sided horizontal stiffeners above and below
the openings, the effective width of the web-post for slenderness calculation may be reduced by
considering the projection of the stiffener, av, past the openings.
(2) The relative slenderness of the web-post using an effective width, so,eff ,of the web-post should be
taken as:
For circular and elongated openings:
2
1,75 so,eff + ho2 1 2,4ho 1 (8.38)
λ wp = ≤
tw λ1 tw λ1

For hexagonal and sinusoidal openings:

2
1,75 2 so,eff + ho2 1 2,7 ho 1 (8.39)
λ wp = ≤
tw λ1 tw λ1

For rectangular openings:

30
 prEN XXXX:XXXX (E)

2
2,5 so,eff + ho2 1 3,5ho 1 (8.40)
λ wp = ≤
tw λ1 tw λ1

For horizontal stiffeners above and below the openings, so,eff = so – 2av ≥ 0,5 so.
(3) The verification for web–post buckling resistance should be made as in 8.6.3 (4), (7) and (8) using
the buckling curve in (5).
8.7.7 Transverse stiffened openings
(1) Web buckling and web-post buckling may be prevented next to or between the openings by use
of full height transverse stiffeners next to the openings.
(2) The transverse stiffeners should be designed for a compression force transferred by the larger of
the shear forces in the Tees in 8.5.2 (2) according to EN 1993-1-5.
(3) Where the transverse stiffeners are used in combination with longitudinal stiffeners, the
longitudinal stiffeners should be anchored past the opening. The longitudinal and transverse stiffeners
may be placed on opposite sides of the beam, as shown in Figure 1.2.

8.8 Requirements for other cases

8.8.1 End-posts

(1) The end-post next to the connection should be checked for the forces acting on it. Where there is
a notch or cut-away at the ends of the beam, the local conditions at and next to the notch should be
checked.
(2) For simply supported beams, the minimum width of the end-post, se, should be 0,25ho for circular
and hexagonal openings and 0,5aeff for other shapes of openings.
(3) For beams with rigid or semi-rigid connections, the minimum end-post width should be ho for
circular and hexagonal openings and aeff for other shapes of openings.
(4) For cases where the end-post width, se, is less than ho for circular and hexagonal openings and aeff
for other shapes of openings, the end-post should be checked for buckling due to vertical shear. The web
of the end-post should be laterally supported by the end connection over a web height of not less than
0.8h in order for the following formulae for end-post buckling to apply. Where se > ho for circular and
hexagonal openings and se > aeff for other shapes of openings, the web next to the opening should be
verified for web buckling according to 8.5.2.
The vertical shear force in the end-post should satisfy:

VEd (8.41)
≤ 1,0
N ep ,Rd

Where the end-post buckling resistance should be taken as equal to:

Nep,Rd = χep se tw,min fy/γM1 (8. 42)

Where χep is the reduction factor due to end-post buckling determined from the relative slenderness of
the end-post and using buckling curve ‘a’.
For openings with se > ho, the end-post buckling resistance should be taken as equal to:
Nep,Rd = χep ho tw,min fy/γM1 (8. 43)

31
prEN XXXX:XXXX (E)

(5) The relative slenderness of the end-post should be taken as:

For circular and elongated openings:
2 (8.44)
1,75 se,eff + ho2 1
λ ep =
tw λ1

For hexagonal and sinusoidal openings:

2 (8.45)
1,75 2 se,eff + ho2 1
λ ep =
tw λ1

For rectangular openings:

2 (8.46)
2,5 se,eff + ho2 1
λ ep =
tw λ1

Where the effective width of the end-post, se,eff , is taken in formulas (8.43) to (8.46) as:
se,eff = 0,7se ≤ 0,7ho for full depth end plates welded to the end-post and to both flanges.
se,eff = se ≤ ho for end plate connections to beams with a single notch to the compressed
flange where the length of the notch does not exceed the smaller of 0.5se
and 0.5ho and where the depth of the notch does not exceed 0.1h.
se,ff = 1,2se ≤ 1,2ho for end plate connections to beams with a notch to both flanges
conforming to the above limits.
se,ff = 1,5se ≤ 1,5ho for bolted fin plate and angle connections where the web is connected
over a length not less than 0.8h, where se is taken as from the line of action
of the bolt group.

