Overview of Presentation

Basic Concepts in Ductile

Detailing of Steel Structures

What is Ductility ?
Why is Ductility Important ?
How Do We Achieve Ductility in Steel
Structures ?

Michael D. Engelhardt
University of Texas at Austin

What is Ductility ?

Ductility: The ability to sustain large inelastic

deformations without significant loss in
strength.

Ductility = inelastic deformation capacity

Ductility

Fyield

Ductility: - material response

- structural component response
(members and connections)

- global frame response

Ductility: Qualitative Description

Ductility

Fyield

More Ductile

No Ductility

Less Ductile

displacement
rotation
curvature
strain
etc.

Ductility: Quantitative Descriptions

Ductility: Quantitative Descriptions

Mp

Mp

yield

max

yield

max

Ductility Factor:

Ductility: Quantitative Descriptions

max
yield

Ductility: Quantitative Descriptions

Mp

Mp

yield

max

Plastic Rotation Angle:

yield

p = max - yield

Ductility: Quantitative Descriptions

Rotation Capacity: R =

max
p
yield

=-1

Ductility: Difficulties with Quantitative Descriptions

Consider a more realistic load - deformation response......

M
Mp

yield

max

Ductility: ductility factor

plastic rotation angle

rotation capacity R
etc.

Based on:

yield
max

yield

What is

yield ?

What is

yield

yield ?

Mmax

0.8 Mmax

max

What is

max

max ?

What is

max ?

Ductility: Difficulties with Quantitative Descriptions

M
M
Mp

max

Many definitions of ductility

What is

max ?

Many definitions of yield and max

Ductility: Difficulties with Quantitative Descriptions

Ductility: Difficulties with Quantitative Descriptions

Ductility under cyclic loading.....

Ductility under cyclic loading.....

Bending Moment (kip-inches)

40000
30000
20000
10000
0
-10000
-20000

How should ductility be measured ??

-30000
-40000
-0.08

-0.06

-0.04

-0.02

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

Rotation Angle (rad)

What is Ductility ?

How is ductility developed in steel structures ?

F

Ductility = inelastic deformation capacity

Many ways to quantify ductility

When quantifying ductility.......
Clearly define measure of ductility

Ductility = Yielding

Loss of load carrying

capability:
Instability

Clearly define yield and max

Fracture

Use consistent definitions when describing

ductility demand and ductility supply

Why is Ductility Important?

Why Ductility ?

Permits redistribution of internal stresses and

forces

Permits redistribution of internal stresses and

forces

Increases strength of members, connections and

structures

Increases strength of members, connections and

structures

Permits design based on simple equilibrium models

Permits design based on simple equilibrium models

Results in more robust structures

Results in more robust structures

Provides warning of failure

Provides warning of failure

Permits structure to survive severe earthquake

loading

Permits structure to survive severe earthquake

loading

Example: Plate with hole subjected to tension

6"

max
50
ksi

P
PL 1/2" x 6"

1" dia. hole

50 ksi

P
2.5 in2

50 ksi = 2.57 x

50 ksi

max = 2.57 avg

50 ksi

Example:

Material "A"
Material "A"

Material "B"

Example:

Pmax = 49 k

Example:

50 ksi

50 ksi

50 ksi

50 ksi

50 ksi =

Material "B"

P
2.5 in2

Material "B"

Pmax = 125 k

Example: Flexural Capacity

4"

12"

50 ksi

50 ksi

Material "A"

Material "B"

Pmax = 49k

Pmax = 125k

50 ksi

50 ksi

Material "A"

Material "B"

4"

4"

12"

12"

max = 50 ksi
max =

50 ksi

max =
M
= 50 ksi
S

S = 96 in3

50 ksi

Mmax = 96 in3 x 50 ksi = 4800 k-in

Material "A"

50 ksi

Material "B"

4"

4"

50 ksi

12"

12"

50 ksi

50 ksi

max =

M
= 50 ksi
Z

50 ksi

Material "A"

Mmax = 4800 k-in

Mmax = 144 in3 x 50 ksi = 7200 k-in

Material "B"

Z = 144 in3

50 ksi

Material "B"

Mmax = 7200 k-in

Example: Beam Capacity

Example: Beam Capacity

w

L = 30 ft.
w

250 k-ft

wL2
8

500 k-ft

500 k-ft.

