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Types of Steel Beams

Design of Beams and Plate Girders

P. S. Lakshmi Priya
Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras

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Beams : Transversely Loaded Members; Load Transfer by Bending and Shear Limit States in the Design of Steel Beams

Two requirements to develop full moment capacity in steel beams:

Serviceability: Deflection

No local buckling of flanges and webs Flanges and webs : plastic/ compact
Strength

No member buckling (lateral torsional buckling) Lateral restraints at the compression flange Flexure

Plastification/ Yielding
If the two above conditions are met, the beam may fail by:
Lateral torsional buckling (member buckling)
Flexure
Local buckling of compression flange
Shear Limit state of collapse for steel beams
Local buckling of web
Bearing
Shear

Bearing

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Elastic Flexural Behaviour Yield and Plastic Moment Capacities

ε > εy f = fy ε >> εy f = fy
When cross-section is fully plastic,
y it resists any further rotation
M M h
φ f< fy
Extremely large deflections

dx Plane sections remain plane Curvature tends to infinity

The strain at any fiber is proportional to the Extreme fiber strains

My = fy .Ze
Initially, the beam is elastic throughout the length distance from the neutral axis exceed yield strain

Extreme fiber attains Extreme fiber stresses

ε< εy σ< σy ε = εy σ = σy
yield stress cannot exceed yield Moment capacity = Mp
My f = extreme fiber stress
σ= M = f.Ze Stresses redistribute to
Ze = elastic section modulus Mp = fyZp
I the inner fibers
towards the neutral fy = yield stress
axis, slowly attaining fy Zp = plastic section modulus

5 6

Shape Factor: Ratio of Mp /My = Zp /Ze Yielding and Plastic Behaviour

Rectangular sections, shape factor = 1.5

Shape factor for I-Sections:

Af fy

d Aw

fy

Zp = Afd + Awd/4 Zp / Ze = 1.04 for Af = Aw

Ze = Afd + 1/2Awd/3 Zp / Ze = 1.12 for Af = 0.5Aw

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Moment capacities of Laterally Restrained Beams as per IS 800: 2007

Sections are first their classification check with b/t ratios

Slender sections cannot attain yield capacity

DESIGN OF LATERALLY Semi-compact sections – extreme fiber attains yield stress Md = My = (fyZe)/γmo γmo = 1.1

SUPPORTED BEAMS Compact sections – tension and compression extreme fiber

attains yield stress
Md = (fyZp)/γmo ≤ 1.2 (fyZe)/γmo

(Plastification/ Yielding ) Plastic sections – Can sustain more rotation at plastic

moment than compact sections

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Influence of Shear Shear Lag Effects

Shear does not influence the flexural strength for values of Shear strains cause cross-sections to warp, contrary to simple
shear upto 0.6Vd, where Vd is the design shear strength bending theory

Higher stresses produced near the junction of a web and lower

If factored shear force < 0.6Vd : stresses at points away from the web: “shear lag”

Md = βb(fyZp)/γmo ≤ 1.2 (fyZe)/γmo Non-uniform stress distribution across the width of a flange

Shear lag effects negligible in rolled sections which have narrow

βb = 1.0 for plastic and compact sections;
Md for semi-compact sections = (fyZe)/γmo = Ze/Zp for semi-compact sections;
and thick flanges

Most rolled I and C sections have Zp/Ze < 1.2
Prevent irreversible/permanent deformation
at working loads (serviceability loads)
< 1.2Zefy/γmo for simply-supported &
cantilever beams
< 1.5Zefy/γmo for other general cases
Shear lag effects influence bending stresses in flanges that are
very wide (e.g. plate girders or box girders)
When these limits are exceeded, the effective width of the
flange may be conservatively taken as the values satisfying the
limits

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Example 1: An I-Section beam is fabricated with plates of following dimensions.