8.8.2 Loads applied over or close to the openings

(1) Where significant loads act next to or over (or below) the openings, the local bending resistance
of the loaded Tee should be checked when VEd > 0,15 Vo,pl,Rd and aeff > 6 ht (or hb) for un-stiffened openings
and aeff > 8 ht (or hb) for stiffened openings, where ht (or hb) is the depth of the loaded Tee.
(2) Webs subject to significant loads should be verified separately for web buckling to EN 1993-1-5
when they act within the following minimum distances from the edge of the opening:
For circular or hexagonal openings: 0,5 ho.
For rectangular, elongated or sinusoidal openings, the smaller of: 0,5aeff and ho.
(3) Transverse stiffeners may be used to transfer loads into the web. The transverse stiffeners and
their welds should be designed to resist a compression force equal to the applied significant load plus the
larger of the shear force in the Tees.
8.9 Alternative method for Vierendeel bending for circular openings
(1) This method applies only to steel beams with constant diameter circular openings.
(2) The overall bending and shear resistance of the beam should be checked at the centre of the
opening (section a-a in Figure 8.6).
(3) The effects of Vierendeel moments should be checked on radial planes around the opening (see
section b-b in Figure 8.6) at both sides of the opening at increments of angle, ϕ, of not more than 5o, from
a minimum angle -ϕmax up to a maximum angle ϕmax where ϕmax is equal to arctan(s/h).

32
 prEN XXXX:XXXX (E)

(4) The internal forces and moments on section b-b should be determined for the top and bottom Tee
by considering the equilibrium of the segment between sections a-a and b-b. The axial force may be
shared between the flange and the web at section a-a and may be used to establish equilibrium on b-b.
(5) At the critical angle for the effects of Vierendeel moments, the internal force, Νφ.Ed, and moment,
Μφ,Ed , on section b-b should satisfy the following criterion:
N φ,Ed M φ,Ed (8.41)
+ ≤ 1,0
N φ,Rd M φ,Rd

Where:
Νφ.Ed is the axial force perpendicular to the section b-b;
Νφ.Rd is the resistance to axial force of the section b-b;
Μφ.Ed is the bending moment in the section b-b;
Μφ.Rd is the moment resistance of the section b-b.
(6) The design resistances, Νφ.Rd and Μφ.Rd should be determined on the radial plane of the opening
and should include the effects of the shear force Vφ.Ed according to 8.2.10 of EN 1993-1-1:20XX.

s a b
Nm,Ed Vφ,Ed
b
Vm,Ed
a

b b Mφ,Ed Nφ,Ed
φ
φ
Fmax

Figure 8.6 — Internal forces and moments at the critical section around an opening

(8) The class of the opening should be taken as the higher of that of the flange and the web. The same
class is used for the verification of all the inclined sections. The class of the compressed flange should be
determined according to Table 7.3 of EN 1993-1-1:20XX. The class of the web outstand at an un-stiffened
opening should be determined as in 7.5 (5) and (6).
8.10 Alternative method for stability of web-post between circular openings
(1) This alternative method to check the resistance to buckling of the web-post between equal
diameter circular openings may be applied to beams fabricated from rolled sections or from welded
plates provided that:
0,1 ≤ so/ho ≤ 0,5 and so ≥ 50 mm
ho ≤ 60 tw ε
1,3 ≤ tf / tw ≤ 2

The steel grade should not exceed S460 in using these formulae.

33
prEN XXXX:XXXX (E)

For beams fabricated from welded plates, the flange and web should be of the same steel grade and
quality. They should be continuously welded on both sides of the web with a minimum thickness of the
larger of half of the web thickness and 6 mm.
(2) For web-posts between circular openings in Figure 8.7, the buckling resistance of the upper and
lower part of the web-post should be verified separately:

N w,Ed (8.42)
≤ 1,0
κ N w,Rd

Where:
Nw,Ed is the equivalent design force for web-post buckling either in the upper part or the lower
part of the web-post according to (5).
Nw.Rd is the buckling resistance of the part of the web-post under consideration calculated
according to (7).
κ is the post-critical factor calculated in (9).

Figure 8.7 — Internal forces and moments in the web-post between circular openings

(3) The critical section should be taken at a vertical distance dwp from the centre-line of the openings,
as follows:
(8.43)
h α 4 + 8α 2 − 2 − α 2
dwp = o
2 2

where α = s/ho
(4) The width, swp, of the critical web-post section should be given by:

 2  (8.44)
  2 d wp  
s wp= h0 α − 1 −  
  h0  
 

34
 prEN XXXX:XXXX (E)

(5) The equivalent design force for web-post buckling acting on the critical section should be
calculated from:
6 𝑀𝑀𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤.𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸,𝑡𝑡 (8.45)
𝑁𝑁𝑤𝑤,𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸,𝑡𝑡 = 2 for the top part
𝑠𝑠𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤  �1−4 �𝑑𝑑𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤,𝑡𝑡 /�0 � �

6 𝑀𝑀𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤.𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸,𝑏𝑏 (8.46)
𝑁𝑁𝑤𝑤,𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸,𝑏𝑏 = 2 for the bottom part
𝑠𝑠𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤  �1−4 �𝑑𝑑𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤,𝑏𝑏 /�0 � �

