CE 591

Advanced Structural Steel Design

Fall 2010
Lecture 7: Plate Girders; Design
 Rules of Thumb
 Flange-to-web weld
 Design Aids
 Design Example
Proportioning the Section
 Goals
 Satisfy limit states
 Strength
 Serviceability
 Minimum cost
 assume cost proportional to
weight of steel
Rules of Thumb
 Span-Depth Ratio
 Salmon & Johnson, Steel Structures, 4th ed.
bf
L
10 to 12
d
 Rules of Thumb, MSC 2000

L d
15
d

L
Modern Steel Construction, 2000
Rules of Thumb – Flange Width
bf

bf
0.2 to 0.3
d

d
“shallow
section”
“deep
section”
Optimum Depth (another option)
 Based on minimizing weight (i.e. gross
cross-sectional area), supposing no depth
restriction
 f is average stress on flange (i.e. Fcr)
 w is an assumed constant h/t
 w of 320 for „optimum‟ proportion A36
 C1 is a factor to account for reducing
flange size at regions of lower moment
 C2 is factor to account for reducing web
thickness at regions of reduced shear
Optimum Depth, cont’d
3MC1 w
h 3
f (3C 2 C1)
 Suppose C1= C2= 1 (i.e. no section
reduction in regions of lower stress)

3M w
h 3
2f
 Rules of Thumb – Flange Area
Mu /
bf Af
C
M Aw
Af
d h Aw
fh 6
Average
T stress on Sx / h
flange
Rules of Thumb – Plate dimensions
 Plate widths
 2” increments
 Stiffener spacing
 3” multiples
Rules of Thumb – Plate thickness

Increments Range
(inches) (inches)
1/16 t ≤ 9/16

1/8 5/8 ≤ t ≤ 1-1/2

1/4 t > 1-1/2

Rules of Thumb – Flange Plates, p. 1
 Based on minimum volume (weight) and Af
equation used earlier

L/2
Mmax

Groove weld Af 1 1
Af 2

Af1 Af
Rules of Thumb – Flange Plates, p.2

Mmax
L/3 Af 1 5
L
Af 9
Groove weld

 Unless save 200 – 300 lbs of

material, added cost of weld
makes flange plate
transition uneconomical
Af1 Af (Salmon et al., Steel Structures, 5th ed.)
Other flange plate recommendations
 If concerned about LTB, keep bf /2tf at
about the p value in maximum moment
regions
 Could then reduce flange thickness in low
moment regions (reduce thickness instead of
width)
 No LTB? Reduce width if desired
 “slight advantage in fatigue strength”
 Transition slope should be less than 1 in 2-1/2
for either width or thickness change
 1 in 4 to 1 in 12 recommended for change in
width
Weld of flange to web
 Must provide for factored
horizontal shear flow

X X 1st moment
Vu Q of area
shear flow of flange
Ix about
neutral axis
(kips/in)
Weld of flange to web, p.2
 Illinois DOT requires SAW for
these welds
 “more thermally efficient”
 More uniform weld cross section
X
and strength
X
 no stops/starts and other
irregularities that concentrate
stress
 SMAW uses stick electrodes of
limited length and diameter
Rules of Thumb – Web
 “Reasonable range” for web stress

Vn
12 to 16 ksi
Aw
 < 9 ksi? May be able to use thinner web

 Practical minimum web thickness (tw)

 5/16”
Design Aids – Shear, Stiffeners
 Tables 3-16a, 3-17a (without TFA)
 36 ksi and 50 ksi steel
 Starting on AISC [p. 3-150]
 Tables 3-16b, 3-17b (with TFA)

 vVn/Aw graphed as a function of h/tw and a/h

NOTE: here, Aw = d tw (AISC G2)

---- means
exceeded
“practical limit”
on
stiffener spacing
2
a 260
h h tw

a/h > 3.0

kv = 5.0
Corresponds approximately
to limit for vertical
flange buckling
Plate Girder Design Example
 Consider a simply supported plate girder that carries the
factored uniform load and two concentrated loads as
shown. Design a doubly symmetric, non-hybrid girder with
A36 steel. Assume that lateral support is provided at the
ends and at the concentrated loads. 1.2D + 1.6L load
combination controls. Use L/360 deflection limit.