Flanges : 370 x 20 mm, web: 1600 x 15 mm. Classify flanges, web and the section. Also
determine the bending capacity of the beam about its strong axis, if the steel is of
grade E250.

bf=370mm, tf = 20mm, d =1600mm, tw = 15mm ε = 250 fy  1.0

INTRODUCTION TO TORSION
Flange: (370)/2/20 = 9.25 < 9.40 Flange is plastic

Web: d/tw = 1600/15 = 107 <126 Web is semi-compact Section is semi-compact

For semi-compact section, capacity = yield moment = fyZe/γmo

 370 × 203  1600 20   15 × 16003

2
1483077 × 104
Izz = 2  + (370 × 20) ×  +  + Zez = = 18086.3 × 103 mm3
 12  2 2   12 800 + 20
= 1483077 × 104 mm4
Md = 18083.3 × 103 × 250 × 10 -6 / 1.1
= 4110.5kNm

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St. Venant Torsion/ Pure Torsion : No Warping St. Venant Torsion Theory

GJ Each cross-section rotates as a rigid body without distortion

B' T  Tint 
θ r T L
A B O The rate of twist is constant
Gr
max 
L L Cross-sections are free to warp, but warping is same for all cross-sections
max
T J Twisting produces only “pure” shear stresses : No axial compression/ tension
r
Assumptions:
1. Diameter remains straight TL The assumption is valid for practically any thick-walled beam, and accurate for circular cross-sections
 
2. Cross-section circular after twist GJ
3. Linear elastic material
4. Small deflections τmax = maximum shearing stress at r
θ = angle of twist
G = shear modulus of the material
J/r = torsional sectional modulus

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Torsion of Open Thin-Walled Sections: Warping of I-Sections Components of Torsion: T = Tv + Tw

2Δ
The St. Venant theory is perfectly valid only for circular cross-sections φ
φ
Additional stresses and distortions occur in other cross-sections

The top and bottom surfaces of the M Δ φ

beam do not remain plane. They become
Tv Tw Flexural twist:
warped. Δ
H Can be applied via a pair
Plan View of top flange St. Venant twist of forces
h
Each flange bends as a
The deflection causes bending in the H rectangular beam about
Δ
M flange, resulting in longitudinal stresses its minor axis
and strains

Total twisting moment, T = Tv + Tw

Plan View of bot flange

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Thin-Walled Open Section Theory: Torsion Equation

LATERAL TORSIONAL
dβ  d3β 
T = GJ -EC w  3 
dz  dz 
BUCKLING
Mf = flange bending moment
If = flange moment of inertia
H = shear force in flange
Iy = weak axis moment of inertia of I-section
Cw = warping constant
GJ = torsional rigidity
ECw = warping rigidity

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Lateral Torsional Buckling (LTB) of Beams/ Transversely Loaded Members Lateral Torsional Buckling Deformations
Y
Y
z
m

Top flange tends to undergo flexural buckling Z X

similar to a column, and flange bends out of plane
n

Flange is restrained by tension portion of the Undeformed geometry

cross-section
X

Finally resulting in a twist of the cross-section in Y

m -u
addition to the out-of-plane bending ξ
Z
η C X
ζ ξ
I-beam with top flange in compression and -v

n
bottom flange in tension C'

Top view: compression flange Side view: cross-sectional twist

ɸ

Deformed geometry

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Lateral Torsional Buckling : Basic Elastic Buckling Equation (Timoshenko and Gere)
η
Doubly-symmetric I-Beam
Y Subjected to uniform moment Mξ Mξ
d2 v
EIξ = Mξ
ζ dz2
Mo Mo

BUCKLING of REAL BEAMS

Z
ξ
π2EIy  π2 
l Mη Mη Mocr =  EC w + GJ 
d2u l2  l2 
X d(-u)/dz EIη = Mη
η Y
Mx ζ
ζ
dz2
ξ

ξ
η d d3
ɸ GJ - EC w 3 = Mζ
X Z dz dz
ξ
Mζ Mζ

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Residual Stresses Imperfections

Similar to columns, residual stresses reduce the moment carrying capacity of beams Similar to columns, lack of straightness in beams due to fabrication and erection

