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ETABS
Integrated Building Design Software
The computer program ETABS and all associated documentation are proprietary and
copyrighted products. Worldwide rights of ownership rest with Computers and
Structures, Inc. Unlicensed use of the program or reproduction of the documentation in
any form, without prior written authorization from Computers and Structures, Inc., is
explicitly prohibited.
i
Composite Beam Design Manual
Temporary 3-5
Show Details 3-5
5 Input Data
General 5-1
Using the Print Composite Beam Design
Tables Form 5-1
Material Properties Input Data 5-2
Section Properties Input Data 5-3
Deck Properties Input Data 5-4
Design Preferences Input Data 5-6
Beam Overwrites Input Data 5-8
6 Output Data
Overview 6-1
Using the Print Composite Beam Design
Tables Form 6-1
Summary of Composite Beam Output 6-2
ii
Contents
12 Beam Vibration
Overview 12-1
Vibration Frequency 12-1
Murray's Minimum Damping Requirement 12-4
Initial Displacement Amplitude 12-4
Effective Number of Beams Resisting
Heel Drop Impact 12-6
References 12-7
iii
Composite Beam Design Manual
iv
Contents
17 Preferences
General 17-1
Using the Preferences Form 17-1
Preferences 17-2
Factors Tab 17-3
Beam Tab 17-3
Deflection Tab 17-4
Vibration Tab 17-5
Price Tab 17-6
18 Overwrites
General 18-1
Using the Composite Beam Overwrites
Form 18-2
Overwrites 18-3
Beam Tab 18-4
Bracing (C) Tab and Bracing Tab 18-6
Deck Tab 18-9
Shear Studs Tab 18-10
Deflection Tab 18-13
Vibration Tab 18-14
Miscellaneous Tab 18-14
EQ Factor 18-15
19 Width-to-Thickness Checks
Overview 19-1
Limiting Width-to-Thickness Ratios for
Flanges 19-2
Compact Section Limits for Flanges 19-2
Noncompact Section Limits for
Flanges 19-2
v
Composite Beam Design Manual
vi
Contents
25 Shear Studs
Overview 25-1
Shear Stud Connectors 25-1
Reduction Factor when Metal Deck is
Perpendicular to Beam 25-2
Reduction Factor when Metal Deck is
Parallel to Beam 25-3
Horizontal Shear for Full Composite
Connection 25-4
Number of Shear Studs 25-5
Between the Output Station with
Maximum Moment and the
Point of Zero Moment 25-6
Between Other Output Stations and
Points of Zero Moment 25-6
vii
Composite Beam Design Manual
27 Input Data
Beam Overwrites Input Data 27-1
28 Output Details
Short Form Output Details 28-1
30 Preferences
General 30-1
Using the Preferences Form 30-1
Preferences 30-2
Factors Tab 30-3
Beam Tab 30-4
Deflection Tab 30-5
Vibration Tab 30-5
Price Tab 30-6
31 Overwrites
General 31-1
Using the Composite Beam Overwrites
Form 31-2
Resetting Composite Beam
Overwrites to Default Values 31-3
Overwrites 31-3
Beam Tab 31-4
Brace (C) Tab and Bracing Tab 31-6
viii
Contents
ix
Composite Beam Design Manual
x
Contents
39 Shear Connectors
Shear Stud Connectors 39-1
Horizontal Shear for Full Composite
Connection 39-1
Number of Shear Connectors 39-2
Between Maximum Moment and
Point of Zero Moment 39-2
Between Point Load and Point of
Zero Moment 39-3
41 Input Data
Beam Overwrites Input 41-1
xi
Composite Beam Design Manual
42 Output Details
Short Form Output Details 42-1
Long Form Output Details 42-8
xii
©COMPUTERS AND STRUCTURES, INC., BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA DECEMBER 2001
COMPOSITE BEAM DESIGN
Technical Note 1
General Design Information
This Technical Note presents some basic information and concepts that are
useful when performing composite beam design using this program.
Design Codes
The design code is set using the Options menu > Preferences > Compos-
ite Beam Design command. You can choose to design for any one design
code in any one design run. You cannot design some beams for one code and
others for a different code in the same design run. You can however perform
different design runs using different design codes without rerunning the
analysis.
Units
For composite beam design in this program, any set of consistent units can be
used for input. Typically, design codes are based on one specific set of units.
The documentation in the Composite Beam Design series of Technical Notes is
presented in kip-inch-seconds units unless otherwise noted.
Again, any system of units can be used to define and design a building in the
program. You can change the system of units at any time using the pull-down
menu on the Status Bar or pull-down menu on individual forms where avail-
able.
Note:
You can use any set of units in composite beam design and you can change the units "on
the fly."
built-in program section database, or they can be user defined. The user-
defined sections can be specified using the Define menu > Frame Sections
command and clicking either the Add I/Wide Flange or the Add Channel op-
tion.
Note that beam sections that are defined in Section Designer are always
treated as general sections. Thus, if you define an I-type or channel-type
section in Section Designer, the program will consider it as a general section,
not an I-shaped or channel-shaped section, and will not allow it to be de-
signed as a composite beam.
Note:
Beam sections defined in the section designer utility cannot be designed as composite
beams.
For composite beams, the beam local 2-axis must be vertical. The Local axis 2
Angle is displayed on the Assignments tab of the Line Information form.
Note:
The line object representing a composite beam should span from support to support.
Composite beams should not be modeled using multiple, adjacent line objects between
supports for a single composite beam.
The line object representing a composite beam should span from support to
support. In the case of a cantilever beam overhang, the line object should
span from the overhang support to the end of the beam. The cantilever beam
back span should be modeled using a separate line object. If you do not
model cantilever beams in this way, the analysis results for moments and
shears will still be correct but the design performed by the Composite Beam
Design processor probably will not be correct.
The beam must meet the section requirements described in the subsection
entitled "Section Requirements for Composite Beams" in this Technical
Note.
The beam must meet the material property requirement described in the
subsection entitled "Material Property Requirement for Composite Beams"
in this Technical Note.
The beam must meet the two other requirements described in the subsec-
tion entitled "Other Requirements for Composite Beams" in this Technical
Note.
At least one side of the beam must support deck that is specified as a
Deck section (not a Slab or Wall section). The deck section can be filled,
unfilled or a solid slab. When the deck is unfilled, the beam will still go
through the Composite Beam Design postprocessor and will simply be de-
signed as a noncomposite beam.
The beam must not frame continuously into a column or a brace. Both
ends of the beam must be pinned for major axis bending (bending about
the local 3-axis).
No design
By default, steel sections are designed using either the composite beam de-
sign procedure or the steel frame design procedure. All steel sections that
Change the default design procedure used for a beam(s) by selecting the
beam(s) and clicking Design menu > Overwrite Frame Design Proce-
dure. This change is only successful if the design procedure assigned to an
element is valid for that element. For example, if you select two steel beams,
one an I-section and the other a tube section, and attempt to change the de-
sign procedure to Composite Beam Design, the change will be executed for
the I-section, but not for the tube section because it is not a valid section for
the composite beam design procedure. A section is valid for the composite
beam design procedure if it meets the requirements specified in the subsec-
tions entitled "Section Requirements for Composite Beams," "Material Prop-
erty Requirement for Composite Beams" and "Other Requirements for Com-
posite Beams" earlier in this Technical Note.
Note that the procedures documented for composite beam design allow for
designing a beam noncompositely. One of the overwrites available for com-
posite beam design is to specify that selected beams are either designed as
composite, noncomposite but still with a minimum number of shear studs
specified, or noncomposite with no shear studs. These overwrites do not af-
fect the design procedure. Changing the overwrite to one of the noncomposite
designs does not change the design procedure from Composite Beam Design
to Steel Frame Design. The noncomposite design in this case is still performed
from within the Composite Beam Design postprocessor.
Using the composite beam design procedure, out-of-plane bending is not con-
sidered and slender sections are not designed. This is different from the Steel
Frame Design postprocessor. Thus, the design results obtained for certain
beams may be different, depending on the design procedure used.
Finally, note that you can specify that the composite beam design procedures
are to be used for a beam even if that beam does not support any deck, or for
that matter, even if no slab is specified. In these cases, the beam will be de-
signed as a noncomposite beam by the Composite Beam Design postproces-
sor.
When considering design groups, the program first discards any beam in the
design group that is not assigned an auto select section list.
Next, the program looks at the auto select section list assigned to each beam
in the design group and creates a new list that contains the sections that are
common to all of the auto select section lists in the design group. The pro-
gram sorts this new common section list in ascending order, from smallest
section to largest section based on section weight (area).
Note:
When designing with design groups, the program attempts to quickly eliminate inade-
quate beams.
The program then finds the beam with the largest positive design moment in
the design group, or the "pseudo-critical beam." The program then checks the
design of the pseudo-critical beam for all sections in the common section list.
Any sections in the common section list that are not adequate for the pseudo-
critical beam are discarded from the common section list, making the list
shorter. This new list is the shorter common section list. The shorter common
section list is still in ascending order based on section weight (area).
Now the program checks all beams in the design group for the first section
(smallest by weight [area]) in the shorter common section list. If the optimi-
zation is being performed on the basis of beam weight and the section is ade-
quate for all beams in the design group, the optimum section has been iden-
tified. If the section is not adequate for a beam, the next higher section in the
shorter common section list is tried until a section is found that is adequate
for all beams in the design group.
If the optimization is based on price instead of weight, the program finds the
first section in the shorter common section list (i.e., the one with the lowest
weight) that is adequate for all beams. Next it calculates the cost of this first
adequate section and then determines the theoretical heaviest section that
could still have a cost equal to the adequate section by dividing the total price
of the beam with the adequate section (steel plus camber plus shear connec-
tors) by the unit price of the steel. This assumes that when the cost of the
steel section alone is equal to or greater than the total cost of the adequate
section, the section could not have a total cost less than the adequate sec-
tion. The program then checks any other sections in the shorter common sec-
tion list that have a weight less than or equal to the calculated maximum
weight. If any of the other sections are also adequate, a cost is calculated for
them. Finally, the section with the lowest associated cost is selected as the
optimum section for the design group.
Note:
By default, the program selects the optimum composite beam size based on weight, not
price.
When a beam is optimized by price, the program determines the price as-
sociated with the steel by multiplying the volume of the beam (including
the cover plate, if it exists) by the weight density of the beam by the price
per unit weight specified in the material properties for the steel. The price
associated with camber is determined by multiplying the volume of the
beam (including the cover plate, if it exists) by the weight density of the
beam by the specified price per unit weight for camber defined in the com-
posite beam preferences. The price for shear connectors is determined by
multiplying the total number of shear connectors by the price per connec-
tor specified in the composite beam preferences. The total price for the
beam is determined by summing the prices for the steel, camber and
shear connectors. Thus, when a beam is optimized by price, the weight
density for the steel is important and must be correctly specified for the
price to be correctly calculated.
Note that the volume of the beam is calculated by multiplying the area of
the steel beam (plus the area of the cover plate, if used) by the length of
the beam from center-of-support to center-of-support
You can request that the program use price to determine the optimum section
by clicking the Options menu > Preferences > Composite Beam Design
command, selecting the Price tab and setting the "Optimize for Price" item to
Yes. If you request a price analysis, the program compares alternate accept-
able beam designs based on their price and selects the one with the least cost
as the optimum section.
For the cost comparison, specify costs for steel, shear studs and beam cam-
ber. The steel cost is specified as a part of the steel material property using
the Define menu > Material Properties command. The shear stud and
beam camber costs are specified in the composite beam preferences.
The costs for steel and cambering are specified on a unit weight of the beam
basis; for example, a cost per pound of the beam. The shear connector cost is
specified on a cost per connector. By assigning different prices for steel, shear
connectors and camber, you can influence the choice of optimum section. The
cost of the cover plate is not included in the comparison (but it would be the
same for all beam sections if it were included).
See the previous "Important Note about Optimizing Beams by Weight and
Price" for additional information.
You can specify as many load combinations as you want for each of these
types. In addition, the program creates special live load patterns for cantile-
ver beams. See Composite Beam Design Technical Note 20 Design Load Com-
binations for additional information on design load combinations for the Com-
posite Beam Design postprocessor.
Tip:
It is important to understand the difference between analysis sections and design sec-
tions.
It is possible for the last used analysis section and the current design section
to be different. For example, you may have run your analysis using a W18X35
beam and then found in the design that a W16X31 beam worked. In that
case, the last used analysis section is the W18X35 and the current design
section is the W16X31. Before you complete the design process, verify that
the last used analysis section and the current design section are the same.
The Design menu > Composite Beam Design > Verify Analysis vs De-
sign Section command is useful for this task.
The program keeps track of the analysis section and the design section
separately. Note the following about analysis and design sections:
Assigning a beam a frame section property using the Assign menu >
Frame/Line > Frame Section command assigns the section as both the
analysis section and the design section.
Running an analysis using the Analyze menu > Run Analysis command
(or its associated toolbar button) always sets the analysis section to be
the same as the current design section.
Assigning an auto select list to a frame section using the Assign menu >
Frame/Line > Frame Section command initially sets the design section
to be the beam with the median weight in the auto select list.
Unlocking a model deletes the design results, but it does not delete or
change the design section.
Using the Design menu > Composite Beam Design > Select Design
Combo command to change a design load combination deletes the design
results, but it does not delete or change the design section.
Using the Options menu > Preferences > Composite Beam Design
command to change any of the composite beam design preferences de-
letes the design results, but it does not delete or change the design sec-
tion.
Deleting the static nonlinear analysis results also deletes the design re-
sults for any load combination that includes static nonlinear forces. Typi-
cally, static nonlinear analysis and design results are deleted when one of
the following actions is taken:
9 Use the Define menu > Frame Nonlinear Hinge Properties com-
mand to redefine existing or define new hinges.
9 Use the Assign menu > Frame/Line > Frame Nonlinear Hinges
command to add or delete hinges.
Again, note that these actions delete only results for load combinations that
include static nonlinear forces.
Output Stations
Frame output stations are designated locations along a frame element. They
are used as locations to report output forces and to perform design, and as
plotting points used for graphic display of force diagrams. When force dia-
grams are plotted, exact forces are plotted at each output station and then
those points are connected by straight lines. Output stations occur at user-
specified locations and at point load locations along a beam. Designate the
output stations for a frame element using the Assign menu.
Note:
Access the display of frame element output stations using the View menu.
For composite beam design, the program checks the moments, shears and
deflections at each output station along the beam. No checks are made at any
points along the beam that are not output stations.
This Technical Notes describes a basic composite beam design process using
this program. Although the exact steps you follow may vary, the basic design
process should be similar to that described herein. Separate processes are
described for design of a new building and check of an existing building. Other
Technical Notes in the Composite Beam Design General series provide addi-
tional information.
1. Use the Options menu > Preferences > Composite Beam Design
command to choose the composite beam design code and to review other
composite beam design preferences and revise them if necessary. Note
that default values are provided for all composite beam design prefer-
ences, so it is unnecessary to define any preferences unless you want to
change some of the default values. See AISC-ASD89 Composite Beam De-
sign Technical Note 17 Preferences and AISC-LRFD93 Composite Beam
Design Technical Note 30 Preferences for more information about prefer-
ences.
3. Run the building analysis using the Analyze menu > Run Analysis
command.
4. Assign composite beam overwrites, if needed, using the Design menu >
Composite Beam Design > View/Revise Overwrites command. Note
that you must select beams before using this command. Also note that
default values are provided for all composite beam design overwrites so it
is unnecessary to define overwrites unless you want to change some of
the default values. Note that the overwrites can be assigned before or af-
ter the analysis is run. See AISC-ASD89 Composite Beam Design Techni-
cal Note 18 Overwrites and See AISC-LRFD93 Composite Beam Design
Technical Note 31 Overwrites.
5. Designate design groups, if desired, using the Design menu > Compos-
ite Beam Design > Select Design Group command. Note that you
must have already created some groups by selecting objects and clicking
the Assign menu > Group Names command.
6. To use design load combinations other than the defaults created by the
program for composite beam design, click the Design menu > Compos-
ite Beam Design > Select Design Combo command. Note that you
must have already created your own design combos by clicking the De-
fine menu > Load Combinations command.
Note that for composite beam design, you specify separate design load
combinations for construction loading, final loading considering strength,
and final loading considering deflection. Design load combinations for each
of these three conditions are specified using the Design menu > Com-
posite Beam Design > Select Design Combo command. See Compos-
ite Beam Design Technical Note 10 Design Load Combinations.
7. Click the Design menu > Composite Beam Design > Start De-
sign/Check of Structure command to run the composite beam design.
8. Review the composite beam design results by doing one of the following:
a. Click the Design menu > Composite Beam Design > Display De-
sign Info command to display design input and output information on
the model. See Composite Beam Design Technical Note 4 Data Plotted
Directly on the Model.
If design results are not currently displayed (and the design has been
run), click the Design menu > Composite Beam Design > Inter-
active Composite Beam Design command and then right click a
beam to enter the interactive design mode for that beam.
c. Use the File menu > Print Tables > Composite Beam Design
command to print composite beam design data. If you select beams
before using this command, data is printed only for the selected
beams. See AISC-ASD89 Composite Beam Design Technical Note 27
Input Data, AISC-LRFD93 Composite Beam Design Technical Note 41
Input Data, AISC-ASD89 Composite Beam Design Technical Note 28
Output Details, and AISC-LRFD93 Composite Beam Design Technical
Note 42 Output Details for more information.
d. Use the Design menu > Composite Beam Design > Verify all
Members Passed command to verify that no members are over-
stressed or otherwise unacceptable.
9. Use the Design menu > Composite Beam Design > Change Design
Section command to change the beam design section properties for se-
lected beams.
10. Click the Design menu > Composite Beam Design > Start De-
sign/Check of Structure command to rerun the composite beam design
with the new section properties. Review the results using the procedures
described in Step 8.
11. Rerun the building analysis using the Analyze menu > Run Analysis
command. Note that the beam section properties used for the analysis are
the last specified design section properties.
12. Click the Design menu > Composite Beam Design > Start De-
sign/Check of Structure command to rerun the composite beam design
with the new analysis results and new section properties. Review the re-
sults using the procedures described in Step 8.
13. Again use the Design menu > Composite Beam Design > Change
Design Section command to change the beam design section properties
for selected beams, if necessary.
Note:
Composite beam design in the program is an iterative process. Typically, the analysis
and design will be rerun multiple times to complete a design.
15. Select all beams and click the Design menu > Composite Beam Design
> Make Auto Select Section Null command. This removes any auto se-
lect section list assignments from the selected beams.
16. Rerun the building analysis using the Analyze menu > Run Analysis
command. Note that the beam section properties used for the analysis are
the last specified design section properties.
17. Click the Design menu > Composite Beam Design > Start De-
sign/Check of Structure command to rerun the composite beam design
with the new section properties. Review the results using the procedures
described above.
18. Click the Design menu > Composite Beam Design > Verify Analysis
vs Design Section command to verify that all of the final design sections
are the same as the last used analysis sections.
19. Use the File menu > Print Tables > Composite Beam Design com-
mand to print selected composite beam design results if desired. See
AISC-ASD89 Composite Beam Design Technical Note 28 Output Details
and AISC-LRFD93 Composite Beam Design Technical Note 42 Output De-
tails
for a new building because iteration is not required. Note that although the
sequence of steps you follow may vary, the basic process probably will be es-
sentially the same.
Tip:
You can define your own shear stud patterns on the Shear Studs tab in the composite
beam overwrites. This allows you to model existing structures with composite floor fram-
ing.
1. Use the Options menu > Preferences > Composite Beam Design
command to choose the composite beam design code and to review other
composite beam design preferences and revise them if necessary. Note
that default values are provided for all composite beam design prefer-
ences so it is unnecessary to define preferences unless you want to
change some of the default preference values. See AISC-ASD89 Compos-
ite Beam Design Technical Note 17 Preferences and AISC-LRFD93 Com-
posite Beam Design Technical Note 30 Preferences for more information
about preferences.
3. Run the building analysis using the Analyze menu > Run Analysis
command.
5. Click the Design menu > Composite Beam Design > Start De-
sign/Check of Structure command to run the composite beam design.
6. Review the composite beam design results by doing do one of the follow-
ing:
a. Click the Design menu > Composite Beam Design > Display De-
sign Info command to display design input and output information on
the model. See Composite Beam Design Technical Note 4 Data Plotted
Directly on the Model.
If design results are not currently displayed (and the design has been
run), click the Design menu > Composite Beam Design > Inter-
active Composite Beam Design command and then right click a
beam to enter the interactive design mode for that beam.
c. Use the File menu > Print Tables > Composite Beam Design
command to print composite beam design data. If you select beams
before using this command, data is printed only for the selected
beams.
d. Use the Design menu > Composite Beam Design > Verify all
Members Passed command to verify that no members are over-
stressed or otherwise unacceptable. See AISC-ASD89 Composite Beam
Design Technical Note 27 Input Data, AISC-LRFD93 Composite Beam
Design Technical Note 41 Input Data, AISC-ASD89 Composite Beam
Design Technical Note 28 Output Details, and AISC-LRFD93 Composite
Beam Design Technical Note 42 Output Details for more information.
Interactive composite beam design is a powerful feature that allows the user
to review the design results for any composite beam and interactively revise
the design assumptions and immediately review the revised results.
Note that a design must have been run for the interactive design mode to be
available.
To enter the interactive design mode and interactively design the beam, right
click on a beam while the design results are displayed in the active window. If
design results are not displayed (and the design has been run), click the De-
sign menu > Composite Beam Design > Interactive Composite Beam
Design command and then right click a beam.
The following sections describe the features that are included in the Interac-
tive Composite Beam Design and Review form.
Member Identification
Story ID
This is the story level ID associated with the composite beam.
Beam Label
This is the label associated with the composite beam.
Design Group
This list box displays the name of the design group that the beam is assigned
to if that design group was considered in the design of the beam. If the beam
is part of a design group but the design group was not considered in the de-
sign, N/A is displayed. If the beam is not assigned to any design group,
"NONE" is displayed.
Interactive Composite Beam Design and Review form, the Design Group box
either displays N/A or None.
Section Information
Auto Select List
This drop-down box displays the name of the auto select section list assigned
to the beam. If no auto select list has been assigned to the beam, NONE is
displayed. You can change this item to another auto select list or to NONE
while in the form and the design results will be updated immediately. If you
change this item to NONE, the design is performed for the Current De-
sign/Next Analysis section property.
Optimal
If an auto select section list is assigned to the beam, this list box displays the
optimal section as determined by beam weight or price, depending on what
has been specified in the composite beam preferences. If no auto select list is
assigned to the beam, N/A is displayed for this item.
Last Analysis
This list box displays the name of the section that was used for this beam in
the last analysis. Thus, the beam forces are based on a beam of this section
property. For the final design iteration, the Current Design/Next Analysis sec-
tion property and the Last Analysis section property should be the same.
Tip:
The section property displayed for the Current Design/Next Analysis item is used by the
program as the section property for the next analysis run.
If no auto select list has been assigned to the beam, the beam design is per-
formed for the section property specified in this edit box.
Section name
Connector layout
Camber
Ratio
Tip:
A single beam displayed in a red font in the Acceptable Sections List means that none of
the sections considered were acceptable.
Typically, the ratio displayed is the largest ratio obtained considering the
stress ratios for positive moment, negative moment and shear for both con-
struction loads and final loads, as well as the stud ratio(s), deflection ratios,
and if they are specified to be considered when determining if a beam section
is acceptable, the vibration ratios.
If the beam is assigned an auto select list, many beam sections may be listed
in the Acceptable Sections List. If necessary, use the scroll bar to scroll
through the acceptable sections. The optimal section is initially highlighted in
the list.
If the beam is not assigned an auto select list, only one beam section will be
listed in the Acceptable Sections List. It is the same section as specified in the
Current Design/Next Analysis edit box.
At least one beam will always be shown in the Acceptable Sections List, even
if none of the beams considered are acceptable. When no beams are accept-
able, the program displays the section with the smallest maximum ratio in a
red font. Thus, a single beam displayed in a red font in the Acceptable Sec-
tions List means that none of the sections considered were acceptable.
ReDefine
Sections Button
Use the Sections button to change the Current Design/Next Analysis section
property. This button can designate a new section property whether the sec-
tion property is or is not displayed in the Acceptable Sections List.
When you click on the Sections button, the Select Sections form appears.
Assign any frame section property to the beam by clicking on the desired
property and clicking OK. Note that if an auto select list is assigned to the
beam, using the Sections button sets the auto select list assignment to
NONE.
Overwrites Button
Click the overwrites button to access and make revisions to the composite
beam overwrites and then immediately see the new design results. Modifying
some overwrites in this mode and exiting both the Composite Beam Over-
writes form and the Interactive Composite Beam Design and Review form by
clicking their respective OK buttons permanently saves changes made to the
overwrites.
Exiting the Composite Beam Overwrites form by clicking the OK button tem-
porarily saves changes. Subsequently exiting the Interactive Composite Beam
Design and Review form by clicking the Cancel button cancels the changes
made. Permanent saving of the overwrites does not occur until the OK but-
tons in both the Composite Beam Overwrites form and the Interactive Com-
posite Beam Design and Review form have been clicked.
Temporary
Combos Button
Click this button to access and make temporary revisions to the design load
combinations considered for the beam. This is useful for reviewing the results
for one particular load combination, for example. You can temporarily change
the considered design load combinations to be just the one you are interested
in and review the results.
The changes made to the considered design load combinations using the
combos button are temporary. They are not saved when you exit the Interac-
tive Composite Beam Design and Review form, whether you click OK or Can-
cel to exit it.
Show Details
Diagrams Button
Clicking the Diagrams button displays a form with the following four types of
diagrams for the beam.
Applied loads
Shear
Moment
Deflection
The diagrams are plotted for specific design load combinations specified in the
form by the user.
Details Button
Clicking the Details button displays design details for the beam. The infor-
mation displayed is similar to the short form output that can be printed using
the File menu > Print Tables > Composite Beam Design command. The
Technical Notes describe short form output.
Note:
Stud Details Information is available using the Details button, but is not included in the
short form output printed using File Menu > Print Tables> Composite Beam Design.
Stud details information is one item included in the interactive design details
that is not included in the short form output details (and thus not described in
AISC-ASD89 Composite Beam Design Technical Note 28 Output Details or
AISC-LRFD93 Composite Beam Design Technical Note 42 Output Details). This
information is provided in a table with six columns on the Stud Details tab.
The definitions of the column headings in this table are given in the following
bullet items.
Distance: The distance of the Max Moment or Point Load location meas-
ured from the center of the support at the left end (I-end) of the beam.
Combo: The final strength design load combination considered for the as-
sociated row of the table.
L1 left: The dimension L1 left associated with the specified location. See
"How the Program Distributes Shear Studs on a Beam" in Composite
Beam Design Technical Note 13 Distribution of Shear Studs on a Beam for
more information.
Recall that L1 left is the distance from an output station to an adjacent point
of zero moment or physical end of the beam top flange, or physical end of
the concrete slab, measured toward the left end (I-end) of the beam.
L1 right: The dimension L1 right associated with the specified location. See
"How the Program Distributes Shear Studs on a Beam" in Composite
Beam Design Technical Note 13 Distribution of Shear Studs on a Beam for
more information.
end of the concrete slab, measured toward the right end (J-end) of the
beam
Studs: The number of shear studs required between the specified location
and adjacent points of zero moment, the end of the concrete slab, or the
end of the beam top flange.
The Stud Details table reports information at each maximum moment location
and each point load location (if any) for each final strength design load com-
bination.
The Stud Detail information allows you to report your shear studs in compos-
ite beam segments that are different from the default composite beam seg-
ments used by the program. See "Composite Beam Segments" in Composite
Beam Design Technical Note 13 Distribution of Shear Studs on a Beam for a
definition of composite beam segments. It is very important that you un-
derstand how the program defines composite beam segments, be-
cause in the composite beam output, the program reports the re-
quired number of shear studs in each composite beam segment. See
"How the Program Distributes Shear Studs on a Beam" in Composite Beam
Design Technical Note 13 Distribution of Shear Studs on a Beam for discus-
sion of how the program distributes shear studs along a beam.
This Technical Note describes the input and output data that can be plotted
directly on the model.
Overview
Use the Design menu > Composite Beam Design > Display Design Info
command to display on-screen output plotted directly on the model. If de-
sired, the screen graphics can then be printed using the File menu > Print
Graphics command.
The on-screen display data is organized into four data groups, as follows.
Labels
Design Data
Stress Ratios
Deflection Ratios
Each of these data groups is described in more detail later in this Technical
Note. It is important to note that items from different data groups cannot be
displayed simultaneously.
Tip:
The colors related to the beam ratios can be modified by clicking the Options menu >
Colors > Output command.
When design information is displayed directly on the model, the frame ele-
ments are displayed in a color that indicates the value of their controlling ra-
tio. (Note that this controlling ratio may be a stress ratio or a deflection ra-
tio.) The colors associated with various ranges of ratios are specified in the
Steel Ratios area of the Assign Output Colors form, which is accessed using
the Options menu > Colors > Output command.
Tip:
Long labels may not display or print properly (fully).
If a beam has been assigned to a group that has been designated as a com-
posite beam design group, the group name for the beam will be displayed
when requested. If a beam is not part of a composite beam design group, no
group name will be displayed for that beam. Note that you can assign beam
design groups by clicking the Design menu > Composite Beam Design >
Select Design Group command.
As shown in Figure 1, beam labels (B7, B8, etc.) are plotted above or to the
left of the beam, and beam design groups (Group01, Group07, etc.) are dis-
played below or to the right of the beam.
B7
p08
Grou 3
Group07
B2
B24
B8
Group01
B9
Group01
Floor Plan
Tip:
The design data and ratios output that is plotted directly on the model is also available in
text form in the short and long form printed output, which are described in AISC-ASD89
Composite Beam Design Technical Note 28 Output Details and AISC-LRFD93 Compos-
ite Beam Design Technical Note 42 Output Details.
Design Data
The following design data can be displayed on the model:
Beam camber
One or more of these items can be displayed at the same time. Figure 2
shows an example where all five of these items are displayed. The beam sec-
tion size (e.g., W18X35) is apparent and needs no further explanation.
The beam yield stress is displayed just after the beam section size.
The shear stud layout pattern is displayed in parenthesis just after the beam
yield stress. The number of equally spaced shear studs is reported for each
composite beam segment. See “Composite Beam Segments” in Composite
Beam Design Technical Note 13 Distribution of Shear Studs on a Composite
Beam for more information on composite beam segments.
