6-296 AASHTO LRFD BRIDGE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS, SEVENTH EDITION, 2014

having tension flange holes shall satisfy the requirements of tension flange holes are not allowed over a distance of
Article 6.10.1.8 after the moments are redistributed.
Moments shall be redistributed only at interior-pier
sections for which the cross-sections throughout the
unbraced lengths immediately adjacent to those sections
satisfy the requirements of Articles B6.2.1 through B6.2.6.
If the refined method of Article B6.6 is used for
calculation of the redistribution moments, all interior-pier
sections are not required to satisfy these requirements;
however, moments shall not be redistributed from sections
that do not satisfy these requirements. Such sections
instead shall satisfy the provisions of Articles 6.10.4.2,
6.10.8.1 or Article A6.1, as applicable, after redistribution.
If the provisions of Articles B6.3 or B6.4 are utilized to
calculate interior-pier redistribution moments, the
unbraced lengths immediately adjacent to all interior-pier
sections shall satisfy the requirements of Articles B6.2.1
through B6.2.6.
two times the web depth, D, on either side of the interior-
pier sections from which moments are redistributed. The
distance 2D is an approximate upper bound for the length
of the zone of primary inelastic response at these pier
sections.
Unless a direct analysis is conducted by the Refined
Method outlined in Article B6.6, all the interior-pier
sections of a continuous-span member are required to
satisfy the requirements of Articles B6.2.1 through B6.2.6
in order to redistribute the pier moments. This is because
of the approximations involved in the simplified provisions
of Articles B6.3 and B6.4 and the fact that inelastic
redistribution moments from one interior support generally
produce some nonzero redistribution moments at all of the
interior supports.

B6.2.1—Web Proportions CB6.2.1

The web within the unbraced length under consideration Eq. B6.2.1-1 simply parallels Eq. 6.10.2.1.1-1 and is
shall be proportioned such that: intended to eliminate the use of any benefits from
longitudinal stiffening of the web at the pier section. The
D moment-rotation characteristics of sections with
≤ 150 (B6.2.1-1) longitudinal web stiffeners have not been studied.
tw
Eqs. B6.2.1-2 and B6.2.1-3 are limits of the web
slenderness and the depth of the web in compression
2 Dc E considered in the development of these procedures.
≤ 6.8 (B6.2.1-2)
tw Fyc

and:

Dcp ≤ 0.75 D (B6.2.1-3)

where:

Dc = depth of the web in compression in the elastic

range (in.). For composite sections, Dc shall be
determined as specified in Article D6.3.1.
Dcp = depth of the web in compression at the plastic
moment determined as specified in Article D6.3.2
(in.)

B6.2.2—Compression Flange Proportions CB6.2.2

The compression flange within the unbraced length The compression flange is required to satisfy the
under consideration shall be proportioned such that: compactness limit within the unbraced lengths adjacent to
the pier section. This limit is restated in Eq. B6.2.2-1.
b fc Slightly larger bfc/2tfc values than this limit have been
E
≤ 0.38 (B6.2.2-1) considered within the supporting research for these
2t fc Fyc provisions. The compactness limit from Articles A6.3.2
and 6.10.8.2 is used for simplicity.
and: Eq. B6.2.2-2 represents the largest aspect ratio
D/bfc = 4.25 considered in the supporting research. As
noted in Articles C6.10.2.2 and CB6.1, increasing values

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 SECTION 6: STEEL STRUCTURES 6-297

D of this ratio have a negative influence on the strength and

b fc ≥ (B6.2.2-2) moment-rotation characteristics of I-section members.
4.25

B6.2.3—Section Transitions CB6.2.3

The steel I-section member shall be prismatic within Only members that are prismatic within the unbraced
the unbraced length under consideration. lengths adjacent to interior piers have been considered in
the supporting research. Therefore, section transitions are
prohibited in these regions.

