CE 591

Advanced Structural Steel Design

Fall 2013
Lecture 7: Plate Girders; Design
Rules of Thumb
Flange-to-web weld
Design Aids
Design Example

Proportioning the Section

Goals

Satisfy limit states

Strength
Serviceability

Minimum cost

assume cost proportional to

weight of steel
but remember that least-weight
may not provide the most cost
effective design!

Rules of Thumb

Span-Depth Ratio

Salmon & Johnson, Steel Structures, 4th ed.

L
10 to 12
d

bf

Rules of Thumb, MSC 2000

L
15
d
L

Modern Steel Construction, 2000

Design It Like You Are Going to Build It

Karl Frank
2013 NASCC Educator Session: Bridge Design for the
Classroom
media.aisc.org/NASCC2013/ES1.mp4

Recommendations for composite plate

girders for bridges

Design It Like You Are Going to Build It

Karl Frank
2013 NASCC Educator Session: Bridge Design for the
Classroom
media.aisc.org/NASCC2013/ES1.mp4

Recommendations for composite plate

girders for bridges

AASHTO Cross Sectional Limits

Similar to AISC
eq. F13-2
Not stable if
outside limit

Rules of Thumb Flange Width

bf

bf
0.2 to 0.3
d
d

shallow
section
deep
section

Optimum Depth (another option)

Based on minimizing weight (i.e. gross

cross-sectional area), supposing no depth
restriction

f is average stress on flange (i.e. Fcr)

bw is an assumed constant h/t
bw of 320 for optimum proportion A36
C1 is a factor to account for reducing
flange size at regions of lower moment
C2 is factor to account for reducing web
thickness at regions of reduced shear

Optimum Depth, contd

h3

3MC1bw
f (3C 2 C1)

Suppose C1= C2= 1 (i.e. no section

reduction in regions of lower stress)

3Mbw
h3
2f

Rules of Thumb Flange Area

bf

Mu/f

Af
C

Af
d h

Aw
T

M Aw

fh 6

Average
stress on
flange

Sx / h

Rules of Thumb Plate dimensions

Plate widths

2 increments

Stiffener spacing

3 multiples

Rules of Thumb Plate thickness

Increments
(inches)
1/16

Range
(inches)
t 9/16

1/8

5/8 t 1-1/2

1/4

t > 1-1/2

Rules of Thumb Flange Plates, p. 1

Based on minimum volume (weight) and Af

equation used earlier
Mmax

L/2
L
Groove weld

Af1

Af

Af 1 1

Af 2

Rules of Thumb Flange Plates, p.2

Mmax

L/3
L

Af 1 5

Af 9

Groove weld

Af1

Af

Unless save 200 300 lbs of

material, added cost of weld
makes flange plate
transition uneconomical

(Salmon et al., Steel Structures, 5th ed.)

Other flange plate recommendations

If concerned about LTB, keep bf /2tf at

about the lp value in maximum moment
regions

Could then reduce flange thickness in low

moment regions (reduce thickness instead of
width)

No LTB? Reduce width if desired

slight advantage in fatigue strength

Transition slope should be less than 1 in 2-1/2
for either width or thickness change
1 in 4 to 1 in 12 recommended for change in
width

2013 NASCC Educator Session: Bridge Design for the Classroom

media.aisc.org/NASCC2013/ES1.mp4

Weld of flange to web

Must provide for factored

horizontal shear flow

Vu Q
shear flow
Ix
(kips/in)

1st moment
of area
of flange
about
neutral axis

Weld of flange to web, p.2

DOTs typically require SAW

for these welds

more thermally efficient

More uniform weld cross section
and strength

no stops/starts and other

irregularities that concentrate
stress
SMAW uses stick electrodes of
limited length and diameter

Rules of Thumb Web

Reasonable range for web stress

fVn
Aw

12 to 16 ksi

< 9 ksi? May be able to use thinner web

Practical minimum web thickness (tw)

5/16

Design Aids Shear, Stiffeners

Tables 3-16a, 3-17a (without TFA)

36 ksi and 50 ksi steel

Starting on AISC Manual p. 3-152

Tables 3-16b, 3-17b (with TFA)

fvVn/Aw graphed as a function of h/tw and a/h

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

---- means
exceeded
practical limit
on
stiffener spacing

a 260

h h tw

a/h > 3.0

kv = 5.0

Corresponds approximately
to limit for vertical
flange buckling

Plate Girder Design Example

Consider a simply supported plate girder that carries the factored
uniform load and two concentrated loads as shown. Design a
doubly symmetric, non-hybrid girder with A36 steel. Assume
that lateral support is provided at the ends and at the
concentrated loads. 1.2D + 1.6L load combination controls.
Factored loads shown. L/360 deflection limit (total service load).