Important note: It is very important that you fully understand the concept
of composite beam segments. This is necessary to properly interpret the out-
put results for shear studs.
The beam camber is displayed below or to the right of the beam. All other
data is displayed above or to the left of the beam.
The end reactions are displayed at each end of the beam. They are displayed
below or to the right of the beam. The end reactions displayed are the maxi-
mum end reactions obtained from all design load combinations. Note that the
Yield stress
23.7
18.4
,16)
parenthesis
C=0.75
Fy=5
00
20.7 20.7
X55
Beam section
W24
23.7
18.4
Left reaction
W18X35 Fy=36 (48)
25.2 C=1.25 25.2
Floor Plan
left end reaction and the right end reaction displayed may be from two differ-
ent design load combinations.
Note that cover plate information is not displayed on the model. This infor-
mation is available in the printed output (short form or long form; see AISC-
ASD89 Composite Beam Design Technical Note 28 Output Details and AISC-LRFD93
Composite Beam Design Technical Note 42 Output Details) and in the overwrites.
Tip:
The length of the composite beam segments associated with the shear stud layout is
documented in the short and long form printed output, which are described in AISC-
ASD89 Composite Beam Design Technical Note 28 Output Details and AISC-LRFD93
Composite Beam Design Technical Note 42 Output Details.
Stress Ratios
The following design data can be displayed on the model:
You can display the construction load ratios, the final load ratios, or both.
Bending ratios are always displayed above or to the left of the beam. Shear
ratios are always displayed below or to the right of the beam.
When both construction and final stress ratios are displayed, the construction
load ratios are displayed first, followed by the final load ratios. See Figure 3
for an example.
0.678, 0.961
0.121, 0.245
0.561, 0.983
0.213, 0.293
224
0.678, 0.961
0.121, 0.245
Construction Final load
0.765, 0.994 load shear shear ratio
0.179, 0.311 ratio
Deflection Ratios
When the Deflection Ratios option is chosen, the program plots one or both of
the following two ratios.
The maximum live load deflection ratio (live load deflection divided by al-
lowable live load deflection) for deflection loads.
The maximum total load deflection ratio (total load deflection divided by
allowable total load deflection) for deflection loads.
When both ratios are plotted, the live load deflection ratio is plotted first, fol-
lowed by the total load deflection ratio, as shown in Figure 4.
0.521, 0.426
326
0.392, 0.372
9, 0.
0.612, 0.433
0.41
General
This Technical Note describes the composite beam input data that can be
printed to a printer or to a text file when you click the File menu > Print
Tables > Composite Beam Design command. You can print any combina-
tion of five data categories.
Use the File menu > Print Setup command and the Setup>> button to
change printers, if necessary.
To print composite beam design input data to a file, use the File menu >
Print Tables > Composite Beam Design command and click the Print to
File check box on the Print Composite Beam Design Tables form. Click the
Filename>> button to change the path or filename. Use the appropriate file
extension for the desired format (e.g., .txt, .xls, .doc). Click the OK buttons
on the Open File for Printing Tables form and the Print Composite Beam De-
sign Tables form to complete the request.
Note:
The File menu > Display Input/Output Text Files command is useful for displaying out-
put that is printed to a text file.
The Append check box allows you to add data to an existing file. The path and
filename of the current file is displayed in the box near the bottom of the Print
Composite Beam Design Tables form. Data will be added to this file. Or use
the Filename>> button to locate another file, and when the Open File for
Printing Tables caution box appears, click Yes to replace the existing file.
If you select a specific composite beam(s) before using the File menu >
Print Tables > Composite Beam Design command, the Selection Only
check box will be checked. The print will be for the selected beam(s) only. If
you uncheck the Selection Only check box, the print will be for all composite
beams.
The material properties printed in this output are those that are used in the
composite beam design. For example, mass per unit volume is not used in the
composite beam design so it is not printed in these tables. Table 1 lists the
column headings in the material property tables and provides a brief descrip-
tion of what is in the columns.
Note:
The composite beam preferences are described in AISC-ASD89 Composite Beam De-
sign Technical Note 17 Preferences and AISC-LRFD93 Composite Beam Design Tech-
nical Note 30 Preferences.
Recall that the composite beam preferences apply to all beams designed us-
ing the Composite Beam Design postprocessor. A few of the preference items
can be overwritten on a beam-by-beam basis in the composite beam over-
writes. Those preferences items that can be overwritten are mentioned in this
documentation. You can select one or more beams and then click the Design
menu > Composite Beam Design > View/Revise Overwrites command
to access the composite beam overwrites.
The preference input data is provided in tabular format. Table lists the column
headings in the preference table and provides a brief description of what is in
the columns.
Beam Properties
Shored Floor This item is Yes if the composite beam preferences designate
that the composite beams are to be shored. Otherwise, it is No.
Note that this item can be modified on a beam-by-beam basis
in the composite beam overwrites.
Live Load Limit Live load deflection limitation. The term L represents the length
of the beam. Note that this item can be modified on a beam-by-
beam basis in the composite beam overwrites.
Total Load Limit Total load deflection limitation. The term L represents the length
of the beam. Note that this item can be modified on a beam-by-
beam basis in the composite beam overwrites.
Camber DL Percent Percentage of dead load (not including superimposed dead
load) on which the program camber calculations are based.
See "Camber" in Composite Beam Design Technical Note 11
Beam Deflection and Camber for more information.
Vibration
Note:
Vibration is described in Composite Beam Design Technical Note 12 Beam
Vibration.
Percent Live Load Percentage of live load plus reduced live load considered (in
addition to full dead load) when computing weight supported by
the beam for use in calculating the first natural frequency of the
beam.
Overview
This Technical Note describes the composite beam output summary that can
be printed to a printer or to a text file. Additionally, both short form and long
form of the output details can be printed. See AISC-ASD89 Composite Beam
Design Technical Note 28 Output Details and AISC-LRFD93 Composite Beam
Design Technical Note 42 Output Details for more information about the
short- and long-form outputs.
Note:
A design must be run before output data can be generated.
To print summary output data to a file, use the File menu > Print Tables >
Composite Beam Design command and click the Print to File check box on
the Print Composite Beam Design Tables form. Click the Filename>> button
to change the path or filename. Use the appropriate file extension for the de-
sired format (e.g., .txt, .xls, .doc). Click the OK buttons on the Open File for
Printing Tables form and the Print Composite Beam Design Tables form to
complete the request.
Note:
The File menu > Display Input/Output Text Files command is useful for displaying out-
put that is printed to a text file.
The Append check box allows you to add data to an existing file. The path and
filename of the current file is displayed in the box near the bottom of the Print
Composite Beam Design Tables form. Data will be added to this file. Or use
the Filename button to locate another file, and when the Open File for Print-
ing Tables caution box appears, click Yes to replace the existing file.
If you select a specific composite beam(s) before using the File menu >
Print Tables > Composite Beam Design command, the Selection Only
check box will be checked. The print will be for the selected beam(s) only. If
you uncheck the Selection Only check box, the print will be for all composite
beams.
If you have selected some composite beams before printing the summary
data, only summary data for the selected beams is printed. If you have not
selected any composite beams before printing the summary data, summary
data for all composite beams is printed.
Table 1 lists the column headings in the Summary of Composite Beam Output
table and provides a brief description of what is in the columns.
The many properties associated with composite beams are defined using vari-
ous menus in the program. The steel beam itself is defined using the Define
menu > Frame Sections command. The cover plate, if it exists, is defined in
the composite beam overwrites for the beam. The metal deck, concrete slab
and shear connectors are defined together as part of the Deck section prop-
erties using the Define menu > Wall/Slab/Deck Sections command.
Other items related to the beam properties are specified in the composite
beam preferences or overwrites.
Beam Properties
Figure 1 shows a typical composite beam for reference. The beam shown is a
rolled beam section from the built-in section database.
Tip:
The Composite Beam Design postprocessor only designs beams that are I-shaped sec-
tions and channel sections.
Basic steel beam properties are defined using the Define menu > Frame
Sections command. Use this command to define the basic geometry of the
steel section, except for the cover plate, if it exists. Define the cover plate on
the Beam tab in the composite beam overwrites. When defining a beam, a
material property that includes the yield stress for that beam is also assigned.
That yield stress is assumed to apply to the beam and the cover plate unless
it is revised in the beam overwrites. The steel Material Property also includes
the price or cost-per-unit-weight that is assigned to the beam.
Concrete slab
Sr
wr
tc
Hs
hr
Metal deck
Shear stud
d
Steel beam
tcp
Cover plate bcp
The beam section for a composite beam can be any I-shaped section, or a
channel. The I-shaped section can be defined by selecting a W, M, S or HP
shape from the built-in program steel section database, or by defining your
own I-shaped section using the Define menu > Frame Sections command
and selecting the Add I/Wide Flange option from the drop-down list on the
Define Frame Properties form. It is not necessary that the top and bottom
flanges have the same dimensions in user-defined I-shaped sections used as
composite beams. A channel section used as a composite beam can also be a
section taken from the built-in program steel section database or user-
defined, using the Define menu > Frame Sections command and selecting
the Add Channel option from the drop-down list on the Define Frame Proper-
ties form.
Note:
See the section entitled “Cover Plates” later in this Technical Note for more information.
Beam sections defined using Section Designer are considered as general sec-
tions, not I-shaped or channel-shaped sections (even if they really are I-
shaped or channel-shaped), and cannot be designed using the Composite
Beam Design postprocessor.
If you define a beam section by selecting it from the built-in section database,
the program assumes that it is a rolled section and applies the design equa-
tions accordingly. If you create your own user-defined section, the program
assumes it is a welded section and revises the design equations as necessary.
The program does not check or design any of the welding for these welded
beams.
Tip:
A beam designed using the Composite Beam Design postprocessor can only have com-
posite behavior if it supports a deck section (not a slab or wall section).
Important note: You must specify the concrete slab over metal deck as a
deck section property (not a slab section property) if you want the beam to
have composite behavior. If you specify the slab using a slab section property
instead of a deck section property, the Composite Beam Design postprocessor
designs the beams supporting that slab as noncomposite beams.
In the Geometry area of the Deck Section form, the specified metal deck ge-
ometry includes:
Slab Depth: The depth of concrete fill above the metal deck. This item is
labeled tc in Figure 1.
Deck Depth: The height of the metal deck ribs. This item is labeled hr in
Figure 1.
Rib Width: The average width of the metal deck ribs. This item is labeled
wr in Figure 1.
Rib Spacing: The center-to-center spacing of the metal deck ribs. This
item is labeled Sr in Figure 1.
In the Composite Deck Studs area of the Deck Section form, the following
items are specified:
Height: The height of the shear stud. This item is labeled Hs in Figure 1.
Tensile Strength, Fu: The specified tensile strength of the shear stud.
In the Material area of the Deck Section form, if the Deck type is Filled Deck
or Solid Slab (not Unfilled Deck), specify a Slab Material for the concrete. This
should be a previously specified concrete material property. This concrete
material property is used to specify all material properties of the concrete,
except in some code-specific cases. See "Effective Slab Width and Trans-
formed Section Properties" in Composite Beam Design Technical Note 8 Effec-
tive Width of the Concrete Slab for additional information.
If the Deck type is Unfilled Deck, specify a steel material property for the
deck material and an equivalent shear thickness for the deck. These two
items are used by the program to determine the membrane shear stiffness of
the deck.
Note:
Deck section properties can be specified as a metal deck filled with concrete, unfilled
metal deck, or a solid slab with no metal deck.
In the Metal Deck Unit Weight area of the Deck Section form, specify the
weight-per-unit-area of the deck, wd.
The self-weight of the deck element representing the concrete slab over metal
deck is calculated using the weight-per-unit-area shown in Equation 1. In the
equation, wc is the weight-per-unit-volume of concrete. The first term is the
weight-per-unit-area of the concrete and the second term is the weight-per-
unit-area of the metal deck.
w h
Weight-per-Unit-Area = w c r r + t c + w d Eqn. 1
Sr
Note that the program does not check the design of the metal deck itself.
Tip:
In this program, you can define your own shear connector patterns.
Cover Plates
In this program, full-length cover plates can be specified on the bottom flange
of a composite beam. Cover plates are not defined as part of the beam prop-
erties. They can only be specified on the Beam tab of the composite beam
overwrites. Thus, to specify a beam with a cover plate, define the beam as
you normally would without the cover plate and then add the cover plate in
the overwrites by selecting a composite beam(s) and using the Design Menu
> Composite Beam Design > View/Revise Overwrites command.
One consequence of this process is that the cover plate is not included for
overall analysis of the building. However, the cover plate is considered both
for resisting moments and deflections for design of the composite beam
within the program's Composite Beam Design postprocessor.
Tip:
Cover plates are specified in the composite beam overwrites.
The properties specified for a cover plate on the Beam tab of the Composite
Beam Overwrites form are the width, bcp, the thickness, tcp, and a yield
stress, Fycp. The width and thickness dimensions are illustrated in Figure 1.
The program does not check or design any of the welding between the cover
plate and the beam bottom flange. It also does not determine cutoff locations
for the full length cover plate.
This Technical Note explains how the program considers the effective width of
the concrete slab separately on each side of the composite beam. This sepa-
ration is carried through in all of the calculations. It allows you to have differ-
ent deck properties on the two sides of the beam.
You can redefine the effective slab width on either side of the beam in the
overwrites. In the composite beam overwrites on the Beam tab (display using
the Design menu > Composite Beam Design > View/Revise Over-
writes command), the effective widths are specified on the left and right
sides of the beam. As illustrated in Figure 1, if you stand at the I-end of the
beam looking toward the J-end of the beam, the program assumes the right
side of the beam to be on your right side.
The steel beam alone is capable of resisting the entire moment in the
composite beam for the last 15% of the beam length at each end of the
beam. Note that for a uniformly loaded beam, the moment drops off to
half of the maximum moment or less in the last 15% of the beam.
Redefine this default “middle range” of 70% in the composite beam design
preferences, if desired. In the preferences, the Middle Range item is on the
Beam tab (display using the Options > Preferences > Composite Beam
Design command).
j-end of beam
i-end of beam
Figure 1: Example of How the Program Defines the Left and Right
Sides of the Beam
Note:
The program allows a different deck type and deck orientation on each side of the beam.
The program checks the deck types and deck directions on each side of the
composite beam within the specified middle range (see the previous subsec-
Technical Note 8 - 2 Multiple Deck Types or Directions Along the Beam Length
Composite Beam Design Effective Width of the Concrete Slab
Figure 2: Different Deck Types and Different Deck Directions on the Two
Sides of the Beam
tion). When multiple deck types or deck directions occur on the same side of
a composite beam, the program decides which single deck section and direc-
tion to use on that side of the beam.
The program goes through these steps in this order to choose the deck sec-
tion.
1. The program calculates the product of tc * f c' for each deck where tc is
the depth of the concrete above the metal deck and f c' is the concrete
slab compressive strength. It uses the deck section that has the small-
est value of tc * f c' in the calculations for the beam.
2. If two or more deck sections have the same value of tc * f c' but the
deck spans in different directions, the program uses the deck section
that spans perpendicular to the beam.
Multiple Deck Types or Directions Along the Beam Length Technical Note 8 - 3
Effective Width of the Concrete Slab Composite Beam Design
3. If two or more deck sections span in the same direction and have the
same value of tc * f c' , the program uses the deck section with the
smaller tc value.
4. If two or more deck sections span in the same direction and have the
same values of tc and f c' , the program use the first defined deck sec-
tion.
Tip:
You can change the assumed deck type and deck direction on each side of the beam on
the Deck tab in the composite beam overwrites.
Refer to the floor plan shown in Figure 3. The typical floor in this plan consists
of 2-1/2" normal weight concrete over 3" metal deck that is designated Deck
Type A. However, the upper left-hand quadrant of the floor consists of 4-1/2"
normal weight concrete over 3" metal deck that is designated Deck Type B.
Assume that the concrete compressive strength is 3,500 psi for both deck
types.
Now consider the beam labeled “Girder F” in the figure. Deck Type A exists
along the entire length of the right-hand side of this beam. Thus, the program
Floor Plan
Figure 3: Example of Different Deck Types on the Left and Right Sides of
a Beam
Technical Note 8 - 4 Multiple Deck Types or Directions Along the Beam Length
Composite Beam Design Effective Width of the Concrete Slab
uses Deck Type A on the right side of the beam in the calculations. Both Deck
Type A and Deck Type B exist along the left-hand side of the beam. The pro-
gram uses the following method to determine which of these deck types to
use on the left side of the beam in the calculations:
2. Use Deck Type A on the left side of the girder in the composite beam
calculations because it has the smaller value of tc * f c' .
Note that the loads applied to the beam are still based on the actual deck
types. Thus, the load applied to the upper half of Girder F in Figure 3 would
include the contribution from Deck Type B even though Deck Type B might
not be used in calculating the composite beam properties.
A second example is shown in Figure 4. In this example, the deck type is the
same throughout the floor, but the direction of the deck changes in the upper
left-hand quadrant of the floor.
Now consider the beam labeled “Girder G” in the figure. The deck ribs are
oriented parallel to the span of Girder G along the entire length of the right-
hand side of this beam. Thus, the program uses Deck Type A oriented parallel
to the span of Girder G on the right side of the beam in the calculations.
Deck ribs oriented both perpendicular and parallel to the span of Girder G
exist along the left-hand side of the beam. Because only the deck direction is
different along the left side of the beam, not the deck type (and thus tc and
f c' do not change), the program uses the deck that spans perpendicular to
Girder G on the left side of the beam.
Multiple Deck Types or Directions Along the Beam Length Technical Note 8 - 5
Effective Width of the Concrete Slab Composite Beam Design
Edge of deck
Girder G
Floor Plan
Beam X
Z
xA * LA
am
Be
Beam A θ Beam B
LA
er Y
Gird
Plan A Plan B
Be
Z1
am
am
Z2
Be
θ2 θ1
Beam C
Plan C
Now consider the example shown in Plan B of Figure 5. Assume that the ef-
fective width of Beam B is controlled by the distance to the centerline of the
adjacent beam. When considering the perpendicular distance from Beam B to
the adjacent beam on the upper side of Beam B, the program considers the
diagonal beam labeled Beam Z when the angle θ is less than 45 degrees. If
the angle θ is greater than or equal to 45 degrees, Beam Z is ignored when
calculating the effective slab width on the upper side of Beam B.
Plan C in Figure 5 shows a special case where two diagonal beams frame into
Beam C at the same point. In this special case, the program assumes that the
effective width of the slab on the side of the beam where the two diagonals
exist is zero. You can, of course, change this in the overwrites. The program
assumes the zero effective width because although it is checking the effective
LV
xD * LD
Beam D
Plan D
Overview
The program considers the unbraced length for construction loading sepa-
rately from that for final loads. For both types of loading, the unbraced length
of the beam associated with buckling about the local 2-axis (minor) of the
beam is used to determine the flexural capacity of the noncomposite beam.
The local 2-axis is illustrated in Figure 1.
i-end of beam
Tip:
The program considers the unbraced length for construction loading separately from that
for final loads.
For buckling about the local 2-axis, the program differentiates between brac-
ing of the top flange of the beam and bracing of the bottom flange of the
beam. The program automatically recognizes which flange of the beam is the
compression flange at any point along the beam for any design load combina-
tion. With this ability and the program-determined or user-specified bracing
point locations, the program can automatically determine the unbraced length
of any segment along the beam and can apply appropriate code-specified
modification factors (e.g., Cb factor for flexure) to the flexural strength of the
beam.
Note:
The program can automatically determine the unbraced length of any beam segment
based on the assumed or specified bracing points.
Note:
In the Composite Beam Design postprocessor, either deck or slab sections can brace the
top flange of a beam.
Tip:
You can choose to accept the program default bracing points for a beam. Alternatively,
you can enter the composite beam overwrites and specify the actual bracing points for a
beam or specify a maximum unbraced length.
Beam Considered
as shown in the sketch to the right. It is up to you to Br
ac
provide appropriate detailing at this point to assure that
ing
Be
the bottom flange is adequately braced. If appropriate am
detailing is not provided, you should redefine the brace
θ > 30°
points using one of the methods described in the next
section.
When the bracing is program calculated or brace points are user specified,
the program always assumes that each end of the beam is braced at both
the top and the bottom flange. If the unbraced length of a beam is longer
than the actual beam, specify a user-defined unbraced length, not user-
defined brace points.
For buckling about the local 2-axis, you can specify specific bracing points
along the beam that apply to the top flange, bottom flange, or both, or you
can specify one maximum unbraced length that applies over the entire length
of the beam to both the top and bottom flanges.
Point Braces
To define point braces, specify a distance along the beam that locates the
brace point, and then indicate whether the top, bottom, or both flanges are
braced at this location. Specify the distance as an actual distance or as a
relative distance, both measured from the I-end of the beam. All distances
are measured from the center of the support, not the physical end of the
beam. The distances may be specified as either absolute (actual) distances or
as relative distances. A relative distance to a point is the absolute distance to
that point divided by the length of the beam measured from the center-of-
support to center-of-support.
Tip:
You can change the default bracing assumed for a beam in the composite beam over-
writes. The bracing specified can be different for construction loading and final loading.
Use the following procedure in the composite beam overwrites (display using
the Design menu > Composite Beam Design > View/Revise Over-
writes command) on the Bracing (C) or Bracing tab to specify point braces:
1. Check the box next to the Bracing Condition overwrite item and then
select Bracing Specified from the drop-down box to the right of the
Bracing Condition title.
2. Check the box next to the No. Point Braces title and then click in the
cell to the right of the title.
b. In the Define Point Braces area, input a distance from end-I in the
Location box and choose a brace type in the Type box. In the Type
box, Top means only the top flange is braced; Bottom means only
the bottom flange is braced; and All means both flanges are braced
at that point.
Note:
You can specify uniform bracing, point braces, or a combination of both for a composite
beam.
Uniform Braces
To define uniform or continuous bracing, specify a distance along the beam
that locates the starting point of the continuous bracing, specify a second
(longer) distance along the beam that locates the ending point of the continu-
ous bracing, and then indicate whether the top, bottom, or both flanges are
continuously braced over this length. You can specify the distances as abso-
lute (actual) distances or as relative distances, both measured from the I-end
of the beam. A relative distance to a point is the absolute distance to that
point divided by the length of the beam measured from the center-of-support
to center-of-support.
Use the following procedure in the composite beam overwrites on the Bracing
(C) or Bracing tab to specify point braces:
1. Check the box next to the Bracing Condition overwrite item and then
select Bracing Specified from the drop-down box to the right of the
Bracing Condition title.
2. Check the box next to the No. Uniform Braces title and then click in
the cell to the right of the title.
Note:
You can specify whether a bracing point braces the top flange, bottom flange or both
flanges of a beam.
The point of maximum positive moment for each design load combination
used for checking the strength of the beam to carry the final design loads
is a design check location. Note that there may be more than one of these
design load combinations and thus there may be more than one point of
maximum moment to consider.
The point of maximum negative moment (if negative moment exists) for
each design load combination used for checking the strength of the beam
to carry the final design loads is a design check location.
A point load or point moment location for any design load combination
used for checking the strength of the beam to carry the final design loads
is a design check location.
The ends of a cover plate, if one is specified, are design check locations.
The end or edge of the deck. This occurs, for example, at locations where
the beam spans through an opening in the deck.
At each design check location the program checks the moment capacity of the
composite beam and determines the number of shear connectors required
between that location and the nearest point of zero moment (or in some spe-
cial cases, the end of the slab).
Note:
The program determines one set of design check locations that applies to all design load
combinations.
Consider, for example, a composite beam with two design load combinations
used for checking the strength of the beam to carry the final design loads.
Assume one of those load combinations is a uniform load over the full length
of the beam and the other is a point loads at the third points of the beam.
Also assume there is positive moment only in the beam and no cover plate. In
this example, the program considers the following design check locations:
The point of maximum positive moment for the design load combination
with uniform load only.
The point of maximum positive moment for the design load combination
with point loads at the third points.
The locations of the point loads, that is, the third points of the beam.
The program checks the moment capacity and the number of shear connec-
tors required between each of these four locations and the nearest point of
zero moment for both of the design load combinations. Thus, for the design
load combination with uniform load only, the program still checks how many
shear studs are required between the location of the point load in the other
design load combination and the nearest point of zero moment. This ensures
that there is always a sufficient number of shear connectors in the appropri-
ate location on the beam.
Overview
This Technical Note described the three types of design load combinations for
composite beam design in the program:
You can specify on the Beam tab in the composite beam preferences that
all beams considered by the Composite Beam Design postprocessor are
shored. Access these preferences using the Options menu > Prefer-
ences > Composite Beam Design command. Modify the shoring prefer-
ence for selected beams on the Beam tab in the composite beam over-
writes. Access the overwrites by selecting a beam and then clicking the
Design menu > Composite Beam Design > View/Revise Overwrites
command.
Strength Check for Final Loads: Design load combinations for checking
the strength of the beam to carry the final design loads.
Deflection Check for Final Loads: Design load combinations for check-
ing the deflection of the beam under final design loads.
Note:
This program automatically creates code-specific design load combinations for composite
beam design.
Tip:
None of the program default load combinations include the effect of lateral loads. If lateral
loads need to be considered, you should specify your own design load combinations.
The design load combinations are defined separately for each of these three
conditions. The program automatically creates code-specific composite beam
design load combinations for each of the three types of design load combina-
tions based on the specified dead, superimposed dead, live and reducible live
load cases. You can add additional design load combinations and modify or
delete the program-created load combinations. Use the Design menu >
Composite Beam Design > Select Design Combo command to review or
modify design load combinations. Note that the Design Load Combinations
Selection form that appears when you use this command has three separate
tabs. There is one tab for each of the three types of load combinations.
Each composite beam design load combination for a cantilever has a dead
load (DL), superimposed dead load (SDL) and a live load plus reduced live
load (LL + RLL) component. There may also be other types of load compo-
nents as well. The nature of the other types of load components is not im-
portant. The DL, SDL, (LL + RLL) and other components are shown in Figure
1a.
Finally for strength design (final loads only) of cantilever back spans, the pro-
gram considers the following two conditions for each design load combination:
Technical Note 10 - 2 Special Live Load Patterning for Cantilever Back Spans
Composite Beam Design Design Load Combinations
DL SDL
LL + RLL Other
PLLF * (LL + RLL) Note: PLLF = The Pattern Live Load Factor as
specified on the Beam tab in the
composite beam preferences.
DL + SDL (+ any other type of load if it exists) over the full length (back
span plus overhang) of the cantilever beam plus the (LL + RLL) multiplied
by the Pattern Live Load Factor applied to the simply supported back
span.
Note that the conditions described herein are only considered for strength de-
sign for final loads. The program does not do any special pattern loading
checks for deflection design or for construction loading design.
Special Live Load Patterning for Cantilever Back Spans Technical Note 10 - 3
Design Load Combinations Composite Beam Design
Note:
The live load patterning used for continuous spans is slightly different from what you
might expect, so you should read this section carefully to understand what the program
does.
If load patterning different from that provided by the program is needed, you
should create your own design load combination. When creating your own live
load patterning, it typically works best if you give the specially defined pat-
tern live load cases an “Other” design type instead of a “Live Load” design
type. That way, the special pattern live load cases are not included in the
automatically created default design load combinations, avoiding possible
double counting of some live loads in those load combinations.
Each composite beam design load combination for a continuous span has a
DL, SDL and (LL + RLL) component. There may also be other types of load
components as well. The nature of the other types of load components is not
important. The DL, SDL, (LL + RLL) and other components are shown in Fig-
ure 2a.
Finally for strength design (final loads only) of continuous spans, the program
considers the following two conditions for each design load combination:
DL SDL
LL + RLL Other
PLLF * (LL + RLL) Note: PLLF = The Pattern Live Load Factor as
specified on the Beam tab in the
composite beam preferences.
1.
2. +
c) Two Conditions Considered for Each Design Load Combination
Note that the conditions described herein are only considered for strength de-
sign for final loads. The program does not do any special pattern loading
checks for deflection design or for construction loading design.
If load patterning different from that provided by the program is needed, you
should create your own design load combination. When creating your own live
load patterning, it typically works best if you give the specially defined pat-
tern live load cases an “Other” design type instead of a “Live Load” design
type. That way, the special pattern live load cases are not included in the
automatically created default design load combinations, avoiding possible
double counting of some live loads in those load combinations.
This Technical Note describes how the program calculates beam deflections
and how it considers beam camber.
Deflection
In the Composite Beam Design postprocessor, when a beam is shored, the
deflection is calculated using (a) the transformed moment of inertia, Itr, if
there is full (100%) composite connection, (b) the effective moment of iner-
tia, Ieff, if there is partial composite connection, or (c) the moment of inertia
of the steel beam alone, Ibare, if the beam is designed noncompositely or
found to be a cantilever overhang.
Note:
The program checks the deflection of composite beams against default or user-specified
deflection limits.
I tr = ∑A 2
tr y1 + ∑I O − (∑ A ) y
tr
2
Eqn. 1
where,
where,
Ibare = Moment of inertia of the steel beam alone plus cover plate, if it
exists, in4.
I bare = ∑ (Ay )+ ∑ I
1
2
O − (∑ A ) y 2
bare Eqn. 3
where,
∑(Ay12) = Sum of the product A times y12 for all of the elements of the
steel beam section (including the cover plate, if it exists), in4.
ybare = Distance from the bottom of the bottom flange of the steel
section of the elastic neutral axis of the steel beam (plus
cover plate, if it exists), in.
Deflection reported by
Composite Beam
postprocess
a) b) Deflected Shape of
When deflection is used as a criterion for selecting the optimum beam size,
the program checks that the total load deflection minus the camber does not
exceed the specified total load deflection limit. It also checks that the live load
deflection does not exceed the specified live load deflection limit.
Deflections for the beam are calculated at each output station. The overall
deflected shape of the beam is drawn by connecting the computed values of
deflection at each output station with straight-line segments. Thus, the pro-
gram assumes a linear variation of M/EI between output stations.
In this program's composite beam design, the reported deflection is the verti-
cal displacement relative to a line drawn between the deflected position of
the ends of the beam. For example, refer to the beam shown in Figure 1. Fig-
ure 1a shows the original undeformed beam and also shows an arbitrary point
along the beam labeled A. Figure 1b shows the beam in its deformed position
and illustrates the deflection that the Composite Beam Design postprocessor
reports for the beam at point A.
