❑ ECONOMIC SECTIONS:

S
▪ From the flexure formula 𝑓𝑏 = 𝑀𝑦 / 𝐼, it can be seen that the bending

O
stress at the neutral axis, where 𝑦 = 0, is zero and increases linearly

AM
outwards. This means that for a rectangular or circular section a large
portion of the cross section near the middle section is under stressed.

R
N
O
YN
𝑓𝑏 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥

E
R
𝑓𝑏 = 0
R
G
N

𝑓𝑏 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥
E
▪ For steel beams or composite beams, instead of adopting the rectangular
shape, the area may be arranged so as to give more area on the outer

S
fiber and maintaining the same overall depth and saving a lot of

O
weight. Flange

AM
Web

R
N
O
YN
❑ Standard Structural Shapes:

E
R
Wide Flange - W-Shape R
I-Beam – S-Shapes
G

Angles
N
E

Channels
❑ PROCEDURE:

▪ Neglecting the weight of the beam draw the shear and bending moment

S
diagrams of the beam to determine the maximum moment, 𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 .

O
AM
𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥
▪ Determine the allowable minimum section modulus, 𝑆𝑚𝑖𝑛 = , where 𝜎𝑤 is
𝜎𝑤
the working stress.

R
▪ Choose the lightest shape from the list of structural shapes for which

N
𝑆 ≥ 𝑆𝑚𝑖𝑛 and note its weight.

O
YN
▪ Calculate the maximum bending stress 𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 in the selected beam caused by
the prescribed loading plus the weight of the beam. If 𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 ≤ 𝜎𝑤 the

E
selection is finished. Otherwise, the second lightest shape with 𝑆 ≥ 𝑆𝑚𝑖𝑛

R
must be considered and the maximum bending stress recalculated.
R
▪ The process must be repeated until a satisfactory shape is found.
G
N
E
Illustrative Problem #1:

S
Determine the lightest W-shape that can support a 45 𝑘𝑁 concentrated load

O
as shown in the figure without exceeding a flexural stress of 120 𝑀𝑃𝑎.

AM
R
N
O
YN
E
SECTION
R S 𝒎𝒎𝟑 WEIGHT 𝒌𝒈Τ
𝒎
R
W200 x 52 511𝑥103 52
G

W250 x 44.8 531𝑥103 44.8

N
E

W310 x 38.7 547𝑥103 38.7

E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
Illustrative Problem #2:

S
Determine the lightest W-shape that can support the load as shown in

O
the figure without exceeding a flexural stress of 110 𝑀𝑃𝑎.

AM
R
N
O
YN
E
SECTION R S 𝒎𝒎𝟑 𝒌𝒈Τ
R
WEIGHT 𝒎
G

W310 x 52 747𝑥103 52
N

W410 x 46.1 773𝑥103 46.1

E

W360 x 51 796𝑥103 51
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
Problem Set:
1. Determine the lightest W200 section that can support the load as

S
shown in the figure if the allowable flexural stress is limited to

O
120 MPa.

AM
R
N
O
YN
E
R
R
G
N
E
Problem Set:
2. Determine the lightest Wx250 section that can support the load as

S
shown in the figure if the allowable flexural stress is not to exceed

O
100 MPa.

AM
R
N
O
YN
E
R
R
G
N
E
Problem Set:
3. Determine the lightest Wx310 section that can support the load as

S
shown in the figure if the allowable flexural stress is limited to

O
110 MPa.

AM
R
N
O
YN
E
R
R
G
N
E
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S
E
N
G
R
R
E
YN
O
N
R
AM
O
S