150 k

150 k
5 k/ft

24'
330 k

24'

Lateral Support

24'

Lateral
Support

Design Example, p. 2
150 k

150 k
5 k/ft

24'

330 k

24'

24'

Lateral
Support

210
60

Shear
(kip)

60
210

330

Moment
(ft-kip)

6480

6480
6840

Design Example, p. 3a

Sizing the Section, try Rule of Thumb

L
10 to 12
d

Try h = 72
Try tw = 5/16

(72 ft )(12 in / ft)

72 in
12
h
72"

230
tw 5 / 16"

Design Example, p. 3b

Sizing the Section, try formula for h

3Mbw
3( Mu / f ) bw
h3
3
2f
2 RpgFcr
3(6840kipft / 0.9)(12in / ft )(320)
h3
2(1.0)(36ksi)
107in

Design Example, p. 3c
h 107"

342
tw 5 / 16"

Try h = 107
Try tw = 5/16

AISC F13.2 for a/h 1.5

29000ksi
h
341
12.0
36ksi
tw max

a/h > 1.5 limit will be even smaller

Also, web substantially heavier than for h=72
with practical minimum web thickness
So, try h=72

Design Example, p. 4

Slender Web?

E
lr 5.70
Fy
Table B4.1b (Case 15)

29000ksi
lr 5.70
162
36ksi
h
230 lr
tw

Check shear stress (recommended)

fVn

Vu
330kips

14.7
12 to 16 ksi
5
A
w
(
72
"
)(
")
Aw
16

Design Example, p. 5

Double check AISC Limitations, h/tw = 230

h
E
12.0
tw
Fyf

a
for 1.5
h

29000 ksi
12.0
341
36 ksi
h 0.40 E
a

for 1.5
tw
Fy
h

0.40(29000ksi)

322
36ksi

(F13-3)

(F13-4)

OK, Limitations
satisfied

Design Example, p. 6

Estimate Flange Size

Mu
Aw
M Aw
Af

fh
6 fb RPG Fcr h 6

Assume RPG = 1.0, Fcr = Fy

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

2
Af

31.4in
(0.9)(1.0)(36ksi)(72" )
6

Design Example, p. 7

bf

Possible flange dimensions

tf (in)

bf (in)

Af

1.375

24

33.0

8.72

1.25

26

32.5

10.4

1.125

28

31.5

12.4

(in2)

bf /2tf

tf

Use FLB compactness limit to help

choose size (optional) Table B4.1b

E
29000
l p 0.38
0.38
10.8
Fyf
36

Flange width rule

of thumb

bf

26"

0.34
d (72"2(1.25" ))

> 0.3

Design Example, p. 8a

LTB Flexural Capacity; Lb = 24 ft

1
1
5 3
3
(
26
)(
1
.
25
)

(
12
)(
)
bf =26
12
16 7.1 in
rt 12
5
(26)(1.25) (12)( )
tf =1.25
16
hc/6

tw
=5/16

=72/6
=12

Lp 1.1rt
(F4-7)

E
Fy

Lr rt

E
0.7 Fy

(F5-5)

29000ksi
Lp 1.1(7.1in )
222in 18.5 ft
36ksi

29000ksi
Lr (7.1in )
757in 63.1 ft
0.7(36ksi)

150 k

150 k
5 k/ft

Design Example, p. 8b
Lp = 18.5 ft < Lb = 24 ft < Lr =24'63.1 ft 24'
B

Lb Lp
Fcr Cb[ Fy (0.3Fy )(
)] Fy
Lr Lp
330 k

~5% difference in
Mu within Lb
assume constant
moment

24'

210
60

Shear
(kip)

Lateral
Support

(F5-3)
60
210

330

Moment
(ft-kip)

6480

6480
6840

24 18.5
Fcr (1.0)[36 (0.3(36))(
)] 36ksi
63.1 18.5
Fcr 34.5ksi

Design Example, p. 9

Calculate Section Modulus, etc.