Beam "A"

Beam "A"

Beam "B"

wL2
= 750 k ft
8

500 k-ft.

500 k-ft.

wmax = 6.67 k / ft.

L = 30 ft.

Example: Beam Capacity

w

w
500 k-ft
250 k-ft
wL2
8

M
500 k-ft

500 k-ft.

500 k-ft.

Beam "A"

wL
= 1000 k ft
8

500 k-ft.

Beam "B"

wmax = 8.89 k / ft.

Beam "B"

wmax = 8.89 k / ft.

wmax = 6.67 k / ft.

Why Ductility ?

Lower Bound Theorem of Plastic Analysis

Permits redistribution of internal stresses and

forces

Increases strength of members, connections and

structures

1. Equilibrium

Permits design based on simple equilibrium models

Results in more robust structures

2. Material Strength Limits for Ductile Response

( Fy , M Mp, P Py , etc)

Provides warning of failure

Permits structure to survive severe earthquake

loading

Implications of the lower bound theorem ............

A limit load based on an internal stress or force

distribution that satisfies:

is less than or equal to the true limit load.

Lower bound theorem only applicable for ductile structures

Example of lower bound theorem: Beam Capacity

L = 30 ft.

For a structure made of ductile materials and

components:
Designs satisfying equilibrium and material
strength limits are safe.

M
Mp = 500 k-ft.

As a designer, as long as we satisfy equilibrium

(i.e. provide a load path), a ductile structure will
redistribute internal stresses and forces so as to
find the available load path.

Ductile flexural behavior

What is the load capacity for this beam ??

wmax = 8.89 k / ft.

L = 30 ft.

L = 30 ft.

What is the load capacity for this beam ??

By lower bound theorem:

wL2
8

Choose any moment diagram in equilibrium

with the applied load.
Moment diagram in equilibrium with
applied load "w"

The moment cannot exceed Mp at any point

along the beam.
The resulting load capacity "w" will be less than
or equal to the true load capacity.

Possible lower bound solutions......

L = 30 ft.

L = 30 ft.

500 k-ft
wL2
8

M
wL2
8

wL2
= 500 k ft
8

500 k-ft

w = 4.44 k / ft.

( 8.89 k / ft. )
wL2
= 500 k ft
8

L = 30 ft.

L = 30 ft.

250 k-ft

( 8.89 k / ft. )

500 k-ft

wL
8

wL2
8

M
500 k-ft

500 k-ft

wL2
= 750 k ft
8

w = 4.44 k / ft.

w = 6.67 k / ft.

( 8.89 k / ft. )

wL2
= 1000 k ft
8

w = 8.89 k / ft.

(= true wmax )

Examples of lower bound theorem

Examples of lower bound theorem

Flexural capacity of a composite section:

Flexural capacity of steel section:

0.85 fc'

Fy

C
d

C
d

T
Fy

Fy

Fy
Equilibrium:

steel Fy
C=T
Mn = C * d = Z Fy

Why Ductility ?

Permits redistribution of internal stresses and

forces

Increases strength of members, connections and

structures

Permits design based on simple equilibrium models

Results in more robust structures

Provides warning of failure

Permits structure to survive severe earthquake

loading

Why Ductility ?