150 k 150 k
5 k/ft

A B C D Lateral
24' 24' 24' Support
k
Design Example, p. 2
150 k 150 k
5 k/ft

A B C D Lateral
24' 24' 24' Support

330 k
210
Shear 60
(kip)
60
210 330
Moment
(ft-kip)

6480 6480
6840
Design Example, p. 3a
 Sizing the Section, try „Rule of Thumb‟

L (72 ft)(12 in / ft)

10 to 12 72 in
d 12

 Try h = 72” h 72"

 Try tw = 5/16”
230
tw 5 / 16"
Design Example, p. 3b
 Sizing the Section, try formula for h

3M w 3( Mu / ) w
h 3 3
2f 2 RpgFcr
3(6840 kipft/ 0.9)(12in / ft)(320)
h 3
2(1.0)(36ksi)
107in
Design Example, p. 3c
 Try h = 107” h 107"
 Try tw = 5/16”
342
tw 5 / 16"

h 0.42(29000 ksi )
338
tw max 36ksi
 AISC F13.2 for a/h > 1.5
 Also, web substantially heavier than for h=72”
with practical minimum web thickness
 So, try h=72”
Design Example, p. 4
 Slender Web?

E 29000 ksi
r 5.70 r 5.70 162
Fy 36ksi
Table B4.1
h
230 r
tw
 Check shear stress (recommended)

Vn Vu 330kips
12 to 16 ksi 14.7
Aw Aw (72" )( 5 " )
16
Design Example, p. 5
 Check AISC Limitations, h/tw = 230

h E a (F13-3)
11.7 for 1.5
tw Fyf h

29000 ksi
11.7 332
36 ksi
h 0.42 E a (F13-4)
for 1.5
tw Fy h

0.42( 29000 ksi ) √ OK, Limitations

338 satisfied
36ksi
Design Example, p. 6
 Estimate Flange Size
M Aw Mu Aw
Af
fh 6 b RPG Fcr h 6

 Assume RPG = 1.0, Fcr = Fy

6840 ft kip(12in / ft) 72" (5 / 16" ) 2

Af 31.4in
(0.9)(1.0)(36ksi)(72" ) 6
Use „h‟ for Aw, since I don‟t know „d‟ yet.
Design Example, p. 7
bf
 Possible flange dimensions
tf
tf (in) bf (in) Af (in2) bf /2tf
1.375 24 33.0 8.72
1.25 26 32.5 10.4
1.125 28 31.5 12.4

 Use FLB compactness limit to help

choose size (optional) – Table B4.1

E 29000
p 0.38 0.38 10.8
Fyf 36
 Flange width rule bf 26"
of thumb 0.34 > 0.3
d (72" 2(1.25" ))
 Design Example, p. 8a
 LTB – Flexural Capacity; Lb = 24 ft
1 3 1 5 3
bf =26” ( 26 )(1.25) (12 )( )
rt 12 12 16 7.1 in
5
tf =1.25” (26)(1.25) (12)( )
16
hc/6
E E
=72”/6 Lp 1.1rt Lr rt
=12” Fy 0.7 Fy
tw
(F4-7) (F5-5)
=5/16”
29000 ksi
Lp 1.1(7.1in ) 222in 18.5 ft
36ksi
29000 ksi
Lr (7.1in) 757in 63.1 ft
0.7(36ksi)
 150 k 150 k
5 k/ft

Design Example, p. 8b
Lp = 18.5 ft < Lb = 24 ft < Lr =24'63.1 ft 24'
A B C D Lateral
24' Support

330 k
Lb Lp 210

Fcr Cb[ Fy (0.3Fy )(Shear

(kip)
)] Fy 60
(F5-3)
Lr Lp 60
210 330
 ~5% difference in Moment

Mu within Lb –
(ft-kip)

assume constant
moment 6480
6840
6480

24 18.5
Fcr (1.0)[36 (0.3(36))( )] 36ksi
63.1 18.5
Fcr 34.5ksi
 Design Example, p. 9
26”
 Calculate Section Modulus, etc.
1.25”

1 5 72 1.25 2 1
( )(723 ) 2(26)(1.25)( ) 2( )(26)(1.253 )
Sx 12 16 2 2 12
72
( 1.25)
2 72”
2602 in 3
5/16”

Aw (72" )(5 / 16" )

aw aw 0.69
Acf (26" )(1.25" )
<10 √ OK
Design Example, p. 10
 Calculate Flexural Capacity
aw hc E
Rpg 1 ( 5.7 ) 1.0 (F5-6)
1200 300aw tw Fy

0.69 72" 29000 ksi

1 ( 5.7 ) 0.97
1200 300(0.69) 5 / 16" 36ksi

Mn b Sxc Rpg Fcr (F5-2)

0.9(2602in3 )(0.97)(34.5ksi) 78368kip in 6531kip ft

< Mu = 6840 kip-ft N.G.
Design Example, p. 11
24”
 TRY 28” x 1.5” flange 1.5”
 Recalculate properties:

Af 42 in2 bf 28"
9.33 p 10.8
2t f 2(1.5" ) compact wrt FLB
72”
rt 7.74in
5/16”
Lp 20.1 ft Lb 24 Lr 68.7 ft
Fcr 35.8ksi
Sx 3285in3 aw 0.535
 Design Example, p. 12
 Recalculate Flexural Capacity, cont‟d.