Typical construction tolerance : L/1000 ~ L/1500

Premature yielding at flange tips: affect the buckling strength of compression flanges

Effects worse in welded I-sections Eccentricity in loading exacerbates twisting in the cross-section

Plastic moment capacity Mp (stocky beams) and elastic LTB capacity Mcr (slender beams) Maximum impact in the intermediate length range (inelastic LTB range)
unaffected by residual stresses

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Plasticity Effects LTB in IS 800: 2007

If Mcr < My , the beam buckles elastically Md = βbZp fbd

1.2

fbd = χ LT fy / γ m0 1
If Mcr > My , the beam buckles while Beam may still attain full plastic moment
0.8
yielding has initiated at outer fibers capacity, Mp 1
Md/Mp

χLT = 1 0.6
1.2
  2 - 2  
0.5
0.4
Mp Mcr  0.2 , attains Mp without buckling LT + LT - λLT  
1     0.2
0.8 0
  
  2 
Md/Mp

0.6 0.2  Mp Mcr  1.2 , inelastic LTB 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5

LT  0.5 1+ α LT  λLT - 0.2  + λLT  λLT-IS800
0.4    
Typical LTB curve for a class I section
0.2
Mp Mcr  1.2 , elastic LTB at Mcr
0 αLT = 0.21 for rolled steel sections
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 αLT = 0.49 for welded steel sections
λLT-IS800
Typical LTB curve for a class I section

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Laterally Unsupported Beams in IS 800: 2007

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Influence of Cross-Sectional Shape on LTB Influence of Cross-Sectional Shape on LTB

Low torsional resistance

Thin-walled open sections

High torsional resistance

Closed sections

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Example 1: An I-Section beam is fabricated with plates of following dimensions. Example 2: Determine the design bending strength of ISLB 350 @486 N/m considering
Flanges : 380 x 20 mm, web: 1600 x 15 mm. Classify flanges, web and the section. Also the beam to be: (a) laterally supported (b) laterally unsupported. Assume that the
determine the bending capacity of the beam about its strong axis, if the steel is of design shear force is less than the design shear strength Vd. The unsupported length of
grade E250. the beam is 3.0m. Assume steel of grade E250.

bf=380mm, tf = 20mm, d =1600mm, tw = 15mm ε = 250 fy  1.0 fy = 250 MPa bf=165mm, tf = 11.4mm, d =350mm, tw = 7.4mm, R1 = 16mm ε = 250 fy  1.0

Flange: (380 – 15)/2/20 = 9.125 < 9.40 Flange is plastic Section Classification Depth of web = 350 – 2(11.4+16) = 295.2 mm
Web: d/tw = 1600/15 = 107 <126 Web is semi-compact Section is semi-compact Section b/tf d/tw Iz = 13158.3  104 mm4, Iy = 631.9  104 mm4
Plastic < 9.4ε <84ε
For semi-compact section, capacity = yield moment = fyZe/γmo Zpz = 851.11  103 mm3, Zez = 751.9  103 mm3
Compact <10.5ε <105
 380 × 203 Semi-compact <15.7ε <126ε
 1600 20   15 × 1600
2 3
1509323 × 104
Radius of gyration, ry = 31.7 mm
Izz = 2  + (380 × 20) ×  +  + Zez = = 18406.4 × 103 mm3
 12  2 2   12 800 + 20
4 4
Flange: (165/2)/11.4 = 7.23 < 9.4 (Plastic)
= 1509323 × 10 mm
Md = 18406.37 × 103 × 250 × 10-6 / 1.1
web: (295.2)/7.4 = 39.9 < 84 (Plastic) Md = βbZpzfy/γmo = 1851.11103250/1.110-6 = 193.43 kNm
= 4183.3kNm
Section is plastic, βb = 1.0 193.43 kNm < 1.2Zefy/ γmo = 1.2751.9103250/1.110-6 = 205

