QM Aligned Course Design Template

Course Name: CE 3130: Steel Structures Design

Module 10: Title Design Beam-Columns.
Module Overview / Introduction (ST. 1 - 8)
There have been essentially three major pproaches to the design of beam-colum
in steel specifications:
1.- The secant Formula Method which is based on rationally develop analytical
expressions obtained by assuming that initiation of yielding, caused by the applied
loads and incluiding the effect of an assumed initial crookedness or an initial accidental
end eccentricity, will terminate the usefulness of the member. Historically this is the
earliest approach.

2.- Interaction Equations which are empirically determined and experimentally tested.
They relate the interaction between the axial force, bending moments, and member
geometry at the limiting working stress by means of simple algebraic expressions. This
approach is by far the most popular in steel building specifications because of its
simplicity and versatility.

3.- Maximum strength interaction curves which are theoretically develop and have
been used as the basis of the plastic design concept. (Machaly-2005)

Module Learning Objectives (ST. 2 & 8)

Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:
1. Understanding the basic concepts associated to design under bending & axial
forces.
2. Selection of the materials, shape dimensions to prevent excessive deflections.
3. Design of beams-columns.

DEFINITION:
Because of the many variables in the interaction formulas, the design of beam–
columns is essentially a trial-and-error process. (Segui-2013)
The cross sections of members with combined flexure and tension must
comply with formula (H1-1a) or (H1-1b), whichever is applicable:
𝐹𝑜𝑟 (𝑃𝑢 ⁄𝜑𝑡 𝑃𝑛 ) ≥ 0.2

𝑃𝑢 8 𝑀𝑢𝑥 𝑀𝑢𝑦
+ ( + ) ≤ 1.0 (𝑯𝟏 − 𝟏𝒂)
𝜑𝑡 𝑃𝑛 9 𝜑𝑡 𝑀𝑛𝑥 𝜑𝑏 𝑀𝑛𝑦
 𝐹𝑜𝑟 (𝑃𝑢 ⁄𝜑𝑡 𝑃𝑛 ) < 0.2

𝑃𝑢 𝑀𝑢𝑥 𝑀𝑢𝑦
+( + ) ≤ 1.0 (𝑯𝟏 − 𝟏𝒃)
2𝜑𝑡 𝑃𝑛 𝜑𝑏 𝑀𝑛𝑥 𝜑𝑏 𝑀𝑛𝑦

In these interaction formulas, the terms in the numerators (𝑃𝑢 , 𝑀𝑢𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑀𝑛𝑥 )
are the required tensile and flexural strengths calculated from the combinations of
factored loads. The Term in the denominators are as follows: 𝜑𝑡 𝑃𝑛 is the design tensile
strength, and 𝜑𝑏 𝑀𝑛 is the desing flexural strength. The subscript x refers to bending
about the major principal centroidal (or x) axis; y refers to the minor principal
centroidal (or y) axis. (Rokach-1991)

Interaction formulas (𝑯𝟏 − 𝟏𝒂) and (𝑯𝟏 − 𝟏𝒃) cover the general case of axial
force combined with biaxial bending. They are also vaild for uniaxial bending (i.e., if
𝑀𝑢𝑥 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑀𝑢𝑦 = 0, in which case they can plotted as Figure 1:

Figure 1 Interaction formulas (H 1-1a) and (H 1-1b) modified for axial load combined
with bending about one axis only. (Rokach-1991)
Example 1.
Find the lightest W8 in A36 steel to support a factored load of 100 kips in tension with
an eccentricity of 6 in. The member is 6 ft long and is laterally braced only at the
supports;
𝐶𝑏 =1.0. Try orientations (a) to (c) in Figure 2.

