COMPUTERS AND STRUCTURES, INC.

, AUGUST 2013

TECHNICAL NOTE
FRAME STRESS CALCULATION

Introduction
This document introduces the stress point locations of frame sections, and how the software calculates axial stress,
shear-stress, principal stress, and Von Mises stress at each stress point. The frame sections addressed in this
document include I section, Built-Up I section, Hybrid I section, T section, Channel section, Pipe section, Box
section, Circular section and Rectangular section. For the section designer section, the users are allowed to define
their own stress points simply following the procedure as shown in the figure below. For the frame sections that are
not addressed here, only the axial stress will be available at the centroid location and the four corners of the
bounding box of the section.

Figure 1 User Defined Stress Point in Section Designer

Frame Stress Calculation Page 1 of 15

Technical Note Frame Stress Calculation

Stress Formulas
Axial Stress S11
The axial stress S11 is parallel to the section local axis 1 on the plane 1 (the plane with normal direction
parallel to the section local axis 1):

2 (33 3 23 2 ) 3 (22 2 23 3 )
11 =
(22 33 23 23 ) (22 33 23 23 )

In which 2 and 3 are the point coordinate in section local coordinate system
(2 , 3 ) = (2 , 3 ) and the r is the material E ratio

Shear Stresses S12 and S13:

The shear stress S12 is parallel to the section local axis 2 on the plane 1 and S13 is parallel to the section
local axis 3 on the plane 1. The shear stress is contributed from shear forces 2 , 3 and torsion .

Shear stress due to shear force: = = f1jV

Saint Venant Torsional stress: = = f1jT

For a point i on the section, the shear stresses S12 and S13 can be represented as:

2 3
12 = f12T() + f12V2() + f12V3()
33 22

2 3
13 = f13T() + f13V2() + f13V3()
33 22

In which f1jV2() and f1jV3() will be introduced later.

Important Note: These shear stresses are calculated for the Built-Up I and Hybrid I sections assuming that
the E ratio r = 1. Although the axial stress S11 accounts for different values of E, the shear stresses do not.

Principal Stresses Smax and Smin:

The principal stresses are calculated from Mohrs circle as:

11
= +
2
11
=
2

In which

11 2
= ( ) + 12 2 + 13 2
2

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Technical Note Frame Stress Calculation

von Mises stress SVM

The general von Mises stress equation can be expressed as:

1
= 2[(11 22 )2 +(22 33 )2 +(33 11 )2+6 (12
2 + 2 + 2 )]
23 31

Considering only stresses S11, S12 and S13, the above equation can be simplified as:

= 11
2 +3 ( 2 + 2 )
12 13

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Technical Note Frame Stress Calculation

Stress Point Locations and Factors for Frame Sections

I Section / Hybrid I Section
x2
8 7 tf 6

t2
h1
tw
t3
x3 2 3
0 12 = f12T() + f12V2() + f12V3()
33 22
h2
4 tfb 2 3
13 = f13T() + f13V2() + f13V3()
33 22
3 2 1

t2b

Figure 2 - I Section/Hybrid I Section Points, i

Point i Stress (j) f1jV2(i) f1jV3(i) f1jT(i)

1 1
S12 (1) [2 (1 + ) + 1 ] 0
2 2 1
0
S13 (2) 0 0 0
S12 (1) 0 0 0
1
S13 (2) 0 0
S12 (1) 0 0 0
2 1
S13 (2) 2 (2 + 2) ( 2 ) 2 2 8
S12 (1) 0 0 0
3
S13 (2) 0 0
1
S12 (1) 2 (2 + 2) 0
4
S13 (2) 0 0 0
1
S12 (1) 2 (1 + ) 0
2
5
S13 (2) 0 0 0
S12 (1) 0 0 0
6
S13 (2) 0 0
S12 (1) 0 0 0
7 1
S13 (2) 2 (1 + 2
) ( 2 ) 2 2 8

S12 (1) 0 0 0
8
S13 (2) 0 0

Table 1 I Section, Hybrid I Section, Built-up I Section Stress Variables, by Point i