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Example 2: Continued…Laterally unsupported beam Factors Affecting the Elastic LTB Strength
π2EIy  π2EIw  Effective span, LLT = KL = 3.0m E = 200 GPa, G = E/(2(1+μ)) = 76.92 GPa
Mcr   GIT + 2 
L2LT  LLT  Moment gradient in the critical segment
βbZpz fy It = Σ(bt3/3) = 20.8 x 104 mm4
LT   0.8751 > 0.2
Mcr = 277.8 kNm Mcr Iw = (1-βf) βfIyhf2 = 1.81 x 1011mm6
Boundary conditions at the support (Effective length factor)
LT = 0.5  1 + αLT  λLT - 0.2  + λLT
2

= 0.954
Non-symmetric cross-sections

1 Location of the applied transverse load w.r.t shear center (load height effect)
LT = = 0.75
 
0.5
fLT + fLT2 - λLT
2

χLT fy
fbd = = 170.36N / mm2
γ m0

Md = βbZpz fbd
= 1.0 × 851.11× 103 × 170.36 × 10-6
= 145kNm

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Beams Subjected to Moment Gradient : IS 800 Beams Subjected to Moment Gradient : IS 800

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Effect of Boundary Conditions on the Critical Segment : IS 800 Effective Length for Cantilevers Without Intermediate Restraint (BS 5950)

Torsional restraint and

warping free

simply-supported condition

Warping restraint: K < 1.0

π2EIy  π2 
Mocr =  EC w + GJ 
(Kl)2  (Kl)2 

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Tip Restraint Conditions Lateral Bracing Systems for Roof and Floor Beams

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Discrete and Continuous Lateral Bracing of Beams LTB of Singly-Symmetric Beams

The smaller flange in compression is more critical. Once twisted, the shear component of the
normal bending stresses has a larger lever arm in the second case, causing further destabilizing
torques.

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LTB of Singly-Symmetric Beams: IS 800 Annex E Effect of Load Height on LTB

Loading on top flange (above shear center) Loading on bottom flange (below shear center)

Destabilizing : causes further twist Stabilizing : Restores twist partially

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Effect of Load Height on LTB Effect of Load Height on LTB: IS 800

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Holes in Beams Holes in Tension Zone

Holes made for bolted connections do not

significantly affect flexural strength

Open hole in the compression flange affects the

strength of a steel beam more than a hole in the
tension flange

In general, if the holes do not remove more than 15% of the gross area of the flange, they are neglected,
provided there is no fatigue

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Holes in Beams Biaxial Bending

Holes in beam webs have less effect on flexural strength than holes in flanges

Holes in beam webs should ideally only be placed in regions of low shear When loads act through the shear centre, the problem is
simple bending in two perpendicular directions
Holes in beam flanges should be cut at points of low bending moments

Best location for the opening is within the middle one-third of the span
Beams subjected to biaxial
Clear spacing between openings should be more than the beam depth D bending have to be
designed by trial and error
Point loads should not be applied within a distance D from the adjacent opening
Use section effectively by
allocating to one direction,
Openings decrease the stiffness of the beams resulting in larger deflections what has not been used up
in the other direction
Reinforcing plates are provided around large size holes to prevent buckling
Lateral buckling is not a limit
state for weak axis bending

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Unsymmetrical Bending Unsymmetrical Sections

The principal axes (u-u) and (v-v) do not coincide with the horizontal and vertical axes

Load applied in the vertical direction causes unsymmetrical bending

Loading not through shear

Determine bending stresses about the two perpendicular principal
center will induce torsion
axes

Points of maximum stresses have to be determined by calculating at

various points before design
If loading occurs in a direction that is not along either
principal axis, unsymmetrical bending will occur

Resolve the load into components perpendicular to the two principal axes, and then determine the
component bending moments about the two principal axes : Reduce problem to bending about two
axes

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Shear Behaviour of Steel Beams

Shear stress in the web is nearly uniform, hence the average

stress in the web,
τavg = V/ (dwtw) : dw is web depth, and tw is the web thickness