1 5
72 1.25 2
1
( )(723 ) 2(26)(1.25)(
) 2( )(26)(1.253 )
2
2
12
S x 12 16
72
( 1.25)
2
2602 in 3

hctw
aw
bfctc
(F4-12)

(72" )(5 / 16" )

aw
0.69
(26" )(1.25" )
<10

OK

26
1.25

72
5/16

Design Example, p. 10

Calculate Flexural Capacity

aw
hc
E
Rpg 1
( 5.7
) 1.0
1200 300aw tw
Fy

(F5-6)

0.69
72"
29000ksi
1
(
5.7
) 0.97
1200 300(0.69) 5 / 16"
36ksi

fM n fb S xc Rpg Fcr

(F5-2) and AISC F1

0.9(2602in 3 )(0.97)(34.5ksi) 78368kip in 6531kip ft

< Mu = 6840 kip-ft N.G.

Design Example, p. 11
28

TRY 28 x 1.5 flange

Recalculate properties:

1.5

Af 42 in 2 bf 28" 9.33 lp 10.8

rt 7.74in

2t f

2(1.5" )

compact wrt FLB

Lp 20.1 ft Lb 24 Lr 68.7 ft

Fcr 35.8ksi
S x 3285in 3

aw 0.535

72
5/16

Design Example, p. 12

Recalculate Flexural Capacity, contd.

0.535
72"
29000ksi
Rpg 1
(
5.7
) 0.973
1200 300(0.535) 5 / 16"
36ksi

fM n fb S xc R pg Fcr
0.9(3285in )(0.973)(35.8ksi)
102985 kip in 8582 kip ft
3

Design Example, p. 13

Check against Mu including self-weight

5
2
Area 2(28in )(1.5in ) (72in )( in ) 106in
16
106in 2
Weight
(490 pcf ) 361 lb / ft
2
in
144
ft 2
361lb / ft
(72 ft )2
1000lbs / kip
M u 6840kip ft 1.2
7120kip ft
8

< 8582 kip-ft

fM n M u

flexural capacity of section is adequate

Design Example, p. 14

Check Deflection Limits

Estimate service loads

150 k

150 k
5 k/ft

a
A

24'

24'

24'

D Lateral
Support

330 k

wu 5k / ft 1.2(0.210
361k / ft ) 5.43k / ft
wShear
service
(kip)

60

5.43 / 1.5 3.62k / ft

Pservice Pu / 1.5 150kips / 1.560 100kips

210

Moment

330

Design Example, p. 15

Deflection limits, contd.

I x 2(

1
72" 1.5" 2 1 5
)(28" )(1.5"3 ) (2)(28" )(1.5" )(

) ( " )(72"3 ) 123,183in 4

12
2
2
12 16

4
5wservice L4 Pservicea
5
(
3
.
62
k
/
ft
)(
72
ft
)(1728in 3 / ft 3)
2
2

(3L 4a )

4
384 EI
24 EI
384(29,000ksi)(123,183in )
100kips(24 ft )(1728in 3 / ft 3)
2
2
(
3
(
72
ft
)

4
(
24
ft
)) 0.61 0.64 1.25in
4
24(29,000ksi)(123,183in )

max

L
72 ft (12in / ft )

2.40in
360
360

> 1.25 in

OK

Design Example, p. 16
150 k

150 k

5 k/ft

24'

330 k

24'

24'

Lateral
Support

210
60

Shear
(kip)

60
210
Moment
(ft-kip)

330

Low shear demand

Region BC
h
230 260
tw

260 is limit for unstiffened girders

(F13.2); stiffeners not required
unless needed for capacity

h
kv E
5.0(29000ksi)
230 1.37
1.37
87.0
tw
Fyw
36ksi
6480

6480

6840

1.51kv E
Cv
h 2
( ) Fy
tw

1.51(5)( 29000ksi)

0.12
2
(230 )(36ksi)
(G2-5)

Design Example, p. 17

Shear Capacity Region BC

fVn 0.9(0.6 Aw FyCv )

(G2-1) and AISC G1

5
0.9(0.6)(75")( ")(36ksi)(0.12) 54.6kips
16
2

a 260

h
h
tw

2
260

1.28
230

a 1.28h 1.28(72" ) 92.2"

<Vu = 60 kips
w/o self-weight N.G.

a = 90
a/h=1.25

Design Example, p. 18

Shear Capacity Region BC

5
kv 5
( a / h) 2

5
kv 5
8.2
2
(1.25)

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

1.51kv E
Cv
h 2
( ) Fyw
tw
(G2-5)

1.51(8.2)(29000ksi)