If you use the Display menu > Show Deformed Shape command to review
the displacement at the end of the cantilever, the displacement is reported
relative to the undeformed position of the end of the cantilever. In that case,
the rotation at the supported end of the cantilever overhang is correctly taken
into account. However, the displacements displayed are all based on the
analysis section properties (noncomposite moment of inertias).
Camber
When beam camber is calculated, the amount of camber is based on a per-
centage of the dead load (not including superimposed dead load) deflection.
By default, this percentage is 100%, but you can modify this value on the
Deflection tab of the composite beam design preferences. The name of the
item to modify is "Camber DL (%)." Use the Options menu > Preferences
> Composite Beam Design command to access the composite beam design
preferences.
The minimum camber that the program specifies (other than zero) is ¾ inch.
The maximum camber the program specifies is 4 inches. The program speci-
fies the camber in ¼ inch increments. Table 1 shows how the program as-
signs camber to a beam based on the specified percentage of dead load de-
flection.
In the table, CP is the specified percentage of dead load deflection upon which
the camber is based. The CP * ∆DL column is broken into two subcolumns la-
beled “≥” and “<”. These two subcolumns specify the range of CP * ∆DL for
which the program specifies a particular camber.
The program specifies camber for those beams for which you request it to
specify camber, regardless of the beam depth or length. Review the beam
cambers calculated by the program together with beam camber information
related to your design code and any other information provided by your steel
fabricator to make any necessary adjustments.
Overview
By default the program calculates the first natural vibration frequency for
each beam and reports it in the output, but it does not by default use this in-
formation to determine the adequacy of a composite beam section. You can
change this on the Preferences tab in the composite beam design preferences.
You can also indicate that a beam section must satisfy the Murray minimum
damping requirement to be considered acceptable.
Vibration Frequency
The program calculates the first natural vibration frequency of a beam using
Equation 1.
gE s I tr
f = Kf Eqn. 1
WL3
where,
Itr = Transformed section moment of inertia for the composite beam cal-
culated assuming full (100%) composite connection, regardless of the
W = Total load supported by the beam, kips. This is calculated by the pro-
gram as the sum of all of the dead load and superimposed dead load
supported by the beam, plus a percentage of all of the live load and
reducible live load supported by the beam. The percentage of live
load is specified in the composite beam preferences. The percentage
is intended to be an estimate of the sustained portion of the live load
(about 10% to 25% of the total design live load). See Naeim (1991).
Also see the Important Note About W.
Note:
For vibration calculations, the program calculates the moment of inertia assuming full
(100%) composite connection, regardless of the actual percent composite connection.
Thus, for the program to correctly calculate the weight supported by the
beam, and thus correctly calculate the frequency, you must be sure to tag
all of your load types correctly when you define your static load cases. Be
careful not to define the same load twice (i.e., in two different load cases)
as a Dead, Superimposed dead, Live or Reducible Live load type. If you
want or need to define the same load twice, you may want to tag the load
as an Other-type load in the second case. Doing this keeps the program
from double counting the load when calculating the weight, W.
1.6
L H
1.4 g E I tr
f = Kf
W L3
1.2
Frequency Coefficient, Kf
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4
Cantilever / Backspan Ratio, H / L
A sb
D ≥ 35 f + 2.5 Eqn. 2
Neff
where,
Neff = The effective number of beams resisting the heel drop impact,
unitless.
If the damping ratio, D, is greater than the right side of Equation 2, the beam
is considered acceptable. Approximate damping ratio values for typical build-
ing configurations are published in the literature (see, for example, Allen
1974; Allen and Rainer 1976; Allen, Rainer and Pernica 1979; Murray 1975;
and Murray 1991). The derivation of the initial displacement amplitude is de-
scribed herein.
1
tO = tan-1(0.1πf) Eqn. 3
πf
POL3
A sb = (0.1 − tO ) , if tO ≤ 0.05 sec Eqn. 4a
2.4EsItr
POL3 1
A sb = * * VF , if tO > 0.05 sec Eqn. 4b
2.4EsItr 2πf
where,
In Equation 4c, the terms sin(0.1πf) and cos(0.1πf) are evaluated in radians.
Note:
The program defaults to using an Neff value of 1. You can specify your own value of Neff in
the composite beam overwrites, if desired, or you can specify that the program calculate
Neff based on a user-specified beam spacing using Equation 5.
• When calculating Neff using Equation 5, the program does not check or
consider the number of parallel, equally spaced identical beams.
• The beam spacing used in Equation 5 is user input in the composite beam
overwrites.
• If the beam considered has deck on one side, or less, the program calcu-
lated value of Neff is always set to 1.0.
sb
N eff = 2.967 − 0.05776 +
d avg
3
Eqn. 5
−8
L4 L
2.556 * 10 + 0.00010
I tr s
b
where,
wr lefthr left
+ tc left beff left +
Sr left
wr righthr right
+ t c right beff right
Sr right
davg = Eqn. 6
beff left + beff right
where,
Each of the above quantities may be different on the left and right sides of
the beam.
References
Allen, D.L. 1974. Vibrational Behavior of Long Span Floor Slabs. Canadian
Journal of Civil Engineering. Vol. 1, No. 1. September.
Allen, D. E., and J.H. Rainer. 1976. Vibration Criteria for Long Span Floors.
Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering. Vol. 3, No.2. June.
Allen, D.E., J.H. Rainer, and G. Pernica. 1979. Vibration Criteria for Long Span
Concrete Floors. Vibrations of Concrete Structures. Publication SP-60.
American Concrete Institute. Detroit, MI.
Murray, T.M. and W.E. Hendrick. 1977. Floor Vibrations and Cantilevered
Construction. Engineering Journal. American Steel Institute of Steel
Construction, Inc. Vol. 14, No. 3.
Naeim, F. 1991. Design Practice to Prevent Floor Vibration. Steel Tips, Techni-
cal Information & Product Service. Structural Steel Educational Coun-
cil. September.
Overview
This Technical Note describes how the program calculates and reports the
distribution of shear studs on a composite beam. It begins by introducing the
term “composite beam segments.” Next it describes how the program calcu-
lates the shear stud distribution for a beam.
Note:
When the program designs a composite beam, it reports the required number of
shear studs in each composite beam segment. Therefore, it is very important that you
understand the explanation in this Technical Note describing how composite beam seg-
ments are defined.
A composite beam segment may span between any two of the following three
items provided that there is concrete on the beam and the beam top flange is
available over the full length of the segment:
2. Another beam in the program model that frames into the beam being
considered.
3. The physical end of the concrete slab on top of the beam considered.
some examples of composite beam segments. The figure uses the following
notation:
Note that a composite beam can have more than one composite beam
segment, as shown in Figure 1c.
When determining the location of the ends of the beam top flange, the pro-
gram begins by assuming that the top flange extends from the center of the
left support to the center of the right support. It then subtracts a support
distance, S, from each end of the beam and a gap distance, G, from each end
of the beam. The gap distance, G, is always 1/2". The support distance varies
depending on the type of support and the angle at which the beam frames
into the support.
If the end of the beam is supported by a wall or a point support, the support
distance, S, is assumed to be zero. If the end of the beam is supported by
another beam, support distance S is determined as illustrated in Cases 1 and
2 in Figure 2, which show the beam supported by an I-shaped beam. A simi-
lar method is used in the unusual case of other types of support beams.
LCBS
LCBS
Figure 1:
LCBS LCBS LCBS
Examples of Composite L
Beam Segments, LCBS.
c) LCBS when Beams Frame into Considered Beam
End of
slab
LCBS
Column
S G θ
am
S
Beam Be
Girder
Girder
G
G
Beam
S
bf bf bf
S= 2 S = 2sinθ S= 2
G = 0.5" G = 0.5" G = 0.5"
Case 1 Case 2 Case 3
Beam
Column
θ
S G Be
am
S
G
Column d bfsinθ + dcosθ
S= S= 2 , θ ≤ 90°
2
G = 0.5" G = 0.5"
Case 4 Case 5
Notes:
1. S is the support distance.
2. G is the gap distance.
3. If a beam is supported by a wall or a point support, the program assumes that the
dimension S is 0".
4. The dimension bf in Cases1 and 2 is the top flange width of the supporting girder.
5. The dimension bf in Cases 3 and 5 is the flange width of the supporting column
(dimension parallel to the local 3-axis). If the two flanges have different widths, the
larger flange width is used.
6. The dimension d in Cases 4 and 5 is the depth of the supporting column
(dimension parallel to the local 2-axis).
In the unusual case of some other column shape, the program draws a
bounding rectangle around the shape. The sides of the rectangle are parallel
to the local 2- and 3-axes of the shape. The beam is assumed to connect to
the center of the bounding rectangle. The dimensions of the edges of the
rectangle are assumed to be bf and d, where bf is the dimension parallel to
the local 3-axis and d is the dimension parallel to the local 2-axis.
2. Any output station with a positive moment greater than 0.999 times
the maximum positive moment.
3. Any output station that has a point load applied to it for any load case
defined in the program. Even if the load case with the point load is not
used in the design load combinations for composite beam design, the
program will still consider the output station associated with the point
load when it determines the shear stud distribution. It will not, how-
ever, in any way explicitly consider the loads in that unused load case
when determining the shear stud distribution.
W24X55 W27X94
4.00 in L1 left = 116.00 in L1 right = 234.50 in 5.50 in
L = 30 ft = 360 in
Next, the program calculates the number of shear studs, N, required within
the lengths L1 left and L1 right. This is a code-specific calculation and is described
in AISC-ASD89 Composite Beam Design Technical Note 26 Calculation of the
Number of Shear Studs and AISC-LRFD93 Composite Beam Design Technical
Note 39 Shear Connectors.
The program works along the beam from left to right, making calculations at
each considered output station along the way. These calculations are de-
scribed later in this Technical Note. When there is more than one composite
beam segment along the beam, the program must also work back along the
beam from right to left, again making calculations at each considered output
station along the way, after finishing the pass from left to right.
The program also checks if the number of shear studs required based on
strength considerations or minimum stud requirements actually fit on the
beam. This check is described in Composite Beam Design Technical Note 14
The Number of Shear Studs that Fit in a Composite Beam Segment. If the re-
quired number of studs does not fit on the beam, the program considers the
beam to be inadequate.
The values we are ultimately interested in are the NCBSn values. Note that the
final NCBSn values calculated are the values of interest. All other NCBSn values
are intermediate values.
Also in the equations used (Equations 1 through 4d) note that NCBSx Prev is the
value of NCBSx calculated at the previously considered output station. Finally
the term Roundup used in Equations 1 through 5 means to calculate the indi-
cated quantity and round it up to the next integer.
NCBS1 =
N N Eqn. 1
Roundup Max , * L CBS1 ≥ NCBS1 Prev
L 1 left L 1 right
Values of NCBSn where n > 1 (i.e., values of NCBS for composite beam seg-
ments 2, 3, etc.) are not applicable and thus not calculated at these stations
when working along the beam from left to right.
Note:
In the term NCBS1, the "1" denotes composite beam segment 1.
N
NCBSi = Roundup * L CBSi ≥ NCBSi Prev Eqn. 2a
L 1 left
n −1 n −1
N
If
L 1 left
* ∑
i =1
L CBSi < ∑N
i =1
CBSi , use Equation 2b to calculate NCBSn. Otherwise
NCBSn =
n −1
N-
i =1
∑
NCBSi
Eqn. 2b
Roundup n −1
* L CBSn ≥ NCBSn Prev
L 1 left −
i =1
∑
L CBSi
N
NCBSn = Roundup * L CBSn ≥ NCBSn Prev Eqn. 2c
L 1 left
When i > n, values of NCBSi are not applicable and thus are not calculated at
those stations when working along the beam from left to right.
NCBS rightmost =
N N
Roundup Max , * L CBS rightmost , Eqn. 3a
L 1 left L 1 right
NCBS rightmost ≥ NCBS rightmost prev
For other composite beam segments that are not the right-most composite
beam segment, Equation 3b applies. In Equation 3b, i represents the com-
posite beam segment number.
N
NCBSi = Roundup * L CBSi ≥ NCBSi Prev Eqn. 4a
L1 right
Equations 4b and 4c apply for composite beam segment n. For example, if the
output station considered falls in composite beam segment 2, Equations 4b
and 4c apply to composite beam segment 2 only.
rightmost rightmost
N
If
L1 right
* ∑L
i = n +1
CBSi < ∑N
i = n +1
CBSi use Equation 4b to calculate NCBSn. Otherwise,
NCBSn =
rightmost
N-
i =n +1
NCBSi ∑
Eqn. 4b
Roundup rightmost
* L CBSn ≥ NCBSn Prev
L 1 right −
L CBSi
i =n +1
∑
N
NCBSn = Roundup * L CBSn ≥ NCBSn Prev Eqn. 4c
L 1 right
L
MS CBS = Roundup CBS Eqn. 5
MaxLS
The program also checks that the number of studs required in a composite
beam segment does not exceed the number that can actually fit in the seg-
ment. Composite Beam Design Technical Note 14 The Number of Shear Studs
that Fit in a Composite Beam Segment describes how the program determines
the maximum number of shear studs that can fit into a composite beam seg-
ment.
Note:
The minimum number of shear studs required in a composite beam segment is calcu-
lated based on the maximum longitudinal spacing of shear studs specified on the Shear
Studs tab in the overwrites.
and Figure 4b shows the stud distribution obtained for the second design load
combination. Note that the term NCBS in the figure denotes the number of
shear studs in the corresponding composite beam segment.
Figure 4c shows the final stud distribution that reports for this beam. Note
that the intelligent algorithm allows the program to shift one of the five shear
studs required in composite beam segment 2 for design load combination 1
out into composite segment 1.
Figure 4: Example for Shear Stud Distribution When Multiple Design Load
Combinations Are Considered.
General
Composite beam segments are defined in "Composite Beam Segments" of
Composite Beam Design Technical Note 13 Distribution of Shear Studs on a
Composite Beam. In short, a composite beam segment spans between any of
the following: (1) physical end of the beam top flange, (2) another beam
framing into the beam being considered, (3) physical end of the concrete slab
on top of the beam. When the program designs a composite beam, it reports
the required number of uniformly spaced shear studs in each composite beam
segment.
Tip:
It is very important that you understand how the program defines composite beam seg-
ments. See "Composite Beam Segments" of Composite Beam Design Technical Note 13
Distribution of Shear Studs on a Composite Beam for more information.
The program uses the same process to determine the number of shear con-
nectors that can fit on a composite beam when there is a solid slab with no
metal deck and when the deck ribs span parallel to the beam span. The pro-
gram uses a different process when the deck ribs span perpendicular to the
beam. These conditions are described in the next two sections.
Note:
The number of shear studs that can fit in a row across the beam top flange may be lim-
ited by the width of the beam top flange, by the width of the deck ribs, or by the Max
Studs per Row item specified on the Shear Studs tab in the composite beam overwrites.
1. The program determines the number of shear studs that can fit in a single
row across the width of the top flange of the beam. When there is a solid
slab (no metal deck), the number of shear studs is limited by the width or
thickness of the beam flange (item 1a below), or by the "Max Studs per
Row" item specified on the Shear Studs tab in the composite beam over-
writes. When the deck spans parallel to the beam, the number of shear
studs may be limited by the width or thickness of the beam flange (item
1a below), the width of the metal deck rib (item 1b below), or by the "Max
Studs per Row" item specified on the Shear Studs tab in the composite
beam overwrites. Following is a description of each of these limits:
a. When checking the number of shear studs that fit ≥ ds & ≥ 1"
across the width of the beam flange, the program as-
sumes that the studs are centered about the center-
line (web) of the beam and that the center of a shear
stud can be no closer than ds or 1 inch, whichever is
larger, to the edge of the beam flange. This is illus-
trated in the sketch to the right.
In the preceding paragraph and the sketch (above right), ds is the di-
ameter of the shear stud. The clearance requirement means that the
minimum clear distance from the face of a shear stud to the edge of
the beam flange is equal to one-half of a shear stud diameter. For
shear studs less than 1" in diameter (typically they are 3/4" in diame-
ter), the program clearance is slightly more than one-half of a shear
Technical Note 14 - 2 Solid Slab or Deck Ribs Oriented Parallel to Beam Span
Composite Beam Design Number of Shear Studs that Fit in a Composite Beam Segment
hr
assumes that the studs and deck rib are
≥ (ds + hr/4) ≥ (ds + hr/4)
centered about the centerline (web) of the
beam and that the center of a shear stud wr
2. The program determines the number of rows of shear studs that can fit
between the two considered points on the beam top flange. This number
of rows is controlled by the “Min Long Spacing” item specified on the
Shear Studs tab in the composite beam design overwrites.
Solid Slab or Deck Ribs Oriented Parallel to Beam Span Technical Note 14 - 3
Number of Shear Studs that Fit in a Composite Beam Segment Composite Beam Design
Tip:
Modify the default minimum transverse and longitudinal shear stud spacing
using the composite beam overwrites.
Figure 1 is a flowchart that illustrates the details of how the program calcu-
lates the maximum number of shear studs that fit in a composite beam seg-
ment when there is a solid slab or when the span of the metal deck is parallel
to the beam span.
The term "Int" in the flowchart means to calculate the indicated quantity and
round the result down to the nearest integer. The definitions of the variables
used in the flowchart are:
SPRmax = Maximum number of shear studs that can fit in one row
across the top flange of a composite beam, unitless.
MSPR = Maximum shear studs per row across the beam top flange as
specified on the Shear Studs tab in the composite beam
overwrites, unitless.
Technical Note 14 - 4 Solid Slab or Deck Ribs Oriented Parallel to Beam Span
Composite Beam Design Number of Shear Studs that Fit in a Composite Beam Segment
Yes
Start ds SPRmax = 1
Here
Is t f − top < ?
2.5
No
Yes
Is this a solid slab (i.e., no Temp = Minimum of (bf-top -2ds, bf-top -2)
metal deck)?
No
Temp
SPR max = Int + 1 ≤ MSPR
MTS
L − MLS L
RSmax = Int CBS + 1 = Int CBS
MLS MLS
Note that in the flowchart formulation, the studs located closest to the ends of
the composite beam segment are located no closer than MLS/2 to the ends of
the composite beam segment. This helps prevent possible double-counting of
shear studs in adjacent composite beam segments.
Solid Slab or Deck Ribs Oriented Parallel to Beam Span Technical Note 14 - 5
Number of Shear Studs that Fit in a Composite Beam Segment Composite Beam Design
The process used to determine the number of shear studs that can fit in a
composite beam segment when the metal deck is assumed to span perpen-
dicular to the beam span is described as follows.
1. The program determines the number of shear studs that can fit in a single
row across the width of the top flange of the beam. This number of shear
studs is limited by either the width or thickness of the beam flange, or by
the "Max Studs per Row" item specified on the Shear Studs tab in the
composite beam overwrites.
When checking the number of shear studs that fit ≥ ds & ≥ 1"
across the width of the beam flange, the program as-
sumes that the studs are centered about the centerline
(web) of the beam and that the center of a shear stud
can be no closer than either ds or 1 inch, whichever is
larger, to the edge of the beam flange. This is illus-
trated in the sketch to the right.
In the preceding paragraph and the sketch, ds is the diameter of the shear
stud. The clearance requirement means that the minimum clear distance
from the face of a shear stud to the edge of the beam flange is equal to
one-half of a shear stud diameter. For shear studs less than 1" in diame-
ter (typically they are 3/4" in diameter), the program clearance is slightly
more than one-half of a shear stud diameter. This clear distance is pro-
vided by the program to allow for adequate welding of the shear stud.
Note:
If the diameter of the shear studs exceeds 2.5 times the thickness of the beam top flange,
the shear studs can only be placed directly over the beam web.
Some codes require that if the thickness of the beam flange is less than
the diameter of the stud divided by 2.5, the shear studs must be located
on top of the beam web. This means that only one stud can fit across the
width of the beam flange if tf < ds/2.5. The program checks the top flange
thickness for this requirement when determining the number of studs that
fit across the width of the beam flange.
2. The program determines how many deck ribs are available to receive
shear studs within the length of the composite beam segment. To deter-
mine this, the program makes several assumptions, which are described
as follows:
a. The midheight of a side of the metal deck rib is assumed to align with
one end of the composite beam segment, as shown in Figure 2. In
other words, one end of the composite beam segment is always as-
sumed to start with an "up" flute.
b. If one-half or more of the width of a metal deck rib down flute is within
the length of the composite beam segment, the program assumes that
Figure 3 is a flowchart that illustrates the details of how the program calcu-
lates the maximum number of shear studs that fit in a composite beam seg-
ment when the span of the metal deck is perpendicular to the beam span.
The term "Int" in the flowchart means to calculate the indicated quantity and
round the result down to the nearest integer. The definitions of the variables
used in the flowchart are the same as those used in the Figure 1 flowchart,
with the following additions:
Yes
Start ds SPRmax = 1
Here
Is t f − top < ?
2.5
No
b f − top − 2d s
No SPR max = Int + 1 ≤ MSPR
Is ds ≤ 1" ? MTS
Yes
b f − top − 2
SPR max = Int + 1 ≤ MSPR
MTS
L − Sr + 0.5w r
NR = Int CBS + 1
Int MLS
S + 1 Sr
r
NSmax = SPRmax * NR
This Technical Note explains how to specify the shear stud pattern yourself
rather than having the program determine the distribution of shear studs for
you. This can be useful if you are checking an existing building or if there is a
certain shear stud pattern that you want; for example, one shear stud per
foot of beam length.
Tip:
You can use user-defined shear connector patterns to specify shear connectors in exist-
ing construction.
The composite beam overwrites option enable you to specify a uniform spac-
ing of shear studs located on top of the beam web and centered along the
length of the beam top flange, or to specify a starting and ending point for a
beam section and the number of studs that are uniformly spaced within the
beam section. Use one of these options or use the two options together to
define the studs on a beam.
Important note: The term beam section is purposely used here to differen-
tiate it from a composite beam segment. Do not confuse composite beam
sections and composite beam segments. They are two entirely different items.
Composite beam segments are described in "Composite Beam Segments" of
Composite Beam Design Technical Note 13 Distribution of Shear Studs on a
Composite Beam. Beam sections are simply an arbitrary length of the beam,
defined by a starting and ending location over which you specify a certain
number of uniformly spaced shear studs.
The following two sections describe the two methods of specifying user-
defined shear studs.
Figure 1 illustrates uniformly spaced user-defined shear studs over the length
of the beam. These shear studs are specified by inputting the spacing for the
Uniform Spacing item on the Shear Studs tab in the composite beam over-
writes. Note the following about these shear studs:
1. The shear studs are assumed to occur over the length of the top flange
of the beam. In most cases, this is shorter than the center-of-support
to center-of-support length of the beam.
2. There is assumed to be one shear stud per row. To use this option to
specify 2 studs every 12 inches, specify a spacing of 6 inches. The 6-
inch spacing gives you the closest equivalent to two studs every 12
inches.
Tip:
Modify the default minimum longitudinal shear stud spacing in the composite
beam overwrites.
3. The program determines the exact distance from the end of the beam
top flange (or end of the concrete slab) to the first shear stud, as
shown in Equation 1. In Equation 1 the term "Int" means to calculate
the indicated quantity and round the result down to the nearest inte-
ger, and the term "Specified Spacing" is the spacing input in the com-
posite beam overwrites for the Uniform Spacing item.
TFL - MLS
TFL - Int * Specified Spacing
Specified Spacing
ED = Eqn. 1
2
Technical Note 15 - 2 Uniformly Spaced Shear Studs Over the Length of the Beam
Composite Beam Design User-Defined Shear Stud Patterns
Elevation
End distance Shear studs at specified uniform spacing centered along length of beam top flange End distance
is the same is the same
at each end at each end
where,
ED = Distance from the end of the beam top flange (or end of
the concrete slab) to the first shear stud, in.
Uniformly Spaced Shear Studs Over the Length of the Beam Technical Note 15 - 3
User-Defined Shear Stud Patterns Composite Beam Design
After the shear studs at the end of the beam top flange (or end of the
concrete slab) have been located using Equation 1, the program knows
the exact location of each uniformly spaced shear stud along the length of
the beam.
Similar to the preceding, if the concrete slab stops before the end of the
beam, the first shear stud at that end of the beam is assumed to occur at
a distance not less than MLS/2 from the end of the slab and not more
than (MLS + the specified uniform spacing)/2 from the end of the slab.
Tip:
Do not confuse beam sections with composite beam segments. See the section entitled
"Specifying a User-Defined Shear Connector Pattern" earlier in this Technical Note for
more information.
Use the following procedure in the composite beam overwrites on the Shear
Studs tab (display using Design menu > Composite Beam Design >
View/Revise Overwrites command) to define shear studs in additional
beam sections:
1. Check the box next to the "User Pattern?" overwrite item, then click in
the cell to the right and select Yes from the drop-down box.
2. Check the box next to "No. Additional Sections" and then click in the
cell to the right.
formly spaced studs in the No. Studs box. The distance in the End
box must be larger than that in the Start box.
b. Modify the distances and number of studs in the edit boxes as de-
sired.
7. Click the OK button and you return to the Composite Beam Overwrites
form. Note that the No. Additional Sections item is automatically up-
dated by the program to reflect the beam sections modifications that
you specified.
Note the following about the shear studs specified for additional beam sec-
tions:
The program assumes that the specified shear studs occur in a single line
along the beam web within the specified length of the beam section. It
further assumes that the end shear studs in the beam section are located
one-half of the equal space from ends of the specified beam section.
These assumptions mean that the spacing of shear studs in a beam sec-
tion is equal to the length of the beam top flange available to receive
shear studs in the beam section divided by the specified number of shear
studs. See Figure 2 for an example.
The figure shows a beam section that is 110 inches long. Assume that 11
shear studs have been specified for this beam section. The spacing of
shear studs in the beam section is equal to the beam section length di-
vided by the number of studs, that is, 110"/11 studs = 10"/stud. The end
studs are located one-half of a space, that is, 10"/2 = 5", from each end
of the beam section.
Note:
The program does not check shear stud spacing requirements for user-defined shear
stud patterns.
Assume you specify a beam section at the end of a beam and the beam
top flange does not exist over a portion of that beam section length. This
can often happen because, as described “Physical End of the Beam Top
Flange” of Composite Beam Design Technical Note 13 Distribution of
Shear Studs on a Composite Beam, the program subtracts a support dis-
tance and a gap distance from the end of the beam when computing the
length of the beam top flange.
In that case, the program places all of the specified shear studs on the
portion of the top flange that does exist. See Figure 3 for an illustration.
The figure shows a beam section at the end of the beam that is 120
inches long. The end of the beam top flange starts 10 inches from the
specified left end of the beam section. Thus, the actual length of top
flange available for shear studs is 110 inches. Assume that 11 shear studs
have been specified for this beam section.
If the beam top flange does not exist over the entire length of the speci-
fied beam section, the program ignores the shear studs that are specified
for that beam section.
0.8' 5 spaces @ 0.45' 0.5' 3 spaces @ 1.00' 0.5' 5 spaces @ 0.45' 0.8'
Figure 4b illustrates how the program interprets the stud pattern as specified
in Table 1. The location and spacing of shear studs is as described in the
bulleted items in the previous subsection entitled “Defining Additional Beam
Sections.”
How the Program Checks a Beam with User-Defined Shear Studs Technical Note 15 - 9
©COMPUTERS AND STRUCTURES, INC., BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA DECEMBER 2001
COMPOSITE BEAM DESIGN AISC-ASD89
Technical Note 16
General and Notation
The program also performs the following check, calculation, or analysis pro-
cedures in accordance with AISC-LRFD93 requirements:
Checks the width-to-thickness ratios of the beam flanges and web, and, if it
exists, the cover plate as specified for compact and noncompact sections in
AISC-ASD89 Specification Chapter B, Table B5.1; see Composite Beam De-
sign AISC-LRFD93 Technical Note 19 Width to Thickness Checks.
Calculates elastic stresses for positive bending in the steel section and the
concrete slab when there is partial composite connection; see Composite
Beam Design AISC-ASD89 Technical Note 21 Elastic Stresses with Partial
Composite Connection.
Checks the bending stress for AISC-ASD89 design for cases with and with-
out composite action; see Composite Beam Design AISC-ASD89 Technical
Note 23 Bending Stress Checks.
Check the beam and reaction for shear for AISC-ASD89 composite beam
design; see Composite Beam Design AISC-ASD89 Technical Note 24 Beam
Shear.
Defines the program fault allowable shear stud horizontal loads for AISC-
ASD89 composite beam design and provides basic equations used to de-
termine the number of shear studs on the beam; see Composite Beam De-
sign AISC-ASD89 Technical Note 25 Shear Studs.
The program also provides input and output data summaries, which are de-
scribed in Composite Beam Design AISC-LRFD93 Technical Note 27 Input
Data and Technical Note 28 Output Details Composite Beam Design AISC-
LRFD93.
Notation
Abare Area of steel beam (plus cover plate if one exists), in2. This
area does not include any contribution from the concrete
slab.
Ac Area of the concrete slab, in2. When the deck span is per-
pendicular to the beam span, this is the area of concrete in
the slab above the metal deck that is above the elastic
Ans Net area along the shear plane of a bolted connection, in2.
Ctop Cope depth at top of beam, in. This item is internally cal-
culated by the program and it may be different at each end
of the beam. It is used in the shear calculations.
M Moment, kip-in.
MAll Other Moment due to all loads except dead load, kip-in.
Mmax station Maximum moment at any output station for a given design
load combination, kip-in.
MSPR Maximum shear studs per row across the beam top flange
as specified on the Shear Studs tab in the composite beam
overwrites, unitless.
RLLF The reduced live load factor for an element, unitless. The
RLLF is multiplied times the unreduced live load to get the
reduced live load.
Sbare Section modulus of the steel beam alone (plus cover plate,
if it exists) referred to the extreme tension fiber, in3.
St-eff The section modulus for the partial composite section re-
ferred to the top of the effective transformed section, in3.
This item may be different on the left and the right sides of
the beam.
SPRmax Maximum number of shear studs that can fit in one row
across the top flange of a composite beam, unitless.
b Width, in.
d Depth of steel beam from the top of the beam top flange to
the bottom of the beam bottom flange, in.
ftop-st The maximum stress at the top of the steel beam (may be
tension or compression depending on the location of the
ENA), ksi.
h *r Height of the metal deck ribs above the elastic neutral axis
(i.e., that is in compression) used for calculating the
transformed section properties, in. Note that this could be
different on the left and right sides of the beam.