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Technical Note Frame Stress Calculation

Built-up I Section Cover plates

x2
tfcp
14 (11) 13 (10) 12 (9)

t2cp
h1

x3 2 3
12 = f12T() + f12V2() + f12V3()
tfbcp h2 33 22

2 3
13 = f13T() + f13V2() + f13V3()
33 22
11 10 9

t2bcp

Figure 3 - Built-up I Section with Cover Plates, Points, i

Point i Stress (j) f1jV2(i) f1jV3(i) f1jT(i)

S12 (1) 0 0 0
9
S13 (2) 0 0 -
S12 (1) 0 0 0
10 1
S13 (2) 2 (2 + + 2 ) ( 2 ) 2 2 /8 -
S12 (1) 0 0 0
11
S13 (2) 0 0 -
S12 (1) 0 0 0
12 (9)*
S13 (2) 0 0

S12 (1) 0 0 0
13 (10)* 1
S13 (2) 2 (1 + + 2 ) ( 2 ) 2 2 /8

S12 (1) 0 0 0
14 (11)*
S13 (2) 0 0
* Note: In the case of no bottom cover plate, points 12-14 become points 9-11.

Table 1 (continued) Built-up I Section (only) Stress Variables, by Point i

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Technical Note Frame Stress Calculation

T Section

x2
tf 4
5 3

2
h1

x3 0
t3 2 3
12 = f12T() + f12V2() + f12V3()
tw h2
33 22
t3
2 3
13 = f13T() + f13V2() + f13V3()
33 22
1

t2

Figure 4 - T Section Points, i

Point i Stress (j) f1jV2(i) f1jV3(i) f1jT(i)

1 1
S12 (1) [2 (1 + ) + 1 ] 0
2 2 1
0
S13 (2) 0 0 0
S12 (1) 0 0
1
S13 (2) 0 0 0
1
S12 (1) 2 (1 + ) 0
2
2
S13 (2) 0 0 0
S12 (1) 0 0 0
3
S13 (2) 0 0
S12 (1) 0 0 0
4 1
S13 (2) 2 (1 + 2) ( 2 ) 2 2 8

S12 (1) 0 0 0
5
S13 (2) 0 0

Table 2 T Section Stress Variables, by Point i

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Technical Note Frame Stress Calculation

Channel Section - 1

11 10 9
8
7

6
t3
x3 w1 w2
2 3
12 = f12T() + f12V2() + f12V3()
tw 33 22
tf
2 3
5 13 = f13T() + f13V2() + f13V3()
4 33 22
3 2 1

t2 Figure 5 - Channel Section 1, Points, i

Point i Stress (j) f1jV2(i) f1jV3(i) f1jT(i)

S12 (1) 0 0 0
1
S13 (2) 0 0
S12 (1) 0 0 0
2 S13 (2) 3 1
2 ( 2 ) 2 2
2
1 1 1
S12 (1) [f12V2(4) + f12V2(5)] [f12V3(4) + f12V3(5)] [f12T(4) + f12T(5)]
2 2 2
3 1
[f13V2(4) 1
[f13V3(4) 1
[f13T(4) +
S13 (2) 2
+ f13V2(5)] 2
+ f13V3(5)] 2
f13T(5)]
S12 (1) 0 0 0
4
S13 (2) (2 ) (3) 1
3 (1 + 2) (2 )
2
3
S12 (1) 2 ( ) (3 2 ) (1 + 1) (2 )
2 2
5
S13 (2) 0 0 0
2
S12 (1) [2
3
( 2 ) +
32
( 2 ) ] 0
6
S13 (2) 0 0 0
3 1
S12 (1) 2 ( 2 ) (3 2 ) (1 + )(2 )
2
7
S13 (2) 0 0 0
S12 (1) 0 0 0
8
S13 (2) (2 ) (3) 1
3 (1 + 2) (2 )
2