DESIGN FOR SHEAR

Elastic Elastic Nominal shear yielding strength of the
flexural shear web is based on the Von-Mises criterion
stresses stresses
VQ fy
= y = = 0.58fy
It 3
V = shear force at cross-section
Vc = 0.6fy t w dw
Q = moment about neutral axis of the area that is
beyond the fiber at which τ is calculated
t = thickness of the portion at which τ is calculated

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Shear Buckling Shear Buckling of Web

σ σ
τ

τ
τ

τ σ σ
© Rockey & Skaloud 1968

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Design of Steel Beams for Shear Post-Critical Method for Shear Buckling

V  Vd Vd  Vn /  mo Transverse stiffeners at support, intermediate stiffeners are optional

Plastic shear resistance Vp = 0.6fy A v Av = htw (rolled) / dtw (welded)
Shear resistance Yielding in stocky webs, and buckling governs in slender webs
Shear buckling

Linear interpolation in intermediate web slenderness ratios (inelastic

Post-critical method shear buckling)
Tension field action
With/ without intermediate stiffeners With intermediate stiffeners, c/d ≥ 1.0 Vn = Vcr = A v b

Vn = Vcr = A v b Vn = Vtf

IS 800 equations ignore postbuckling

strength of the web

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Tension Field Action Tension Field Action: Failure Mechanisms

Girders with intermediate transverse stiffeners have considerable postbuckling strength due to tension
field action (TFA)

For 1.0 ≤ (c/d) ≤ 3.0, where c= spacing of transverse stiffeners, d = depth of the web

Primary buckling strength of plate Vn = Vtf

TFA
TFA of the web

Plastic moment capacity of the flanges

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End Panel Design NOT Using Tension Field Action Combined Bending and Shear

Flanges predominantly resist the moment

Webs predominantly resist shear, but also contribute to

resisting moment
Due to stress redistribution within cross-section at
plastification, shear capacity of web is reduced
TFA action cannot develop fully in end panels

IS 800: 2007 Section 9.2.2

Interior panels anchored by neighboring panels
Md = plastic design moment of the whole section
V = factored applied shear force
End panel has no anchorage on left side Vd = design shear strength
Mfd = plastic design strength of cross-section excluding shear area
Design using postcritical method

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Combined Bending and Shear Example 4: Design a laterally supported beam of effective span 6, for the following
data: E250 grade steel, factored bending moment, M = 150 kNm, factored shear force,
V = 210 kN. Check for deflection is not required.
Plastic section modulus required : Zpz,reqd = (Mγm0)/fy = 150x106x1.1/250 = 660 x 103 mm3

Try ISLB 350@ 495N/m bf=165mm, tf = 11.4mm, d =350mm, tw = 7.4mm, R1 = 16mm

Section Classification: Plastic (see Example 2) Depth of web = 350 – 2(11.4+16) = 295.2 mm

d/tw = 39.05<67; shear buckling check of web not req’d Iz = 13158.3  104 mm4, Iy = 631.9  104 mm4

Check for shear capacity: Zpz = 851.11  103 mm3, Zez = 751.9  103 mm3
fy 250
Vd = ht w = × 350 × 7.4 × 10-3
3γ m0 3 × 1.1
= 340kN > 210kN

High/ Low Shear?

0.6Vd = 0.6x340 = 204 kN < V = 210 kN (High Shear)

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Example 4: Continued…Design Bending Strength

Design bending strength, Section modulus of flange, Zfd = Zpz – Zpw

Mdv = Md - (Md – Mfd) Zfd = 851.11103 – (3507.4)350/4
1.2Zezfy/m0 = 624.485103mm3
2
 V 
β =  2 - 1
 Vd  Mfd = Zfdfy/m0 = 624.48510325010-6/1.1
= 141.93 kNm
BEARING
2
 210 
= 2 - 1  = 0.0554
 340 
Mdv = 193.43 – 0.0554(193.43-141.93)
fy
Md = Zpz = 190.57 > 150 kNm
γm0  1.2Zefy/m0 = 250.06 kNm
250
= 851.11
1.1
= 193.43kNm