The in–plane bending moment at the critical section is given by:

Mwp,Ed,t = Vwp,Ed dwp,t + Mwp.Ed for the top part (8.47)
Mwp,Ed.b = Vwp.Ed dwp,b - Mwp.Ed for the bottom part (8.48)
Where Mwp.Ed is determined in 8.6.2 (4).
(6) The distribution of the shear force between the top part and the bottom part should be taken as:

Vt,Ed = kAv,t VEd and Vb,Ed = (1-kAv,t) VEd (8.49)

Where the factor kAv is given by:

Av,tTη (8.50)
kAv,t = η η
Av,tT + Av,bT

Where:
Av,tT are the shear areas of the top Tee
1 (8.51)
η= for 1,08 ≤ α < 1,5
9, 48 − 4,84 α

and η = 0,45 for α ≥ 1,5

Note: For symmetrical sections, kAv,t=0,5

(7) The buckling resistance of the web-post should be given by:

Νw.Rd = χw ξ swp tw fy / γM1 (8.52)

Where:
χw is the reduction factor using buckling curve a defined in EN 1993-1-1:20XX, 8.3.1.3 and
from the non-dimensional slenderness given in (8).
ξ Shape factor of the critical section, where:

2 x10 −5 (8.53)
ξ = 1,5 +
(α − 1) 4

(8) The web-post relative slenderness should be obtained from:

35
prEN XXXX:XXXX (E)

ξ fy (8.54)
λ=
σ w,cr

Where σw,cr is the critical principal stress in the critical section at the edge of the opening, which may be
obtained either by buckling analysis or appropriate analytical formulae as for instance the ones in [1] and
[2].
(9) The post-critical factor is given by the following Formula:

κ = 1 + 0,625 (ψ – 0,3) but: 1,0 ≤ κ ≤ 1,25 (8.55)

Where ψ is a moment ratio given as follows:

For the top Tee: ψ = Mpl,Rd,tT / (sVt,Ed) (8.56)

For the bottom Tee: ψ = Mpl,Rd,bT / (sVb,Ed) (8.57)

With Mpl,Rd,tT and Mpl,Rd,bT are the design plastic resistance

to bending of the top and bottom Tee cross-section
respectively

8.11 Alternative method for sinusoidal openings

8.11.1 General

(1) This alternative method applies only to steel beams that are symmetric about both axes of the
cross-section.
(2) The method applies to sinusoidal openings, whose shape is defined in Figure 1.1 (f), in which the
edge to edge spacing of the openings, bo ≥ 150 mm.
(3) The web-post buckling resistance should be verified. The simplified method in 8.6.3 (6) may be
used.
(4) The method is described in detail in [3] and provides specific rules for Vierendeel bending
resistance and horizontal shear resistance of the web-post.

8.11.2 Vierendeel bending

(1) The global bending and shear resistances should be verified at the centre of the openings.
(2) The effects of Vierendeel bending of the Tees should be verified along the opening, at increments,
i, of not more than ao/50 (see Figure 8.8).
qEd
Vm,sup,l

Mm
Nm,sup,l

MEd,l MEd,r
dG VEd,l VEd,r

Vm,inf,l

Nm,inf,l

36
 prEN XXXX:XXXX (E)

Figure 8.8 — Internal forces and moments at the critical section of a sinusoidal opening

(3) The bending moment due to loading applied to the Tee should be included in the design checks.
(4) Shear, compression and bending interactions should be checked at all increments.
(5) At all increments, i, the shear force, Vi,Ed , should satisfy the shear resistance in 8.2.6 of EN 1993-
1-1:20XX.
(6) The moment and axial force interaction should satisfy:

Γ 2MNV,tT + Γ 2MNV,bT (8.58)

Γ MNVo = ≤ 1,0
2

Where ΓMNV,tT and ΓMNV,bT are the interaction criteria for the top and bottom Tees respectively that are
defined in (7).
(7) The moment and axial force and shear force interaction criterion for a Tee should be checked as
follows for the increment with the highest value of:
𝛼𝛼𝑣𝑣
|𝑀𝑀𝑖𝑖 | |𝑁𝑁𝑖𝑖 | (8.59)
𝛤𝛤MNV   =   �  + � � �≤ 1,0
𝑀𝑀𝑉𝑉,𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝,𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅,𝑖𝑖 𝑁𝑁𝑉𝑉,𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝,𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅,𝑖𝑖

Where
Mi, Ni are the applied bending moment and the axial force in the Tee at each increment, i.
MV,pl,Rd,i, NV,pl,Rd,i are the plastic bending resistance and axial resistance in the Tee reduced due to
the presence of shear force at each increment in 8.2.
αV is a calibration parameter which may be conservatively taken as 1,0. According to 8.11.1 (4),
αV may have a value between 1,0 and 2,0.

