CE134P-2 Classification of Sections

CE134P-2
Principles of Steel & Timber Design

If a beam can be counted on to remain stable
up to the fully plastic condition, the nominal
moment strength can be taken as the plastic
moment capacity; that is,
Stability
The compression portion of the cross section
is restrained by the tension portion, and the
outward deflection (flexural buckling) is
accompanied by twisting (torsion). This
form of instability is called lateral-torsional
buckling (LTB).

Lateral-torsional buckling can be prevented

by bracing the beam against twisting at
sufficiently close intervals.

When a beam bends, the compression region

(above the neutral axis) is analogous to a
column, and in a manner similar to a
column, it will buckle if the member is
slender enough.

Stability
Curve 1 is the load-deflection curve of a beam
that becomes unstable (in any way) and loses its
load-carrying capacity before first yield is
attained.
CE134P-2
Principles of Steel & Timber Design
Curves 2 and 3 correspond to beams that can be
loaded past first yield but not far enough for the
formation of a plastic hinge and the resulting
plastic collapse.
If plastic collapse can be reached, the
load-deflection curve will have the appearance
of either curve 4 or curve 5.
Curve 4 is for the case of uniform moment over
the full length of the beam,
Curve 5 is for a beam with a variable bending
moment (moment gradient).
Safe designs can be achieved with beams
corresponding to any of these curves, but curves
1 and 2 represent inefficient use of material.
 CE134P-2
Principles of Steel & Timber Design
Compact, Noncompact, & Slender Sections

The flexural capacity of an adequately braced

beam depends on the slenderness ratio of
the compression flange and the web.

When the slenderness ratios are sufficiently

small, the beam can attain its full plastic
moment and the cross section is classified as
compact.

When the slenderness ratios are larger, the

compression flange or the web may buckle
locally before a full plastic moment is
attained and the cross section is classified as
noncompact.

When the slenderness ratios are sufficiently

large, local buckling will occur before the
yield stress of the material is reached and the
cross section is classified as slender.
 CE134P-2
Principles of Steel & Timber Design

AISC classifies cross-sectional shapes as compact, noncompact, or slender, depending on the values of the
width-to-thickness ratios.

For I shapes, the ratio for the projecting flange And the ratio for the web (a stiffened
Classification of Shapes

(an unstiffened element) is element) is

 CE134P-2
Principles of Steel & Timber Design
Bending Strength of Compact Shapes

If the maximum bending stress is less than Categorize beams as compact, noncompact, or
the proportional limit when buckling occurs, slender, and then determine the moment
the failure is said to be elastic. Otherwise, it resistance based on the degree of lateral support.
is inelastic.

(1) hot-rolled I shapes bent about the strong

axis and loaded in the plane of the weak axis,
(2) channels bent about the strong axis and
either loaded through the shear center or
If the beam is compact and has continuous lateral
restrained against twisting.
support, or if the unbraced length is very short, the
The shear center is the point on the cross nominal moment strength, Mn, is the full plastic
section through which a transverse load moment capacity of the shape, Mp.
must pass if the beam is to bend without
twisting.
 CE134P-2
Principles of Steel & Timber Design

The moment strength of compact shapes is a function

of the unbraced length, Lb, defined as the distance
Bending Strength of Compact Shapes

between points of lateral support, or bracing.

 CE134P-2
Principles of Steel & Timber Design
Theory of Elastic Stability
 CE134P-2
Principles of Steel & Timber Design
Theory of Elastic Stability
Effect of Modification Factor on Nominal Strength
CE134P-2
Principles of Steel & Timber Design
 CE134P-2
Principles of Steel & Timber Design
Bending Strength of Noncompact Shapes

In general, a noncompact beam may fail by

lateral-torsional buckling, flange local
buckling, or web local buckling.

Any of these types of failure can be in either

the elastic range or the inelastic range.

The strength corresponding to each of

these three limit states must be computed,
and the smallest value will control.

The webs of all hot-rolled shapes in the Manual are compact, so the noncompact shapes are subject
only to the limit states of lateral-torsional buckling and flange local buckling. Built-up welded
shapes, however, can have noncompact or slender webs as well as noncompact or slender flanges.
 CE134P-2
Principles of Steel & Timber Design
Moment Strength of I & C Shaped Sections

1. Determine whether the shape is compact. 3. If the shape is noncompact because of the flange,
the nominal strength will be the smaller of the
2. If the shape is compact, check for strengths corresponding to flange local buckling
lateral-torsional buckling as follows. and lateral-torsional buckling.