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Web Buckling Web Crippling

Problem in “thin” webs under a localized load/ distributed loads Local failure in the web as a result of localized effects of loads and reactions acting on the beam flanges
A B

Equivalent to a flat plate supported on four

d edges, and uniformly compressed in one 45°
direction Local vertical yielding followed
a>>d a<<d by crumpling of the web
a
A-A B-B
A
The web may be considered as a “strut” restrained by B
the beam flanges

Load is spread out over a finite length of the web : Web stiffeners at load locations (Load transfer occurs gradually, not abruptly)
“dispersion length” Remedies
Thicker webs Not economical to thicken the entire web

© Vellasco & Hobbs 2001

69 70

Failure of Second Narrows Bridge, Vancouver, B.C Example 4: Design a laterally supported beam of effective span 6, for the following
data: E250 grade steel, factored bending moment, M = 150 kNm, factored shear force,
V = 210 kN. Check for deflection is not required.
Plastic section modulus required : Zpz,reqd = (Mγm0)/fy = 150x106x1.1/250 = 660 x 103 mm3

Try ISLB 350@ 495N/m bf=165mm, tf = 11.4mm, d =350mm, tw = 7.4mm, R1 = 16mm

Section Classification: Plastic (see Example 2) Depth of web = 350 – 2(11.4+16) = 295.2 mm

d/tw = 39.05<67; shear buckling check of web not req’d Iz = 13158.3  104 mm4, Iy = 631.9  104 mm4

Check for shear capacity: Zpz = 851.11  103 mm3, Zez = 751.9  103 mm3
fy 250
Vd = ht w = × 350 × 7.4 × 10-3
3γ m0 3 × 1.1
= 340kN > 210kN

High/ Low Shear?

© Ricardhughes.ca
0.6Vd = 0.6x340 = 204 kN < V = 210 kN (High Shear)

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Example 4: Continued…Design Bending Strength Example 4: Continued…Check for Web Buckling (At Support)

Design bending strength, Section modulus of flange, Zfd = Zpz – Zpw

Assume a stiff bearing length = 100 mm
Mdv = Md - (Md – Mfd) Zfd = 851.11103 – (3507.4)350/4 B1
350 mm
1.2Zezfy/m0 = 624.485103mm3 45°
2
Ab = B1tw = (b+x)tw = (100+175)7.4 = 2035 mm2
 V 
β =  2 - 1
 Vd  624.48510325010-6/1.1
Mfd = Zfdfy/m0 = Effective length of web, KL = 0.7d = 0.7x295.2 = 206.64 mm
2 = 141.93 kNm b = 100 mm
 210 
= 2 - 1  = 0.0554 Ieff of web = btw3/12 = 100 x 7.43/12 = 3376.86 mm4
 340 
Mdv = 193.43 – 0.0554(193.43-141.93) Aeff of web = btw = 100 x 7.4 = 740 mm2
f
Md = Zpz y = 190.57 > 150 kNm r = 3376.86 740 = 2.136mm
γm0  1.2Zefy/m0 = 250.06 kNm
250
= 851.11 λ = KL r = 206.64 2.136  = 96.74, fyw = 250 N/mm2, buckling curve
1.1 = 96.7415 “c’: design comp. stress, fcd = 111.55 N/mm2
= 193.43kNm

Web capacity = Abfcd = 2035 x 111.55

= 227 kN > 210 kN

73 74

Example 4: Continued…Check for Web Bearing/ (Crippling)

Fw = (b1+n2)twfyw/ m0

n2 = 2.5(tf + R1) (dispersion at 1:2.5)

= 2.5(11.4+16) = 68.5 mm
SERVICEABILITY
Fw = (100+68.5)x7.4x250x10-3/1.1
= 283.38 kN
> 210 kN

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Serviceability Limit State: Deflection

Excessive deformations cause:

A feeling of insecurity

Damages of non-structural components, such as plaster

Misalignment of machinery and excessive vibrations

Ponding

Specified as deflection to span ratio limits

77 78

Plate Girders

Deep flexural members, used typically in long spans (> 24m), and can carry loads that cannot be
economically carried by rolled beams