S12 (1) 0 0 0
9
S13 (2) 0 0
S12 (1) 0 0 0
10 3 1
S13 (2) 2 ( 2 ) 2 2
2
1 1 1
S12 (1) [f12V2(7) + f12V2(8)] [f12V3(7,1) + f12V3(8)] [f12T(7) + f12T(7)]
2 2 2
11 1
[f13V2(7) 1
[f13V3(7) 1
[f13T(8) +
S13 (2) 2
+ f13V2(8)] 2
+ f13V3(8)] 2
f13T(8)]

Table 3 Channel Section - 1 Stress Variables, by Point i

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Technical Note Frame Stress Calculation

Channel Section - 2

11 10 9
8
7

x3 6
t3
w2 w1
2 3
12 = f12T() + f12V2() + f12V3()
tw 33 22
tf
2 3
5 13 = f13T() + f13V2() + f13V3()
4 33 22
3 2 1

t2 Figure 6 - Channel Section 2, Points, i

Point i Stress (j) f1jV2(i) f1jV3(i) f1jT(i)

1
S12 (1) 1 1 [f12T(4)
[f12V2(4) + f12V2(5)] [f12V3(4) + f12V3(5)] 2
2 2
+ f12T(5)]
1 1
[f13T(4)
S13 (2) 1
[f13V2(4) + f13V2(5)]
1
[f13V3(4) + f13V3(5)] 2
2 2
+ f13T(5)]
S12 (1) 0 0 0
2 S13 (2) 3 1
2 ( 2 ) 2 2
2
S12 (1) 0 0 0
3
S13 (2) 0 0
S12 (1) 0 0 0
4
S13 (2) (2 ) (3)
1
3 (1 + 2) (2 )
2
3 1
S12 (1) 2 ( 2 ) (3 2 ) (1 + 2) (2 )
5
S13 (2) 0 0 0
2
S12 (1) [2
3
( 2 ) +
32
( 2 ) ] 0
6
S13 (2) 0 0 0
3 1
S12 (1) 2 ( ) (3 2 ) (1 + 2) (2 )
2
7
S13 (2) 0 0 0
S12 (1) 0 0 0
8
S13 (2) (2 ) (3) 1
3 (1 + 2) (2 )
2
1
1 1 [f12T(7)
S12 (1) [f12V2(7) + f12V2(8)] [f12V3(7) + f12V3(8)] 2
2 2
+ f12T(7)]
9 1
[f13T(8)
1 1
S13 (2) [f13V2(7) + f13V2(8)] [f13V3(7) + f13V3(8)] 2
2 2
+ f13T(8)]
S12 (1) 0 0 0
10 3 1
S13 (2) 2 ( 2 ) 2 2
2
S12 (1) 0 0 0
11
S13 (2) 0 0

Table 4 Channel Section - 2 Stress Variables, by Point i

Page 8 of 15
Technical Note Frame Stress Calculation

Pipe Section
x2

7 6
tw

x3
4 2 3
5 12 = f12T() + f12V2() + f12V3()
r 33 22
R
2 3
2 13 = f13T() + f13V2() + f13V3()
3 33 22

1
Figure 7 - Pipe Section Points, i

Point i Stress (j) f1jV2(i) f1jV3(i) f1jT(i)

S12 (1) 0 0 0
1 2 2
S13 (2) 0 ( + + )3
S12 (1) (2 + 2 )6
2 2 2 0 /2
2*
S13 (2) 0 (2 2 2 + 2 2 )6 /2
S12 (1) (2 2 2 + 2 2 )6 0 /2
3*
S13 (2) 0 (2 + 2 )6
2 2 2 /2
( 2 + + 2 )3
S12 (1) 0
4
S13 (2) 0 0 0
2 2
( + + )3
S12 (1) 0
5
S13 (2) 0 0 0
S12 (1) (2 2 2 + 2 )6 2 0 /2
6*
S13 (2) 0 (2 + 2 )6
2 2 2 /2
S12 (1) (2 + 2 )6
2 2 2 0 /2
7*
S13 (2) 0 (2 2 2 + 2 2 )6 /2
S12 (1) 0 0 0
8
S13 (2) 0 (2 + + 2 )3
* The formulae are appropriate for the case of > /2. For the case of /2., the formula
26 should be used.