If the deck ribs are oriented parallel to the beam span, one
of the following three items applies:
lv The distance from the center of the top bolt hole to the top
edge of the beam web (at the cope), in. The program as-
sumes this distance to be 1.5 inches as shown in Figure 2
of Composite Beam Design AISC-ASD89 Technical Note 24
Beam Shear Checks.
t Thickness, in.
t *c Height of the concrete slab above the metal deck (or solid
slab) that lies above the elastic neutral axis (i.e., is in
compression) that is used for calculating the transformed
section properties, in. Note that this could be different on
the left and right sides of the beam.
wd Weight per unit area of metal deck, ksi. This item may
be different on the left and right sides of the beam.
wr Average width of the metal deck ribs, in. This item may
be different on the left and right sides of the beam.
ye The distance from the ENA of the steel beam (plus cover
plate, if it exists) alone to the ENA of the fully composite
beam, in.
yeff The distance from the bottom of the beam bottom flange
to the ENA of a partially composite beam, in.
Σ(Atry1) Sum of the product Atr times y1 for all of the elements of
the composite steel beam section, in3.
Σ(Ay12) Sum of the product A times y12 for all of the elements of
the steel beam section (including the cover plate, if it
exists), in4.
Σ(Atry12) Sum of the product Atr times y12 for all of the elements of
the composite steel beam section, in4.
General
The composite beam design preferences are basic assignments that apply to
all composite beams. Use the Options menu > Preferences > Composite
Beam Design command to access the Preferences form where you can view
and revise the composite beam design preferences. The Composite Beam De-
sign Preferences form has five separate tabs: Factors, Beam, Deflection, Vi-
bration, and Price.
Default values are provided for all composite beam design preference items.
Thus, it is not required that you specify or change any of the preferences. You
should, however, at least review the default values for the preference items
to make sure they are acceptable to you.
Note:
Default values are provided for all preference items. Thus, if you are happy with the de-
faults, you do not need to specify any of the composite beam preferences.
Click on the desired tab: Factors, Beam, Deflection, Vibration or Price. The
preference options included under each of the tabs are displayed in a two-
column spreadsheet. The left column of the spreadsheet displays the prefer-
ence item name. The right column of the spreadsheet displays the preference
item value.
To change a preference item, left click the desired preference item in either
the left or right column of the spreadsheet. This activates a drop-down box or
highlights the current preference value. If the drop-down box appears, select
a new value. If the cell is highlighted, type in the desired value. The prefer-
ence value will update accordingly. You cannot overwrite values in the drop-
down boxes.
To set all of the composite beam preference items on a particular tab to their
default values, click on that tab to view it and then click the Reset Tab but-
ton. This button resets the preference values on the currently selected tab.
To set all of the composite beam preference items on all tabs to their default
values, click the Reset All button. This button immediately resets all of the
composite beam preference items.
Important note about resetting preferences: The defaults for the prefer-
ence items are built into the program. The composite beam preference values
that were in a .edb file that you used to initialize your model may be different
from the built-in default values. Clicking a reset button resets the preference
values to built-in values, not to the values that were in the .edb file used to
initialize the model.
When you have finished making changes to the composite beam preferences,
click the OK button to close the form. You must click the OK button for the
changes to be accepted by the program. If you click the Cancel button to exit
the form, any changes made to the preferences are ignored and the form is
closed.
Preferences
For purposes of explanation in this Technical Note, the preference items are
presented in tables. The column headings in these tables are described as
follows:
Item: The name of the preference item as it appears in the cells at the
left side of the Preferences form.
Possible Values: The possible values that the associated preference item
can have.
Default Value: The built-in default value that the program assumes for
the associated preference item.
Factors Tab
For AISC-ASD89 design there are no items on the Factors tab. Thus, if you
click this tab, it will appear blank.
Beam Tab
Table 1 lists the composite beam preference items available on the Beam tab
in the Preferences form.
The Shored item affects both the deflection calculations and the flexural cal-
culations for the beam. See Composite Beam Design Technical Note 11 Beam
Deflection and Camber for a description of beam deflection. Flexural calcula-
tions are described in Composite Beam Design AISC-ASD89 Technical Note 20
Transformed Section Moment of Inertia, Technical Note 21 Elastic Stresses
The Middle Range item is described in "Location Where Effective Slab Width is
Checked" in Composite Beam Design Technical Note 8 Effective Width of the
Concrete Slab.
The Pattern Live Load Factor item is described in "Special Live Load Patterning
for Cantilever Back Spans" and "Special Live Load Patterning for Continuous
Spans" in Composite Beam Design Technical Note 10 Design Load Combina-
tion.
Deflection Tab
Table 2 lists the composite beam preference items available on the Deflection
tab in the Preferences form.
See Composite Beam Design Technical Note 11 Beam Deflection and Camber
for a description of beam deflection and camber.
Vibration Tab
Table 3 lists the composite beam preference items available on the Vibration
tab in the Preferences form.
See Composite Beam Design Technical Note 12 Beam Vibration for a descrip-
tion of beam vibration.
Price Tab
Table 4 lists the composite beam preference items available on the Price tab
in the Preferences form.
See "Using Price to Select Optimum Beam Sections" in Composite Beam De-
sign Technical Note 1 General Design Information for additional information
on the "Optimize for Price?" item.
Note that the price per unit weight for the steel beam (plus cover plate, if ap-
plicable) is input as part of the material property specification for the beam.
The material properties can be reviewed or defined using the Define menu >
Material Properties command. Be sure that you use the same currency
units (for example, U.S. dollars) for the steel price in the material properties,
the stud price in the preferences, and the camber price in the preferences.
This Technical Note provides instructions on how to use the Composite Beam
Overwrites form and describes the items available on each of the tabs in the
form. One section is devoted to each of the tabs.
General
The composite beam design overwrites are basic assignments that apply only
to those composite beams to which they are assigned. After selecting one or
more composite beams, use the Design menu > Composite Beam Design
> View\Revise Overwrites command to access the Composite Beam Over-
writes form where you can view and revise the composite beam design over-
writes.
Note:
There are default values provided for all overwrite items. Thus, if you are happy with the
defaults, you do not need to specify any of the composite beam overwrites.
The Composite Beam Overwrites form has eight separate tabs. They are
Beam, Bracing (C), Bracing, Deck, Shear Studs, Deflection, Vibration and Mis-
cellaneous. Descriptions of the various overwrite options available on each tab
are provided later in this Technical Note.
Default values are provided for all composite beam overwrite items. Thus, it is
not required that you specify or change any of the overwrites. However, at
least review the default values for the overwrite items to make sure they are
acceptable. When changes are made to overwrite items, the program applies
the changes only to the elements to which they are specifically assigned; that
is, to the elements that are selected when the overwrites are changed.
The Composite Beam Overwrites are displayed on each tab with a column of
check boxes and a two-column spreadsheet. The left column in the spread-
sheet contains the name of the overwrite item. The right column in the
spreadsheet contains the overwrite value.
Initially, the check boxes are all unchecked and all of the cells in the spread-
sheet have a gray background to indicate they are inactive and that the items
in the cells currently cannot be changed. The names of the overwrite items in
the first column of the spreadsheet are visible. The values of the overwrite
items in the second column of the spreadsheet are visible if only one beam
was selected before the Composite Beam Overwrites form was accessed. If
multiple beams were selected, no values show for the overwrite items in the
second column of the spreadsheet.
After selecting one or multiple beams, check the box to the left of an over-
write item to change it. Then left click in either column of the spread sheet to
activate a drop-down box or to highlight the contents of the cell in the right
column of the spreadsheet. If the drop-down box appears, select a value from
the box. If the cell contents becomes highlighted, type in the desired value.
The overwrite will reflect the change. You cannot change the values in the
drop-down boxes.
When you check a check box or left click in one of the columns in the spread-
sheet, a short description of the item in that row displays in the large text box
just below the list of items. This description helps you recall the purpose of
the overwrite item without referring to the manual.
When changes to the composite beam overwrites have been made, click the
OK button to close the form. The program then changes all of the overwrite
items whose associated check boxes are checked for the selected beam(s).
You must click the OK button for the changes to be accepted by the program.
If you click the Cancel button to exit the form, any changes made to the
overwrites will be ignored and the form will be closed.
To set all of the composite beam overwrite items on all tabs to their default
values, click the Reset All button. This button immediately resets all of the
composite beam overwrite items. Alternatively, you can click the Design
menu > Composite Beam Design > Reset All Composite Beam Over-
writes command to accomplish the same thing.
Important note about resetting overwrites: The defaults for the over-
write items are built into the program. The composite beam overwrite values
that were in a .edb file that you used to initialize your model may be different
from the built-in program default values. When you reset overwrites, the pro-
gram resets the overwrite values to its built-in values, not to the values that
were in the .edb file used to initialize the model.
Overwrites
For purposes of explanation in this Technical Note, the overwrite items are
presented in tables. The column headings in these tables are described as
follows.
Item: The name of the overwrite item as it appears in the cells at the left
side of the Composite Beam Overwrites form.
Possible Values: The possible values for the associated overwrite item.
Default Value: The built-in default value that the program assumes for
the associated overwrite item.
Beam Tab
Table 1 lists the composite beam overwrite items available on the Beam tab in
the Composite Beam Overwrites form.
Possible Default
Item Values Value Description
Possible Default
Item Values Value Description
The Shored item affects both the deflection calculations and the flexural
stress calculations for the beam. See Composite Beam Design Technical Note
11 Beam Deflection and Camber for a description of beam deflection. If the
beam is shored, no checks are performed for the construction loading design
load combination.
Note:
The Middle Range item is specified on the Beam tab in the composite beam preferences
and is described in "Location Where Effective Slab Width is Checked" in Composite
Beam Design Technical Note 8 Effective Width of the Concrete Slab.
Typically, when a beam is designed using the Composite Beam Design post-
processor that beam is designed as a composite beam if it has a deck section
(not slab section) assigned along the full length of the specified Middle Range
on at least one side of the beam. The Beam Type overwrite allows you to
specify that a beam that would ordinarily be designed as a composite beam
be designed as a noncomposite beam. The overwrite does not and cannot
force a beam that has been designed as a noncomposite beam because there
is no deck section along at least one side to be designed as a composite
beam. When using the Composite Beam Design postprocessor, a beam that
does not have a deck section along at least one side is always designed as a
See Composite Beam Design Technical Note 8 Effective Width of the Concrete
Slab for a description of the beam effective width.
The beam yield stress and the cover plate yield stress both default to the
yield stress specified for the material property associated with the beam sec-
tion. When the Define menu > Frame Sections command is used to define
a beam section, the material property associated with the beam section
should also be defined. The material property is defined using the Define
menu > Material Properties command.
In this program, the cover plate can have a yield stress that is different from
that of the beam, if desired. The cover plate width, thickness and Fy items are
not active unless the "Cover Plate Present" item is set to Yes. See "Cover
Plates" in Composite Beam Design Technical Note 7 Composite Beam Proper-
ties for a description of cover plates.
The first two items that appear in the Bracing (C) tab and the Bracing tab are
shown in Table 2a. Additional items may also appear in the tabs, depending
on your choice for the Bracing Condition item. These additional items are
shown in Tables 2b and 2c.
Possible Default
Item Values Value Description
where,
M1 and M2 are the end moments of any unbraced span of the beam. M1 is
numerically less than M2.
The ratio M1/M2 is positive for double curvature bending and negative for
single curvature bending within the unbraced beam span.
If any moment within the unbraced beam span is greater than M2, the
numeric value of Cb is 1.0.
When the Cb factor is program calculated and the Bracing Condition is set in
the overwrites to Length Specified, the programs uses 1.0 for Cb.
When the Bracing Condition is specified as Bracing Specified, two items ap-
pear in the tab in addition to those shown in Table 2a. The two additional
items are shown in Table 2b.
Possible Default
Item Values Value Description
The No. Point Braces and No. Uniform Braces items allow you to specify actual
bracing for the beam. These items are described in "User-Specified Uniform
and Point Bracing" in Composite Beam Design Technical Note 9 Beam Un-
braced Length.
When the Bracing Condition is specified as Length Specified, two items appear
in the tab in addition to those shown in Table 2a. The two additional items are
shown in Table 2c.
See Composite Beam Design Technical Note 9 Beam Unbraced Length for ad-
ditional information about the unbraced length of the beam.
Deck Tab
Table 3 lists the composite beam overwrite items available on the Deck tab in
the Composite Beam Overwrites form.
Possible Default
Item Values Value Description
Possible Default
Item Values Value Description
Deck direction Program Program Span direction of the metal deck ribs on
Left calculated, calculated left side of beam relative to the span
parallel, or direction of the beam.
perpendicular
Deck ID Right Program Program Deck ID assigned to right side of beam.
calculated, any calculated
defined deck
property, or
None
Deck direction Program Program Span direction of the metal deck ribs on
Right calculated, calculated the right side of beam relative to the
parallel, or span direction of beam.
perpendicular
When the Deck ID is program calculated, you must refer to the output data to
see what the program assumed for this item. It is not shown in the over-
writes.
The Uniform Spacing and No. Additional Sections items are only available if
the User Pattern item is set to Yes. See Composite Beam Design AISC-ASD89
Technical Note 24 Beam Shear Checks for discussion of user-defined shear
stud patterns.
The program default value for the minimum longitudinal spacing of shear
studs along the length of the beam is six shear stud diameters. Note that this
item is input as an absolute length, not as a multiplier on the stud diameter.
The program default value for the maximum longitudinal spacing of shear
studs along the length of the beam is 36 inches. The design code used may
specify the maximum longitudinal spacing is eight times the total slab thick-
ness (rib height, hr, plus concrete slab above metal deck, tc). AISC-ASD89
Specification Section I5.2.2 specifies that the maximum longitudinal spacing
of shear studs along the length of a beam shall not exceed 36 inches for
beams when the span of the metal deck is perpendicular to the span of the
beam. If your total slab thickness is less than 36"/8 = 4.5", the program de-
fault value may be unconservative and should be revised.
The program default value for the minimum transverse spacing of shear studs
across the beam flange is four shear stud diameters. This is consistent with
the last paragraph of AISC-ASD89 Specification Section I4. Note that this
item is input as an absolute length, not as a multiplier on the stud diameter.
See Composite Beam Design Technical Note 13 Distribution of Shear Studs on
a Composite Beam for additional discussion of how shear studs are distributed
on composite beams.
The "Max Studs per Row" item indicates the maximum number of shear studs
that is allowed in a row across the beam flange. For wider beams, the Min
Tran Spacing item might indicate that more studs could be accommodated
across the beam flange but the Max Studs per Row item will limit the number
of studs in any row. See Composite Beam Design Technical Note 13 Distribu-
tion of Shear Studs on a Composite Beam for additional discussion of how
shear studs are distributed on beams.
Shear studs are discussed in detail in Composite Beam Design Technical Note
13 Distribution of Shear Studs on a Composite Beam, Technical Note 14 The
Number of Shear Studs that Fit in a Composite Beam Segment, and Technical
Note 15 User-Defined Shear Stud Patterns.
Deflection Tab
Table 5 lists the composite beam overwrite items available on the Deflection
tab in the Composite Beam Overwrites form.
Possible Default
Item Values Value Description
See Composite Beam Design Technical Note 11 Beam Deflection and Camber
for discussion of beam deflection and camber.
Vibration Tab
Table 6 lists the composite beam overwrite items available on the Vibration
tab in the Composite Beam Overwrites form.
Possible Default
Item Values Value Description
Neff Condition User Defined User Defined Toggle to select user defined or pro-
or Program gram calculated based on beam spac-
Calculated ing, N effective.
No. Effective ≥1 1.0 Effective number of beams resisting a
Beams heel drop impact.
See Composite Beam Design Technical Note 12 Beam Vibration for a descrip-
tion of beam vibration.
Miscellaneous Tab
Table 7 lists the composite beam overwrite items available on the Miscellane-
ous tab in the Composite Beam Overwrites form.
Possible Default
Item Values Value Description
Possible Default
Item Values Value Description
EQ Factor
The EQ (earthquake) factor is a multiplier that is typically applied to the
earthquake load in a design load combination. Following are the five types of
loads that can be included in a design load combination, along with an expla-
nation of how the EQ factor is applied to each of the load types.
Time History Case: The EQ factor is applied to all time history cases.
Static Nonlinear Case: The EQ factor is not applied to any static nonlin-
ear cases.
Now assume that you create a design load combination named DESCOMB1
that includes DL and EQ. For design load combination DESCOMB1, the EQ
load is multiplied by the EQ factor.
Next assume that you create a load combination called COMB2 that in-
cludes EQ. Now assume that you create a design load combination called
DESCOMB3 that included DL and COMB2. For design load combination
DESCOMB3, the EQ load that is part of COMB2 is not multiplied by the EQ
factor.
The EQ factor allows you to design different members for different levels of
earthquake loads in the same run. It also allows you to specify member-
specific reliability/redundancy factors that are required by some codes. The ρ
factor specified in Section 1630.1.1 of the 1997 UBC is an example of this.
This Technical Note describes how the program checks the AISC-ASD89
specification width-to-thickness requirements for compact and noncompact
sections. The width-to-thickness requirements for compact and noncompact
sections are spelled out in AISC-ASD89 Specification Chapter B, Table B5.1.
This program checks the width-to-thickness ratios of the beam flanges and
web, and, if it exists, the cover plate.
Overview
The program classifies beam sections as either compact, noncompact or slen-
der on the basis of their width-to-thickness ratios. The program checks the
compact and noncompact section requirements for each design load combi-
nation separately. A beam section may be classified differently for different
design load combinations. For example, it may be classified as compact for
design load combination A and as noncompact for design load combination B.
One reason that a beam may be classified differently for different design load
cases is that the compression flange may be different for different design load
combinations. If the sizes of the top and bottom flanges are not the same,
classification of the section as compact or noncompact may depend on which
flange is determined to be the compression flange.
For each design load combination, the program first checks a beam section
for the compact section requirements for the compression flange, web and
cover plate (if applicable). If the beam section meets all of those require-
ments, it is classified as compact for that design load combination. If the
beam section does not meet all of the compact section requirements, it is
then checked for the noncompact requirements for the flanges, web and
cover plate (if applicable). If the beam section meets all of those require-
ments, it is classified as noncompact for that design load combination. If the
beam section does not meet all of the noncompact section requirements, it is
classified as slender for that design load combination, and the program does
not consider it for composite beam design.
The program does not check the flange width-to-thickness ratios for compos-
ite beams with positive bending. This is consistent with the last sentence of
the first paragraph in AISC-ASD89 Specification Section I2.2.
b 65
≤ , for compact sections Eqn. 1
t Fy
where Fy is the specified yield stress of the beam. Equation 1 applies to both
rolled sections selected from the program's database and to user-defined
(welded) sections.
b 95
≤ , for noncompact sections Eqn. 2
t Fy k c
kc is equal to one (1.0) for rolled sections selected from the program da-
tabase.
kc is equal to one (1.0) for user-defined (welded) sections with h/tw less
than or equal to 70.
4.05
kc = , for h/tw > 70, Eqn. 3
(h t w )0.46
d 640
≤ Eqn. 4
tw Fy
h 760
≤ Eqn. 5
tw Fb
The width-to-thickness checks made for the cover plate depend on the width
of the cover plate compared to the width of the beam bottom flange. Figure 1
illustrates the conditions considered.
In Case A of the figure, the width of the cover plate is less than or equal to
the width of the beam bottom flange. In this case, the width-to-thickness ra-
tio is taken as b1/tcp, and it is checked as a flange cover plate.
In Case B of Figure 1, the width of the cover plate is greater than the width of
the beam bottom flange. Two conditions are checked in this case. The first
condition is the same as that shown in Case A, where the width-to-thickness
ratio is taken as b1/tcp and is checked as a flange cover plate. The second
condition checked in Case B takes b2/tcp as the width-to-thickness ratio and
checks it as a plate projecting from a beam. This second condition is only
checked for the noncompact requirements; it is not checked for compact re-
quirements.
Beam
Beam
Cover plate
tcp
tcp
b1 b2 b1 b2
Cover plate
Case A Case B
Cover Plate Width Less Than or Equal to Beam Bottom Flange Width
When the cover plate width is less than or equal to the width of the beam
bottom flange, Equation 6 applies for the compact check for the cover plate.
b1 190
≤ Eqn. 6
t cp Fycp
b2 95
≤ Eqn. 7
t cp Fycp
Cover Plate Width Less Than or Equal to Beam Bottom Flange Width
When the cover plate width is less than or equal to the width of the beam
bottom flange, Equation 8 applies for the noncompact check for the cover
plate.
b1 238
≤ Eqn. 8
t cp Fycp
b2 95
≤ Eqn. 9
t cp Fycp
This Technical Note describes in general terms how the program calculates
the transformed moment of inertia for a composite section, Itr. The calculated
transformed moment of inertia applies for full (100%) composite connection.
See Composite Beam AISC-ASD89 Technical Note 21 Elastic Stresses with
Partial Composite Connection for a description of partial composite connec-
tion.
The Technical Note also describes in detail a method that can be used to cal-
culate the transformed section moment of inertia by hand that will yield the
same result as the program. The exact methodology used by the program is
optimized for computer-based calculations and is unsuitable for hand calcula-
tions and for presentation in this Technical Note.
Note that for the AISC-ASD89 specification, the transformed section proper-
ties used for stress calculations for a beam may be different from those used
for deflection calculations for the same beam. For AISC-ASD89 composite
beam design stress calculations, the value of Ec is always calculated from
Equation 1, assuming that the unit weight of concrete, wc, is 150 pounds per
cubic foot, regardless of its actual specified weight.
(
E c = w1.5
c )33 fc' Eqn. 1
Background
Figure 1 shows a typical rolled steel composite floor beam with the metal deck
ribs running parallel to the beam. Figure 2 shows a typical composite user-
defined steel beam with the metal deck ribs running parallel to the beam.
Note that the user-defined beam may have a different top and bottom flange
size, and that no fillets are assumed in this beam.
For each of these configurations the following items may or may not be
included when calculating the transformed section moment of inertia:
Concrete in the metal deck ribs: The concrete in the metal deck ribs is
included in the calculation when the deck ribs are oriented parallel to the
beam (typically the case for girders). It is not included when the deck ribs are
oriented perpendicular to the beam (typically the case for infill beams).
• Cover plate: The cover plate is only included if one is specified by you in
the composite beam overwrites.
Note that the deck type and deck orientation may be different on the two
sides of the beam as described in "Multiple Deck Types or Directions Along
the Beam Length" of Composite Beam Design Technical Note 8 Effective
Width of the Concrete Slab.
The first task in calculating the transformed section moment of inertia of the
composite section is to compute properties for the steel beam alone (plus the
cover plate, if it exists). The properties required are the total area, Abare; the
location of the ENA, ybare; and the moment of inertia, Is.
Concrete slab
tc
hr
Metal deck
d
Rolled steel beam
tcp
Bottom cover plate bcp
Figure 1: Composite Rolled Steel Beam Shown With Metal Deck Ribs
Running Parallel To Beam
tc
tf-top
hr
Concrete slab
tw
d
Beam web
tf-bot
ybare
Bottom of bottom flange of steel
beam. Ybare and y1 are
measured from here
If the beam section is a rolled steel beam or channel chosen from the pro-
gram section database, Abare, ybare and Ibare are calculated as shown in Table 1
and Equations 1 and 2. If the beam section is a user-defined (welded) beam,
they are calculated using Table 2 and Equations 1 and 2.
Table 1: Section Properties for Rolled Steel Beam Plus Cover Plate
2
Item Area, A y1 Ay1 Ay1 IO
d 2
Steel beam As Ay1 Ay1 Is
2
t cp b cp t 3cp
Cover plate bcptcp − Ay1 Ay1
2
2 12
2
Sums ΣA Σ(Ay1) Σ(Ay1 ) ΣIO
2 12
d 2 t wh3
Web htw Ay1 Ay1
2 12
t f − bot 2 b f − bot t 3f − bot
Bottom flange bf-bottf-bot Ay1 Ay1
2 12
t cp b cp t 3cp
Cover plate bcptcp − Ay1 Ay1
2
2 12
2
Sums ΣA Σ(Ay1) Σ(Ay1 ) ΣIO
The area of the steel section (including the cover plate if it exists), Abare, is
given by Equation 1.
Abare = ΣA Eqn. 1
The ENA of the steel section is located a distance ybare from the bottom of the
bottom flange of the steel beam section (not bottom of cover plate) where
ybare is determined from Equation 2.
y bare =
∑ (Ay ) 1
Eqn. 2
∑A
The moment of inertia of the steel section (plus cover plate, if one exists)
about its ENA, Ibare, is given by Equation 3.
I bare = ∑ (Ay ) + ∑ I
1
2
O − (∑ A ) y 2
bare Eqn. 3
Abare = Area of the steel beam (plus cover plate, if one exists),
in2.
ybare = Distance from the bottom of the bottom flange of the steel
section to the ENA of the steel beam (plus cover plate if it
exists), in.
Σ(A y12 ) = Sum of the product A times y12 for all of the elements of
the steel beam section, in4.
z
ye
Elastic neutral axis of steel beam
alone, including cover plate if it
exists
The program uses the following method to calculate the properties of the
composite section.
1. The location of the ENA of the composite section, defined by ye (see Fig-
ure 4), is calculated using the following iterative process:
a. The program assumes (guesses) that the ENA of the composite section
is within the height of the steel beam and uses Equation 4 to calculate
the distance ye that defines the location of the ENA for the composite
section. Note that with this assumption, all of the concrete is above
the ENA of the composite section and thus it is all in compression and
can be considered.
where,
If the ENA as calculated is within the height of the steel beam, as as-
sumed, the assumed location of the ENA is correct and the calculation
for ye is complete.
b. If the calculated ENA is not within the height of the steel beam, as as-
sumed in Step a, the assumed location of the ENA is incorrect and cal-
culation for ye continues.
ii If the newly calculated location of the ENA is the same as the pre-
viously calculated location (Step i), the assumed location of the
ENA has been identified and the calculation for ye is complete.
c. If the newly calculated location of the ENA is not the same as the pre-
viously calculated location (Step i), the most recent assumed location
of the ENA is incorrect and another iteration is made.
The program repeats the iterations until the location of the ENA has
been determined. After the location of the ENA is known, the rest of
the process for calculating the composite properties is non-iterative.
2. Given that the ENA has been located, the program determines if any con-
crete is below the ENA. If so, the program ignores it in the remaining cal-
culations.
3. The program sums the product of the area of each element of the com-
posite section (except concrete in tension) times its distance to a conven-
ient axis (such as the bottom of the beam bottom flange).
4. The program divides the sum calculated in step 3 by the sum of the areas
of each element of the composite section (except concrete in tension).
This calculation yields the distance from the convenient axis to the ENA of
the composite section.
5. After the ENA of the composite section has been determined, the section
properties of the composite section are quickly calculated using standard
methods.
After ybare has been calculated, ye is calculated by equating the forces above
and below the ENA using either Equation 5a or Equation 5b. Recall that ye is
the distance from the ENA of the steel beam alone, plus cover plate if it exits,
to the ENA of the fully composite section, as illustrated in Figure 4.
X1 + X 2 + X 3 + X 4
ye = Eqn. 5a
A bare + X 5 + X 6 + X 7 + X 8
- X10 ± X10
2
− 4X 9 (X1 + X 2 + X 3 + X 4 )
ye = Eqn. 5b
2X 9
Equations for use in calculating values for the variables X1 through X10 in
Equations 5a and 5b are presented in the following subsection entitled "Back-
ground Equations." The actual process to calculate ye is described in the sub-
section of this Technical Note entitled "Hand Calculation Process for ye."
Background Equations
This subsection presents the equations for the variables X1 through X10 in
Equations 5a and 5b. The exact equation to use for the variables X1 through
X10 depends on the assumed location of the ENA.
For the purposes of determining the ye distance, there are nine possible loca-
tions for the ENA. Those locations are as follows:
1. The ENA is located within the height of the steel section (including
cover plate, if it exists).
2. The ENA is located within the height of the metal deck on both the left
and the right sides of the beam.
3. The ENA is located within the height of the metal deck on the left side
of the beam and within the height of the concrete above the metal
deck (or within a solid slab) on the right side of the beam.
Note: Recall that you can have different deck properties on the two
sides of the beam.
4. The ENA is located within the height of the metal deck on the left side
of the beam and above the concrete on the right side of the beam.
5. The ENA is located within the height of the concrete above the metal
deck (or within a solid slab) on the left side of the beam and within the
height of the metal deck on the right side of the beam.
6. The ENA is located within the height of the concrete above the metal
deck (or within a solid slab) on both sides of the beam.
7. The ENA is located within the height of the concrete above the metal
deck (or within a solid slab) on the left side of the beam and above the
concrete on the right side of the beam.
8. The ENA is located above the concrete on the left side of the beam and
within the height of the metal deck on the right side of the beam.
9. The ENA is located above the concrete on the left side of the beam and
within the height of the concrete above the metal deck (or within a
solid slab) on the right side of the beam.
The first two columns in Table 3 list the nine possible locations of the ENA of
the composite section. The columns labeled Left Side and Right Side indicate
the location of the ENA relative to the left and right sides of the beam, re-
spectively. The third column of Table 3, labeled "ye Eqn" specifies whether
Equation 5a or 5b should be used to calculate ye. Columns 4 through 13 of
Table 3 list the equation numbers to be used to determine the value of the
variables X1 through X10 for the location of the ENA specified in the first two
columns of the table.
When using Table 3, the location of the ENA of the composite section and the
location of the ENA of the composite section relative to the elements that
make up the composite section are initially unknown. Thus, begin by assum-
ing a location of the ENA. It works best if you assume that the ENA of the
composite section is within the steel section. Then, calculate the actual loca-
tion of the ENA and check the validity of the assumption. This process is de-
scribed in the subsection entitled "Hand Calculation Process for ye."
Equations 7 through 16 define the terms X1 through X10 in Table 3 and Equa-
tions 5a and 5b. A term that is repeatedly used in Equations 7 through 16 is
z. As previously illustrated in Figure 4, z is the distance from the ENA of the
steel beam alone (plus cover plate, if it exists) to the top of the concrete slab.
The distance z, which can be different on the left and right sides of the beam,
is defined by Equations 6a and 6b.
The equations for the variables X1 through X10 in Equations 5a and 5b and Ta-
ble 3 follow. In most cases, there are multiple equations for each variable.
See Table 3 for specification of which equation to use for any assumed loca-
tion of the ENA.
1. The columns labeled Left Side and Right Side indicate the assumed location of the
ENA of the composite section relative to the left and right sides of the beam. Steel
section means that the ENA falls within the height of the steel section (including the
cover plate, if it exists). The designation hr means that the ENA is within the height of
the metal deck. The designation tc means that the ENA is within the height of the
concrete slab above metal deck or within the height of a solid slab. The designation
>tc means that the ENA is above the concrete slab.