Gantry girders in industrial buildings

PLATE GIRDERS Power plant buildings to support bunkers

Railway bridges

Offers limitless possibilities to designer in choosing the right cross-sections, and changing the sections
along the length of the member
However, it requires welding flange and web plates together

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Elements of a Plate Girder

81 82

Beams vs. Plate Girders Plate Girder Proportions

Plate girders are built-up beams, made by welding of plates Efficient design usually results in slender members

Plate girders offer more flexibility, but other design problems arise Large values of d/t for the web would make the web buckle at low values of applied loading

Local buckling of flange Should make use the post buckling capacity of the web

Local buckling of web due to flexural compression Not a problem in rolled sections
kπ2E
Local buckling of web due to shear σ cr = 2
b
12(1 - ν2 )  
t

83 84

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Plate Postbuckling: Plate Visualized as a Grillage Model

Under loading, the vertical “columns” will buckle

If columns are not connected to ties, they would buckle at the same load with
no postbuckling reserve LOCAL BUCKLING
The “ties” stretch as columns buckle outward, and thus try to restrain the
motion

This restraining action provides the postbuckling reserve

85 86

Flange Local Buckling Web Buckling Due to Flexural Compression (Web bend-buckling)

a kπ2E
σ cr = 2
Occurs when the width to thickness ratio of the b
12(1 - ν2 )  
compression flange is high t
Plate buckles due to flexural compression SS
k = 23.9 SS SS
Tension portion offers resistance SS
FIXED
Loading less severe than axial compression
k = 39.6 SS SS
FIXED

87 88

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Strength of Stiffened Flat plates Types of Stiffeners

Stiffeners are employed to increase the compressive strength of plates

Stiffened plates can fail in two ways:

Overall buckling (stiffeners buckle along with the plate)

Local buckling with the stiffeners forming nodal lines, and the plate panels buckling between the
stiffeners (stiffener acts as a brace of infinite lateral stiffness)

Types of stiffeners:

Longitudinal stiffeners

Transverse stiffeners Longitudinal stiffeners Transverse stiffeners

89 90

Longitudinal / Horizontal Stiffeners Placement of Longitudinal / Horizontal Stiffeners

Buckling strength is a function of the location and stiffness of the longitudinal stiffener

C C If longitudinal stiffener is placed too low, then top panel (between compression flange and stiffener
ds will buckle)

If longitudinal stiffener is placed too high, then bottom panel (between stiffener and neutral axis) will
buckle
T T
The optimum location is when both panels buckle simultaneously

Used to increase the buckling strength of plates under flexural compression

Ds = D/5 ( Dubas, 1948) is SS on all edges, uniform moment, symmetric bending of web (Dc = D/2)

k = 129.6

91 92

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Horizontal Stiffeners: IS 800:2007

DESIGN OF BEAMS AND PLATE

GIRDERS WITH SOLID WEBS

93 94

Minimum web thickness: Minimum web thickness:

95 96

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Compression Flange
Buckling Requirement
STIFFENERS

97 98

Intermediate Transverse Web Stiffener (Not subjected to External Loads or Moments)

Intermediate
transverse web Tension stiffener
May be provided on one or both sides of the web
stiffener
Spacing: Depends on web thickness (different d/tw ratios for different c/d ratios)

Load carrying Diagonal Outstand of

stiffener Stiffener stiffener stiffeners: 8.7.1.2
Design
Minimum stiffeners: Second moment of area, Is about the centerline of the web (two-sided) / about the
face of the web (single-sided): 8.7.2.4

Bearing stiffener Torsion stiffener

99 100

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Intermediate Transverse Web Stiffener (Not subjected to External Loads or Moments) Bearing Stiffeners : 8.7.4
Must project nearly
as much as the
overhang of the
flange through
which load is
transferred

Separate provisions for stiffeners subjected to external loads

Should be designed for the applied load/

reaction less the local capacity of the
web.

101 102

26