Figure 2.
100 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠 𝑥 6𝑖𝑛
Given: 𝑃𝑢 = 100 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠; 𝑀𝑢 = 𝑃𝑢 𝑒 = = 50 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠 − 𝑓𝑡.
12 𝑖𝑛/𝑓𝑡
For orientation. (a) in Figure 2:
𝑃𝑢 = 100 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠; 𝑀𝑢𝑥 = 50 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠 − 𝑓𝑡. , 𝑀𝑢𝑦 = 0
Try a W8 x 28: the design tensile strength (for a cross section with no holes)
𝜑𝑡 𝑃𝑛 = 𝜑𝑡 𝐹𝑦 𝐴𝑔
= 0.90 𝑥 36 𝑘𝑠𝑖 𝑥 8.25 𝑖𝑛2 = 267 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠
For (𝐿𝑏 = 6.0 𝑓𝑡) < (𝐿𝑝 = 6.8 𝑓𝑡), the design flexural strength for x-axis bending
𝜑𝑏 𝑀𝑛𝑥 = 𝜑𝑏 𝑀𝑝 = 𝜑𝑏 𝑍𝑥 𝐹𝑦
0.90 𝑥 27.2 𝑖𝑛3 𝑥36 𝑘𝑠𝑖.
= = 73.4 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠 − 𝑓𝑡
12 𝑖𝑛/𝑓𝑡
Which is also the tabulated vale for 𝜑𝑏 𝑀𝑝 for a W8x28 in the Beam Selection Table In
Part 3, of the AISC LFRD Manual.
𝑃𝑢 100 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠
𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 = = 0.37 > 0.2
𝜑𝑡 𝑃𝑛 267 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠
The first of the two interaction formulas applies:
𝑃𝑢 8 𝑀𝑢𝑥 𝑀𝑢𝑦
+ ( + ) ≤ 1.0
𝜑𝑡 𝑃𝑛 9 𝜑𝑡 𝑀𝑛𝑥 𝜑𝑏 𝑀𝑛𝑦
 8 50 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠 − 𝑓𝑡
0.37 + ( + 0) = 0.37 + 0.61 = 0.98 < 1.0 𝑜𝑘.
9 73.4 𝑘𝑖𝑝 − 𝑓𝑡
For orientation (b):
𝑃𝑢 = 100 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠; 𝑀𝑢𝑥 = 0, 𝑀𝑢𝑦 = 50 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠 − 𝑓𝑡.
Again, try a W8 x 28. For all (𝐿𝑏 the design flexural strength for y-axis bending
𝜑𝑏 𝑀𝑛𝑦 = 𝜑𝑏 𝑀𝑝 = 𝜑𝑏 𝑍𝑦 𝐹𝑦
0.90 𝑥 10.1 𝑖𝑛3 𝑥36 𝑘𝑠𝑖.
= = 27.2 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠 − 𝑓𝑡
12 𝑖𝑛/𝑓𝑡
Because:
𝑀𝑢𝑦 = 50 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠 − 𝑓𝑡 > 𝜑𝑏 𝑀𝑛𝑦 = 27.2 𝑘𝑖𝑝 − 𝑓𝑡, 𝑎 𝑊8 𝑥 28 𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑒.
𝑇𝑟𝑦 𝑎 𝑊8 𝑥 48: 𝐴𝑔 = 14.1 𝑖𝑛2 ; 𝑍𝑦 = 22.9 𝑖𝑛2
0.90 𝑥 22.9 𝑖𝑛3 𝑥36 𝑘𝑠𝑖.
𝜑𝑏 𝑀𝑛𝑦 = = 61.8 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠 − 𝑓𝑡
12 𝑖𝑛/𝑓𝑡
𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠
𝜑𝑏 𝑃𝑛 = 𝜑𝑏 𝐹𝑦 𝐴𝑔 = 0.90 𝑥 36 2
𝑥 14.1𝑖𝑛2 = 457 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠.
𝑖𝑛
Because (𝑃𝑢 ⁄𝜑𝑡 𝑃𝑛 ) = (100 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠⁄457 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠) = 0.22 > 0.2, 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑎 (𝐻1 −
1𝑎) again applies.
𝑃𝑢 8 𝑀𝑢𝑥 𝑀𝑢𝑦
+ ( + ) ≤ 1.0
𝜑𝑡 𝑃𝑛 9 𝜑𝑡 𝑀𝑛𝑥 𝜑𝑏 𝑀𝑛𝑦
8 50 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠 − 𝑓𝑡
0.22 + (0 + ) = 0.22 + 0.72 = 0.94 < 1.0 𝑜𝑘.
9 61.8 𝑘𝑖𝑝 − 𝑓𝑡
For orientation (c), assume that the load is eccentric with respect to both principal
axes.
𝑒𝑥 = 𝑒 cos 45° = 6 𝑖𝑛 𝑥 0.707 = 4.2 𝑖𝑛.
𝑒𝑦 = 𝑒 sen 45° = 6 𝑖𝑛 𝑥 0.707 = 4.2 𝑖𝑛.