2. The column labeled "ye Eqn" tells you whether to use Equation 5a or Equation 5b to
calculate ye for the assumed location of the ENA listed in the first two columns of the
table.
3. The columns labeled "X1 Eqn" through "X10 Eqn" indicate the equation numbers that
should be used to calculate the value of the variables X1 through X10 for use in Equa-
tions 5a and 5b. If one of the cells for X1 through X8 contains a "0," the value of Xn is
zero for that location of the ENA.
4. The variables X9 and X10 are not used if the ENA falls within the height of the steel
beam.
5. The variables X2, X4, X6 and X8 are always taken as zero if the deck span is oriented
perpendicular to the beam span.
6. Using this table requires a trial and error process. You must assume a location for the
ENA and then check if the assumption is correct. See the subsection entitled "Hand
Calculation Process for ye" later in this chapter for more information.
Important note: The terms X2, X4, X6 and X8 are always taken as zero if the
deck span is oriented perpendicular to the beam span; otherwise they are
taken as given in the equations below.
t c left
X1 = X 5 z left −
Eqn. 7a
2
z
X1 = X 5 left Eqn. 7b
2
hr left
X 2 = X 6 z left − t c left −
Eqn. 8a
2
(
X 2 = X 6 zleft − t c left )2 Eqn. 8b
t c right
X 3 = X 7 z right −
Eqn. 9a
2
zright
X 3 = X 7
Eqn. 9b
2
hr right
X 4 = X 8 z right − t c right −
Eqn. 10a
2
(
X 4 = X 8 zright − t c right )2 Eqn. 10b
X9 = X6 + X8 Eqn. 15a
X9 = X8 Eqn. 15b
X9 = X6 Eqn. 15c
(
X 10 = − A bare − X 5 − 2X 6 z left − t c left − )
Eqn. 16a
(
X 7 − 2X 8 z right − t c right )
X10 = − A bare − X 5 − X 7 Eqn. 16b
( )
X10 = − A bare − X 5 − X 6 zleft − t c left − X 7 Eqn. 16c
(
X10 = − A bare − X 5 − X 7 − X 8 zright − t c right ) Eqn. 16d
Abare = Area of the steel beam (plus cover plate), in2. This area
does not include the concrete area.
hr = Height of metal deck rib, in. Note that this may be differ-
ent on the left and right sides of the beam.
wr = Average width of a metal deck rib, in. Note that this may
be different on the left and right sides of the beam.
ye = The distance from the ENA of the steel beam (plus cover
plate, if it exists) alone to the ENA of the fully composite
beam, in.
1. Assume the ENA is within the height of the steel beam. Use Equation 5a to
calculate the location of the ENA. Table 3 identifies the equations to use to
determine values for the variables X1 through X8 in Equation 5a.
2. If the location of the ENA calculated in step 1 is within the height of the
steel beam, as initially assumed, the location of the ENA is correct and the
calculation for ye is complete.
3. If the calculated ENA is not within the height of the steel beam, as initially
assumed, the location is incorrect and a new assumption for the location
of the neutral axis is made. The new assumption for the location of the
ENA is wherever it was calculated to be in step 1 and is one of the choices
defined in the first two columns of Table 3.
4. Use Equation 5b to calculate the location of the ENA. Note that Table 3
identifies the equations to use to determine values for the variables X1
through X10 for use in solving Equation 5b.
5. If the calculated location of the ENA is the same as the new location as-
sumed in step 3, then the assumption is correct and the calculation for ye
is complete.
6. If the calculated location of the ENA is not the same as the location as-
sumed in step 3, the location is incorrect and another iteration is made.
The new assumption for the location of the ENA is wherever it was calcu-
lated to be in step 4 and is one of the choices defined in the first two col-
umns of Table 3.
a. If the deck spans perpendicular to the beam span, the concrete in the
metal deck ribs is ignored. If the deck spans parallel to the beam span,
the concrete in the metal deck ribs is considered.
c. The concrete slab and metal deck may not exist on one side of the
beam or the other.
Technical Note 20 - 18 Equivalent Hand Calculation Method to Calculate the Composite Properties
Composite Beam Design AISC-ASD89 Transformed Section Moment of Inertia
Transformed
2
Item Area, Atr y1 Atry1 Atry1 IO
Concrete
b eff t *c E c t *c b eff E c t *c 3
d + hr + tc − Atry1 Atry1
2
d. The top of the concrete slab may be at a different elevation on the two
sides of the beam.
e. Any concrete that is below the ENA of the composite section is not in-
cluded in the calculation.
Following is a list of the variables introduced in Table 4 that have not been
mentioned previously in this Technical Note.
h *r = Height of the metal deck ribs above the ENA (i.e., that is in
compression) used for calculating the transformed section
properties, in. Note that this could be different on the left and
right sides of the beam.
Equivalent Hand Calculation Method to Calculate the Composite Properties Technical Note 20 - 19
Transformed Section Moment of Inertia Composite Beam Design AISC-ASD89
If the deck ribs are oriented parallel to the beam span, one of
the following three items applies:
t *c = Height of the concrete slab above the metal deck (or solid
slab) that lies above the ENA (i.e., is in compression) that is
used for calculating the transformed section properties, in. Note
that this could be different on the left and right sides of the
beam.
1. If the ENA is below the top of the metal deck (bottom of the
concrete slab), t c = tc.
*
ΣAtr = Sum of the areas of all of the elements of the composite steel
beam section, in2.
Σ(Atry1) =Sum of the product Atr times y1 for all of the elements of the
composite steel beam section, in3.
Σ(Atry12) =Sum of the product Atr times y12 for all of the elements of the
composite steel beam section, in4.
Technical Note 20 - 20 Equivalent Hand Calculation Method to Calculate the Composite Properties
Composite Beam Design AISC-ASD89 Transformed Section Moment of Inertia
y=
∑ (A y ) tr 1
Eqn. 17a
∑A tr
I tr = ∑A 2
tr y1 + ∑I O − (∑ A ) y
tr
2
Eqn. 18
ye
if it exists
ybare
Figure 5: Illustration of y
Equivalent Hand Calculation Method to Calculate the Composite Properties Technical Note 20 - 21
©COMPUTERS AND STRUCTURES, INC., BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA DECEMBER 2001
COMPOSITE BEAM DESIGN AISC-ASD89
Technical Note 21
Elastic Stresses with Partial Composite Connection
This Technical Note describes how the program calculates elastic stresses in
the steel section and the concrete slab when there is partial composite con-
nection. Note that because composite action is only considered by the pro-
gram for positive bending, the description in this Technical Note only applies
to positive bending.
Note:
Equation 1 is the same as AISC-ASD89 Specification Equation I4-4.
where,
Note:
where,
The section moduli Str and Seff are referenced to the bottom of the cover plate, if it exists.
Otherwise they are referenced to the bottom of the beam bottom flange.
Technical Note 21 - 2 Effective Section Modulus Referred to the Extreme Tension Fiber
Composite Beam Design AISC-ASD89 Elastic Stresses with Partial Composite Connection
d
y
tcp
Figure 1: Figure Demonstrating Variables for Calculating Str in Equation 3
I tr
Str = Eqn. 3
(y + t cp )
where,
Refer to Figure 2. In the figure, the distance from the bottom of the beam
bottom flange to the ENA of the partially composite beam, yeff, is given by
Equation 4:
I eff
y eff = − t cp Eqn. 4
Seff
Note:
The distance yeff is measured from the bottom of the beam bottom flange even when
there is a cover plate.
CL
beff left beff right
beff leftEc left beff rightEc right
Es Es
ENA of fully
composite beam. Itr
is taken about this
axis.
d
ENA of partially
composite beam.
y
yeff
ybare
where,
yeff = The distance from the bottom of the beam bottom flange
to the ENA of the partially composite beam, in.
The steel stresses are checked at the top and bottom of the steel beam and at
the bottom of the cover plate, if it exists. Note that in this program, it is pos-
sible for the steel beam section and the cover plate to have a different yield
stress. If there is a cover plate, and if the yield stress of the cover plate is
larger than that of the beam, the allowable stress at the bottom of the cover
plate is larger than that at the bottom of the beam bottom flange. Thus, the
stress at the bottom of the beam bottom flange may control the design.
Equations 5 through 7 show the equations used to determine the stresses for
positive bending.
If a cover plate exists, Equation 5 gives the stress at the bottom of the cover
plate. Otherwise, it gives the stress at the bottom of the beam bottom flange.
M
fbot -st = Eqn. 5
Seff
If a cover plate exists, Equation 6 gives the stress at the bottom of the beam
bottom flange. If there is no cover plate, Equations 5 and 6 are the same.
My eff
fbot-bm = Eqn. 6
Ieff
Equation 7 gives the stress at the top of the steel beam section.
M [Abs (d - yeff )]
ftop-st = Eqn. 7
Ieff
The term "Abs" in Equation 7 means to take the absolute value of the
(d - yeff) term. The following notation that has not been previously introduced
in this Technical Note is used in Equations 5 through 7.
For full (100%) composite connection Ieff and yeff in Equations 6 and 7 are
modified as shown in Composite Beam Design AISC-ASD89 Technical Note 23
Bending Stress Checks Equations 1e and 1f.
This section describes in detail a method that can be used to calculate the
concrete slab stresses for partial composite connection by hand that will yield
the same result as the program. The method presented here parallels much
of what is done internally in the program.
Note:
Although the equation for the effective slab width of a partially composite beam is derived
by considering bounding conditions of 0% and 100% composite connection, the program
actually limits the minimum percent composite connection to 25%.
Refer to Figure 2. On each side of the beam the effective width of the slab for
the partially composite beam, beff-par left and beff-par right, varies from the value
for full composite action, beff left(Ec left /Es) and beff right(Ec right /Es), to zero as the
percent composite connection varies from 100% to 0%. Formulas for beff-par left
and beff-par right are derived from the definition of the elastic neutral axis (ENA)
together with the assumption that the ratio of the effective widths of the con-
crete slab on the left and right sides of the beam remains constant for any
percentage of composite connection. Equation 8 is a formula representing this
assumption.
From the definition of the ENA, if you multiply the area of individual elements
of a composite section times their distance to the ENA (considering the sign of
the distance term), and then sum up these products for all elements of the
composite section, the result is zero. This statement is shown as a formula in
Equation 9.
Note:
See Figures 3, 4 and 5 for illustrations of the physical distances represented by the vari-
ables a3 and a4 in Equations 9a through 9e.
where:
a3 left
X2 = a3 left (d + hr left + tc left - - yeff) Eqn. 9b
2
a3 right
X3 = a3 right (d + hr right + tc right - - yeff) Eqn. 9c
2
a4 left wr left a
X4 = d + hr left − 4 left − yeff Eqn. 9d
Sr left 2
a4 right wr right a
X5 = d + hr right − 4 right − yeff Eqn. 9e
Sr right 2
Table 1 lists the values that should be used for the variables a3 and a4 in
Equations 9a through 9e for all possible conditions. The possible conditions
are different combinations of the location of the ENA for the partially compos-
ite beam and the deck direction. Note that a3 and a4 are evaluated separately
for each side of the beam and can be different for the left and right sides of
the beam.
Table 1: Values that Should Be Used for the Variables A3 and A4 in Equa-
tions 9a through 9e. Physical Representations of A3 and A4 are
Shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5
Deck
ENA Location Direction a31, 2 a41, 3
Above the concrete slab over metal deck (or Parallel or
N.A.4 N.A.4
the solid slab) Perpendicular
In the concrete slab over metal deck (or the Parallel or
d + hr + tc - yeff N.A.4
solid slab) Perpendicular
Within the height of the metal deck Parallel tc d + hr - yeff
Within the height of the metal deck Perpendicular tc N.A.5
Within the height of the steel beam Parallel tc hr
Within the height of the steel beam Perpendicular tc N.A.5
Table Descriptive Notes:
1. When the cell for an an value indicates "N.A." a value of 0 should be used in Equations 9a through 9e
for that item. The notes below explain why the various "N.A." items are indicated.
2. The a3 dimension represents a distance within the height of the concrete slab.
3. The a4 dimension represents a distance within the height of the metal deck ribs.
4. The an dimension is not applicable because it would represent concrete below the ENA, which is in ten-
sion and thus ignored in the calculations.
5. The a4 dimension is not applicable because it represents concrete in the metal deck ribs. This concrete
is ignored in the calculations when the deck span is perpendicular to the beam span.
a3
tc
hr
ENA of partially
composite beam
located within
concrete slab above
yeff
the metal deck (or in
d
a solid slab)
tcp
a3 t c
a4 hr
ENA of partially
composite beam
located within metal
deck
d
eff
y
cp
t
a3
tc
a4
hr
d
ENA of partially
composite beam
yeff
Next we can substitute Equation 8 into Equation 9 and solve for beff-par left and
beff-par right. The resulting equations are shown here as Equations 10a and 10b.
X1
beff −par right = Eqn. 10a
beff left
(X2 + X 4 ) + (X3 + X5 )
beff right
beff left
X1
beff right
beff −par left = Eqn. 10b
beff left
(X2 + X 4 ) + (X3 + X5 )
beff right
Note:
The width beff-par is the effective width of the concrete slab for partial composite connec-
tion. It is transformed to an equivalent width of steel.
Abare = Area of the steel beam (plus cover plate, if one exists),
in2.
beff = The effective width of the concrete slab for full (100%)
composite action, in. Note that this may be different on
the left and right sides of the beam.
beff-par = The effective width of the concrete slab for partial com-
posite action transformed to have the same E as the
steel section, in. Note that this item may be different on
the left and right sides of the beam.
d = Depth of steel beam from outside face of top flange to
outside face of bottom flange, in.
hr = Height of the metal deck ribs, in. Note that this item
may be different on the left and right sides of the beam.
wr = Average width of metal deck rib, in. Note that this item
may be different on the left and right sides of the beam.
ybare = The distance from the bottom of the beam bottom flange
to the ENA of the steel beam plus cover plate, if it ex-
ists, in. See Composite Beam Design AISC-ASD89 Tech-
nical Note 20 Transformed Section Moment of Inertia.
No composite connection (concrete slab) is considered
when calculating this item.
yeff = The distance from the bottom of the beam bottom flange
to the ENA of the partially composite beam, in.
The section moduli on each side of the beam referred to the top of the par-
tially composite section, St-eff left and St-eff right, are given by Equations 11a and
11b:
Ieff
St −eff left = Eqn. 11a
(d + hr left + t c left − yeff )
Ieff
St −eff right = Eqn. 11b
(d + hr right + tc right − yeff )
where,
Finally, the concrete compressive stress, fc, for a partially composite beam is
calculated as the larger of Equations 12a and 12b:
where,
beff = The effective width of the concrete slab, in. Note that
this could be different on the left and right sides of the
beam.
beff-par = The effective width of the concrete slab for partial com-
posite action transformed to have the same E as the
steel section, in. This item is calculated using Equation
10a for the slab on the right side of the beam and 10b
for the slab on the left side of the beam. (For full
[100%] composite connection see Composite Beam De-
sign AISC-ASD89 Technical Note 23 Bending Stress
Checks, Equations 1b and 1d instead of Equations 10a
and 10b.)
General
This Technical Note describes how the program determines the allowable
bending stresses using the AISC-ASD89 specification for composite beams.
The methodologies for determining the allowable bending stress for both the
steel beam alone and the composite beam are described.
Important note concerning cover plates: This section describes how the
allowable bending stresses are determined for steel beams. When a cover
plate is present, the program determines the allowable stresses for the beam
as if the cover plate were not present, except as noted in Note 3 for Table 1.
Based on the allowable bending stress at the bottom of the beam bottom
flange, Fb-bbf, which the program determines as described in this Technical
Note, the allowable bending stress at the bottom of the cover plate, Fb-bcp is
taken as shown in Equation 1.
Fy cp
Fb-bcp = Fb −bbf Eqn. 1
Fy
where,
Note:
Allowable stresses for composite beams are described in the section entitled “Allowable
Bending Stresses for Positive Bending in the Composite Beam” later in this Technical
Note.
The allowable bending stress for the steel beam alone depends on the type of
beam section, whether the compression flange and the web are compact or
noncompact, the yield stress of the beam and the unsupported length of the
compression flange, Lb. Table 1 identifies the equations that are used to cal-
culate the allowable bending stress of the steel beam alone for various condi-
tions.
In the Flange and Cover Plate column of Table 1, if the flange or the cover
plate is noncompact, the column entry is noncompact. Both the flange and
the cover plate must be compact for the entry to be compact.
76b f 20000
L c = smaller of and Eqn. 2
Fy (d A f )Fy
The Af and bf terms in Equation 2 are the area and width of the beam com-
pression flange (not including cover plate even if it exists), respectively.
These terms are never based on the cover plate dimensions. The Fy term is
the yield stress of the beam (not cover plate)
The equations referred to in the last column of Table 1 are listed below.
Fb = 0.66 Fy Eqn. 3
b
Fb = Fy 0.79 − 0.002 f Fy Eqn. 4
2t f
b Fy
Fb = Fy 0.79 − 0.002 f Eqn. 5
2t f kc
where
4.05
kc = , for h/tw > 70, otherwise kc = 1 Eqn. 5a
(h t w )0.46
Fb = 0.60 Fy Eqn. 6
102 * 10 3 C b l 510 * 10 3 C b
When ≤ ≤
Fy rT Fy
Eqn. 7
Fy (l rT )
2
2
Fb = − Fy ≤ 0.60Fy
3 1,530 * 10 3 C b
l 510 * 103 Cb
When >
rT Fy
Eqn. 8
170 * 103 Cb
Fb = ≤ 0.60Fy
(l rT )2
12 * 103 Cb
Fb = ≤ 0.60Fy Eqn. 9
(ld A f )
In Equations 7 and 8, the l term in l/rT is the unbraced length of the compres-
sion flange. The rT term is based on the compression flange of the beam. This
is significant when the dimensions of the top and bottom flanges are different.
For rolled sections, the rT term is taken from the program database. For user-
defined (welded) sections, the rT term is calculated using Equation 10a or
10b. Equation 10a applies for positive bending and Equation 10b applies for
negative bending. If it exists, the cover plate is ignored when calculating rT.
The Cb term in Equations 7, 8 and 9 is defined in "Bracing (C) Tab and Brac-
ing Tab" in Composite Beam Design AISC-ASC89 Technical Note 18 Over-
writes.
In Equation 9 Af is the area of the compression flange (not including the cover
plate even if it exists).
Tension or compression at the top of the top flange of the beam. See Table
2 for the allowable stress.
Tension at the bottom of the cover plate. See Table 2 and the section enti-
tled “General” at the beginning of this Technical Note for the allowable
stress.
Table 2 defines the equations that are used to calculate the allowable bending
stress for the steel beam portion of a composite beam section for various
conditions. The equation used depends on whether the beam web is compact
and whether the yield stress is less than or equal to 65 ksi.
Technical Note 22 - 6 Allowable Bending Stresses for Positive Bending in the Composite Beam
Composite Beam Design AISC-ASD89 Allowable Bending Stresses
Concrete slab
tc
hr
Metal deck
d
Steel beam
tcp
Cover plate bcp
Fb = 0.66 Fy Eqn.11
Fb = 0.60 Fy Eqn. 12
Allowable Bending Stresses for Positive Bending in the Composite Beam Technical Note 22 - 7
©COMPUTERS AND STRUCTURES, INC., BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA DECEMBER 2001
COMPOSITE BEAM DESIGN AISC-ASD89
Technical Note 23
Bending Stress Checks
This Technical Note describes how the program checks the bending stress for
AISC-ASD89 design. The bending stress checks are described for the cases
with and without composite action.
Table 1 lists the equations that ETABS uses to calculate both the actual
bending stress and the allowable bending stress at each of these positions.
The top of the concrete slab. This check is performed separately on each
side of the beam.
Table 2 lists the equations that the program uses to calculate both the actual
bending stress and the allowable bending stress at each of these positions. In
addition to the checks listed in Table 2, if the beam is unshored, the program
performs additional checks. These checks are described in the section entitled
"Important Notes Regarding Unshored Composite Beams" later in this Techni-
cal Note.
The equations referred to in the second column of Table 2 for calculating ac-
tual bending stress are derived for partial composite connection. When there
is full (100%) composite connection, make the substitutions shown in Equa-
tions 1a through 1g into those equations:
Note:
The formulas shown in Equations 1a through 1g are not in general true. They only apply
as substitutions into the equations listed in Table 2 when you are considering full (100%)
composite connection rather than partial composite connection.
Itr
St −eff left = Eqn. 1a
(d + hr left + tc left − y )
beff par left = beff left (Ec left / Es) Eqn. 1b
Itr
St −eff right = Eqn. 1c
(d + hr right + tc right − y )
beff par right = beff right (Ec right / Es) Eqn. 1d
yeff = y Eqn. 1e
The y term in Equations 1a, 1c and 1e is the distance from the bottom of the
beam bottom flange to the elastic neutral axis (ENA) of the composite beam.
The Itr term in Equation 1f is the transformed section moment of inertia about
the ENA of the composite beam assuming full (100%) composite connection.
This moment of inertia can be calculated using Equation 18 of Composite
Beam Design AISC-ASD89 Technical Note 20 Transformed Section Moment of
Inertia.
The Str term in Equation 1g is the section modulus for the fully (100%) com-
posite transformed section referred to the extreme tension fiber of the steel
section (including cover plate, if it exists). This section modulus can be calcu-
lated using Equation 3 of Composite Beam Design AISC-ASD89 Technical
Note 21 Elastic Stresses with Partial Composite Connection.
(
MDL ybare + tcp ) + MAll Other ≤ 0.9 Fy Eqn. 2c
Ibare Seff
In Equations 2a through 2c, MDL is the moment due to dead load and MAll Other
is the moment due to all other loads (except dead load).
DL = dead load
LL = live load
TL = total load
This Technical Note describes how the program checks the beam end reaction
for shear for AISC-ASD89 composite beam design.
The program performs two checks for beam end shear. The first is based on
the allowable shear stress specified in AISC-ASD89 Specification Section F4.
If the beam does not pass this shear stress check, the program indicates that
the beam is inadequate. This shear check is described in the section entitled
"Shear Stress Check."
The second check the program performs is based on the allowable shear
rupture (block shear) specified in AISC-ASD89 Specification Section J4. This
check is completed based on several built-in assumptions about bolt size, bolt
spacing, cope depth, etc. If the beam does not pass this shear rupture check,
the program does not indicate that the beam is inadequate. Instead, it issues
a design warning message in the output that the block shear may be high for
the beam. This shear check is described in the section entitled "Shear Rupture
Check" in this Technical Note
Fv = 0.40 Fy Eqn. 1
where,
V
fv = Eqn. 2
( )
d − C bot − C top t w
where,
V = Beam end shear at the inside end of the rigid end offset
along the length of the beam (if the offset exists), kips.
Note:
The top and bottom copes are internally calculated by the program and reported in the
long- and short-form printed output. See the section entitled "Copes" later in this Techni-
cal Note for more information on beam copes.
Note that Equation 2 is based on the full depth of the beam minus the top and
bottom copes. The copes are internally calculated by the program and are re-
ported in the printed output. See the following section titled "Copes" for in-
formation on how the program determines the assumed copes.
Slender Web
For h/tw > 380 Fy the allowable shear stress is that shown in Equation 3.
Equation 3 is based on AISC-ASD89 Specification Equation F4-2 with kv set
equal to 5.34.
Fy
F v = Cv ≤ 0.40Fy Eqn. 3
2.89
where
45,000 * 5.34
Cv = when Cv ≤ 0.8 Eqn. 3a
Fy (h t w )
2
190 5.34
Cv = when Cv > 0.8 Eqn. 3b
h tw Fy
V
fv = Eqn. 4
(d − *
C bot )
− C *top t w
where
Note that Equation 4 is based on the clear distance between the flanges of the
beam minus any portion of the top and bottom copes that extends into this
clear distance. This is different from the typical, non-slender web case.
Finally, note that the value of h/tw is limited by the requirements for a non-
compact web. See "Noncompact Section Limits for Webs" in Composite Beam
Design AISC-ASD89 Technical Note 19 Width-to-Thickness Checks for more
information.
Copes
The program calculates the default beam copes as follows:
If a beam, call it Beam A, frames into another beam, call it Beam B, the
following copes are assumed in Beam A, as shown in Figure 1:
9 The depth of the cope at the top of Beam A is equal to the thickness of
the Beam B top flange plus 1/4".
9 If the depth of Beam A is greater than the depth of Beam B minus the
bottom flange thickness of Beam B minus 1/4", the depth of the cope
at the bottom of Beam A is equal to the depth of Beam A minus the
depth of Beam B plus the bottom flange thickness of Beam B plus
1/4".
tf-top + 1/4"
tf-top
Beam B Beam A
tf-bot + 1/4"
dB
dA
tf-bot
f-bot + 1/4"
dA - d +
B
Important note: In some cases when you use auto select section lists and
you compare the cope dimensions reported in the output with the cope di-
mensions calculated using the above-described method considering the cur-
rent design sections for the beam and the girder, you may see different re-
sults. The reason for this is that the beam may have been designed before
the girder, and thus the cope dimensions for the beam were calculated based
on an older design section for the girder. This illustrates that the design is an
iterative process. You must cycle through your design and analysis several
times before you get final results. Also you should always run one final design
check with all auto select section lists removed; that is, with actual beam
sections assigned to all elements.
3. Standard bolt holes are assumed. The diameter of the bolt hole is as-
sumed to be 15/16".
where,
5. The distance from the center of the top bolt hole to the top edge of the
beam web (at the cope), lv, is 1.5 inches.
6. The distance from the center of any bolt hole to the end of the beam web,
lh, is 1.5 inches.
lv = 1.5"
Shear plane
3” typ.
Tension plane
lh = 1.5"
The allowable beam shear (end reaction) based on shear rupture is calculated
using Equation 5.
where,
Agt = Gross area along the tension plane, in2. See Equation
6.
Ans = Net area along the shear plane, in2. See Equation
7.
The gross area along the tension plane, Agt, is given by Equation 6.
Agt = lh tw Eqn. 6
where,
The net area along the shear plane, Ans, is given by Equation 7.
where,
lv = The distance from the center of the top bolt hole to the
top edge of the beam web (at the cope), in. The pro-
gram assumes this distance to be 1.5 inches, as shown
in Figure 2.
If the allowable shear at the end of the beam, Vall, is less than the beam end
reaction, the program prints a design warning message in the output.
2. No check is made for shear on the net section considering the bolt holes,
except as noted in the following item 3.
shear) is issued in the output. The program does not fail the beam be-
cause it does not pass the shear rupture check.
Overview
This Technical Note begins by defining the program default allowable shear
stud horizontal loads for AISC-ASD89 composite beam design. Next some of
the basic equations used for determining the number of shear studs on the
beam are provided.
Composite Beam Design Technical Note 14 The Number of Shear Studs that
Fit in a Composite Beam Segment describes how the program determines the
maximum number of shear studs that fit in a composite beam segment. The
program also checks that the shear studs it specifies can fit on the beam. See
also Composite Beam Design Technical Note 15 User-Defined Shear Stud
Patterns for more information.
where,
If there is formed metal deck, the value of q obtained from Equation 1 is re-
duced by a reduction factor, RF, whose value depends on the direction of the
deck span relative to the beam span. The reduction factor is different de-
pending on whether the span of the metal deck ribs is oriented parallel or
perpendicular to the span of the beam. The subsections below entitled “Re-
duction Factor when Metal Deck is Perpendicular to Beam” and “Reduction
Factor when Metal Deck is Parallel to Beam” describe the reduction factors for
the two deck directions.
Important note #1: The metal deck reduction factor, RF, only applies to the
0.25Asc f c' E c term in Equation 1. It does not apply to the 0.5AscFu term.
Important note #2: When there is slab on both sides of the beam, the pro-
gram calculates q for each side of the beam separately using Equation 1 and
the appropriate metal deck reduction factor if applicable. The program then
uses the smaller of the two q values in the calculations.
Important note #3: When you specify a q value in the composite beam
overwrites, the program assumes that the specified value of q already in-
cludes a metal deck reduction factor, if applicable. Thus the program does not
modify the specified q value based on the metal deck configuration.
the reduction factor specified in Equation 2 to yield the final allowable hori-
zontal load for a single shear stud.
0.85 wr Hs
RF =
h
h − 1.0 ≤ 1.0 Eqn. 2
N r r
r
where,
w Hs
RF = 0.6 r − 1.0 ≤ 1.0 Eqn. 3
hr h
r
where,
where,
Ac = Area of the concrete slab, in2. When the deck span is per-
pendicular to the beam span, this is the area of concrete in
the slab above the metal deck that is above the elastic
neutral axis (ENA) of the fully composite beam. When the
deck span is parallel to the beam span, this is the area of
concrete in the slab, including the concrete in the metal
deck ribs, that is above the ENA of the fully composite
beam. This item may be different on the left and right
sides of the beam.
A sFy + bcptcpFycp
Vh = Eqn. 5a
2
Between the Output Station with Maximum Moment and the Point of Zero Moment
For full (100%) composite action, the number of shear studs required be-
tween the output station with the maximum positive moment and adjacent
points of zero moment, N1, for a given design load combination is given by
Equation 6.
Vh
N1 = Eqn. 6
q
For partial composite connection, the number of shear studs required be-
tween the output station with the maximum positive moment and adjacent
points of zero moment, N1, is given by Equation 7.
Vh'
N1 = Eqn. 7
q
In Equation 7, V'h is equal to the percent composite connection times Vh. For
example, if there is 70% composite connection, V'h = 0.7 Vh. Thus, the per-
cent composite connection, PCC, for AISC-ASD89 design is given by Equation
8.
Vh'
PCC = Eqn. 8
Vh
M β
N1 station − 1
N2 = Mstation max ≥0 Eqn. 9
β −1
where,
The Str term is the section modulus for the fully (100%) composite trans-
formed section referred to the extreme tension fiber of the steel section
(including cover plate, if it exists), in3. This section modulus can be calcu-
lated using Equation 3 of Composite Bean Design AISC-ASD89 Technical
Note 21 Elastic Stresses with Partial Composite Connection.