0.535 72" 29000 ksi

R pg 1 ( 5.7 ) 0.973
1200 300(0.535) 5 / 16" 36ksi

Mn b S xc R pg Fcr
3
0.9(3285in )(0.973)(35.8ksi )
102985 kip in 8582 kip ft
Design Example, p. 13
 Check against Mu including self-weight

5
Area 2( 28in )(1.5in ) (72in )( in ) 106in 2
16
106in 2
Weight (490 pcf ) 361 lb / ft
in 2
144
ft2
361lb / ft
(72 ft)2
1000lbs / kip
M u 6840 kip ft 1.2 7120 kip ft
8
< 8582 kip-ft
Mn Mu flexural capacity of section is adequate
Design Example, p. 14
 Check Deflection Limits
 Estimate service loads
150 k 150 k
5 k/ft

A B C D Lateral
24' 24' 24' Support

330 k
wu 5k / ft 1.2(0.210
361k / ft) 5.43k / ft
60
wShear
ser
(kip)
5.43 / 1.5 3.62k / ft
Pser Pu / 1.5 150 kips / 1.5 60
100 kips
210 330
Moment
 Design Example, p. 15
 Deflection limits, cont‟d.
1 72" 1.5" 2 1 5
Ix 2( )(28" )(1.5"3 ) (2)(28" )(1.5" )( ) ( " )(72"3 ) 123,183in 4
12 2 2 12 16

5wser L4 Pa 2 2 5( 3 . 62 k / ft)( 72 ft 4
)(1728in 3 / ft3)
( 3L 4 a )
384 EI 24 EI 384 ( 29,000 ksi )(123,183in 4)
100 kips(24 ft)(1728in 3 / ft3) 2 2
( 3 ( 72 ft ) 4 ( 24 ft )) 0.61 0.64 1.25in
24(29,000 ksi )(123,183in )4

L 72 ft(12in / ft)
max 2.40in > 1.25 in √ OK
360 360
 Design Example, p. 16
150 k 150 k
5 k/ft
 Low shear demand –
Region BC
Lateral
h
A
24'
B
24'
C
24'
D
Support 230 260
330 k
tw
210
Shear 60 Stiffeners not required
(kip)
60 unless needed for
210 330 capacity (F13.2)
Moment
(ft-kip)
h kv E 5.0(29000 ksi )
230 1.37 1.37 87.0
tw Fyw 36ksi
6480 6480
6840

1.51kv E 1.51(5)(29000 ksi)

Cv 0.12
h 2
( ) Fy (2302 )(36ksi)
tw
(G2-5)
Design Example, p. 17
 Shear Capacity – Region BC

Vn 0.9(0.6 Aw FyCv ) (G2-1)

5
0.9(0.6)(75")( ")(36ksi )(0.12) 54.6kips
16
<Vu = 60 kips
2 w/o self-weight N.G.
2
a 260 260
1.28
h h 230
tw
a = 90”
a 1.28h 1.28(72" ) 92.2" a/h=1.25
Design Example, p. 18
 Shear Capacity – Region BC
5 5
kv 5 kv 5 8.2
( a / h) 2 (1.25) 2

kv E 8.2(29000 ksi ) h
1.37 1.37 111 230
Fy 36ksi tw

1.51kv E 1.51(8.2)(29000 ksi)

Cv 0.19
h 2
( ) Fyw (2302 )(36ksi)
tw
(G2-5)
 Design Example, p. 19
 Shear Capacity – Region BC
1 Cv (G3-2)
Vn 0.9(0.6 Aw Fy )(Cv )
1.15 1 (a / h ) 2
5 1 0.19
0.9(0.6)(75")( ")(36ksi)(0.19 )
16 1.15 1 1.252
86 200 286 kips >>Vu = 60 kips √ OK
By inspection, adequate for Vu
including self-weight

24 ft(12in / ft) 24 ft(12in / ft) a 72"