B6.2.4—Compression Flange Bracing CB6.2.4

The unbraced length under consideration shall satisfy:
M1 rt E
Lb ≤ 0.1 0.06 (B6.2.4-1)
M2 Fyc
where:
Lb = unbraced length (in.)
M1 = bending moment about the major-axis of the
cross-section at the brace point with the lower
moment due to the factored loads, taken as either
the maximum or minimum moment envelope
value, whichever produces the smallest
permissible unbraced length (kip-in.)
M2 = bending moment about the major-axis of the
cross-section at the brace point with the higher
moment due to the factored loads, taken as the
critical moment envelope value (kip-in.)
rt = effective radius of gyration for lateral torsional
buckling within the unbraced length under
consideration determined from Eq. A6.3.3-10
(in.)
(M1/M2) shall be taken as negative when the moments
cause reverse curvature.
Eq. B6.2.4-1 gives approximately the same results as
the compact-section compression-flange bracing
requirements in Article 6.10.4.1.7 of AASHTO (2004), but
is written in terms of rt rather than ry. The use of ry in the
prior equation leads to an ambiguity in the application of
this bracing limit to composite sections in negative flexure.
Furthermore, since rt focuses strictly on the compression
region of the cross-section and does not involve the top
flange or the deck for a composite section in negative
flexure, it is believed to address the bracing requirements
for such a section in a more correct fashion.
Since the negative moment envelope always tends to
be concave in shape in the vicinity of interior-pier sections,
the consideration of the moment values at the middle of the
unbraced length, as required in general for the calculation
of Cb in Articles 6.10.8.2.3 and A6.3.3, is not necessary.
Consideration of the moment gradient effects based on the
ratio of the end values, M1/M2, is sufficient and
conservative.
If Dctw/bfctfc in Eq. 6.10.8.2.3-9 or A6.3.3-10 is taken
as a representative value of 2.0 and Fyc is taken as 50 ksi,
Eq. B6.2.4-1 is satisfied when Lb < 13bfc for M1/M2 = 0 and
Lb < 9bfc for M1/M2 = 0.5.

B6.2.5—Shear CB6.2.5

Webs with or without transverse stiffeners within the Use of web shear post-buckling resistance or tension-
unbraced length under consideration shall satisfy the field action is not permitted within the vicinity of the pier
following requirement at the strength limit state: sections designed for redistribution of the negative bending
moments. TeraPaper.com

Vu ≤ φvVcr (B6.2.5-1)

where:

φv = resistance factor for shear specified in

Article 6.5.4.2
Vu = shear in the web due to the factored loads (kip)
Vcr = shear-buckling resistance determined from
Eq. 6.10.9.2-1 for unstiffened webs and from
Eq. 6.10.9.3.3-1 for stiffened webs (kip)

