NON-COMPACT SHAPE,

SHEAR STRENGTH, AND DEFLECTION

INTRODUCTION
A compact section is a section that has a sufficiently stocky profile so that is capable
of developing a fully plastic stress distribution before buckling locally (web or
flange). A noncompact section is one for which the yield stress can be reached in
some, but not all, of its compression elements before buckling occurs. It is not capable
of reaching fully plastic stress distribution.
λ𝑝< λ ≤ λ𝑟 , the shape is noncompact.
The nominal flexural strength Mn is the lowest of the compression flange local buckling
strength, lateral-torsional buckling strength, or the web-local buckling strength.
NONCOMPACT SECTION
1. For compression flange local buckling strength
NONCOMPACT SECTION
2. For lateral-torsional buckling strength
NONCOMPACT SECTION
3. For web local buckling strength
EXAMPLE 1
A simply supported beam with a span length of 45 feet is laterally supported at its
ends and is subjected to the following service loads:
Dead load = 400 lb/ft (including the weight of the beam)
Live load = 1000 lb/ft
If Fy = 50 ksi, is a W14 × 90 adequate?
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EXAMPLE 2
Determine the LRFD and ASD for W12x65 which has full lateral bracing.
SOLUTION
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SHEAR STRENGTH
From elementary mechanics of materials, the shearing stress is
𝑉𝑄
𝑓𝑣 =
𝐼𝑏

This is based on the assumption that the stress is constant across the width b, and it is therefore
accurate only for small values of b. For a rectangular cross section of depth d and width b, the
error for d/b = 2 is approximately 3%. For d/b = 1, the error is 12% and for d b = 1 ⁄4, it
is 100% (Higdon, Ohlsen, and Stiles, 1960). For this reason, It cannot be applied to the flange
of a W-shape in the same manner as for the web.
SHEAR STRENGTH
Superimposed on the actual distribution is the average stress in the web, V/Aw, which
does not differ much from the maximum web stress. Clearly, the web will completely
yield long before the flanges begin to yield. Because of this, yielding of the web
represents one of the shear limit states. Taking the shear yield stress as 60% of the
tensile yield stress, we can write the equation for the stress in the web at failure as
𝑉𝑛
𝑓𝑣 = = 0.6𝐹𝑦
𝐴𝑤

The nominal strength corresponding to this limit state is therefore

𝑉𝑛 = 0.6𝐹𝑦 𝐴𝑤
AISC/NSCP SPECIFICATIONS FOR SHEAR
1. For LRFD
𝑉𝑢 ≤ ∅𝑣 𝑉𝑛
where
𝑉𝑢 = maximum shear based on the controlling combination of factored loads
∅𝑣 = resistance factor for shear
2. For ASD
𝑉𝑛
𝑉𝑎 ≤
Ω𝑣
where
𝑉𝑎 = maximum shear based on the controlling combination of service loads
Ω𝑣 = safety factor for shear
AISC/NSCP SPECIFICATIONS FOR SHEAR
EXAMPLE 3
A simply supported beam with a span length of 45 feet is laterally supported at its
ends and is subjected to the following service loads:
Dead load = 400 lb/ft (including the weight of the beam)
Live load = 1000 lb/ft
If Fy = 50 ksi, is a W14 × 90 adequate for shear?
SOLUTION
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DEFLECTION
In addition to being safe, a structure must be serviceable. A serviceable structure is
one that performs satisfactorily, not causing any discomfort or perceptions of
unsafety for the occupants or users of the structure. For a beam, being serviceable
usually means that the deformations, primarily the vertical sag, or deflection, must be
limited. Excessive deflection is usually an indication of a very flexible beam, which
can lead to problems with vibrations. The deflection itself can cause problems if
elements attached to the beam can be damaged by small distortions. In addition,
users of the structure may view large deflections negatively and wrongly assume that
the structure is unsafe.
DEFLECTION
For the common case of a simply supported, uniformly loaded beam, the maximum
vertical deflection is
5𝑤𝐿4
∆=
384𝐸𝐼

Deflection is a serviceability limit state, not one of strength, so deflections should

always be computed with service loads
DEFLECTION
The appropriate limit for the maximum deflection depends on the function of the
beam and the likelihood of damage resulting from the deflection. The limits shown for
deflection due to dead load plus live load do not apply to steel beams, because the
dead load deflection is usually compensated for by some means, such as cambering.
Camber is a curvature in the opposite direction of the dead load deflection curve
and can be accomplished by bending the beam, with or without heat. When the dead
load is applied to the cambered beam, the curvature is removed, and the beam
becomes level. Therefore, only the live load deflection is of concern in the completed
structure. Dead load deflection can also be accounted for by pouring a variable
depth slab with a level top surface, the variable depth being a consequence of the
deflection of the beam (this is referred to as ponding of the concrete).
DEFLECTION
EXAMPLE
Compute the dead load and live load deflections for the beam shown. If the
maximum permissible live load deflection is L/360, is the beam satisfactory?
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