CHAPTER12

DIMENSIONAL TOLERANCES

12.1 GENERAL

Steel structures consist of prefabricated elements which are

assembled together in the erection stage. In order to ensure the real
safety of the structure in comparison to the theoretical assumption
concerning the geometry of the load application, the dimensional
tolerances specified herein shall be observed

12.2 TYPES OF TOLERANCES

12.2.1 Normal Tolerances

Normal tolerances are the basic limits for dimensional deviations

· necessary:
- To satisfy the design assumptions for statically loaded
structures.
- To define acceptable tolerances for building structures in the
absence of any other requirements.

12.2.2 Special Tolerances

Special tolerances are more stringent tolerances necessary to

satisfy the design assumptions:
- For structures other than normal building structures.
- For structures in which fatigue predominates.

12.2.3 Particular Tolerances

Particular tolerances are more stringent tolerances necessary to

satisfy functional requirements of particular structures or structural
components, related to:
-Attachment of other structural or non-structural components.
- Shafts for lifts (elevators).
- Tracks for overhead cranes.
- Other criteria such as clearances.

Dimensional Tolerances 214

 - Alignment of external face of building.

12.3 APPLICATION OF TOLERANCES

1. All tolerance values specified in the following shall be treated as

normal tolerances.

2. Normal tolerances apply to conventional single-storey and multi-

storey steel framed structures of residential, administrative,
commercial and industrial buildings except where special or
particular tolerances are spe~ified.

3. Any special or particular tolerances required shall be detailed in

the Project Specification.

4. Any special or particular tolerances required shall -also be

·indicated on the relevant drawings.

12.4 NORMAL ERECTION TOLERANCES

1. The following normal tolerance limits relate to the steel structure

in the unloaded state, i.e., structure loaded only by its own weight,
see the following Tables and figures.

2. Each criterion given in the Tables shall be considered as a

separate requirement, to· be satisfied independently of any other
tolerances criteria.

3. The fabrication and erection tolerances specified in Clauses 12.5

to 12.7 apply to the following reference points:

- For a column, the actual center point of the column at each

floor level and at the base, excluding any base plates.
- For a beam, the actual center point of the top surface •at each
end of the beam excluding any endplate.

4. All elements should be checked after fabrication and before

erection for the allowable tolerances according to Clause 12.5.

Dimensional Tolerances 215

 12.5 PERMISSIBLE DEVIATIONS OF FABRICATED ELEMENTS

Deviation 3max Fig.

Deflection of column fh1 ± 0.001 h11 generally. 12.1.
between points which will ± 0.002 h11 for members
be laterally restrained on with hollow cross-section.
completion of erection. h 11 is the height between
points which will be
laterallv restrained.
Deflection of column fh ± 0.001 h 1 generally. 12.1
between floor slabs. ± 0.002 h1 for members
with hollow cross-section.
h1 is the height between
floor slabs.
Lateral deflection of f11 ± 0.001 fb1 generally. 12.2
compression flange of ± 0.002 fb1 for memBers
. girder, relative to the weak with hollow cross-section.
axis, between points which fb1 is ;the length between
will be laterally restrained points which will be
on completion of erection. laterallv restrained.
Lateral deflection of girder. f1 ± 0.001 fb generally. 12.2
± 0.002 fb for members
with hollow cross-section.
tb is the total length of
oirder.
Maximum bow of web for fw hw /150. 12.3
girders and columns (depth
of web hw, width of flange
b).
Inclination of web between Vw hw/75. 12.3
upper and lower flanges.
Eccentricity of the web in Vw1 b/40:;;;; 10 mm. 12.3
relation to the center of
either flanoe.
Positional deviation of parts e1 7 mm in any direction. 12.4
connected to a girder or
column e.g., cover plate,
base olate etc.
Dimensional Tolerances 216
 Deviation a max Fig.
Positional deviation of e1 5 mm in any direction. 12.4
adjacent end plates of
girders.
Length of prefabricated Aft + 0.0 12.5
components to be fitted -5 mm.
Ahc
between other components
Maximum bow of web for fw Least panel dimension 12.3
plate girders with /115 For d/tw < 150. and
intermediate stiffeners Least panel dimension 12.6
(depth of web d, thickness /90 For d/tw 2: 150.
of web tw).
Flanges of plate girders. A A s C/250 s 6 mm. 12.7
Unevenness of plates in 1 mm over a gauge
the case of contact bearing length of 300 mm.
surfaces.