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 6-298 AASHTO LRFD BRIDGE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS, SEVENTH EDITION, 2014
B6.2.6—Bearing Stiffeners
Bearing stiffeners designed by the provisions of
Article 6.10.11.2 shall be placed at the interior-pier section
under consideration.
B6.3—SERVICE LIMIT STATE
B6.3.1—General
Load combination Service II in Table 3.4.1-1
shall apply.
B6.3.2—Flexure
B6.3.2.1—Adjacent to Interior-Pier Sections
With the exception that the requirement of
Eq. 6.10.4.2.2-4 shall be satisfied, the provisions of
Article 6.10.4.2 shall not be checked within the regions
extending in each adjacent span from interior-pier
sections satisfying the requirements of Article B6.2 to
the nearest flange transition or point of dead-load
contraflexure, whichever is closest.
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B6.3.2.2—At All Other Locations
Sections at all other locations shall satisfy the
provisions of Article 6.10.4.2, as applicable, after
redistribution. For composite sections in positive flexure,
the redistribution moments shall be applied to the long-
term composite section when computing flexural stresses
in the steel section. For computing longitudinal flexural
stresses in the concrete deck due to the redistribution
moments, the provisions of Article 6.10.1.1.1d shall apply.
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CB6.3.2.1
In checking permanent deflections under Load
Combination Service II, local yielding is permitted at
interior supports satisfying the requirements of
Article B6.2. This results in redistribution. The permanent
deflections are controlled by imposing the appropriate
flange stress limits of Article 6.10.4.2 in each adjacent
span at sections outside the nearest flange transition
location or point of permanent-load contraflexure,
whichever is closest to the interior support under
consideration, after redistribution. The appropriate
redistribution moments are to be added to the elastic
moments due to the Service II loads prior to making these
checks. The influence of the strength and ductility at the
interior-pier sections is considered within the calculation
of the redistribution moments. Therefore, the flange stress
limits of Article 6.10.4.2 need not be checked within the
regions extending into each adjacent span from the
interior-pier section under consideration to the closest
point cited above. The provisions of Appendix B6 are not
intended to relax the requirement of Eq. 6.10.4.2.2-4.
This requirement should be satisfied based on the elastic
moments before redistribution.
Additional cambering to account for the small residual
deformations associated with redistribution of interior-pier
section moments is not recommended. A full-scale bridge
designed to permit redistribution of negative moments
sustained only very small permanent deflections when
tested under the overload condition (Roeder and Eltvik,
1985).
CB6.3.2.2
The redistribution moments are in effect permanent
moments that remain in the structure. The corresponding
locked-in redistribution stresses in composite sections
tend to decrease with time as a result of creep in
the concrete. However, these redistribution stresses
may be continually renewed by subsequent passages
of similar loadings. Therefore, the flexural stresses
in the steel section due to these moments are to
 SECTION 6: STEEL STRUCTURES 6-299

The redistribution moments shall be calculated be conservatively calculated based on the long-term
according to the provisions specified in Article B6.3.3 and composite section.
shall be added to the elastic moments due to the Service II
loads.

B6.3.3—Redistribution Moments

B6.3.3.1—At Interior-Pier Sections CB6.3.3.1

At each interior-pier section where the flexural stresses Eqs. B6.3.3.1-1, B6.4.2.1-1 and B6.4.2.1-2 are based
are not checked as permitted in Article B6.3.2.1, the on concepts from shakedown analysis of continuous-span
redistribution moment for the Service II loads shall be taken girders under repeated application of moving loads
as: (ASCE, 1971; Schilling et al., 1997) using an effective
plastic moment that accounts for the interior-pier section
M rd = M e M pe (B6.3.3.1-1) moment-rotation characteristics. Shakedown is the
appropriate limit state related to moment redistribution in
bridges (Galambos, et al. 1993).
in which:
At the service limit state, the effective plastic moment
in Eq. B6.3.3.1-1 is based on an estimated upper-bound
0 ≤ M rd ≤ 0.2 M e (B6.3.3.1-2) plastic rotation of 0.009 radians at the pier sections,
determined by direct inelastic analysis of various trial
where: designs (Schilling, 1986). Flange lateral bending effects
are not considered in Eq. B6.3.3.1-1 since due to the
Mpe = negative-flexure effective plastic moment for the restrictions of Article B6.2, the flange lateral bending
service limit state determined as specified in effects at the interior supports under the Service II Load
Article B6.5 (kip-in.) Combination are taken to be negligible. The refinement of
Me = critical elastic moment envelope value at the these calculations by consideration of flange lateral
interior-pier section due to the Service II loads bending effects is considered unjustified.
(kip-in.) Eq. B6.3.3.1-2 is intended to prevent the use of an
interior-pier section that is so small that it could potentially
violate the assumed upper-bound inelastic rotation of
0.009 radians under Service II conditions. Note that if the
upper limit of Eq. B6.3.3.1-2 is violated, a new interior-
pier section must be selected that will ensure that this limit
is satisfied.