Permits redistribution of internal stresses and

forces

Increases strength of members, connections and

structures

Permits design based on simple equilibrium models

Results in more robust structures

Provides warning of failure

Permits structure to survive severe earthquake

loading

Equilibrium:

conc 0.85 fc'

C=T
Mn = C * d

Building
Acceleration

F = ma

Building:
Mass = m

Earthquake Forces
on Buildings:
Inertia Force Due to
Accelerating Mass

Ground
Acceleration

Conventional Building Code Philosophy for

EarthquakeEarthquake-Resistant Design

Objective:

To Survive Strong Earthquake

without Collapse:

Design for Ductile Behavior

Prevent collapse in the extreme

earthquake likely to occur at a
building site.

Objectives are not to:

- limit damage
- maintain function
- provide for easy repair

H
H

Helastic

3/4 *Helastic

Available Ductility

Ductility = Inelastic Deformation

1/2 *Helastic

Required Strength

1/4 *Helastic

MAX

Achieving Ductile Response....

Ductile Limit States Must Precede Brittle Limit States

How Do We Achieve Ductility in
Steel Structures ?

Example

double angle tension member

gusset plate
double angle tension member

P
P

Example:
Ductile Limit State:

Gross-section yielding of tension member

Brittle Limit States:

Net-section fracture of tension member

Gross-section yielding of tension

member must precede net section
fracture of tension member

Block-shear fracture of tension member

Gross-section yield:

Pyield = Ag Fy

Net-section fracture of gusset plate

Net-section fracture:

Pfracture = Ae Fu

Block-shear fracture of gusset plate

Bolt shear fracture
Plate bearing failure in double angles or gusset

double angle tension member

Pyield Pfracture

The required strength for brittle limit

states is defined by the capacity of the
ductile element

Ag Fy Ae Fu
Ae Fy

Ag Fu

double angle tension member

Example:

Gross-section yielding of tension member

must precede bolt shear fracture

Gross-section yield: Pyield = Ag Fy

Fy
Fu

= yield ratio

Steels with a low yield ratio are

preferable for ductile behavior

Bolt shear fracture:

Pbolt-fracture = nb ns Ab Fv

Fv =

0.4 Fu-bolt -N
0.5 Fu-bolt -X

double angle tension member

double angle tension member

Example:

The required strength for brittle limit

states is defined by the capacity of the
ductile element

Pyield Pbolt-fracture

Bolts: 3 - 3/4" A325-X double shear

Ab = 0.44 in2 Fv = 0.5 x 120 ksi = 60 ksi
Pbolt-fracture = 3 x 0.44 in2 x 60 ksi x 2 = 158k
Angles: 2L 4 x 4 x 1/4 A36

The ductile element must be the

weakest element in the load path

Ag = 3.87 in2
Pyield = 3.87 in2 x 36 ksi = 139k

double angle tension member

double angle tension member

Pyield Pbolt-fracture
Pyield =

139k

Pbolt-fracture =

Pyield Pbolt-fracture
158k

Pyield = 3.87 in2 x 54 ksi = 209k

OK

Pbolt-fracture = 158k

What if the actual yield stress for the A36 angles is

greater than 36 ksi?

Pyield Pbolt-fracture

Say, for example, the actual yield stress for the A36
angle is 54 ksi.

Bolt fracture will occur before yield of angles

double angle tension member

non-ductile behavior

double angle tension member

Pyield Pbrittle

Pyield Pbrittle

Stronger is not better in the ductile element

(Ductile element must be weakest element in the load path)
For ductile response: must consider material overstrength in
ductile element

The required strength for brittle limit

states is defined by the expected
capacity of the ductile element (not
minimum specified capacity)

Pyield = Ag RyFy

Ry Fy = expected yield stress of angles

Achieving Ductile Response....

Achieving Ductile Response....

Ductile Limit States Must Precede Brittle Limit States

Connection response is generally non-ductile.....

Define the required strength for brittle limit states based

on the expected yield capacity for ductile element

The ductile element must be the weakest in the load path

Unanticipated over strength in the ductile element can
lead to non-ductile behavior.
Steels with a low value of yield ratio, Fy / Fu are preferable
for ductile elements

Connections should be stronger than connected

members

Achieving Ductile Response....