0.19
2
(230 )(36ksi)

Design Example, p. 19

Shear Capacity Region BC

fVn 0.9(0.6 Aw Fy )(Cv

1 Cv
1.15 1 (a / h)2

(G3-2)

5
1 0.19
0.9(0.6)(75")( ")(36ksi)(0.19
)
16
1.15 1 1.252
86 200 286 kips

>>Vu = 60 kips OK

By inspection, adequate for Vu

including self-weight

24 ft (12in / ft )
3.2 panels
90in / panel

24 ft (12in / ft )
a 72"
a
72in;
1.0
4spaces
h 72"

Small adjustment needed later since a is clear distance between stiffeners

Design Example, p. 20
150 k

150 k

5 k/ft

24'
330 k

Shear
(kip)

24'

Lateral
Support

Design End Panels first

NO TFA Permitted

210
60
60
210

Moment
(ft-kip)

24'

Shear Capacity
Regions AB and CD

330

361lb / ft
(72 ft )
1000lbs / kip
6480 kips 1.2 6480
Vu 330
346 kips
6840
2
346kips
Required
14.8 ksi
Stress
(75")(5 /16")

Design Example, p. 21

Shear Capacity, End

Panels

Use Table 3-16a (No

TFA) for estimate

Will need a/h < 0.5

fVn Vu 346kips
Requires:
Cv >0.791
kv > 34.4
a/h < 0.41
a < 29.5

Design Example, p. 22

Shear Capacity, End Panel

Try a = 27; a/h = 0.375

5
5
kv 5
5
40.6
2
2
( a / h)
(0.375)
1.37

kv E
40.6(29000ksi)
h
1.37
247 230
Fy
36ksi
tw

1.10

kv E
40.6(29000ksi)
h
1.10
199 230
Fy
36ksi
tw

1.10 kvE Fy 1.10 (40.6)(29000ksi) (36ksi)

Cv

0.86
h tw
230
5
Vn 0.9(0.6 Aw Fy Cv ) 0.9(0.6)(75")( ")(36ksi)(0.86) 392 kips
16
OK

Design Example, p. 23
150 k

150 k

5 k/ft

24'
330 k

24'

24'

Lateral
Support

210
60

Shear
(kip)

60
210

~27
Moment
(ft-kip)

330

Shear Capacity
Regions AB and CD
After End Panels
TFA Permitted?
Check AISC G3.1
(a) and (b) satisfied;
(c) and (d) ??

2 Aw
2(72" )(5 16" )

0.54 < 2.5

( Afc Aft ) 2(28" )(1.5" )
6480

TFA OK!

6480
6840

h
h 72"

2.6
bfc bft 28"

< 6.0

TFA OK!

Design Example, p. 24
150 k

150 k

5 k/ft

24'
330 k

24'

24'

Lateral
Support

210
60

Shear
(kip)

60
210

~27

330

Moment
(ft-kip)

Vu 334kips

Including self-weight

6480

Required
Stress

6480
6840

334kips
14.2 ksi
(75")(5 /16")

Shear Capacity
Regions AB and CD
After End Panels
TFA Permitted

Design
Example, p. 25

Shear Capacity, after

End Panels

Use Table 3-16b (with

TFA) for estimate

Based on required
stress, try a/h = 0.80?

Design Example, p. 26

Shear Capacity, after End Panel, with TFA

Try a = 56; a/h = 0.78

1.37

5
5
kv 5
5
13.2
2
2
(a / h)
(0.78)

kv E
13.2(29000ksi)
h
1.37
141 230
Fy
36ksi
tw

1.51kv E 1.51(13.2)( 29000ksi)

Cv

0.304
2
h 2
(230 )(36ksi)
( ) Fy
tw
1 Cv
Vn 0.9(0.6 Aw Fy )(Cv
)
2
1.15 1 (a / h)

5
1 0.304
0.9(0.6)(75)( )(36)(0.304
) 356kips >334 kips
2
16
1.15 1 0.78

OK

Design Example, p. 27
150 k

150 k

5 k/ft

24'
330 k

24'

After first 2 panels;

TFA permitted

Lateral
Support

210
60

Shear
(kip)

27

24'

Shear Capacity
Regions AB and CD

60
210

56

330

Moment
(ft-kip)

Vu 309kips

Including self-weight

6480

Required
Stress

6480
6840

309kips
13.2 ksi
(75")(5 /16")

Based on Table 3-16b,

repeat a/h= 0.78

Design Example, p. 28
27

Repeat process for next panel(s); determine stiffener

layout (another layout might be more efficient)
CL
sym.