3.2 panels a 72in; 1.0
90in / panel 4spaces h 72"
Small adjustment needed later since ‘a’ is clear distance between stiffeners
 Design Example, p. 20
150 k 150 k
5 k/ft
 Shear Capacity –
Regions AB and CD
A B C D Lateral
24' 24' 24' Support

330 k
210 Design End Panels first
Shear
(kip)
60
NO TFA Permitted
60
210 330
Moment
(ft-kip)
361lb / ft
(72 ft)
1000lbs / kip
Vu 330 kips
6480
1.2 6480
346 kips
6840 2

Required 346kips
14.8 ksi
Stress (75")(5 /16")
Design Example, p. 21
 Shear Capacity, End
Panels
 Use Table 3-16a (No
TFA) for estimate

Will need a/h < 0.5

Vn Vu 346kips
Requires:
Cv >0.791
kv > 34.4
a/h < 0.41
a < 29.5”
Design Example, p. 22
 Shear Capacity, End Panel
Try a = 27”; a/h = 0.375
5 5
kv 5 5 40.6
(a / h) 2 (0.375) 2
kv E 40.6(29000 ksi ) h
1.37 1.37 247 230
Fy 36ksi tw
kv E 40.6(29000 ksi ) h
1.10 1.10 199 230
Fy 36ksi tw
1.10 kvE Fy
1.10 (40.6)(29000 ksi) (36ksi)
Cv 0.86
h tw 230
5
Vn 0.9(0.6 Aw Fy Cv ) 0.9(0.6)(75")( ")(36ksi)(0.86) 392 kips
16
√ OK
 Design Example, p. 23
150 k 150 k  Shear Capacity –
5 k/ft
Regions AB and CD

After End Panels

A B C D Lateral
24' 24' 24' Support

330 k
210
TFA Permitted
Shear 60
(kip)
60
~27” 210 330
Moment
(ft-kip)

Vu 334kips Including self-weight

6480 6480

Required
6840
334kips
14.2 ksi
Stress (75")(5 /16")
Design
Example, p. 24
 Shear Capacity, End
Panels
 Use Table 3-16b (with
TFA) for estimate
 Based on required
stress, try a/h = 0.80?
 Design Example, p. 25
 Shear Capacity, after End Panel, with TFA
Try a = 56”; a/h = 0.78
5 5
kv 5 5 13.2
(a / h)2 (0.78)2
kv E 13.2(29000 ksi ) h
1.37 1.37 141 230
Fy 36ksi tw
1.51kv E 1.51(13.2)(29000 ksi)
Cv 0.304
h
( )2 Fy (230 2 )(36ksi)
tw
1 Cv
Vn 0.9(0.6 Aw Fy )(Cv )
2
1.15 1 (a / h )
5 1 0.304
0.9(0.6)(75)( )(36)(0.304 ) 356kips >334 kips
16 2
1.15 1 0.78 √ OK
 Design Example, p. 26
150 k 150 k  Shear Capacity –
5 k/ft
Regions AB and CD

After first 2 panels

A B C D Lateral
24' 24' 24' Support

330 k
210
TFA permitted
Shear 60
(kip)
60

27” 56” 210 330

Moment
(ft-kip)

Vu 309kips Including self-weight

6480 6480

Required
6840
309kips  Based on Table 3-16b,
13.2 ksi
Stress (75")(5 /16") repeat a/h= 0.78
Design Example, p. 27
Repeat process for next panel(s); determine stiffener
27” layout (another layout might be more efficient)
CL
sym.

56” 56” 73” 76” 4 @ 72”

Note: „a‟ dimension used for stiffener spacing; therefore,

actual „a‟ (clear distance) will be smaller
 Design Example, p. 28
150 k 150 k  Flexure – Shear
5 k/ft
Interaction?
 Check Region BC?
 Designed for TFA
A B C D Lateral
24' 24' 24' Support

330 k
210 Vu 60
Shear 60 0.19
(kip)
60 Vn 320
210 330 for
<<0.6
Moment a/h=1.0
(ft-kip)

Therefore,
no interaction
6480 6480
6840
 Design Example, p. 29
150 k 150 k  Flexure – Shear
5 k/ft
Interaction?
 Check Region AB?
Just to left of point B
A B C D Lateral
24' 24' 24' Support  Designed for TFA
330 k
210 Mu 6740
Shear 60 0.785
(kip)
60 Mn 8582
210 330
>0.75
Moment
(ft-kip) Vu 216
0.69
Vn 312
>0.6
6480 6480
6840 Mu and Vu modified for self-weight
Design Example, p. 30
 Flexure-Shear Interaction, cont‟d.