100 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠 𝑥 4.2 𝑘𝑠𝑖.

𝑀𝑢𝑥 = 𝑃𝑢 𝑒𝑥 = = 35.4 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠 − 𝑓𝑡.
12 𝑖𝑛/𝑓𝑡
 100 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠 𝑥 4.2 𝑘𝑠𝑖.
𝑀𝑢𝑦 = 𝑃𝑢 𝑒𝑦 = = 35.4 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠 − 𝑓𝑡.
12 𝑖𝑛/𝑓𝑡
Again try a W8 x 48, as above.
𝑃𝑢 100 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠
= = 0.22 > 0.2
𝜑𝑡 𝑃𝑛 457 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠
𝜑𝑡 𝑀𝑛𝑦 = 61.8 𝑘𝑖𝑝 − 𝑓𝑡.
Although the W8 x 48 is not listed in the Beam Selection in the AISC LRFD Manual,
𝐿𝑝 = 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝜑𝑏 𝑀𝑛𝑥 , can be calculated from.
300 𝑟𝑦 300 𝑟𝑦
𝐿𝑝 = = = 50 𝑟𝑦
√𝐹𝑦 √36

= 50 𝑥 2.08 𝑖𝑛 = 104 𝑖𝑛 = 8.7 𝑓𝑡.

Since (𝐿𝑏 = 6.0 𝑓𝑡) < (𝐿𝑝 = 8.7 𝑓𝑡)
𝜑𝑏 𝑀𝑛𝑥 = 𝜑𝑏 𝑀𝑝 = 𝜑𝑏 𝑍𝑥 𝐹𝑥
0.90 𝑥 49.0 𝑖𝑛3 𝑥 36 𝑘𝑠𝑖.
= 132 𝑘𝑖𝑝 − 𝑓𝑡.
12 𝑖𝑛/𝑓𝑡
In interaction Formula (H 1-1a):

8 35.4 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠 − 𝑓𝑡 35.4 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠 − 𝑓𝑡

0.22 + ( + )≤1
9 132 𝑘𝑖𝑝 − 𝑓𝑡 61.8 𝑘𝑖𝑝 − 𝑓𝑡
8
= 0.22 + (0.27 + 0.57) = 0.97 < 1.0 𝑜𝑘
9

The most efficient configuration is orientation (a), strong axis bending, which requires
a W8 x 28 as opposed to a W8 x 48 for the other two cases.
Example 2.
Determine the maximum axial tension that can be sustained by a continuosly braced
W10 x 19 beam with a required flexural strength 𝑀𝑢𝑥 = 54 𝑘𝑝 − 𝑓𝑡; A36 steel. Given
are 𝑀𝑢𝑥 = 54 𝑘𝑝 − 𝑓𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑀𝑢𝑦 = 0.

For a W10 x 19:

𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠
𝜑𝑏 𝑃𝑛 = 𝜑𝑏 𝐹𝑦 𝐴𝑔 = 0.90 𝑥 36 2
𝑥 5.62 𝑖𝑛2 = 182 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠.
𝑖𝑛
Since 𝐿𝑏 = 0 < 𝐿𝑝 , 𝜑𝑏 𝑀𝑛𝑥 = 𝜑𝑏 𝑀𝑝 = 58.3 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠 − 𝑓𝑡) (A36 steel) as listed in
Beam Selection Table in the AISC LRFD Manual.
𝑀𝑢𝑥 54 𝑘𝑖𝑝 − 𝑓𝑡
= = 0.93
𝜑𝑏 𝑀𝑛𝑥 58.3 𝑘𝑖𝑝 − 𝑓𝑡
Inspection of formulas (H1-1a) and (H1-1b) indicates that (𝑃𝑢 ⁄𝜑𝑡 𝑃𝑛 ) < 0.2 is required.
Consequently tha latter interaction formula governs.
𝑃𝑢 𝑀𝑢𝑥 𝑀𝑢𝑦
+( + ) ≤ 1.0
2𝜑𝑡 𝑃𝑛 𝜑𝑏 𝑀𝑛𝑥 𝜑𝑏 𝑀𝑛𝑦
𝑃𝑢
+ (0.93 + 0. ) ≤ 0, 𝑃𝑢 ≤ 26 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠.
2𝑥182 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠
The maximum required (or factored) axial tensile force is 26 kips.
CONCLUSION:
1. Its assumed for this discussion that it is desired to select the most economical
section to resist both a moment and an axial load. By a trial-and-error procedure,
it is possible eventually to select the lightest section. (McCormac-2012)
2. If the section does not satisfy the equation, or if it’s too much on the safe side
(that is, if it’s overdesigned), another section is selected, and the interaction
equations is applied again. (McCormac-2012).
3. Actual “unbraced frames” always have attachments which are designed as
nonstructural elements; however, such items do actually contribute some
bracing to the structure. In other words, a real building can never be as flexible
as the skeleton elastic frame. In addition, such items as exterior walls; partitions,
and stairways, all tends to add to the overall stiffness. (Machaly-2005)
Learning Activities and Learner Interactions
Activity 1.1 (ST. 3, 5, 6 & 8) Please read Notes 3-4 for more information about the
activities
Objective:
Upon completion this activity you will be able to determinate the shear strength of
connection member’s shown.
Students Instructions:
1) This activity is for calculation.
2) You can realize this assessment once.
3) This exercise is worth 5 points; however, it is important to make it to reinforce
your learning.
4) The deadline is indicated on “Calendar”, which is located in “Tools” in the
Blackboard platform

Question:
Check the adequacy of W10 x 30 as a simply supported beam carrying the
concentrated factored load shown in Figure 3. The beam is of A36 steel and has lateral
bracing only at the support.

Figure 3. (Rokach-1991)
Learning Activities and Learner Interactions
Activity 1.2 (ST. 3, 5, 6 & 8) Please read Notes 3-4 for more information about the
activities
Objective:
Upon completion this activity you will be able to determinate the shear strength of
connection member’s shown.
Students Instructions:
1) This activity is for calculation.
2) You can realize this assessment once.
3) This exercise is worth 5 points; however, it is important to make it to reinforce
your learning.
4) The deadline is indicated on “Calendar”, which is located in “Tools” in the
Blackboard platform

Question:
Select a trial W section for both LRFD and ASD for an unbraced frame and the following
data: 𝐹𝑦 = 50 𝑘𝑠𝑖, (𝐾𝐿)𝑥 = (𝐾𝐿)𝑦 = 10 𝑓𝑡.
For LRFD: 𝑃𝑛𝑡 = 175 𝑘𝑖𝑝 and 𝑃𝑙𝑡 = 115 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠, 𝑀𝑛𝑡𝑥 = 102 𝑓𝑡 − 𝑘𝑖𝑝, and 𝑀𝑙𝑡𝑥 =
68 𝑓𝑡 − 𝑘𝑖𝑝, 𝑀𝑛𝑡𝑦 = 84 𝑓𝑡 − 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠, 𝑀𝑙𝑡𝑦 = 56 𝑓𝑡 − 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠.
For ASD: 𝑃𝑛𝑡 = 117 𝑘𝑖𝑝 and 𝑃𝑙𝑡 = 78 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠, 𝑀𝑛𝑡𝑥 = 72 𝑓𝑡 − 𝑘𝑖𝑝, and 𝑀𝑙𝑡𝑥 =
48 𝑓𝑡 − 𝑘𝑖𝑝, 𝑀𝑛𝑡𝑦 = 60 𝑓𝑡 − 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠, 𝑀𝑙𝑡𝑦 = 40 𝑓𝑡 − 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠.

Answer:
W14 x 90
W14 x 109
W14 x 82
W12 x 120
References (ST. 4 & 8)

Required Resources:

Steel Design, 5TH. Ed.; William T. Segui – The University of Memphis, USA 2013.

Additional Resources:
Steel Structures Design, 5th. Ed. Mc Cormac, Prentice Hall, 2012.
Behavior, Analysis and Design of Structural Steel Elements, E. Machaly, 5th. Ed. Cairo
Univ. 2005.
Structural Steel Design, Rokach,– Schaum Series, McGraw Hill – 1991 – 1st. ed.