moment, M

/Slender:
(class4)}
M,M

Fig. :Semi-compact
(class2)
3.9 (class3)

on
Rotation

Compact
behaviour
ldeal

our
(class 1)
Plastic
of
four
sses Slender:
M, Compact:Plastic:
Semi
=
Nominal Compact:
of M, M,
ons M, =
= =
moment M,(<
= MM,=
M,
M) <p'y =Zp'y
=
=My=
Zf
Zy
Table 3.3 Classification of cross-sections and their characteristics

S. No. Types of Sections Characteristics

1. Plastic Cross-sections, which can develop plastic hinges, can attain
(Class ) full plasticmoment M,, and can undergo large inelastic rotation
required for failure of the structure by formation of a plastic
mechanism, are called plastic sections. Such cross-sections
allow redistribution of moments as well. Such a stocky section
will exhibit considerable ductility (0,>60), as shown in Fig.
3.9, where 9, is the rotation at the onset of plasticity; 6, is the
lower limitof rotation for treatment as a plastic section.
These are the only sections used in indeterminate frames
forming plastic collapse mechanism. The stress distrdution for
these sections is rectangular.
112 Limit State Design of Steel Stractures

S. No. Types of Sections Characteristics

2. Compact Cross-sections, which can develop plastic hinge and attain full
(Class 2) plastic moment M,, but have inadequate plastic hinge rotation
capacity for formation of a plastic mechanism before buckling
are classed as compact sections. These crosS-sections may
develop fully plastic stress distribution across the entire cross
section but do not have adequate ductility (0, <0, < 60,). For
a section to be compact, its compression elements must have
width-to-thickness ratios equal to or less than the limiting
values given in Table 3.2.
These can be used for all the structural elements. The stress
dËstributions for these sections are rectangular.
3. Semi-compact Cross-sections, in which the extreme fiber in compression can
(Class 3) reach yield stress (assuming an elastic distribution of stress),
but cannot develop the plastic moment of resistance due to local
buckling are called seni-compact or non-compact sections.
These sections can develop a moment resistance just equal to
the yield moment M,. In a semi-compact section, the yield stress
can be reached only in some parts of compression elements
before buckling occurs. It is not capable of reaching a fully
plastic stress distribution.
These sections are used in elastic design. The stress distribution
for such sections is triangular.
4. Slender Cross-sections in which the elements buckle locally even before
(Class 4) attainment of yield stress are classed as slender sections. The
Component elements, therefore,buckle locally at a moment less
than M,.
These sections are used in cold-formed members and do not
satisfy the requirements of Table 3.2. For a slender section, the
effective sectional properties to be used in design should be
calculated by deducting width of compression plate element in
excess of the semi-compact section limit.
 and T.0.

Table 3.2 Limiting width-to-thickness ratio

Class of Section
Compression Element Ratio Class 1 Class 2 Class 3
Plastic Compact Semi-Compact
Outstanding element Rolled section blt, 9.4¬ 10.5[ 15.7[
of cormpression Welded section
blt, 8.4[ 9.4¬ 13.6[
flange
Compression due to
bending
blt, 29.3[ 33.5[
Internal element of
compression flange Axial compression Not applicable 42[
bl,
Neutral axis at mid-depth 83.9[ 104.8[ 126¬

84E 104.8[
If r, isnegative d,
.1 + r I+ r,
Web of an I-H-or 104.8[ 126¬
box Section
Generally If r, is negative dlt, but > 42e
1+1.5r, 1+2 r;
but > 42e but 42[

Axial compression dit. Not applicable 428

dlt, 42¬ 42[ 42[
Web of a channel
blt 9.4e 10.5[ 15.7[
Angle, compression due to bending
dlt 9.4¬ 10.5[ 15.7[
(Both criteria should be satisfied,
blt 15.7[
Single angle, or double angles with the
Not applicable 15.7[
dlt
components separated, axial compression
25e
(AH three criteria should be satisfied) (b + hlt
(Contd. )
 Foundation for Limit State Design-7 109

Class of Section
Compression Element Ratio Class l Class 2 Class 3
Plastic Compact Semi-Compact
Outstanding leg of an angle in cont:
back-to-back in a double angle member
dlt 9.4[ 10.5e 15.7[
Outstanding leg of an angle with its back
in continuous contact with another component
Stem of a T-section, rolled or cut from a dlt 8.4£ 9.4[ 18.9[
rolled I-or H-section
Circular hollow tube, including welded tube 146e
subjected to:
(a) Moment Dlt 42e 522
(b) Axial compression Dlt Not applicable 88e
Circular hollow Compression due
section bending Dlt 422 52e 88e

Hot-rolled rectangular Flange: compression 29.3e 33.5e 42[

bolow section (RHS) due to bending
Web: neutral axis at
mid-depth dlt 67.1e 848 125.9[
Generally dlt 64¬/(1 + 84¬/(1 + 125.9/(1 +
0.6 r) r) 2 r)
buts40e but s40[ buts40[

Notes:
Notes:
1. Different elements of a cross-section can, in general, be in different classes. In such
cascs, the scction is classified by quoting on the least favourable class of its elements.
2. Elements, which exceed semi-compact limits, are to be taken as slender cross-sections.
3. The limiting values of the width-to-thickness ratio of the plate elements of section apply
to members in steel of a specific yield strength. In order to cover all grades of steel, IS
S00 presents local buckling data non-dimensionally, in terms of a reduction factor as
below, where 250 represents the yield stress of mild steel and f that of steel considered.
250
£=

4. Check webs for shear buckling in accordance with 8.4.2 of IS: 800-2007when dlt>67 [
where, b is the width of the element (may be taken as clear distance between lateral
supports or between lateral support and free edge, as appropriate), t is the thickness
of the element, d is the depth of the web, D is the outer diameter of the element (see
Figs. 1.5 and 1.6). As an example, for rolled I-sections, while flange is considered to
be an unstiffened element and its width can be taken as half of the full nominal width
b= b the web is a stiffened element and the stiffened width will be the distance
2
between roots of flanges, d.
5. The stress ratio r, andr,are defined as
actual average axial compressive stress (negative if tensile)
design compressive stress of web alone
 eel sinucturesS

actual average axial compressive stress (negative if tensile)

design compressive stress of overal section
6. The terms, intemal element and outstanding element, are defined as
follows.
Internal elements: These are elements attached along both longitudinal edges to
other
elements or to longitudinal stiffeners connected at suitable intervals to transverse
stiffeners (e.g.,a web of I-section and a flange and a web of box section).
Outstand elements or outstands: These are elements attached along only one of the
longitudinal edges to an adjacent element, the other edge being free to displace out of
the plane (e.g., the flange overhang of an I-section, stem of a T-section, and leg of an
angle section).
7. IS: 800-2007 is silent about the limits for RHS. The limits specified in the Table 3.2 are
from BS: 5950.
8. No limit has been placed on the minimum thickness requirement of steel sections by IS:
800-2007. However, a minimum thickness of 6 mm for main members and 5 mm for
secondary members must be observed for better performance under exposed conditions,
especially in coastal areas. Further, steels in contact with water and soil and those
subjected to akernate wetting or drying, an additional thickness of I.5 mm should be
provided.