8.12 Lateral torsional buckling

(1) A laterally unrestrained member with web openings subject to a major axis bending moment
should be verified against lateral torsional buckling. The design value of the bending moment MEd acting
on the beam should satisfy:

M Ed (8.60)
≤ 1,0
M b,Rd

Where Mb,Rd is the design buckling bending resistance of the beam with openings.
(2) The design buckling bending resistance Mb,Rd should be calculated according to 8.3.2.1 (3) of EN
1993-1-1:20XX, using a value of MRk calculated at the centre of the largest opening.
(3) The relative slenderness for lateral torsional buckling, λ LT , should be calculated according to
8.3.2.2 (1) of EN 1993-1-1, using the cross-section properties calculated at the centre of the largest
opening.
(4) χLT should be calculated to 8.3.2.3 (2) of EN 1993-1-1:20XX using the following buckling curve
selection:

37
prEN XXXX:XXXX (E)

• Buckling curve c for double symmetrical beams fabricated from rolled profiles

• Buckling curve d for other cases.

(5) For double symmetrical beams, 8.3.2.3 (1) of EN 1993-1-1:20XX may be used.

9 Serviceability limit state

(1) Large web openings lead to an additional bending and shear deflections which should be
calculated by a suitable method based on elastic principles, such as in 7.2(4) and (5). However,
approximations are appropriate for standard cases such as uniformly loaded and simply supported
beams with multiple evenly spaced circular or hexagonal openings. For other cases, the contribution of
each opening to the deflection at mid-span should be determined according to (3) and added for all
openings. For a long opening for which aeff exceeds 2ho , (5) and (6) apply.
(2) Provided that the conditions in 8.1.2 and 8.1.3 are satisfied and the beam is subject to quasi-static
loading, simplified rules (4) to (7) for calculating additional deflections may be used and it is not
necessary to calculate the stresses at the openings at the serviceability limit state.
(3) For simply supported uniformly loaded beams, the combined additional bending and Vierendeel
bending deflection, wadd, at mid-span due to a single opening at position, xo, from the nearer support may
be given approximately by:

wadd  h 3t   xo  xo  2  aeff   ho 3  h   Ia   2 xo
3
  aeff   h 
3 (9.1)
1,6  w   1-         + 29ko  3  1-  h - h   L 
wb  Ia   L  L   h   h   L   h tw  L  o   

for xo ≤ 0.5L
Where:
wb is the pure bending deflection at mid-span calculated using the second moment of area, Ia , of
the solid web beam.
aeff is the effective opening length taken for deflection purposes as in 7.4 (2).
ko is a coefficient given by:
ko = 1.0 for unstiffened openings
ko = 0.5 for longitudinally stiffened openings satisfying the limits in 8.1.2 (1).
(4) For simply supported beams with no multiple evenly spaced circular or hexagonal openings
subject to uniformly distributed loading, the additional deflection at mid-span, wadd, may be taken by:

wadd h  h
3 2 (9.2)
= 10no  o    for so or b0> 0,35 ho
wb  h  L

wadd
3
 h   h  h 
2 (9.3)
= 3,5no  o   o    for so or b0≤ 0,35 ho
wb  h   so   L 

(5) For openings in which aeff exceeds 2ho, the shear deflection due to Vierendeel bending across the
opening should not exceed wVier,max .
Note: wVier,max is taken as equal to aeff/100 for roofs or aeff/150 in other cases, unless the National Annex
gives different values for use in a country.
(6) The shear deflection due to Vierendeel bending across a rectangular, elongated or sinusoidal
opening may be determined from:

38
 prEN XXXX:XXXX (E)

𝑉𝑉ser,Ed 𝑎𝑎𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 3 (9.4)

𝑤𝑤𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉,add =
12 𝐸𝐸 (𝐼𝐼𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 + 𝐼𝐼𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 )

Where:
Vser, Ed is the shear force at the centre-line of the opening at the serviceability limit state.

10 Bibliography
[1] D. Bitar, P-O Martin, Y. Galéa, T. Demarco ; Revue Construction Métallique CM2006-1; “Poutres
cellulaires acier et mixtes – Partie 1 : Proposition d’un modèle pour la résistance des montants”.
[2] P.O Martin; Revue Construction Métallique CM2018-3; “ Elastic buckling of cellular beam post».
[3] P-O Martin, M. Couchaux, O. Vassart, A. Bureau; Engineering structures 143 (2017) 113-126 ; “An
analytical method for the resistance of cellular beams with sinusoidal openings”; www-
elsevier.com/locate/engstruct”.

39