Mu Vu
0.625 1.375
Mn Vn
(A-G5-1, 3rd ed. AISC-LRFD)

0.785 0.625(0.69) 1.22 <1.375

√ OK
Design Example, p.31
 Size flange-to-web
weld h tf
Q Af ( )
2 2
72" 1.5"
28" (1.5" )( ) 1544 in 3
2 2

X X Vu Q
shearflow
Ix

346kips(1544in3)
4.34kips/ in
123,183in 4
Design Example, p. 32
 Flange-to-web welds,
cont‟d
 AISC Table J2.4 minimum
size
 3/16” fillet for 5/16” plate
(thinner part joined)
 Assume Submerged Arc X X
Weld (SAW)
 Try w=1/4”
 Use matching weld
electrode, 70ksi
Design Example, p. 33
 Flange-to-web weld, cont‟d.
Weld Metal (AISC J2)
2
Rn (0.6FEXX ) Aw 0.75(2)(0.6)(70ksi ) (0.25" ) 11.1kips / in
2
Base Metal – Shear Yield (AISC J4.2)

Rn (0.6Fy ) Ag 1.0(0.6)(36ksi)(0.3125" ) 6.75kips/ in

CONTROLS
Base Metal – Shear Rupture (AISC J4.2)

Rn (0.6Fu ) Anv 0.75(0.6)(58ksi)(0.3125" ) 8.2kips/ in

>4.34 kips/in
√ OK
Design Example, p. 34
 Intermediate Transverse Stiffeners (for TFA)
 Assume single-plate A36 stiffeners
 Design for most critical shear force and TFA (334 kips)

Fy Vu 2
Ast [0.15Dsht w (1 Cv ) 18tw ] (G3-3)
Fyst Vn

36ksi 5 334 K 5 2 2
[0.15( 2.4)(72" )( " )(1 0.304 )( ) 18( " ) ] 3.75 in
36ksi 16 342 K 16
Design Example, p. 35
 Intermediate Transverse Stiffeners,
cont‟d. (stiffness)
2.5 2.5
j 2
2 0.5 2
2 2.11
(a / h) 0.78
3 5 3
I st jat w 2.11(56" )( " ) 3.61in 4
16

TRY 8” x ½” Ast 8" (0.5" ) 4.0in 2 √ OK

0.5" (8" )3 4 √ OK
Ist 85.3in
3
 Design Example, p. 36
 Intermediate Transverse Stiffeners, cont‟d.
 CHECK Local Buckling

b 8" E 29000 N.G.

16 0.56 0.56 15.9
t 1 / 2" Fyst 36

TRY 8” x 9/16” Ast 8" (0.5625" ) 4.5in 2

√ OK
0.5625" (8" )3 4
Ist 96in √ OK
3
b 8" √ OK
14.2
t 0.5625"
Design Example, p. 37
 Size welds for stiffeners
3
Fyw 36ksi 3
f nv 0.045h 0.045(72" ) 4.1kips / in
E 29000 ksi

 Try minimum weld size for 5/16” plate

(thinner plate) AISC Table J2.4
 aw=3/16”
 Assume SMAW
Design Example, p. 38
 Stiffener welds, cont‟d.
Weld Metal (AISC J2)
Rn (0.6FEXX ) Aw 0.75(2)(0.6)(70ksi)(0.707)(0.1875" ) 8.35kips/ in
CONTROLS
Base Metal – Shear Yield (AISC J4.2)

Rn (0.6Fy ) Ag 1.0(0.6)(36ksi)(0.5625" ) 12.2kips/ in

Base Metal – Shear Rupture (AISC J4.2)

Rn (0.6Fu ) Anv 0.75(0.6)(58ksi)(0.5625" ) 14.7kips/ in

or Rn (0.6Fu ) Anv 0.75(0.6)(58)(2)(0.1875" ) 9.79kips/ in
>4.1 kips/in
√ OK
Design Example, p. 39
 Stiffener welds, cont‟d.

Use nominal weld size (Table

3/16” J2.4) to connect to compression
flange (to prevent uplift of
flange – single stiffener)
3/16”

5
4tw 4( " ) 1.25"
16
USE 1.5”
5
6tw 6( " ) 1.88"
16
Design Example, p. 40
Typically make full
 Bearing Stiffeners depth; check
capacity of
intermediate
transverse
stiffeners for
BEARING

Check LWY, LWC

(given bearing length of
support)
Design bearing stiffener
as needed
Design Example, p. 41
 Bearing Stiffeners
 Will design / check for
homework
 Use pairs of stiffeners (as
shown to left)
 Use full depth