The Sbare term is the section modulus for the steel section alone (plus
cover plate, if it exists) referred to the extreme tension fiber of the steel
section, in3. This section modulus can be calculated as Ibare/ybare where Ibare
is calculated using Equation 3 of Composite Beam Design AISC-ASD89
Technical Note 20 Transformed Section Moment of Inertia and ybare is cal-
culated using Equation 2 of Composite Beam Design AISC-ASD89 Techni-
cal Note 20 Transformed Section Moment of Inertia.
The Seff term is the effective section modulus of the partially composite
beam referred to the extreme tension fiber of the steel beam section (in-
cluding cover plate, if it exists), in3. This section modulus can be calcu-
lated using Equation 2 of Composite Bean Design AISC-ASD89 Technical
Note 21 Elastic Stresses with Partial Composite Connection.
Basic Equations
Equation 1 applies at the output station with the maximum positive moment
when there is full (100%) composite connection.
Vh
N1 = Eqn. 1
q
where,
where,
f’c = Compressive strength of the concrete slab, ksi. This item may
be different on the left and right sides of the beam.
When the deck span is perpendicular to the beam span, Ac is the area of con-
crete in the slab above the metal deck that is above the elastic neutral axis
(ENA) of the fully composite beam. When the deck span is parallel to the
beam span, Ac is the area of concrete in the slab, including the concrete in the
metal deck ribs, that is above the ENA of the fully composite beam. This item
may be different on the left and right sides of the beam.
A s Fy + b cp t cp Fycp
Vh = Eqn. 1b
2
Equation 2 applies at the output station with the maximum positive moment
when there is partial composite connection.
Vh'
N1 = Eqn. 2
q
In Equation 2, V'h is equal to the percent composite connection times Vh. For
example, if there is 70% composite connection, V'h = 0.7 Vh.
Equation 3 applies at any other output station regardless of the percent com-
posite connection.
M β
N1 station − 1
Mstation max
N2 = ≥0 Eqn. 3
β −1
where,
The allowable horizontal load for a single shear stud, q, is 12.4 kips.
The support distance, S, plus the gap distance, G, is equal to 0.50 foot (6
inches) at each end of the beam.
The maximum longitudinal spacing of shear studs along the length of the
beam is 36 inches.
As shown in Figure 1, this beam has one composite beam segment that has a
length, LCBS, of 29 feet.
Note:
Use the Assign menu > Frame/ Line >Frame Output Stations command to modify the
number of output stations for a beam.
1 klf
50 k-ft
30'
13.33 k 16.67 k
13.33 k
Shear
13.33'
16.67 k
50 k-ft
Moment
3.33'
Center of support
Center of support
L1 and
LCBS
LCBS = 29'
L = 30'
Table 1 illustrates how the bending moment is calculated by the program for
this beam at each output station. Note the following about Figure 1 and Table
1:
The actual maximum moment for this beam of 88.89 k-ft occurs at a dis-
tance of 13.33 feet from the left end of the beam, as shown in the mo-
ment diagram in Figure 1. As shown in Table 1, since the program only
calculates moment at the designated output stations, it picks up the
maximum moment as 88.67 k-ft at the station located 14 feet from the
(center of the support at the) left end of the beam. Increasing the number
of output stations will decrease the difference between the program-
calculated maximum moment and the actual maximum moment.
The actual point of zero moment near the right end of the beam occurs
26.67 feet from the left end of the beam (3.33 feet from the right end of
the beam), as shown in the moment diagram in Figure 1. Referring to Ta-
ble 1, the program calculates the point of zero moment by assuming a lin-
ear variation of moment between output stations located 26 and 28 feet
from the left end of the beam. This assumption yields a point of zero mo-
ment that is 26.63 feet from the left end of the beam (3.37 feet from the
right end of the beam). The dimensions shown in the bottom sketch of
Figure 1 reflect this program-calculated point of zero moment.
0 0.00
2 24.67
4 45.33
6 62.00
8 74.67
10 83.33
12 88.00
14 88.67
16 85.33
18 78.00
20 66.67
22 51.33
24 32.00
26 8.67
28 -18.67
30 -50.00
The program calculates the maximum moment as 88.67 k-ft at the output
station located 14 feet from the left end of the beam. Multiplying Mmax by
0.999 yields 0.999 *88.67 = 88.58 k-ft. Because no other output station has
a moment that exceeds 0.999Mmax (88.58 k-ft) and no point loads are on this
beam (for any load case), the only output station that is considered when
determining the shear stud distribution is the station 14 feet from the left end
of the beam (the maximum moment location).
The required number of shear studs between the maximum moment and ad-
jacent points of zero moment, N1, is calculated using Equation 2 as:
The distances L1 left and L1 right for the output station located 14 feet from the
left end of the beam are shown in Figure 1.
N N
NCBS1 = Roundup Max , * L CBS1
L 1 left L 1 right
19.76 studs
NCBS1 = Roundup * 29 ft
12.63 ft
NCBS1 = 46 studs
The minimum number of studs required in the composite beam segment for
this beam is calculated using Equation 5 of Composite Beam Design Technical
Note 13 Distribution of Shear Studs on a Composite Beam as:
L
MS CBS = Roundup CBS
MaxLS
29 ft 12 in
MS CBS = Roundup = 10 studs
36 in 1 ft
Thus, the number of shear studs does not need to be increased to meet the
minimum requirements. Assuming that the shear studs are found to fit on the
beam, the final number of uniformly spaced shear studs specified for the
beam is 46.
The point loads do not come from other beams in the program model.
Thus, this beam has one composite beam segment instead of three com-
posite beam segments.
The allowable horizontal load for a single shear stud, q, is 12.4 kips.
5k 20 k
10 k
5k
Shear
15 k
Moment
100 k-ft
150 k-ft (Mmax)
from left end of beam
from left end of beam
End of beam flange
Center of support
LCBS = 29'
L = 30'
The support distance, S, plus the gap distance, G, is equal to 0.50 foot (6
inches) at each end of the beam.
The maximum longitudinal spacing of shear studs along the length of the
beam is 36 inches.
As shown in Figure 2, this beam has one composite beam segment that has a
length, LCBS, of 29 feet.
Table 2 shows the bending moment calculated by the program for this beam
at each output station.
The required number of shear studs between the maximum moment (located
at the output station 20 feet from the left end of the beam) and adjacent
points of zero moment, N1, is calculated using Equation 2 as:
The required number of shear studs between the point load located at the
output station 10 feet from the left end of the beam and adjacent points of
zero moment, N2, is calculated using Equation 3 as:
Mstationβ
N1 − 1
N2 = Mstation max =≥0
β −1
100 k - ft * 1.40
10.00 studs − 1
150 k - ft
N2 = = Negative
1.40 − 1
N2 = 0 studs
The distances L1 left and L1 right for the output stations located 10 feet and 20
feet from the left end of the beam are shown in Figure 2.
For the output station located 10 feet from the left end of the beam:
N N
NCBS1 = Roundup Max , * L CBS1
L 1 left L 1 right
0 studs 0 studs
NCBS1 = Roundup Max , * 29 ft
9.50 ft 19.50 ft
NCBS1 = 0 studs
For the output station located 20 feet from the left end of the beam:
N N
NCBS1 = Roundup Max , * L CBS1
L 1 left L 1 right
10.00 studs
NCBS1 = Roundup * 29 ft
9.50 ft
NCBS1 = 31 studs
The minimum number of studs required in the composite beam segment for
this beam is calculated using Equation 5 of Composite Beam Design Technical
Note 13 Distribution of Shear Studs on a Composite Beam as:
L
MS CBS = Roundup CBS
MaxLS
29 ft 12 in
MS CBS = Roundup = 10 studs
36 in 1 ft
Thus, the number of shear studs does not need to be increased to meet the
minimum requirements. Assuming that the shear studs are found to fit on the
beam, the final number of uniformly spaced shear studs specified for the
beam is 31.
The allowable horizontal load for a single shear stud, q, is 12.4 kips.
The support distance, S, plus the gap distance, G, is equal to 0.50 foot (6
inches) at each end of the beam.
The maximum longitudinal spacing of shear studs along the length of the
beam is 36 inches.
As shown in Figure 3, this beam has three composite beam segments labeled
1, 2 and 3 from the left end of the beam to the right end of the beam. The
lengths of these composite beam segments are LCBS1 = 9.5 feet, LCBS2 = 10
feet and LCBS3 = 9.5 feet.
Table 2 shows the bending moment calculated by the program for this beam
at each output station. Table 3 summarizes how the shear stud distribution is
determined for this beam.
5k 20 k
10 k
5k
Shear
15 k
Moment
100 k-ft
150 k-ft (Mmax)
from left end of beam
from left end of beam
End of beam flange
Center of support
L = 30'
The number of shear studs listed in the Studs column of Table 3 is calculated
exactly as described for Example 2. Equation 3 is used at the station 10 feet
from the left end of the beam, and Equation 2 is used at the station 20 feet
from the left end of the beam.
The columns labeled NCBS1, NCBS2 and NCBS3 show the number of studs required
in composite beam segments 1, 2 and 3, respectively, along with the equation
used to calculate that number of studs. The equation number is shown in pa-
renthesis.
The calculation proceeds from left to right along the beam and then back
along the beam from right to left. The detailed calculations associated with
Table 3 are shown in the next subsection entitled "Detailed Calculations."
The final required number of shear studs for each of the composite beam
segments is shown in the last row of Table 3. Composite beam segments 1, 2
and 3 require 5, 5 and 10 shear studs, respectively. This is a total of 20 shear
studs. This compares with 31 studs required in Example 2, where a uniform
intensity of shear studs is assumed over the entire beam rather than over
each of the three composite beam segments.
Detailed Calculations
This subsection shows the calculations required to obtain the values in the
columns labeled NCBS1, NCBS2 and NCBS3 in Table 3.
N N
NCBS1 = Roundup Max , * L CBS1
L 1 left L 1 right
0 studs 0 studs
NCBS1 = Roundup Max , * 9.5 ft
9.5 ft 19.5 ft
NCBS1 = 0 studs
Thus, NCBS1 is calculated as zero studs. Because the output station considered
is in composite beam segment 1 and we are working from left to right along
the beam, NCBS2 and NCBS3 are not yet applicable.
N
NCBS1 = Roundup * L CBS1 ≥ NCBS1 Prev
L 1 left
10.00 studs
NCBS1 = Roundup * 9.5 ft ≥ 0 studs
19.5 ft
NCBS1 = 5 studs
n −1 ? n −1
N
L 1 left
* ∑
i =1
L CBSi < ∑N
i =1
CBSi
1 ? 1
10.00 studs
19.5 ft
* ∑i =1
L CBSi < ∑N
i =1
CBSi
?
10.00 studs
* L CBS1 < NCBS1
19.5 ft
?
10.00 studs
* 9.5 ft < 5 studs
19.5 ft
1
N-
i =1
NCBSi ∑
NCBS2 = Roundup 1
* L CBS2 ≥ NCBS2 Prev
L 1 left − L CBSi∑
i =1
NCBS2 = 5 studs
N N
N CBS3 = Roundup Max , * L CBS3 ≥ N CBS3 Prev
L1 left L1 right
10 studs 10 studs
N CBS 3 = Roundup Max , * 9.5 ft ≥ 0 studs
19.5 ft 9.5 ft
10 studs
N CBS 3 = Roundup * 9.5 ft ≥ 0 studs
9.5 ft
NCBS3 = 10 studs
N
NCBS3 = Roundup * L CBS3 ≥ NCBS3 Prev
L 1 right
0 studs
NCBS3 = Roundup * 9.5 ft ≥ 10 studs
19.5 ft
?
0 studs
* L CBS3 < NCBS3
19.5 ft
?
0 studs
* 9.5 ft < 10 studs
19.5 ft
rightmost
N-
i=3
∑
NCBSi
NCBS2 = Roundup rightmost
* L CBS2 ≥ NCBS2 Prev
L 1 right − ∑
L CBSi
i=3
N - NCBS3
NCBS2 = Roundup * L CBS2 ≥ NCBS2 Prev
L 1 right − L CBS3
0 - 10
NCBS2 = Roundup * 10 ft ≥ 5 studs
19.5 ft − 9.5 ft
L 9.5 ft 12 in
MS CBS1 = Roundup CBS1 = = 4 studs
MaxLS 36 in 1 ft
L 10 ft 12 in
MS CBS2 = Roundup CBS2 = = 4 studs
MaxLS 36 in 1 ft
L 9.5 ft 12 in
MS CBS3 = Roundup CBS3 = = 4 studs
MaxLS 36 in 1 ft
Thus, the number of shear studs does not need to be increased to meet the
minimum requirements. Assuming that the shear studs are found to fit on the
beam, the final number of uniformly spaced shear studs specified for the
beam is 5 in composite beam segment 1, 5 in composite beam segment 2 and
10 in composite beam segment 3, for a total of 20 shear studs.
This Technical Note describes the composite beam design input data for AISC-
ASD89. The input can be printed to a printer or to a text file when you click
the File menu > Print Tables > Composite Beam Design command. A
printout of the input data provides the user with the opportunity to carefully
review the parameters that have been input into the program and upon which
program design is based. See Composite Beam Design Technical Note 5 Input
Data for further information about using the print Composite Beam Design
Tables Form, as well as other non-code-specific input data for composite
beam design.
Recall that the composite beam overwrites apply to all beams to which they
have been specifically assigned. To access the composite beam overwrites,
select one or more beams and then click the Design menu > Composite
Beam Design > View/Revise Overwrites command. Information about
composite beam overwrites is available in Composite Beam Design AISC-
ASD89 Technical Note 18 Overwrites.
Note:
User-defined shear stud patterns are described in Composite Beam Design
Technical Note 15 User-Defined Shear Stud Patterns.
This Technical Note describes the composite beam output for AISC-ASD89
that can be printed to a printer or to a text file in either short form or long
form. See Composite Beam Design Technical Note 6 Output Data for informa-
tion about using the Print Composite Beam Design Tables Form, as well as the
Summary of Composite Beam Output.
The program provides the output data in a series of tables. The column
headings for output data and a description of what is included in the columns
of the tables are provided in Table 1 of this Technical Note.
Group Name of the design group (if any) to which the beam has been
assigned.
RLLF A reducible live load is multiplied by this factor to obtain the re-
duced live load.
Comparative Price of the beam using the input price parameters for steel,
shear studs and camber. This price is intended for comparison
of alternative designs only. It is not intended to be used for cost
estimating purposes.
Overwrites If this item is Yes, one or more items have been overwritten for
this beam. If it is No, nothing has been overwritten. The values
for all overwrite items are included in the long form output.
Thus, if this item is "Yes," you may want to print the long form
output.
Fy-cp Yield stress for the cover plate. If no cover plate is specified by
the user, N/A is reported for this item.
Consider-cp This item is Yes if the specified cover plate is considered in the
design. Otherwise, it is No.
Deck Left and Deck The deck section labels (names) on the left and right sides of
Right the beam.
Dir. Left and Dir. Right The deck directions on the left and right sides of the beam.
Perpendclr means that the deck span is perpendicular to the
beam span. Parallel means that the deck span is parallel to the
beam span.
Ctop Left and Ctop The program calculated cope of the beam top flange at the left
Right and right ends of the beam. Do not confuse the left and right
ends of the beam with the left and right sides of the beam. The
left end of the beam is the I-end and the right end of the beam
is the J-end.
Cbot Left and Cbot The program calculated cope of the beam bottom flange at the
Right left and right ends of the beam. Do not confuse the left and right
ends of the beam with the left and right sides of the beam. The
left end of the beam is the I-end and the right end of the beam
is the J-end.
ytrans Distance from the bottom of the beam bottom flange (not bot-
tom of cover plate, even if it exists) to the elastic neutral axis
(ENA) of the beam, with full (100%) composite connection, y .
ybare Distance from the bottom of the beam bottom flange (not bot-
tom of cover plate, even if it exists) to the ENA of the beam,
plus cover plate alone (if it exists).
yeff Distance from the bottom of the beam bottom flange (not bot-
tom of cover plate, even if it exists) to the ENA of the beam,
with partial composite connection.
Pmax The largest axial load in the beam for any design load combi-
nation.
Important note: This value is not used in the Composite Beam
Design postprocessor design. It is reported to give you a sense
of how much axial load, if any, is in the beam. If there is a sig-
nificant amount of axial load in the beam, you may want to de-
sign it noncompositely using the Steel Frame Design postpro-
cessor. The Steel Frame Design postprocessor does consider
axial load.
Type This item is either Constr Pos, Constr Neg, Final Pos or Final
Neg. Const Pos means it is a positive moment for construction
loading. Const Neg means it is a negative moment for con-
struction loading. Final Pos means it is a positive moment for
final loading. Final Neg means it is a negative moment for final
loading.
Combo Design load combination that causes the controlling moment for
the moment type considered in the table row.
Location The critical location over the height of the beam section for
bending stress. Possible values for this are:
ConcLeft: The top of the concrete slab on the left side of the
beam.
1/3 Factor This item is either Yes or No. It indicates whether a 1/3 allow-
able stress increase was used for the ratio calculated in this
row in the table.
Ratio This is the bending stress, fb, divided by the allowable bending
stress, Fb. If the 1/3 allowable stress increase applies to the
design load combination, the result is further divided by 1.33.
Shear Design
This table of output data reports the controlling shears for both construction loads and
final loads.
Type This item is either Constr Left, Constr Right, Constr Worst, Final
Left or Final Right. Constr Left means it is a construction load-
ing shear at the left end of the beam. Constr Right means it is a
construction loading shear at the right end of the beam. Constr
Worst means it is a construction loading shear somewhere in
the middle of the beam and it is the worst-case shear.
Final Left means it is a final loading shear at the left end of the
beam. Final Rght means it is a final loading shear at the right
end of the beam. Final Worst means it is a construction loading
shear somewhere in the middle of the beam and it is the worst-
case shear.
Combo Design load combination that causes the controlling shear for
the shear type considered in the table row.
V The controlling shear for the shear type considered in the table
row.
1/3 Factor This item is either Yes or No. It indicates whether a 1/3 allow-
able stress increase was used for the ratio calculated in this
row in the table.
Ratio This is the bending stress, fv, divided by the allowable bending
stress, Fv. If the 1/3 allowable stress increase applies to the
design load combination, the result is further divided by 1.33.
Deflection Design
This table of output data reports the controlling deflections for both live load and total
load.
Consider This item is always Yes, indicating that deflection is one of the
criteria checked when determining if a beam section is consid-
ered acceptable.
Note:
Deflection is described in Composite Beam Design Technical Note 11 Beam De-
flection and Camber.
Limit The deflection limit for the deflection type considered in the ta-
ble row.
This Technical Note provides an overview of composite beam design using the
AISC-LRFD93 design specification.
Determine checking
order for beams. Is there another trial
section available that The design for this
4 may qualify as the beam element is
optimum beam complete.
Select a trial beam Yes section? No
section.
5 19 20
Determine if trial
On the basis of Is the section section is the current
Yes No
compact section compact or optimum section.
requirements, noncompact? 18
determine whether 6
to use a plastic or Determine price of
an elastic stress section.
distribution to Determine
transformed section 17
calculate the
moment capacity, properties for full
Calculate required
Mn. composite action.
camber.
7 8
16
Yes
Considering full No Is beam shear
composite acceptable?
connection, are the No 15
maximum moment Yes
and deflection Do the required
No
acceptable? shear connectors fit
on the beam?
9
Yes 14
Determine the
Is the vibration No required number of
criteria satisfied? shear connectors.
10 13
Yes
Determine the
minimum acceptable
percent composite
Considering full No
connection
composite action, is considering
the interaction for the combined stresses
combined stresses Yes and deflection
acceptable? criteria.
11 12
Refer to Composite Beam Design Technical Note 8 Effective Width of the Con-
crete Slab for a description of how the program calculates the effective width
of the concrete slab for the composite beam. Refer to Composite Beam De-
In AISC-LRFD93 design, the transformed section properties are used for cal-
culating deflection, and they are used when the moment capacity is deter-
mined based on an elastic stress distribution; that is, when the web is non-
compact.
Box 16 - Camber
The program determines the camber for the beam, if it is specified to have
camber. Refer to Composite Beam Design Technical Note 11 Beam Deflection
and Camber for more information.
the program determines the price of the current beam. Refer to “Using Price
to Select Optimum Beam Sections” in Composite Beam Design Technical Note
1 General Design Information for more information.
If the optimum beam size is to be selected by weight, this check becomes ir-
relevant because the beams are checked in order from the lightest to the
heaviest beams and thus the first beam found to work is the optimum beam.
If the beam is assigned a regular, non-auto selection property, the design for
that beam property will be provided or the beam will be indicated to be in-
adequate.
There are some additional aspects included in the composite beam design
module that are not directly addressed in the flowchart shown in Figure 1.
Those include designing beams in groups and designing beams with partial
length cover plates.
For more information on the design by group feature, refer to the section
"How the Program Optimizes Design Groups" in Composite Beam Design
Technical Note 1 General Design Informaiton. The extension of the methodol-
ogy described in Part 3 to designing by groups is relatively simple and is as-
sumed to be apparent to the reader.
Notation
Abare Area of the steel beam (plus coverplate) alone, in2.
Aw Area of the web equal to the overall depth d times the web
thickness tw, in2.
CFT Compressive force in the top flange of the steel beam, kips.
This force only occurs when the plastic neutral axis is below
the top of the beam.
CR Compressive force in the slab rebar, kips. This force only oc-
curs when the plastic neutral axis is below the rebar, and you
have specified the rebar to be considered.
CWeb Compressive force in the steel beam web, kips. This force only
occurs when the plastic neutral axis is within the beam web.
Fyf-top Minimum specified yield stress of steel in beam top flange, ksi.
Ix, Iy Moment of inertia about the x and y axes of the beam respec-
tively, in4.
the beam span and at least one of the points is at the end of
the beam, then Ls is taken as the distance between the two
points minus 3 inches.
M Moment, kip-in.
Neff The effective number of beams resisting the heel drop impact,
unitless.
RSmax Maximum number of rows of shear stud connectors that can fit
between two points a distance of Ls apart, unitless.
St-eff The section modulus for the partial composite section referred
to the top of the equivalent transformed section, in3.
Sxc Section modulus about the x axis of the outside fiber of the
compression flange, in3.
Sxt Section modulus about the x axis of the outside fiber of the
tension flange, in3.
SRmax Maximum number of shear stud connectors that can fit in one
row across the top flange of a composite beam, unitless.
TKB Tensile force in the bottom fillets of a rolled steel beam, kips.
TKT Tensile force in the top fillets of a rolled steel beam, kips.
b Width, in.
hc For rolled shapes, twice the distance from the beam centroid
to the inside face of the compression flange less the fillet or
corner radius. In a user-defined section, twice the distance
from the centroid of the steel beam alone, not including the
cover plate even if it exists, to the inside face of the compres-
sion flange, in.
kdepth Distance from inner face of a rolled beam flange to the web
toe of a fillet, in.
l22, l33 Laterally unbraced length of a member for buckling about the
local 2 and 3 axes of the beam respectively, in.
r22, r33 Radius of gyration about the local 2 and 3 axes of the beam
respectively, in.
rx, ry Radius of gyration about the x and y axes of the beam respec-
tively, in.
t Thickness, in.
wa Additional metal deck rib width, in. This term is used to specify
metal deck ribs that are split over the beam. The width wa is
added to the width wr when determining the width of deck rib
available for shear studs.
ybare The distance from the bottom of the bottom flange of the steel
beam to the neutral axis of the noncomposite steel beam plus
cover plate if applicable, in.
ye The distance from the elastic neutral axis of the bare steel
beam alone (plus cover plate, if applicable) to the elastic neu-
tral axis of the fully composite beam, in.
yeff The distance from the bottom of the bottom flange of the steel
beam to the neutral axis of the partially composite beam, in.
y2 Distance from the top of the top flange of the steel beam sec-
tion to the plastic neutral axis when the plastic neutral axis is
within the beam top flange, in.
y4 For a rolled steel beam, the distance from the bottom of the
top fillet to the plastic neutral axis when the plastic neutral
axis is within the beam web, in. For a user-defined steel beam,
the distance from the bottom of the top flange to the plastic
neutral axis when the plastic neutral axis is within the beam
web, in.
z Distance from the elastic neutral axis of the steel beam (plus
cover plate, if it exists) alone to the top of the concrete slab,
in. Note that this distance may be different on the left and
right sides of the beam.
ΣA Sum of the areas of all of the elements of the steel beam sec-
tion, in2.
ΣAtr Sum of the areas of all of the elements of the composite steel
beam section, in2.
Σ(Atry1) Sum of the product Atr times y1 for all of the elements of the
composite steel beam section, in3.
Σ(Ay1) Sum of the product A times y1 for all of the elements of the
steel beam section, in3.
Σ(Ay12) Sum of the product A times y12 for all of the elements of the
steel beam section, in4.
Σ(Atry12)= Sum of the product Atr times y12 for all of the elements of the
composite steel beam section, in4.
General
The composite beam design preferences are basic assignments that apply to
all composite beams. Use the Options menu > Preferences > Composite
Beam Design command to access the Preferences form where you can view
and revise the composite beam design preferences. The Composite Beam De-
sign Preferences form has five separate tabs: Factors, Beam, Deflection, Vi-
bration, and Price.
Default values are provided for all composite beam design preference items.
Thus, it is not required that you specify or change any of the preferences. You
should, however, at least review the default values for the preference items
to make sure they are acceptable to you.
Click on the desired tab: Factors, Beam, Deflection, Vibration or Price. The
preference options included under each of the tabs are displayed in a two-
column spreadsheet. The left column of the spreadsheet displays the prefer-
ence item name. The right column of the spreadsheet displays the preference
item value.
To change a preference item, left click the desired preference item in either
the left or right column of the spreadsheet. This activates a drop-down box or
highlights the current preference value. If the drop-down box appears, select
a new value. If the cell is highlighted, type in the desired value. The prefer-
ence value will update accordingly. You cannot overwrite values in the drop-
down boxes.
To set all of the composite beam preference items on a particular tab to their
default values, click on that tab to view it and then click the Reset Tab but-
ton. This button resets the preference values on the currently selected tab.
To set all of the composite beam preference items on all tabs to their default
values, click the Reset All button. This button immediately resets all of the
composite beam preference items.
Important note about resetting preferences: The defaults for the prefer-
ence items are built into the program. The composite beam preference values
that were in a .edb file that you used to initialize your model may be different
from the built-in default values. Clicking a reset button resets the preference
values to built-in values, not to the values that were in the .edb file used to
initialize the model.
When you have finished making changes to the composite beam preferences,
click the OK button to close the form. You must click the OK button for the
changes to be accepted by the program. If you click the Cancel button to exit
the form, any changes made to the preferences are ignored and the form is
closed.
Preferences
For purposes of explanation in this Technical Note, the preference items are
presented in tables. The column headings in these tables are described as
follows:
• Item: The name of the preference item as it appears in the cells at the
left side of the Preferences form.
• Default Value: The built-in default value that the program assumes for
the associated preference item.
Factors Tab
Phi Factors
Table 1 lists the preference items available for phi factors in AISC-LRFD93 de-
sign. Some of those phi factors are specified by the AISC specification. Others
have been created by CSI to give you more control over the capacities for the
composite section.
Beam Tab
Table 2 lists the composite beam preference items available on the Beam tab
in the Preferences form.
Deflection Tab
Table 3 lists the composite beam preference items available on the Deflection
tab in the Preferences form.
See Composite Beam Design Technical Note 11 Beam Deflection and Camber
for description of beam deflection and camber.
Vibration Tab
Table 4 lists the composite beam preference items available on the Vibration
tab in the Preferences form.
See Composite Beam Design Technical Note 12 Beam Vibration for a descrip-
tion of beam vibration.
Price Tab
Table 5 lists the composite beam preference items available on the Price tab
in the Preferences form.
See "Using Price to Select Optimum Beam Sections" in Composite Beam De-
sign Technical Note 1 General Design Information for additional information
on the "Optimize for Price?" item.
Note that the price per unit weight for the steel beam (plus cover plate, if ap-
plicable) is input as part of the material property specification for the beam.
The material properties can be reviewed or defined using the Define menu >
Material Properties command. Be sure that you use the same currency
units (for example, U.S. dollars) for the steel price in the material properties,
the stud price in the preferences, and the camber price in the preferences.
This Technical Note provides instructions on how to use the Composite Beam
Overwrites form and describes the items available on each of the tabs in the
form. One section is devoted to each of the tabs.
General
The composite beam design overwrites are basic assignments that apply only
to those composite beams to which they are assigned. After selecting one or
more composite beams, use the Design menu > Composite Beam Design
> View\Revise Overwrites command to access the Composite Beam Over-
writes form where you can view and revise the composite beam design over-
writes.
Note:
There are default values provided for all overwrite items. Thus, if you are happy with the
defaults, you do not need to specify any of the composite beam overwrites.
The Composite Beam Overwrites form has eight tabs. They are Beam, Bracing
(C), Bracing, Deck, Shear Studs, Deflection, Vibration and Miscellaneous. De-
scriptions of the various overwrite options available on each tab are provided
later in this Technical Note.
Default values are provided for all composite beam overwrite items. Thus, it is
not required that you specify or change any of the overwrites. However, at
least review the default values for the overwrite items to make sure they are
acceptable. When changes are made to overwrite items, the program applies
the changes only to the elements to which they are specifically assigned; that
is, to the elements that are selected when the overwrites are changed.
The Composite Beam Overwrites are displayed on each tab with a column of
check boxes and a two-column spreadsheet. The left column in the spread-
sheet contains the name of the overwrite item. The right column in the
spreadsheet contains the overwrite value.
Initially, the check boxes are all unchecked and all of the cells in the spread-
sheet have a gray background to indicate they are inactive and that the items
in the cells currently cannot be changed. The names of the overwrite items in
the first column of the spreadsheet are visible. The values of the overwrite
items in the second column of the spreadsheet are visible if only one beam
was selected before the Composite Beam Overwrites form was accessed. If
multiple beams were selected, no values show for the overwrite items in the
second column of the spreadsheet.
After selecting one or multiple beams, check the box to the left of an over-
write item to change it. Then left click in either column of the spread sheet to
activate a drop-down box or to highlight the contents of the cell in the right
column of the spreadsheet. If the drop-down box appears, select a value from
the box. If the cell is highlighted, type in the desired value. The overwrite will
reflect the change. You cannot change the values in the drop-down boxes.
When you check a check box or left click in one of the columns in the spread-
sheet, a short description of the item in that row displays in the large text box
just below the list of items. This description helps you recall the purpose of
the overwrite item without referring to the manual.
When changes to the composite beam overwrites have been made, click the
OK button to close the form. The program then changes all of the overwrite
items whose associated check boxes are checked for the selected beam(s).