12.6 PERMISSIBLE DEVIATIONS OF COLUMN FOUNDATIONS

1- The deviation of the center line for anchor bolts within the group
of bolts at any column base shall not exceed the following:

=
- For bolts rigidly cast in, between centers of bolts: a 1 10 mm in
any direction.
- For bolts set in sleeves, between centers of sleeves: a 1 20=
mm in any direction.

2- The distance between two adjacent columns, measured at the

base of the steel structure, shall not exceed the value a 2 = ± 1O mm
of the nominal distance (Fig.12.8).

3- With.column rows, the sum of single deviations a 2 , referred to the

length L of the row i shall not exceed the value (Fig. 12.8):

Ia3 I :; ; 15 mm for Ls 30 m.
Ia3I s 15 + 0.25 (L - 30) mm for L > 30 m (maximum 50 mm).
Dimensional Tolerances 217
12.7 PERMISSIBLE DEVIATIONS OF ERECTED STRUCTURES

Deviation amax Fia.

Overall dimensions of the }:Ah ± 20 mm for L s; 30 m. 12.9
building .. or ± 20 + 0.25 (L - 30) mm.
}:AL For L > 30 m (maximum
50 mm).
Level of top of floor slab. Ah ±5mm. 12.5
Floor bearind on column.
Inclination of column in a Vh 0.003 h1. 12.10
multi-storey building; h1 = Floor height under
maximum deviation for consideration.
the vertical line between
adiacent floor slabs.
Inclination of column in a V1 · 0.0035( L h1 )3/(n+2) 12.11
multi-storey building;
maximum deviation for n = Number of floors.
the vertical line through
the intended location of
the column base.
Inclination of column in a Vh1 0.0035 h 12.12
single-storey residential
building; h = Single-storey floor
maximum deviation for height.
the vertical line.
Inclination of column of a Yhp1 Individual =
12.13
portal frame in an Vhp1 or vhp2 s; 0.01 O h
industrial building, (not or or
supporting crane gantry), Yhp2 Mean=
maximum deviation for 12.14
the vertical line. (vhp1 + Vhp2) s; 0.002 h
2
Unintentional eccentricity eo 5mm. 12.15
of airder bearina.
Distance between Ats ± 15 mm. 12.9
adjacent steel columns at
anvlevel.

Dimensional Tolerances 218

 Deviation 8max Fig.
Distance between Att ±20 mm. 12.5,
adjacent steel girders at
anvlevel.
Positional deviation of a e2 5 mm in any direction. 12.16
column base in relation to
the column axis through
the head of the column
below (applied also in the
case of indirect load
transmission).
Deviation in level of Ahc +o.o mm. 12.17
bearing surfaces on steel -10 mm.
columns (crane girder -
level).
Positional deviation of ea ±Smm. 12.18
bearing surfaces.

Dimensional Tolerances 219

 Detail(1)
Detail(1)

Figure (12.1) Inclination and Deflections of Columns

I I f11 I

:-r==i 0%:r.
I b1 .:
De!ail(2)

Figure (12.2) Deflection of Girders

Dimensional Tolerances 220

 1
Figure (12.3) Deviations in Welded Girders

Figure (12.4) Deviation in Connecting Pieces

Dimensional Tolerances 221

 hi Level of Top of Floor Slab

IEr&h) 6h

he
Floor Bearing on Column

Deviation From hi
Column Length With
Intermediate Components

6hc Deviation From he

4 Distance Between Adjacent
Girders
6£1 Deviation From £1

Figure (12.5) Deviation in Height and Length

,, d
1

I. a1 .I. az .I
1
Figure (12.6) Welded Plate Girder

Dimensional Tolerances 222

 Figure (12.7) Deviation in Flanges of Welded Plate Girders

-l
I ~
"1 N
O O

fj ±02
I• •I• •I• •!• •I

Figure (12.8) Deviation in Length at Base of Steel Structure

(Plan)

Dimensional Tolerances 223

 L ±a

Figure (12.9) Deviation in Length ( Vertical Section)

Figure (12.10) Inclination of Column in a.Multi-Storey Building

Dimensional Tolerances 224

 Figure (12.11) Inclination of Column in a Multi-Storey Building

Figure (12.12) Inclination of Column in a Single-Storey Building

Dimensional Tolerances 225

 Figure (12.13) Inclination of Column in a Portal Frame

Figure (12.14) Inclination of Column in a Portal Frame

Dimensional Tolerances 226

 Figure (12.15) Eccentricity of Girder Bearing

Figure (12.16) Deviations in Columns Splices

Dimensional Tolerances; 227

 11
-I ~3

Figure (12.17) Deviations in Figure (12.18) Deviation in

Level of Bearing Surfaces Position of Bearing Surfaces

Dimensional Tolerances 228