56 56 73

76

4 @ 72

Note: a dimension used for stiffener spacing; therefore,

actual a (clear distance) will be smaller
(May also modify to get multiples of 3 for spacing)

Design Example, p.29

Size flange-to-web
weld

h tf
Q Af ( )
2 2
72" 1.5"
28" (1.5" )(

) 1544 in 3
2
2

Vu Q
shearflow
Ix

346kips(1544in 3)

4.34kips / in
4
123,183in

Design Example, p. 30

Flange-to-web welds,
contd

AISC Table J2.4 minimum

size

3/16 fillet for 5/16 plate

(thinner part joined)

Assume Submerged Arc

Weld (SAW)

Try w=1/4
Use matching weld
electrode, 70ksi

Design Example, p. 31

Flange-to-web weld, contd.

Weld Metal (AISC J2)

2
fRn f (0.6FEXX ) Aw 0.75(2)(0.6)(70ksi)
(0.25" ) 11.1kips / in
2
Base Metal Shear Yield (AISC J4.2)

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

Base Metal Shear Rupture (AISC J4.2)

CONTROLS

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

>4.34 kips/in
OK

Design Example, p. 32

Intermediate Transverse Stiffeners

Assume single-plate A36 stiffeners

Design stiffener between end panel and first panel with

TFA

End panel a/h = 0.375; adjacent panel (TFA) a/h = 0.78

Design Example, p.33

28

28" 5 16"
bst
13.8"
2

1.5

Try bst = 8

E
29000
b t st 0.56
0.56
15.9
Fyst
36
15.9
tst
tst 0.503"

8"

Try tst = 9/16

(G3-3)

bst
72
5/16

Design Example, p. 34

Intermediate Transverse Stiffeners, contd. (adequate

stiffness for web buckling; AISC G2.2)
End panel a/h = 0.375; adjacent panel (TFA) a/h = 0.78

2.5
j
2 0.5
2
( a / h)

I st btw j
3

2.5

2 15.7
2
0.375

5 3
(27" )( " ) (15.7) 12.9in 4
16

for adjacent panel a/h = 0.78, Ist = 3.61 in4

Check 8 x 9/16

0.5625" (8" )3
Ist
96in 4
3

OK

Design Example, p. 35

Intermediate Transverse Stiffeners, contd.

Adequate stiffness for TFA

Vu Vc1 (G3-4)
Ist Ist1 ( Ist 2 Ist1)

V
c
2

V
c
1

h 4 st1.3 Fyw 1.5 7241.01.3 36 1.5

4
Ist 2

29.4in

40 E
40 29000
(G3-5)

346 138
Ist 12.9 (29.4 12.9)

356

138

Check other stiffeners

OK
96.0in 4 28.6in 4

Design Example, p. 36

Size welds for stiffeners

f nv 0.045h

36ksi3
0.045(72" )
4.1kips / in
E
29000ksi

Fyw

Try minimum weld size for 5/16 plate

(thinner plate) AISC Table J2.4

w=3/16
Assume SMAW
Use matching electrode, 70 ksi

Design Example, p. 37

Stiffener welds, contd.

Weld Metal (AISC J2)

fRn f (0.6FEXX ) Aw 0.75(2)(0.6)(70ksi)(0.707)(0.1875" ) 8.35kips / in

Base Metal Shear Yield (AISC J4.2)

CONTROLS

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

Base Metal Shear Rupture (AISC J4.2)

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

or

fRn f (0.6Fu ) Anv 0.75(0.6)(58)(2)(0.1875" ) 9.79kips / in

>4.1 kips/in
OK

Design Example, p. 38

Stiffener welds, contd.

3/16

Use nominal weld size (Table

J2.4) to connect to compression
flange (to prevent uplift of
flange single stiffener)

3/16

5
4tw 4( " ) 1.25"
16
USE 1.5
5
6tw 6( " ) 1.88"
16

Design Example, p. 39

Bearing Stiffeners

Check LWY, LWC, etc.

(given bearing length of
support)
Design bearing stiffener
as needed

Typically make full

depth; check
capacity of
intermediate
transverse
stiffeners for
BEARING

Design Example, p. 40

Bearing Stiffeners

Will design / check for

homework
Use pairs of stiffeners (as
shown to left)
Use full depth