You must click the OK button for the changes to be accepted by the program.
If you click the Cancel button to exit the form, any changes made to the
overwrites will be ignored and the form will be closed.
To set all of the composite beam overwrite items on all tabs to their default
values, click the Reset All button. This button immediately resets all of the
composite beam overwrite items. Alternatively, you can click the Design
menu > Composite Beam Design > Reset All Composite Beam Over-
writes command to accomplish the same thing.
Important note about resetting overwrites: The defaults for the over-
write items are built into the program. The composite beam overwrite values
that were in a .edb file that you used to initialize your model may be different
from the built-in program default values. When you reset overwrites, the pro-
gram resets the overwrite values to its built-in values, not to the values that
were in the .edb file used to initialize the model.
Overwrites
For purposes of explanation in this Technical Note, the overwrite items are
presented in tables. The column headings in these tables are described as
follows.
Item: The name of the overwrite item as it appears in the cells at the left
side of the Composite Beam Overwrites form.
Possible Values: The possible values for the associated overwrite item.
Default Value: The built-in default value that the program assumes for
the associated overwrite item.
Beam Tab
Table 1 lists the composite beam overwrite items available on the Beam tab in
the Composite Beam Overwrites form.
Possible Default
Item Values Value Description
Possible Default
Item Values Value Description
The Shored item affects both the deflection calculations and the flexural
stress calculations for the beam. See Composite Beam Design Technical Note
11 Beam Deflection and Camber for a description of beam deflection. If the
beam is shored, no checks are performed for the construction loading design
load combination.
Note:
The Middle Range item is specified on the Beam tab in the composite beam preferences
and is described in "Location Where Effective Slab Width is Checked" of Composite
Beam Design Technical Note 8 Effective Width of the Concrete Slab.
Typically, when a beam is designed using the Composite Beam Design post-
processor that beam is designed as a composite beam if it has a deck section
(not slab section) assigned along the full length of the specified Middle Range
on at least one side of the beam. The Beam Type overwrite allows you to
specify that a beam that would ordinarily be designed as a composite beam
be designed as a noncomposite beam. The overwrite does not and cannot
force a beam that has been designed as a noncomposite beam, because there
is no deck section along at least one side, to be designed as a composite
beam. When using the Composite Beam Design postprocessor, a beam that
does not have a deck section along at least one side is always designed as a
See Composite Beam Design Technical Note 8 Effective Width of the Concrete Slab for
a description of the beam effective width.
The beam yield stress and the cover plate yield stress both default to the
yield stress specified for the material property associated with the beam sec-
tion. When the Define menu > Frame Sections command is used to define
a beam section, the material property associated with the beam section
should also be defined. The material property is defined using the Define
menu > Material Properties command.
In this program, the cover plate can have a yield stress that is different from
that of the beam, if desired. The cover plate width, thickness and Fy items are
not active unless the "Cover Plate Present" item is set to Yes. See "Cover
Plates" in Composite Beam Design Technical Note 7 Composite Beam Proper-
ties for a description of cover plates.
The first two items that appear in the Bracing (C) tab and the Bracing tab are
shown in Table 2a. Additional items may also appear in the tabs, depending
on your choice for the Bracing Condition item. These additional items are
shown in Tables 2b and 2c.
Possible Default
Item Values Value Description
12.5 M max
Cb = Eqn. 1
2.5 M max + 3M A + 4 M B + 3M C
where,
tion loading condition, the program assumes that the concrete fill does not
assist in bracing the beam.
When the Bracing Condition is specified as Bracing Specified, two items ap-
pear in the tab in addition to those shown in Table 2a. The two additional
items are shown in Table 2b.
Possible Default
Item Values Value Description
The No. Point Braces and No. Uniform Braces items allow you to specify actual
bracing for the beam. These items are described in "User-Specified Uniform
and Point Bracing" in Composite Beam Design Technical Note 9 Beam Un-
braced Length.
When the Bracing Condition is specified as Length Specified, two items appear
in the tab in addition to those shown in Table 2a. The two additional items are
shown in Table 2c.
See Composite Beam Design Technical Note 9 Beam Unbraced Length for ad-
ditional information about the unbraced length of the beam.
Deck Tab
Table 3 lists the composite beam overwrite items available on the Deck tab in
the Composite Beam Overwrites form.
Possible Default
Item Values Value Description
Possible Default
Item Values Value Description
Deck direction Program Program Span direction of the metal deck ribs on
Left calculated, calculated left side of beam relative to the span
parallel, or direction of the beam.
perpendicular
Deck ID Right Program Program Deck ID assigned to right side of beam.
calculated, any calculated
defined deck
property, or
None
Deck direction Program Program Span direction of the metal deck ribs on
Right calculated, calculated the right side of beam relative to the
parallel, or span direction of beam
perpendicular
When the Deck ID is program calculated, you must refer to the output data to
see what the program assumed for this item. It is not shown in the over-
writes.
The Uniform Spacing and No. Additional Sections items are only available if
the User Pattern item is set to Yes. See Composite Beam Design Technical
Note 15 User-Defined Shear Stud Patterns for a more information.
The program default value for the minimum longitudinal spacing of shear
studs along the length of the beam is six shear stud diameters. Note that this
item is input as an absolute length, not as a multiplier on the stud diameter.
The program default value for the maximum longitudinal spacing of shear
studs along the length of the beam is 36 inches. The design code used may
specify the maximum longitudinal spacing is eight times the total slab thick-
ness (rib height, hr, plus concrete slab above metal deck, tc). AISC-LRFD-93
Specification Section I5 specifies that the maximum longitudinal spacing of
shear studs along the length of a beam shall not exceed 36 inches for beams
when the span of the metal deck is perpendicular to the span of the beam. If
your total slab thickness is less than 36"/8 = 4.5", the program default value
may be unconservative and should be revised.
The program default value for the minimum transverse spacing of shear studs
across the beam flange is four shear stud diameters. This is consistent with
the last paragraph of AISC-LRFD-93 Specification Section I5. Note that this
item is input as an absolute length, not as a multiplier on the stud diameter.
See Composite Beam Design Technical Note 13 Distribution of Shear Studs on
a Composite Beam for an additional description of how shear studs are dis-
tributed on composite beams.
The "Max Studs per Row" item indicates the maximum number of shear studs
that is allowed in a row across the beam flange. For wider beams, the Min
Tran Spacing item might indicate that more studs could be accommodated
across the beam flange but the Max Studs per Row item will limit the number
of studs in any row. See Composite Beam Design Technical Note 13 Distribu-
tion of Shear Studs on a Composite Beam for an additional description of how
shear studs are distributed on beams.
Shear studs are described in more detail in Composite Beam Design Technical
Note 13 Distribution of Shear Studs on a Composite Beam, Technical Note 14
The Number of Shear Studs that Fit in a Composite Beam Segment, and
Technical Note 15 User-Defined Shear Stud Patterns.
Deflection Tab
Table 5 lists the composite beam overwrite items available on the Deflection
tab in the Composite Beam Overwrites form.
Possible Default
Item Values Value Description
See Composite Beam Design Technical Note 11 Beam Deflection and Camber
for a description of beam deflection and camber.
Vibration Tab
Table 6 lists the composite beam overwrite items available on the Vibration
tab in the Composite Beam Overwrites form.
Possible Default
Item Values Value Description
Neff Condition User Defined User Defined Toggle to select user defined or pro-
or Program gram calculated based on beam spac-
Calculated ing, N effective.
No. Effective ≥1 1.0 Effective number of beams resisting a
Beams heel drop impact.
See Composite Beam Design Technical Note 12 Beam Vibration for a descrip-
tion of beam vibration.
Miscellaneous Tab
Table 7 lists the composite beam overwrite items available on the Miscellane-
ous tab in the Composite Beam Overwrites form.
Possible Default
Item Values Value Description
This Technical Note defines the default AISC-LRFD93 composite beam design
load combinations. General information about composite beam design load
combinations is provided by Composite Beam Design Technical Note 10 De-
sign Load Combinations.
You may use the default composite beam design load combinations for your
design, or you may define your own design load combinations, or you can use
both default combinations and your own combinations. You can modify the
default design load combinations and you can delete them if you wish. Use
the Design Menu > Composite Beam Design > Select Design Combo
command to access the design load combinations selection form.
where,
ΣWDL = The sum of all wet dead load (WDL) load cases defined for
the model. Note that if a load case is simply defined as dead
load, it is assumed to be a WDL load case.
ΣLL = The sum of all live load (LL) load cases defined for the
model.
ΣRLL = The sum of all reducible live load (RLL) load cases defined
for the model.
In Equation 1 the term 0.2 (ΣLL + ΣRLL) is an assumed construction live load.
Note that the load factor for dead loads is assumed the same as that for live
load when considering construction loads (e.g., placing of concrete, etc.). See
R. Vogel (1991).
where,
ΣSDL = The sum of all superimposed dead load (SDL) load cases
defined for the model.
where all of the terms are as described for Equations 1 through 3. Note that
all of the load factors for this servicability check are 1.0.
If the beam is unshored, the WDL portion of the deflection is based on the
moment of inertia of the steel beam alone and the remainder of the deflection
is based on the effective moment of inertia of the composite section. If the
beam is shored, the entire deflection is based on the effective moment of in-
ertia of the composite section.
Reference
Vogel, R. 1991. “LRFD-Composite Beam Design with Metal Deck,” Steel Tips,
Technical Information & Product Service, Steel Committee of Califor-
nia, March.
This Technical Note describes how the program checks the AISC-LRFD93
specification requirements for compact and noncompact beams. The basic
compact and noncompact requirements checked are in AISC-LRFD93 specifi-
cation Chapter B, Table B5.1. The program checks the width-to-thickness ra-
tios of the beam compression flange, beam web, and, if it exists and is in
compression, the cover plate. When a singly symmetric beam is designed for
noncomposite behavior, it is also checked for lateral torsional buckling re-
quirements.
Overview
The program classifies beam sections as either compact, noncompact or slen-
der. It checks the compact and noncompact section requirements at each de-
sign location along the beam for each design load combination separately. A
beam section may be classified differently for different design load combina-
tions. For example, a beam may be classified as compact for design load
combination A and as noncompact for design load combination B. Two rea-
sons that a beam may be classified differently for different design load cases
are:
The compact section requirements for beam webs depend on the axial
load in the beam. Different design load combinations may produce differ-
ent axial loads in the beam.
The compression flange may be different for different design load combi-
nations. If the sizes of the top and bottom flanges are not the same, clas-
sification of the section may depend on which flange is determined to be
the compression flange.
At each design location, for each design load combination, the program first
checks a beam section for the compact section requirements for the compres-
sion flange, web, cover plate (if applicable) and lateral torsional buckling (if
applicable) described herein. If the beam section meets all of those require-
b 65
≤ , for compact sections Eqn. 1
t Fyf
where Fyf is the specified yield stress of the flange considered. Equation 1 ap-
plies to both rolled sections selected from the program's database and to
user-defined sections.
b 141
≤ , for noncompact sections Eqn. 2
t Fy - 10
b 162
≤ , for noncompact sections Eqn. 3
t Fyf - 16.5
kc
4
kc = but not less than 0.35 ≤ k c ≤ 0.763 Eqn. 4
h
tw
The program uses φb = 0.85 if a plastic stress distribution is used for mo-
ment and φb = 0.9 if an elastic stress distribution is used for moment.
The program computes the axial compression stress ratio (Pu / φbPy) based
on the area of the steel beam alone not including the cover plate, even if
it exists, and not including the concrete slab.
When (Pu / φbPy) ≤ 0.125, Equation 5a defines the compact section limit for
webs. When (Pu / φbPy) > 0.125, Equation 5b defines the compact section limit
for webs.
h 640 2.75Pu
, when Pu ≤ 0.125
≤ 1− Eqn. 5a
tw Fy φ b Py φ b Py
h 191 P 253
≥
≤ 2.33 − u ,
tw Fy φ b Py
Fy
Eqn. 5b
P
when u > 0.125
φ b Py
In Equations 5a and 5b, the value of Fy used is the largest of the Fy values for
the beam flanges and the web.
If there is no axial force, or if there is axial tension only (i.e., no axial com-
pressive force), only Equation 5a applies.
h 970 0.74Pu
≤ 1− Eqn. 6
tw Fy φ b Py
In Equation 6, the value of Fy used is the largest of the Fy values for the beam
flanges and the web.
h 253 h 0.74Pu
≤ 1 + 2.83 1 − ,
Fy φ b Py
tw hc
where, Eqn. 7
3 h 3
≤ ≤
4 hc 2
In Equation 7, the value of Fy used is the largest of the Fy values for the beam
flanges and the web. Equation 7 is Equation A-B5-1 in the AISC-LRFD93
specification.
In Case A of the figure, the width of the cover plate is less than or equal to
the width of the beam bottom flange. In that case, the width-to-thickness ra-
tio is taken as b1/tcp, and it is checked as a flange cover plate.
In Case B of Figure 1, the width of the cover plate is greater than the width of
the beam bottom flange. Two conditions are checked in that case. The first
condition is the same as that shown in Case A, where the width-to-thickness
ratio is taken as b1/tcp and is checked as a flange cover plate. The second
condition checked in Case B takes b2/tcp as the width-to-thickness ratio and
checks it as a plate projecting from a beam. This second condition is only
checked for the noncompact requirements; it is not checked for compact re-
quirements.
b1 190
≤ Eqn. 8
t cp Fycp
Beam
Beam
Cover plate
tcp
tcp
b1 b2 b1 b2
Cover plate
Case A Case B
b1 238
≤ Eqn. 9
t cp Fycp
b2 95
≤ Eqn. 10
t cp Fycp
This Technical Note describes how the program calculates the positive bend-
ing moment capacity for a composite section assuming a plastic stress distri-
bution.
Overview
Figure 1 illustrates a generic plastic stress distribution for positive bending.
Note that the concrete is stressed to 0.85 f'c and the steel is stressed to Fy.
The distance yp is measured from the bottom of the beam bottom flange (not
cover plate) to the plastic neutral axis (PNA). The distance zp is measured
from the top of the concrete slab to the PNA; it can be different on the two
sides of the beam as described later. The illustrated plastic stress distribution
is the basic distribution of stress used by the program when considering a
plastic stress distribution for positive bending. Note that if the metal deck ribs
are parallel to the beam, the concrete in the ribs is also considered.
0.85f’c
CConc
a
zp
CSteel
Fy
Plastic neutral axis (PNA)
TSteel
yp
Fy
Figure 2 illustrates how the program idealizes a steel beam for calculating the
plastic stress distribution. Two different cases are shown, one for a rolled
section and the other for a user-defined section. The idealization for the rolled
section considers the fillets whereas the idealization for the user-defined sec-
tion assumes there are no fillets because none are specified in the section
definition. Although not shown in those figures, the deck type and orientation
may be different on the left and right sides of the beam as shown in Figure 2
of Composite Beam Design Technical Note 8 Effective Width of the Concrete
Slab.
For a rolled steel section, the fillets are idealized as a rectangular block of
steel. The depth of this rectangular block, kdepth, is:
kdepth = k - tf Eqn. 1
The basic steps in computing the positive plastic moment capacity are:
Calculate the plastic moment capacity of the composite section using Equa-
tion 11 together with the appropriate table chosen from Tables 2 through
11 depending on the location of the PNA. Note that for user-defined sec-
tions, the terms related to the top and bottom fillets are ignored.
tc
tf-top
hr
k
kwidth
kdepth
bf-top
tw
d
h
kdepth
tf-bot
kwidth
k
tcp
bcp
bf-bot
tc
tf-top
hr
bf-top
h
tw
d
tf-bot
tcp
bcp
bf-bot
wrhr
MPFconc = [(0.85f'c beff t c + )left +
Sr
wrhr
(0.85f'c beff t c + )right Eqn. 3b
Sr
The maximum steel force, MPFsteel, is calculated from Equation 4a if the beam
is a rolled section or Equation 4b if it is a user-defined section.
When computing the location of the PNA, it important to remember that the
concrete is assumed to take no tension. Also, the concrete in the metal deck
ribs is only considered effective in compression if the metal deck ribs are ori-
ented parallel to the beam span.
The maximum concrete and steel forces are compared to determine whether
the PNA is within the concrete slab or the steel section. If MPFconc > MPFsteel,
the PNA is within the concrete slab. If MPFsteel > MPFconc, the PNA is within the
steel section. If MPFsteel = MPFconc, the PNA is at the top of the steel beam if
there is full composite connection and within the steel beam if there is partial
composite connection.
If the PNA is within the slab, the fact that the concrete slab can be different
on each side of the beam complicates locating the PNA. If the PNA is within
the steel section, there are several general locations for it. After the general
locations have been identified, it is a straightforward process to determine the
location of the PNA. The general locations are:
Within the beam top fillet (applies to rolled shapes from the program's
section database only).
Within the beam bottom fillet (applies to rolled shapes from the program's
section database only).
Note it is very unlikely that the PNA would be below the beam web but there
is nothing in the program to prevent it. This condition would require a very
large beam bottom flange and/or cover plate. Each of the PNA locations in the
steel section is described following the description of the PNA in the concrete
slab.
Next the program sums the compressive forces of those four items, starting
with the item at the highest elevation and proceeding downward. As each
item is added into the sum, the sum of compressive forces is compared with
the maximum tension value, which is the sum of MPFsteel. As soon as the sum
of forces exceeds MPFsteel, the program recognizes that the last location con-
sidered is below the PNA, and the second to last location considered is above
the PNA. Using this information, the program can solve directly for the loca-
tion of the PNA.
Figures 3a and 3b show the internal forces for a rolled steel section and a
user-defined steel section, respectively, for the condition where the PNA is in
the concrete slab above the metal deck.
zp
CC 1
TF T
TK T
yp
TWeb
TK B
TF B
TC P
Figure 3a: Rolled Steel Section with PNA in Concrete Slab Above Metal
Deck, Positive Bending
zp
CC 1
TF T
TWeb
TF B
TC P
Figure 3b: User-Defined Steel Section with PNA in Concrete Slab Above
Metal Deck, Positive Bending
Figures 4a and 4b show the internal forces for a rolled steel section and a
user-defined steel section, respectively, for the condition where the PNA is
within the height, hr, of the metal deck ribs.
CC 1
zp
CC 2
TF T
TK T
yp
TWeb
TK B
TF B
TC P
Figure 4a: Rolled Steel Section with PNA within Height, hr, of Metal Deck,
Positive Bending
CC 1
zp
CC 2
TF T
TWeb
TF B
TC P
Figure 4b: User-Define Steel Section with PNA within Height, hr, of Metal
Deck, Positive Bending
Note that in Figures 3a through 4b, the concrete compression forces (CC1 and
CC2) may have different magnitudes and locations (elevations) for the left and
right sides of the beam.
MPFsteel − MPFconc
y2 = Eqn. 5
2b f − top Fyf − top
CC 1
zp
CC 2
y2 CF T
TF T
TK T
TWeb
TK B
TF B
TC P
Figure 5a: Rolled Steel Section with PNA within Beam Top Flange,
Positive Bending
CC 1
zp
CC 2
y2
CF T
TF T
yp
TWeb
TF B
TC P
CC 1
zp
CC 2
y3
CF T
CK T
TK T
TWeb
TK B
TF B
TC P
Figure 6: Rolled Steel Section with PNA within Beam Top Fillet, Positive
Bending
The term y3, which is the distance from the bottom side of the beam top
flange to the PNA, is shown in Figure 6 and is defined by Equation 6.
The last term in Equation 7 only applies to rolled steel beams; it reduces to
zero for user-defined beams.
CC 1
zp
CC 2
CF T
CK T
y4
CWeb
Plastic neutral axis (PNA)
TWeb
yp
TK B
TF B
TC P
Figure 7a: Rolled Steel Section with PNA within Beam Web, Positive
Bending
CC 1
zp
CC 2
CF T
CWeb
y4
Plastic neutral axis (PNA)
yp
TWeb
TF B
TC P
Figure 7b: User-Defined Steel Section with PNA within Beam Web,
Positive Bending
CC 1
CC 2
CF T
CK T
zp
CWeb
y5
CK B
TK B
yp
TF B
Plastic neutral axis (PNA) TC P
Figure 8: Rolled Steel Section with PNA within Beam Bottom Fillet, Posi-
tive Bending
The term y5, which is the distance from the top side of the beam bottom fillet
to the PNA, is shown in Figure 8 and is defined by Equation 8.
Note that it is unlikely that the PNA will be this low. It requires a very large
beam bottom flange and/or cover plate.
CC 1
CC 2
CF T
CK T
zp
CWeb
CK B
y6
CF B
TF B
yp
Figure 9a: Rolled Steel Section with PNA within Beam Bottom Flange,
Positive Bending
CC 1
CC 2
CF T
zp
CWeb
y6
CF B
TF B
yp
Figure 9b: User-Defined Steel Section with PNA within Beam Bottom
Flange, Positive Bending
The term y6, which is the distance from the top of the beam bottom flange to
the PNA, is shown in Figure 9 and 9b and is defined by Equation 9.
Note that it is unlikely that the PNA will be this low. It requires a very large
beam bottom flange and/or cover plate.
CC 1
CC 2
CF T
CK T
zp
CWeb
CK B
CF B
y7
CCP
yp
Figure 10a: Rolled Steel Section with PNA within Cover Plate, Positive
Bending
CC 1
CC 2
CF T
zp
CWeb
CF B
y7
CCP
yp
Figure 10b: User-Defined Steel Section with PNA within Cover Plate, Posi-
tive Bending
The term y7, which is the distance from the top of the cover plate to the PNA,
is shown in Figure 10a and 10b and is defined by Equation 10.
Note that it is unlikely that the PNA will be this low. It requires an extremely
large cover plate. In the event that the PNA were in the cover plate, the dis-
tance yp would become negative.
If the PNA is in the concrete slab above the steel section, the procedure de-
scribed in the previous subsection of this Technical Note entitled "PNA in the
Concrete Slab Above the Steel Beam" is followed.
If the PNA is within the steel section, the program assumes that the PNA oc-
curs in the top flange of the beam. The distance y2 is calculated using Equa-
tion 5. The calculated distance y2 is then checked to see if it actually is within
the beam top flange. If it is, the location of the PNA has been identified.
If the calculated distance y2 is not within the beam top flange, the program
continues by assuming that the PNA occurs in the beam top fillet. (Note that if
the beam is a user-defined beam, there is no top fillet and the program skips
directly to assuming that the PNA is in the beam web.) The distance y3 is cal-
culated using Equation 6. The calculated distance y3 is then checked to see if
it actually is within the beam top fillet. If it does, the location of the PNA has
been identified.
If the calculated distance y3 is not within the beam top fillet, the program
continues by assuming that the PNA occurs in the beam web. The distance y4
is calculated using Equation 7. The calculated distance y4 is then checked to
see if it actually is within the beam web. If it is, the location of the PNA has
been identified.
In any practical case, the PNA is not expected to be below the beam web.
However, in the event the PNA has not yet been located, the program contin-
ues down the beam section through the bottom fillet, the bottom flange and
finally the cover plate until the location of the PNA has been identified.
10
φ bcpp M n = φ bcpp ∑T
Piece = 1
piece x PNA− piece +
Eqn. 11
10
φ bcpp ∑C
Piece = 1
piece x PNA − piece
where:
Concrete above the metal deck, not including rebar, on the left side
of the beam: The concrete can only carry a compression force; tension is
not allowed in the concrete.
Concrete above the metal deck, not including rebar, on the right
side of the beam: The concrete can only carry a compression force; ten-
sion is not allowed in the concrete.
Concrete within height of metal deck on the left side of the beam:
The concrete can only carry a compression force; tension is not allowed in
the concrete.
Concrete within height of metal deck on the right side of the beam:
The concrete can only carry a compression force; tension is not allowed in
the concrete.
Beam top flange: The force in the beam top flange can be tension, com-
pression, or compression in the upper portion of the flange and tension in
the lower portion.
Beam top fillet: The force in the beam top fillet can be tension, compres-
sion, or compression in the upper portion of the fillet and tension in the
lower portion.
Beam web: The force in the beam web can be tension, compression, or
compression in the upper portion of the web and tension in the lower por-
tion.
Beam bottom fillet: The force in the beam bottom fillet can be tension,
compression, or compression in the upper portion of the fillet and tension in
the lower portion.
Beam bottom flange: The force in the beam bottom flange can be ten-
sion, compression, or compression in the upper portion of the flange and
tension in the lower portion.
Cover plate: The force in the cover plate can be tension, or compression in
the upper portion of the cover plate and tension in the lower portion.
In Equation 11 the values used for Tpiece, Cpiece and xPNA-piece depend on the lo-
cation of the PNA. The appropriate values for these items are given in Tables
2 through 11. Table 1 serves as a guide to which of those tables to use based
on the location of the PNA.
Note, because the metal deck and concrete slab can be in different locations
relative to the PNA on the two sides of the beam, you may need to use values
from two different tables listed in Table 1.
Table 1:
Table to determine which table to use in conjunction with Equation 11 to determine
the plastic moment capacity of composite section for positive bending.
Location of PNA Table
Above rebar in concrete above metal deck 2
In concrete within metal deck 3
In beam top flange 4
In beam top fillet 5
In beam web 6
In beam bottom fillet 7
In beam bottom flange 8
In cover plate 9
Table 2:
When the PNA is above the centroid of the rebar in the concrete above the metal deck,
use the equations specified in this table together with Equation 11 to determine the
plastic moment capacity of composite section for positive bending.
Table 3:
When the PNA is in the concrete within the metal deck, use the equations specified in
this table together with Equation 11 to determine the plastic moment capacity of com-
posite section for positive bending.
Piece T xPNA C xPNA
Concrete above metal deck (left) N. A. N. A. 12b 21b
Concrete above metal deck (right) N. A. N. A. 12b 21b
Concrete in metal deck (left) N. A. N. A. 14a 22a
Concrete in metal deck (right) N. A. N. A. 14a 22a
Beam top flange 15a 23a 0 N. A.
Beam top fillet 16a 24a 0 N. A.
Beam web 17a 25a 0 N. A.
Beam bottom fillet 18a 26a 0 N. A.
Beam bottom flange 19a 27a 0 N. A.
Cover plate 20a 28a 0 N. A.
Table 4:
When the PNA is in the beam top flange, use the equations specified in this table to-
gether with Equation 11 to determine the plastic moment capacity of composite section
for positive bending.
Piece T xPNA C xPNA
Concrete above metal deck (left) N. A. N. A. 12b 21b
Concrete above metal deck (right) N. A. N. A. 12b 21b
Concrete in metal deck (left) N. A. N. A. 14b 22b
Concrete in metal deck (left) N. A. N. A. 14b 22b
Beam top flange 15b 23b 15c 23c
Beam top fillet 16a 24a 0 N. A.
Beam web 17a 25a 0 N. A.
Beam bottom fillet 18a 26a 0 N. A.
Beam bottom flange 19a 27a 0 N. A.
Cover plate 20a 28a 0 N. A.
Table 5:
When the PNA is in the beam top fillet, use the equations specified in this table together
with Equation 11 to determine the plastic moment capacity of composite section for
positive bending.
Piece T xPNA C xPNA
Concrete above metal deck (left) N. A. N. A. 12b 21b
Concrete above metal deck (right) N. A. N. A. 12b 21b
Concrete in metal deck (left) N. A. N. A. 14b 22b
Concrete in metal deck (right) N. A. N. A. 14b 22b
Beam top flange 0 N. A. 15d 23d
Beam top fillet 16b 24b 16c 24c
Beam web 17a 25a 0 N. A.
Beam bottom fillet 18a 26a 0 N. A.
Beam bottom flange 19a 27a 0 N. A.
Cover plate 20a 28a 0 N. A.
Table 6:
When the PNA is in the beam web, use the equations specified in this table together
with Equation 11 to determine the plastic moment capacity of composite section for
positive bending.
Piece T xPNA C xPNA
Concrete above metal deck (left) N. A. N. A. 12b 21b
Concrete above metal deck (right) N. A. N. A. 12b 21b
Concrete in metal deck (left) N. A. N. A. 14b 22b
Concrete in metal deck (right) N. A. N. A. 14b 22b
Beam top flange 0 N. A. 15d 23d
Beam top fillet 0 N. A. 16d 24d
Beam web 17b 25b 17c 25c
Beam bottom fillet 18a 26a 0 N. A.
Beam bottom flange 19a 27a 0 N. A.
Cover plate 20a 28a 0 N. A.
Table 7:
When the PNA is in the beam bottom fillet, use the equations specified in this table to-
gether with Equation 11 to determine the plastic moment capacity of composite section
for positive bending.
Piece T xPNA C xPNA
Concrete above metal deck (left) N. A. N. A. 12b 21b
Concrete above metal deck (right) N. A. N. A. 12b 21b
Concrete in metal deck (left) N. A. N. A. 14b 22b
Concrete in metal deck (right) N. A. N. A. 14b 22b
Beam top flange 0 N. A. 15d 23d
Beam top fillet 0 N. A. 16d 24d
Beam web 0 N. A. 17d 25d
Beam bottom fillet 18b 27b 18c 26c
Beam bottom flange 19a 27a 0 N. A.
Cover plate 20a 28a 0 N. A.
Table 8:
When the PNA is in the beam bottom flange, use the equations specified in this table
together with Equation 11 to determine the plastic moment capacity of composite sec-
tion for positive bending.
Piece T xPNA C xPNA
Concrete above metal deck (left) N. A. N. A. 12b 21b
Concrete above metal deck (right) N. A. N. A. 12b 21b
Concrete in metal deck (left) N. A. N. A. 14b 22b
Concrete in metal deck (right) N. A. N. A. 14b 22b
Beam top flange 0 N. A. 15d 23d
Beam top fillet 0 N. A. 16d 24d
Beam web 0 N. A. 17d 25d
Beam bottom fillet 0 N. A. 18d 26d
Beam bottom flange 19b 27b 19c 27c
Cover plate 20a 28a 0 N. A.
Table 9:
When the PNA is in the cover plate, use the equations specified in this table together
with Equation 11 to determine the plastic moment capacity of composite section for
positive bending.
Equations 12a and 12b are used for the compression force in the concrete
above the metal deck. Note that these equations are applied to each side of
the beam separately.
Note that for partial composite connection Equation 12b is replaced with
Equation 3 of Composite Beam Design AISC-LRFD93 Technical Note 37 Partial
Composite Connection with a Plastic Stress Distribution.
Equations 13a and 13b are used for the tension and compression forces in the
rebar in the concrete slab above the metal deck. Note that these equations
are applied to each side of the beam separately.