General Trends:
As Fy

Be cautious of high-strength steels

Elongation (material
ductility)
Fy / Fu

Ref: Salmon and Johnson - Steel

Structures: Design and Behavior

Achieving Ductile Response....

Achieving Ductile Response....

Be cautious of high-strength steels

Use Sections with Low Width-Thickness Ratios and

Adequate Lateral Bracing

High strength steels are generally less ductile

(lower elongations) and generally have a higher
yield ratio.
High strength steels are generally undesirable
for ductile elements

Effect of Local Buckling on Flexural Strength and Ductility

Moment Capacity

Mp

Increasing b / t

Inelastic Buckling

Mr

Elastic Buckling

ps p

Ductility

Mp

Plastic Buckling

Width-Thickness Ratio (b/t)

Mp

Inelastic Buckling

Mr

Elastic Buckling

Slender Element Sections

ps p

Width-Thickness Ratio (b/t)

Moment Capacity

Plastic Buckling

Ductility

Ductility

Moment Capacity

Plastic Buckling

Mp

Inelastic Buckling

Mr

Elastic Buckling
Noncompact Sections

ps p

Width-Thickness Ratio (b/t)

Moment Capacity

Inelastic Buckling

Mr

Elastic Buckling
Compact Sections

ps p

Width-Thickness Ratio (b/t)

Ductility

Mp

Ductility

Moment Capacity

Plastic Buckling

Plastic Buckling

Mp

Inelastic Buckling

Mr

Elastic Buckling
Seismically
Compact Sections

ps p

Width-Thickness Ratio (b/t)

Local buckling of a seismically compact moment frame beam.....

Local buckling of noncompact and slender element sections

Local buckling of a seismically compact EBF link.....

5000
4000

Mp

Bending Moment (kN-m)

3000
2000
1000
0
-1000
-2000
-3000

Mp

-4000

RBS Connection

-5000
-0.05

-0.04

-0.03

-0.02

-0.01

0.01

Drift Angle (radian)

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

Effect of Local Buckling on Ductility

For ductile flexural response:

Link Shear Force (kips)

200

Use compact or seismically compact sections

150
100

bf

50
0

Example: W-Shape

-50

tf

-100
-150

-200
-0.08

-0.06

-0.04

-0.02

Link Rotation,

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

tw

(rad)

Lateral Torsional Buckling

Beam Flanges
Compact:

bf
Es
0.38
2t f
Fy

Seismically Compact:

bf
Es
0.30
2t f
Fy

Lateral torsional buckling

controlled by:

Lb
ry

Lb = distance between beam lateral braces

ry = weak axis radius of gyration
Beam lateral braces

Beam Web
Compact:

Es
h
3.76
tw
Fy

Seismically Compact:

Es
h
2.45
tw
Fy

Effect of Lateral Torsional Buckling on Flexural Strength and Ductility:

Ductility:

M
Mp

Increasing Lb / ry

Lb

Lb

Effect of Lateral Buckling on Ductility

Achieving Ductile Response....

For ductile flexural response:

Recognize that buckling of a compression member is

non-ductile

Use lateral bracing based on plastic design

requirements or seismic design requirements

Plastic Design:

Seismic Design:

M
Lb 0.12 + 0.076 1

M2

E
Lb 0.086
F
y

Fy

ry

ry

Experimental Behavior of Brace Under Cyclic Axial Loading

Pcr

W6x20 Kl/r = 80
P
Pcr

How Do We Achieve Ductile Response in Steel Structures ?

Ductile limit states must precede brittle limit states

Ductile elements must be the weakest in the load path
Stronger is not better in ductile elements
Define Required Strength for brittle limit states based on
expected yield capacity of ductile element

Provide connections that are stronger than members

Avoid high strength steels in ductile elements

Use cross-sections with low b/t ratios

Provide adequate lateral bracing

Recognize that compression member buckling is non-ductile

How Do We Achieve Ductile Response in Steel Structures ?