B6.3.3.2—At All Other Locations CB6.3.3.2

The redistribution-moment diagram for the Service II
load combination shall be determined by connecting with
straight lines the redistribution moments at adjacent interior-
pier sections. The lines shall be extended to any points of
zero redistribution moment at adjacent supports, including at
the abutments.
Figure CB6.3.3.2-1 illustrates a typical redistribution
moment diagram for a three-span continuous member for
which the redistribution moments are greater than zero at
both interior-pier sections. After the live loads are
removed, the redistribution moments are held in
equilibrium by the support reactions. Therefore, the
redistribution moments must vary linearly between the
supports.

Pier 1 Pier 2
Mrd1 Mrd2

Figure CB6.3.3.2-1—Typical Redistribution Moment

Diagram

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 6-300 AASHTO LRFD BRIDGE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS, SEVENTH EDITION, 2014

B6.4—STRENGTH LIMIT STATE

B6.4.1—Flexural Resistance

B6.4.1.1—Adjacent to Interior-Pier Sections CB6.4.1.1

The flexural resistances of sections within the unbraced
lengths immediately adjacent to interior-pier sections
satisfying the requirements of Article B6.2 shall not be
checked.
Yielding is permitted at interior supports at the
strength limit state, and results in redistribution of
moments. The influence of the strength and ductility at the
interior-pier sections is considered within the calculation
of the redistribution moments. Therefore, the flexural
resistances of sections within the unbraced lengths
immediately adjacent to interior-pier sections from which
moments are redistributed need not be checked.

B6.4.1.2—At All Other Locations CB6.4.1.2

Sections at all other locations shall satisfy the
provisions of Articles 6.10.7, 6.10.8.1 or A6.1, as
applicable, after redistribution. For composite sections in
positive flexure, the redistribution moments shall be
applied to the long-term composite section when
computing flexural stresses in the steel section. For
computing longitudinal flexural stresses in the concrete
deck due to the redistribution moments, the provisions of
Article 6.10.1.1.1d shall apply.
The redistribution moments shall be calculated using
the provisions of Article B6.4.2 and shall be added to the
elastic moments due to the factored loads at the strength
limit state.
Regions outside of unbraced lengths immediately
adjacent to interior-pier sections from which moments are
redistributed are designed in the same fashion as when the
procedures of this Article are not applied, with the
exception that the appropriate redistribution moments are
to be added to the elastic moments due to the factored
loads at the strength limit state prior to making the design
checks.

B6.4.2—Redistribution Moments

B6.4.2.1—At Interior-Pier Sections CB6.4.2.1

At each interior-pier section where the flexural At the strength limit state, the effective plastic
resistances are not checked as permitted in Article B6.4.1.1, moment in Eqs. B6.4.2.1-1 and B6.4.2.1-2 is based on an
the redistribution moment at the strength limit state shall be estimated upper bound plastic rotation of 0.03 radians at
taken as the larger of: the pier sections, determined by direct inelastic analysis of
various trial designs (Schilling, 1986).
1 Flange lateral bending effects are conservatively
M rd = M e f S xc φ f M pe (B6.4.2.1-1)
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3 included in Eqs. B6.4.2.1-1 and B6.4.2.1-2 to account for

the reduction in the flexural resistance of the interior-pier
or: section at the strength limit state due to these effects. The
inclusion of f in these equations is intended primarily to
address the design for wind loads. Eq. B6.4.2.1-3 is intended
1
M rd = M e f S xt φ f M pe (B6.4.2.1-2) to prevent the use of an interior-pier section that is so small
3 that it could potentially violate the assumed upper-bound
inelastic rotation of 0.03 radians at the strength limit state.
in which: Note that if the upper limit of Eq. B6.4.2.1-3 is violated, a
new interior-pier section must be selected that will ensure
0 ≤ M rd ≤ 0.2 M e (B6.4.2.1-3) that this limit is satisfied.
A form of Eqs. B6.4.2.1-1 and B6.4.2.1-2 was
proposed in the original research by Barker et al. (1997)
where:
that included a resistance factor for shakedown of
f = lateral bending stress in the flange under φsd = 1.1. The resistance factor of φsd = 1.1 is justified for
consideration at the interior-pier section (ksi). For this limit state because the shakedown loading is generally

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