Equations 14a and 14b are used for the compression force in the concrete
within the metal deck. Note that these equations are applied to each side of
the beam separately. Also note that these equations only apply if the span of
the metal deck ribs is oriented parallel to the beam span. If the metal deck
ribs are oriented perpendicular to the beam span, there is no compression
force allowed on the concrete within the metal deck ribs.
w r (z p − t c )
C C2 = 0.85f c' b eff Eqn. 14a
Sr
wrhr
C C2 = 0.85f c' b eff Eqn. 14b
Sr
Note that for partial composite connection Equation 14b is replaced with
Equation 4 in Composite Beam Design AISC-LRFD93 Technical Note 37 Partial
Composite Connection with a Plastic Stress Distribution.
Equations 15a through 15d are used for the tension and compression forces
in the beam top flange.
Equations 16a through 16d are used for the tension and compression forces
in the beam top fillet. Note that these equations do not apply to user-defined
sections.
Equations 17a through 17d are used for the tension and compression forces
in the beam web.
Equations 18a through 18d are used for the tension and compression forces
in the beam bottom fillet. Note that these equations do not apply to user-
defined sections.
Equations 19a through 19d are used for the tension and compression forces
in the beam bottom flange.
Equations 20a through 20c are used for the tension and compression forces in
the cover plate.
Equations 21a and 21b are used for the distance from the center of the force
in the concrete above the metal deck to the PNA. Note that these equations
are applied to each side of the beam separately.
zp
xPNA = Eqn. 21a
2
tc
xPNA = z p − Eqn. 21b
2
Note that for partial composite connection Equation 21b is replaced with
Equation 5 in Composite Beam Design AISC-LRFD93 Technical Note 37 Partial
Composite Connection with a Plastic Stress Distribution.
Equations 22a and 22b are used for the distance from the center of the force
in the concrete within the metal deck ribs to the PNA. Note that these equa-
tions are applied to each side of the beam separately.
zp − t c
xPNA = Eqn. 22a
2
hr
xPNA = z p − t c − Eqn. 22b
2
Note that for partial composite connection, Equation 22b is replaced with
Equation 6 in Composite Beam Design AISC-LRFD93 Technical Note 37 Partial
Composite Connection with a Plastic Stress Distribution.
Equations 23a through 23d are used for the distance from the center of the
force(s) in the beam top flange to the PNA.
t f -top
xPNA = y p − d + Eqn. 23a
2
t f -top - y 2
xPNA = Eqn. 23b
2
y2
xPNA = Eqn. 23c
2
t f − top
xPNA = z p − t c − h r − rd − Eqn. 23d
2
Note the terms zp, tc, hr and rd in Equation 23d must all be for the left side of
the beam or all for the right side of the beam. It does not matter which side
of the beam is used, but all of the terms must be consistent.
Equations 24a through 24d are used for the distance from the center of the
force(s) in the beam top fillet to the PNA.
k depth
xPNA = y p − d + t f − top + Eqn. 24a
2
k depth - y 3
xPNA = Eqn. 24b
2
y3
xPNA = Eqn. 24c
2
k depth
xPNA = z p − t c − h r − rd − t f − top − Eqn. 24d
2
Note the terms zp, tc, hr and rd in Equation 24d must all be for the left side of
the beam or all for the right side of the beam. It does not matter which side
of the beam is used, but all of the terms must be consistent.
Equations 25a through 25d are used for the distance from the center of the
force(s) in the beam web to the PNA.
h
xPNA = y p − d + t f − top + k depth + Eqn. 25a
2
h - y4
xPNA = Eqn. 25b
2
y4
xPNA = Eqn. 25c
2
h
xPNA = z p − t c − h r − rd − t f − top − k depth − Eqn. 25d
2
Note the terms zp, tc, hr and rd in Equation 25d must all be for the left side of
the beam or all for the right side of the beam. It does not matter which side
of the beam is used, but all of the terms must be consistent.
Equations 26a through 26d are used for the distance from the center of the
force(s) in the beam bottom fillet to the PNA.
3k depth
xPNA = y p − d + t f − top + +h Eqn. 26a
2
k depth - y 5
xPNA = Eqn. 26b
2
y5
xPNA = Eqn. 26c
2
3k depth
xPNA = z p − t c − h r − rd − t f − top − −h Eqn. 26d
2
Note the terms zp, tc, hr and rd in Equation 26d must all be for the left side of
the beam or all for the right side of the beam. It does not matter which side
of the beam is used, but all of the terms must be consistent.
Equations 27a through 27d are used for the distance from the center of the
force(s) in the beam bottom flange to the PNA.
t f -bot
xPNA = y p − d + t f − top + 2k depth + h + Eqn. 27a
2
t f -bot - y 6
xPNA = Eqn. 27b
2
y6
xPNA = Eqn. 27c
2
x PNA = z p − t c − h r − rd − t f − top −
t f -bot Eqn. 27d
2k depth − h -
2
Note the terms zp, tc, hr and rd in Equation 27d must all be for the left side of
the beam or all for the right side of the beam. It does not matter which side
of the beam is used, but all of the terms must be consistent.
Equations 28a through 28c are used for the distance from the center of the
force(s) in the cover plate to the PNA.
t cp - y 7
xPNA = Eqn. 28b
2
y7
xPNA = Eqn. 28c
2
This Technical Note describes how the program calculates the moment capac-
ity of a composite section when an elastic stress distribution is assumed.
The positive moment capacity for a composite beam with an elastic stress
distribution is determined by considering five locations in the composite sec-
tion. These locations are:
A moment capacity is calculated based on the allowable stress and the section
modulus at each of these five locations that is applicable to the beam consid-
ered. The smallest moment capacity calculated is the positive moment capac-
ity for the beam. Figure 1 illustrates the allowable stress assumed for each of
these locations.
Compression 0.85f’ Es
c E
c
tc
Fyr
hr
Fyf-top
d
yeff
Fyf-bot
tcp Fycp
Tension
Allowable Elastic
Composite Beam Stress at Key Points
Table 1:
Table to determine which of Equations 1a through 1e apply to a particular location in
a composite beam
Location in Beam Equation
Top of concrete on left side of beam 1a
Top of concrete on right side of beam 1b
Top of beam top flange 1c
Bottom of beam bottom flange 1e
Bottom of cover plate 1f
Es
φ bcpe M n = φ bcpe 0.85f c' -left *
E c-left
Eqn. 1a
I eff
d + h r-left + t c-left - y eff
Es
φ bcpe M n = φ bcpe 0.85f c' -right *
E c-left
Eqn. 1b
I eff
d + h r -right + t c-right - y eff
In Equation 1c, the term "ABS" means to take the absolute value of the
amount in the associated brackets.
I eff
φ bcpe M n = φ bcpe Fyf -top Eqn. 1c
ABS [d - y eff ]
Ieff
φbcpeMn = φbcpeFyf - bot Eqn. 1d
y eff
Ieff
φbcpeMn = φbcpeFycp Eqn. 1e
y eff + t cp
The positive moment capacity of a composite beam with an elastic stress dis-
tribution is the smallest of the moment capacities obtained from the equations
included in Equations 1a through 1e that are applicable to the beam consid-
ered. If the denominator of Equation 1c is zero, the program does not need to
consider the moment capacity associated with that equation.
Note that the term φbcpe in these equations is the resistance factor for positive
bending in a composite beam when Mn is determined from an elastic stress
distribution.
This Technical Note describes how the program calculates the moment capac-
ity of a noncomposite steel beam, including a cover plate, if applicable.
Overview
The program only calculates the moment capacity, Mn, if the beam is compact
or noncompact. It does not calculate Mn if the section is slender.
The plastic moment, Mp, for a noncomposite rolled steel beam section without
a cover plate is calculated as Mp = ZFy.
The exact methodology used to compute the plastic moment capacity in the
other cases depends on whether the beam, including the cover plate if it ex-
ists, is doubly or singly symmetric, and whether the beam web is classified as
compact or noncompact.
Figure 1 shows a flowchart that directs you to the appropriate section in this
chapter for calculating the moment capacity of the steel section alone. The
figure has boxes labeled a through g; start in the box labeled a. Note that the
criteria used by the program to determine if a section is compact or noncom-
pact for the AISC-LRFD93 specification is described in Composite Beam De-
sign AISC-LRFD93 Technical Note 33 Compact and Noncompact Require-
ments.
Is section doubly No No No
Is the beam web Is the beam web Beam section is
symmetric or a classified as
compact? noncompact?
channel? slender and is not
Yes a Yes b Yes c designed. Go to
next trial section.
e f g
After the moment of inertia has been calculated, the section moduli and ra-
dius of gyration are calculated using standard formulas. This process is re-
peated to get properties about both axes. The torsional constant is deter-
mined by summing the torsional constants for the various components of the
section. For example, it may be determined by summing the J's of a rolled
section and the cover plate, if applicable, or in a user-defined section, by
summing the J's for the top flange, web, bottom flange and cover plate, if ap-
plicable.
Information relating to how the program calculates the compact and noncom-
pact section requirements is in Composite Beam Design AISC-LRFD93 Techni-
cal Note 33 Compact and Noncompact Requirements.
The following subsection discusses the unbraced length checks in the program
that are used to determine how to calculate Mn for a doubly symmetric beam
Determine Mn
based on smallest
of yielding criteria
Beam section not Determine Mn in AISC-LRFD93
designed. Go to based on smallest Section F1.1,
next trial section. of yielding criteria lateral torsional
in AISC-LRFD93 buckling criteria
e Section F1.1 and in AISC-LRFD93
lateral torsional Section F1.2a and
buckling criteria flange and web
in AISC-LRFD93 local buckling
Section F1.2a. criteria in AISC-
LRFD93 Appendix
f F1(b) equation (A-
F1-3).
300ry
Lp = Eqn. 1
Fyf
In Equation 1, ry is taken for the steel beam section including the cover plate,
if applicable. The Fyf term in Equation 1 is for the compression flange.
The limiting unbraced length for lateral torsional buckling, Lr, is determined
from Equation 2 which is also Equations F1-6 through F1-8 in AISC-LRFD93.
ry X1
Lr = 1 + 1 + X 2 FL2 , where
FL
2
π EGJA C S
X1 = and X 2 = 4 w x Eqn. 2
Sx 2 I y GJ
FL = smaller of (Fyf − Fr ) and Fyw
2
t f − top t f − bot
I y d − −
2 2
Cw = Eqn. 3
4
− L p
(
M n = C b M p − M p − M r ) LL b
≤ M p
− L p
Eqn. 4
r
12.5M max
Cb = Eqn. 5
2.5M max + 3M A + 4M B + 3M C
M r = FL S x Eqn. 6
λ − λp
(
Mn = Mp − Mp − Mr
λr − λ p
)
Eqn. 7
Equation 7 applies to both flange local buckling and web local buckling.
λ is equal to bf /(2tf) for I-sections and bf/tf for channels. The bf and tf
terms are for the compression flange.
bf 65
≤ Eqn. 8a
2t f Fyf
bf 65
≤ Eqn. 8b
tf Fyf
141
λr = , for rolled shapes Eqn. 9a
FL
162
λr = , for user-defined shapes Eqn. 9b
FL
kc
Mr is calculated using Equations 10 and 11 for both the top and bottom
flanges separately. The smaller value of Mr is used.
Mr = ReFyfSx Eqn. 10
In Equation 10, Re is equal to 1.0 for rolled shapes and is given by Equation
11 for user-defined shapes. Equation 10 is taken from AISC-LRFD93 Table A-
F1.1.
Re =
(
12 + a r 3m − m 3 )
≤ 1.0 Eqn. 11
12 + 2a r
λ is equal to h/tw.
Most of the formulas associated with this flowchart are based on AISC-
LRFD93 Specification Appendix F section F1and Table A-F1.1.
Information relating to how the program calculates the compact and noncom-
pact section requirements is in Composite Beam Design AISC-LRFD93 Techni-
cal Note 33 Compact and Noncompact Requirements.
g l
No No
No Is beam No Is beam
Is beam compact Is beam compact
noncompact for noncompact for
for LTB? for LTB?
LTB? LTB?
Yes c Yes h Yes j Yes m
d i k n
The following subsection describes the lateral torsional buckling (LTB) checks
in the program that are used to determine how to calculate Mn for a singly
symmetric beam with a compact web. Subsequent subsections describe each
of the AISC-LRFD93 Specification Appendix F equations mentioned in Figure 3
that are used to calculate the moment capacity.
λ − λp
Mn = Mp − Mp − Mr (
λr − λ p
) ≤ Mp
Eqn. 12a
where
M r = FL S x Eqn. 12b
bf
λ= Eqn. 12c
2t f
65
λp = Eqn. 12d
Fyf
141
λr = , rolled beams and channels Eqn. 12e
FL
162
λr = , user-defined beams Eqn. 12f
FL
kc
In Equation 12b, FL and Sx are for the beam compression flange (not cover
plate).
In Equations 12c and 12d, bf, tf and Fyf are for the beam compression flange
(not cover plate).
In Equation 12e, FL is for the beam compression flange (not cover plate).
In Equation 12f, FL is for the beam compression flange (not cover plate), and
kc = 4 h t w but not less than 0.35 ≤ kc ≤ 0.763.
(
M n = C b M p − M p − M r ) λλ −−λλ p
≤ M p
Eqn. 13a
r p
where,
Lb
λ= Eqn. 13c
ryc
300
λp = Eqn. 13d
Fyf
The term λr in Equation 13a is the value of λ for which Mcr as defined by
Equations 14a through 14c is equal to the smaller of FLSxc and FyfSxt where FL
is the smaller of (Fyf - Fr) and Fyw. When calculating FL, the term Fyf is the
yield stress of the compression flange and when calculating FyfSxt, the term Fyf
is the yield stress of the tension flange.
M cr =
(57000)(1) I y J B1 + 1 + B 2 + B12 Eqn. 14a
Lb
where,
I yc h Iy
B1 = 2.25 2 − 1 Eqn. 14b
I y L b J
2
I yc I yc h
B 2 = 25 1 −
Eqn. 14c
I
y J Lb
To calculate λr for Equation 13a, the program determines the value of Lb for
which Mcr is equal to the smaller of FLSxc and FyfSxt. Then it divides that value
of Lb by ryc to get λr.
Most of the formulas associated with this flowchart are based on AISC-
LRFD93 Specification Appendix F section F1and Table A-F1.1.
g l
No No
No Is beam No Is beam
Is beam compact Is beam compact
noncompact for noncompact for
for LTB? for LTB?
LTB? LTB?
Yes c Yes h Yes j Yes m
d i k n
Information relating to how the program calculates the compact and noncom-
pact section requirements is in Composite Beam Design AISC-LRFD93 Techni-
cal Note 33 Compact and Noncompact Requirements.
The lateral torsional buckling checks and all but one of the Appendix F equa-
tions mentioned in Figure 4 are described in the previous section entitled,
"Moment Capacity for a Singly Symmetric Beam with a Compact Web." Refer
to that section for more information.
The one equation that has not been described previously is AISC-LRFD93
Specification Appendix F Equation A-F1-3. This equation is described in the
following subsection.
λ − λp
(
Mn = Mp − Mp − Mr )
λr − λ p
≤ Mp
Eqn. 15a
In Equation 15a:
Mr is calculated using Equations 15b and 15c for both the top and bottom
flanges separately. The smaller value of Mr is used.
Re =
(
12 + a r 3m − m 3 )
≤ 1.0 Eqn. 15c
12 + 2a r
Equation 15c comes from the definition of Re given with Equation A-G2-3 in
AISC-LRFD93 Appendix G. In Equation 15c, the term ar is the ratio of the web
area (htw) to the flange area (bftf), but not more than 10, and m is the ratio
of the web yield stress to the flange yield stress.
λ is equal to h/tw.
640 2.75Pu
, for Pu ≤ 0.125
λp = 1− Eqn. 15d
Fy φ b Py
φ b Py
191 P 253
≥
λp = 2.33 − u ,
Fy φ b Py Fy
Eqn. 15e
P
for u > 0.125
φ b Py
970 0.74Pu
λr = 1− Eqn. 15f
Fy φ b Py
In Equation 15f, the value of Fy used is the largest of the Fy values for the
beam flanges and the web.
Equation 15g defines the noncompact section limit for webs in beams with
unequal size flanges:
253 h 0.74Pu
λr = 1 + 2.83 1 − ,
Fy φ b Py
hc
where, Eqn. 15g
3 h 3
≤ ≤
4 hc 2
In Equation 15g, the value of Fy used is the largest of the Fy values for the
beam flanges and the web. Equation 15g is based on Equation A-B5-1 in the
AISC-LRFD93 specification.
where,
The program initially uses Equation 1 with Mn X% comp equal to the Mn for full
(100%) composite connection to estimate the required percent composite
connection (PCC) for a composite beam. The program checks the moment ca-
pacity using this PCC. If the moment capacity is adequate, the iteration is
complete. If the moment capacity is not adequate, the program calculates a
new PCC, using the last considered PCC for X% and Mn X% comp, and deter-
mines a new moment capacity. This process continues until a PCC that pro-
vides an adequate moment capacity is found.
Calculating MPFconc
The program calculates MPFconc as the smaller of the values obtained from the
equations specified in Table 1 for the particular circumstances of the beam
considered.
Table 1:
Table identifying equations to be used to calculate initial value of ΣQn for partial com-
posite connection
Deck Orientation
Deck Ribs Perpendicular
to Beam Span, or
Beam Type Deck Ribs Parallel No Metal Deck Exists
to Beam Span (Solid Concrete Slab)
Rolled Beam from Database 2b, 2c 2a, 2c
User-Defined Beam 2b, 2d 2a, 2d
wrhr
MPFconc = (PCC) [(0.85f'c beff t c + left +
Sr
wrhr
(0.85f'c beff t c + right ] Eqn. 2b
Sr
In Equations 1a through 1d, the term PCC is the percent composite connec-
tion. For 50 percent composite connection PCC is 0.5, not 50. The next sub-
section describes how the program initially estimates PCC.
Next the program sums the compressive forces of these six items, starting
with the item at the highest elevation and proceeding downward. As each
item is added into the sum, the sum of compressive forces is compared with
the MPFconc as determined in one of Equations 2a through 2d.
As soon as the sum of forces exceeds MPFconc, the program recognizes that
the last location considered is below the bottom of the effective concrete, and
the second to last location considered is above the bottom of the effective
concrete. Using this information, the program can solve directly for the loca-
tion of the bottom of the effective concrete.
Figure 1a shows the internal concrete forces for a rolled steel section (a user-
defined steel section is similar) for the condition where the bottom of the ef-
fective concrete is in the concrete slab above the metal deck. In this case, a1
represents the distance from the top of the concrete slab to the bottom of the
effective concrete. Note that the distance a1 can be different on the left and
right sides of the beam.
a1
CC 1
Figure 1a: Rolled Steel Section With Bottom of Effective Concrete in Concrete
Slab Above Metal Deck, Positive Bending With Partial Composite
Connection
Figure 1b shows the internal concrete forces for a rolled steel section (a user-
defined steel section is similar) for the condition where the bottom of the ef-
fective concrete is within the height, hr, of the metal deck ribs. In this case, a2
represents the distance from the top of the metal deck ribs to the bottom of
the effective concrete. Note that the distance a2 can be different on the left
and right sides of the beam.
CC 1
CC 2
a2
Figure 1b: Rolled Steel Section With Bottom of Effective Concrete Within the
Height, hr, of the Metal Deck Ribs, Positive Bending With Partial
Composite Connection
If the bottom of effective concrete is in the concrete above the metal deck, a2
is set equal to 0. If the bottom of effective concrete is within the height of the
metal deck, a1 is set equal to tc.
wra 2
C C2 = 0.85f c' b eff Eqn. 4
Sr
a1
xPNA = z p − Eqn. 5
2
a2
xPNA = z p − a 1 − Eqn. 6
2
Note that the PNA for a partially composite beam always lies within the steel
beam section, not the concrete slab. Thus it is not necessary to check for the
PNA location within the concrete slab.
Reference
Vogel, R. 1991. “LRFD-Composite Beam Design with Metal Deck,” Steel Tips,
Technical Information & Product Service, Steel Committee of Califor-
nia, March.
This Technical Note describes how the program checks bending and deflection
for AISC-LRFD93 design.
Bending Check
The program uses Equation 1 to perform bending checks for both composite
and noncomposite beams.
Mu
≤ 1 .0 Eqn. 1
φ Mn
where,
Deflection Check
Deflection is calculated as described in Composite Beam Design Technical
Note 11 Beam Deflection and Camber. For full composite connection Itr is
used in the deflection calculations. For partial composite connection Ieff is
used in the deflection calculations.
Note that camber is subtracted from the total load deflection for checking.
This Technical Note begins by defining the program's default allowable shear
connector loads for AISC-LRFD93 composite beam design. Shear connector
capacities are defined for both shear studs. Next the equations used for de-
termining the number of shear connectors on the beam are provided.
If there is formed metal deck, the value of Qn obtained from either Equation 1
or from the overwrites, if specified, is reduced by a reduction factor, RF that
is specified in Composite Beam Design AISC-ASD89 Technical Note 25 Shear
Studs. Note that the reduction factor is different depending on whether the
span of the metal deck ribs is oriented parallel or perpendicular to the span of
the beam.
The reduction factor, RF, only applies to the 0.5Asc f c' E c term in Equation 1.
It does not apply to the AscFu term.
The terms f’c and Ec can be different on the two sides of the beam. The pro-
gram calculates Qn for each side of the beam separately using Equation 1 and
uses the smaller value in the calculations.
zero moment for full composite connection, ΣQn-100, is given by the smaller of
Equations 3, 4a or 4b as applicable. Table 1 defines the conditions where the
various equations are applicable and it defines what to use for Ac left and Ac right
(both simply called Ac in the table) in Equation 3 for each condition.
ΣQ n −100 = 0.85f c' left A c left + 0.85f c' right A c right Eqn. 3
ΣQ n −100 = b f -top t f - top Fyf - top + ht w Fyw + b f -bot t f -bot Fyf -bot + b cp t cp Fycp Eqn. 4b
ΣQ n −100
N1 = Eqn. 5
Qn
ΣQ n −PCC
N1 = Eqn. 6
Qn
ΣQ n − PCC
PCC = Eqn. 7
ΣQ n −100
M u − φ M n steel alone
N 2 = N1 Eqn. 8
φ M n comp − φ M n steel alone
In Equation 8,
This Technical Note describes how the program calculates the allowable shear
stress for AISC-LRFD93 composite beam design.
Shear Capacity
Refer to Figure 1 for a flowchart showing how the program considers beam
vertical shear. AISC-LRFD93 Equations F2-1 through F2-3 are reproduced
here as Equations 1 through 3 respectively.
h 418
For ≤ , Vn = 0.6 Fyw Aw Eqn. 1
tw Fyw
418
0.6Fyw A w
F
For
418
<
h
≤
523
, Vn =
yw Eqn. 2
Fyw t w Fyw h
tw
523 h 132,000A w
For < ≤ 260 , Vn = 2
Eqn. 3
Fyw tw h
tw
Note that in Equations 1 through 3, Aw, the area of the web, is calculated as
shown in Equation 4 where Ctop and Cbot are the depths of copes, if any, at the
top and bottom of the beam section. The copes are specified in the over-
writes.
Vu
≤ 1 .0 Eqn. 5
φ v Vn
where,
No check is made for shear on the net section considering the bolt holes.
No check is made for shear rupture on a beam with the top flange coped as
described in AISC-LRFD93 specification Chapter J, section J4.
This Technical Note describes the composite beam design input data for AISC-
LRFD93. The input can be printed to a printer or to a text file when you click
the File menu > Print Tables > Composite Beam Design command. A
printout of the input data provides the user with the opportunity to carefully
review the parameters that have been input into the program and upon which
program design is based. See Composite Beam Design Technical Note 5 Input
Data for further information about using the print Composite Beam Design
Tables Form, as well as other non-code-specific input data for composite
beam design.
Recall that the composite beam overwrites apply to all beams to which they
have been specifically assigned. To access the composite beam overwrites,
select one or more beams and then click the Design menu > Composite
Beam Design > View/Revise Overwrites command. Information about
composite beam overwrites is available in Composite Beam Design AISC-
LRFD93 Technical Note 31 Overwrites.
Note:
User-defined shear stud patterns are described in Composite Beam Design
Technical Note 15 User-Defined Shear Stud Patterns.
This Technical Note describes the composite beam output for AISC-LRFD93
that can be printed to a printer or to a text file in either short form or long
form. See Composite Beam Design Technical Note 6 Output Data for informa-
tion about using the Print Composite Beam Design Tables Form, as well as the
Summary of Composite Beam Output.
The program provides the output data in a series of tables. The column
headings for output data and a description of what is included in the columns
of the tables are provided in Tables 1 and 2 of this Technical Note.
Group Name of the design group (if any) to which the beam has been
assigned.
RLLF A reducible live load is multiplied by this factor to obtain the re-
duced live load.
Comparative Price of the beam using the input price parameters for steel,
shear studs and camber. This price is intended for comparison
of alternative designs only. It is not intended to be used for cost
estimating purposes.
Overwrites If this item is Yes, one or more items have been overwritten for
this beam. If it is No, nothing has been overwritten. The values
for all overwrite items are included in the long form output.
Thus, if this item is "Yes," you may want to print the long form
output.
Fy-cp Yield stress for the cover plate. If no cover plate is specified by
the user, N/A is reported for this item.
Consider-cp This item is Yes if the specified cover plate is considered in the
design. Otherwise, it is No.
Deck Left and Deck The deck section labels (names) on the left and right sides of
Right the beam.
Dir. Left and Dir. Right The deck directions on the left and right sides of the beam.
Perpendclr means that the deck span is perpendicular to the
beam span. Parallel means that the deck span is parallel to the
beam span.
beff Left and beff Right The slab effective widths on the left and right sides of the beam.
Cbot Left and Cbot The program calculated cope of the beam bottom flange at the
Right left and right ends of the beam. Do not confuse the left and right
ends of the beam with the left and right sides of the beam. The
left end of the beam is the I-end and the right end of the beam
is the J-end.
ytrans Distance from the bottom of the beam bottom flange (not bot-
tom of cover plate, even if it exists) to the elastic neutral axis
(ENA) of the beam, with full (100%) composite connection, y .
ybare Distance from the bottom of the beam bottom flange (not bot-
tom of cover plate, even if it exists) to the ENA of the beam,
plus cover plate alone (if it exists).
yeff Distance from the bottom of the beam bottom flange (not bot-
tom of cover plate, even if it exists) to the ENA of the beam,
with partial composite connection.
Pmax The largest axial load in the beam for any design load combi-
nation.
Important note: This value is not used in the Composite Beam
Design postprocessor design. It is reported to give you a sense
of how much axial load, if any, is in the beam. If there is a sig-
nificant amount of axial load in the beam, you may want to de-
sign it noncompositely using the Steel Frame Design postpro-
cessor. The Steel Frame Design postprocessor does consider
axial load.
PCC PNA Location of plastic neutral axis (PNA) for partial composite con-
nection (PCC).
PCC phi Mn Factored nominal flexural strength with partial composite con-
nection.
Full PNA Location of plastic neutral axis (PNA) for full composite connec-
tion.
Full phi Mn Factored nominal flexural strength with full composite connec-
tion.
Type This item is either Constr Pos, Constr Neg, Final Pos or Final
Neg. Const Pos means it is a positive moment for construction
loading. Const Neg means it is a negative moment for con-
struction loading. Final Pos means it is a positive moment for
final loading. Final Neg means it is a negative moment for final
loading.
Combo Design load combination that causes the controlling moment for
the moment type considered in the table row.
Type This item is either Constr Left, Constr Right, Final Left or Final
Right. Constr Left means it is a construction loading shear at
the left end of the beam. Constr Right means it is a construction
loading shear at the right end of the beam.
Final Left means it is a final loading shear at the left end of the
beam. Final Rght means it is a final loading shear at the right
end of the beam.
Combo Design load combination that causes the controlling shear for
the shear type considered in the table row.
phi VN The maximum factored shear strength associated with the con-
trolling moment.
Ratio This is the bending stress, fv, divided by the allowable bending
stress, Fv.
Consider This item is always Yes, indicating that deflection is one of the
criteria checked when determining if a beam section is consid-
ered acceptable.
Note:
Deflection is described in Composite Beam Design Technical Note 11 Beam
Deflection and Camber.
Limit The deflection limit for the deflection type considered in the ta-
ble row.
Unbraced L22 Maximum unbraced length for buckling about the 2-2 axis of the
beam. This item is filled with "N/A" unless the unbraced length
for buckling about the local 2-2 axis is user defined and is a
single maximum unbraced length for the entire beam.
Absolute L22 A "Yes" for this item indicates that the unbraced lengths are
specified as absolute distances form the left end of the beam. A
"No" indicates that they are specified as relative distances from
the left end of the beam, with 0 indicating the left end of the
beam and 1 indicating the right end of the beam.
Start Distance from the left end of the beam to the starting point of
the uniform brace that braces the beam for buckling about the
2-2 axis.
End Distance from the left end of the beam to the ending point of the
uniform brace that braces the beam for buckling about the 2-2
axis.
Unbraced L22 Maximum unbraced length for buckling about the 2-2 axis of the
beam. This item is filled with "N/A" unless the unbraced length
for buckling about the local 2-2 axis is user-defined and is a
single maximum unbraced length for the entire beam.
Absolute L22 A "Yes" for this item indicates that the unbraced lengths are
specified as absolute distances form the left end of the beam. A
"No" indicates that they are specified as relative distances from
the left end of the beam, with 0 indicating the left end of the
beam and 1 indicating the right end of the beam.
Start Distance from the left end of the beam to the starting point of
the uniform brace that braces the beam for buckling about the
2-2 axis.
Min. Long Spacing Minimum allowed longitudinal spacing of the shear stud con-
nectors.
Max. Long Spacing Maximum allowed longitudinal spacing of the shear stud con-
nectors.
Min. Tran Spacing Minimum allowed transverse spacing of shear stud connectors.
Max. Conn. in a Row Maximum allowed number of shear stud connectors in a single
row across the beam flange.
Deflection Absolute A "Yes" for this item indicates that the deflection limits are
specified as absolute distances. A "No" indicates that they are
specified as the length of the beam, L, divided by some num-
ber, e.g., L/360
Total Load Limit Limiting total load deflection used when deflection limitations
are considered in selecting the optimum beam.
RLLF A reducible live load is multiplied by this factor to obtain the re-
duced live load.