©COMPUTERS AND STRUCTURES, INC.

, BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA DECEMBER 2001

STEEL FRAME DESIGN AISC-LRFD93
Technical Note
Classification of Sections

This Technical Note explains the classification of sections when the user se-
lects the AISC-LRFD93 design code.

Overview
The nominal strengths for axial compression and flexure are dependent on
the classification of the section as Compact, Noncompact, Slender, or Too
Slender. The program classifies individual members according to the limiting
width/thickness ratios given in Table 1 and Table 2 (LRFD B5.1, A-G1, Table
A-F1.1). The definition of the section properties required in these tables is
given in Figure 1 and Technical Note the General and Notation Steel Frame
Design AISC-LRFD93. Moreover, special considerations are required regarding
the limits of width-thickness ratios for Compact sections in Seismic zones and
Noncompact sections with compressive force as given in Table 2. If the limits
for Slender sections are not met, the section is classified as Too Slender.
Stress check of Too Slender sections is beyond the scope of this pro-
gram.

In classifying web slenderness of I-shapes, Box, and Channel sections, it is

assumed that there are no intermediate stiffeners. Double angles are conser-
vatively assumed to be separated.

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Steel Frame Design AISC-LRFD93 Classification of Sections

Table 1 Limiting Width-Thickness Ratios for Classification of Sections in

Flexure Based on AISC-LRFD

Description Check COMPACT NONCOMPACT SLENDER

of Section λ (λp) λr (λslender)
bf / 2tf ≤ 65 / Fy ≤ 141 / Fy − 10.0 No limit
(rolled)
bf / 2tf Fy − 16.5
≤ 65 / Fy ≤ 162 / No limit
(welded) kc

For Pu / ϕbPy ≤ 0.125,

≤ 640 1 − 2.75Pu 
I-SHAPE Fy  ϕ b Py 
14,000
For Pu / ϕbPy > 0.125, 970  Pu 
h c / tw ≤ 1 − 0.74  ≤ Fy (Fy + 16.5)
F  ϕ b Py 

191  P 
 ≤ 260
2.33 − u
Fy  ϕ b Py 

≤
≥ 253
Fy

b / tf ≤ 190 / Fy ≤ 238 / Fy No limit

BOX ≤ 970 / Fy
h c / tw As for I-shapes As for I-shapes
b f / tf As for I-shapes As for I-shapes No limit
CHANNEL As for I-shapes
h c / tw As for I-shapes As for I-shapes
bf / 2tf As for I-shapes As for I-shapes No limit
T-SHAPE No limit
d / tw Not applicable ≤ 127 / Fy

ANGLE b/t Not applicable ≤ 76 / Fy No limit

DOUBLE-
ANGLE b/t Not applicable ≤ 76 / Fy No limit
(Separated)
≤ 13,000 / Fy
PIPE D/t ≤ 2,070 / Fy ≤ 8,970 / Fy (Compression only)
No limit for flexure
ROUND
 Assumed Compact
BAR
RECTAN-
 Assumed Compact
GULAR
GENERAL  Assumed Compact

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Steel Frame Design AISC-LRFD93 Classification of Sections

Table 2 Limiting Width-Thickness Ratios for Classification of Sections

(Special Cases) Based on AISC-LRFD

Width- NONCOMPACT
Thickness (Uniform Compression)
Description Ratio (M22 ≈ M33 ≈ 0)
of Section λ (λr)
bf / 2tf
≤ 95 / Fy
(rolled)
I-SHAPE bf / 2tf
≤ 95 / Fy
(welded)
h c / tw ≤ 253 / Fy

b / tf ≤ 238 / Fy
BOX
h c / tw ≤ 253 / Fy
b f / tf As for I-shapes
CHANNEL
h c / tw As for I-shapes
bf / 2tf As for I-shapes
T-SHAPE
d / tw ≤ 127 / Fy

ANGLE b/t ≤ 76 / Fy
DOUBLE-ANGLE
b/t ≤ 76 / Fy
(Separated)
PIPE D/t ≤ 3,300 / Fy
ROUND BAR  Assumed Compact
RECTANGULAR  Assumed Noncompact
GENERAL  Assumed Noncompact

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Steel Frame Design AISC-LRFD93 Classification of Sections

2, y
AISC-LRFD93: Axes Conventions
2-2 is the cross section axis parallel to the webs,
the longer dimension of tubes,
the longer leg of single angles, or 3, x 3, x
the side by side legs of double angles.
This is the same as the y-y axis.
3-3 is orthogonal to 2-2. This is the same as the
x-x axis.
2, y

Figure 1 AISC-LRFD Definition of Geometric Properties

Classification of Sections Page 4 of 4