Table 5 Pipe Section Stress Variables, by Point i

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Technical Note Frame Stress Calculation

Circular Section

x2

7 6

x3 0 2 3
5 4 12 = f12T() + f12V2() + f12V3()
33 22
R
2 3
2 13 = f13T() + f13V2() + f13V3()
3 33 22

Figure 8 - Circular Section Points, i

Point i Stress (j) f1jV2(i) f1jV3(i) f1jT(i)

S12 (1) 2 3 0 0
0
S13 (2) 0 2 3 0
S12 (1) 0 0 0
1
S13 (2) 0 2 3
2
S12 (1) 6 0 /2
2
S13 (2) 0 2 6 /2
S12 (1) 2 6 0 /2
3
S13 (2) 0 2 6 /2
S12 (1) 2 3 0
4
S13 (2) 0 0 0
S12 (1) 2 3 0
5
S13 (2) 0 0 0
S12 (1) 2 6 0 /2
6
S13 (2) 0 2 6 /2
S12 (1) 2 6 0 /2
7
S13 (2) 0 2 6 /2
S12 (1) 0 0 0
8
S13 (2) 0 2 3

Table 6 Circular Section Stress Variables, by Point i

Page 10 of 15
Technical Note Frame Stress Calculation

Rectangular Section

For Saint Venant Torsional stress:

x2
2 + 1 2 + 1
8 (1) sin ( ) cosh ( )
8 7 6
12 = 2 { 2 2 2 }
2 + 1
0 (2 2
+ 1) cosh ( )
2

= 12 (, ) = 12 (, )

x3 2b= t3 2 + 1 2 + 1
0 4
8 (1) cos ( ) sinh ( )
5
13 = 2 { 2 2 }
2 2 + 1
0 (2 + 1) cosh (
2 )
2

= 13 (, ) = 13 (, )

3 2 1

2a = t2 2 3
12 = f12T() + f12V2() + f12V3()
33 22

2 3
13 = f13T() + f13V2() + f13V3()
33 22

Figure 9 - Rectangular Section Points, i

Point i Stress (j) f1jV2(i) f1jV3(i) f1jT(i)

S12 (1) 3 38 0 0
0
S13 (2) 0 2 28 0
S12 (1) 0 0 0
1
S13 (2) 0 0 0
S12 (1) 0 0 0
2
S13 (2) 0 2 28 |13 (0, )|
S12 (1) 0 0 0
3
S13 (2) 0 0 0
S12 (1) 3 38 0 |12 (, 0)|
4
S13 (2) 0 0 0
S12 (1) 3 38 0 |12 (, 0)|
5
S13 (2) 0 0 0
S12 (1) 0 0 0
6
S13 (2) 0 0 0
S12 (1) 0 0 0
7
S13 (2) 0 2 28 |13 (0, )|
S12 (1) 0 0 0
8
S13 (2) 0 0 0

Table 7 Rectangular Section Stress Variables, by Point i

Page 11 of 15
Technical Note Frame Stress Calculation

Values of |12 (, 0)/2|, in which >

/ 12 (, 0)/2 / 12 (, 0)/2 / 12 (, 0)/2

1 0.675314 4 0.996973 7 0.999973
1.1 0.719777 4.1 0.997413 7.1 0.999977
1.2 0.758764 4.2 0.997789 7.2 0.999980
1.3 0.792722 4.3 0.998110 7.3 0.999983
1.4 0.822151 4.4 0.998385 7.4 0.999985
1.5 0.847562 4.5 0.998620 7.5 0.999988
1.6 0.869444 4.6 0.998820 7.6 0.999989
1.7 0.888248 4.7 0.998992 7.7 0.999991
1.8 0.904383 4.8 0.999138 7.8 0.999992
1.9 0.918214 4.9 0.999264 7.9 0.999993
2 0.930060 5 0.999371 8 0.999994
2.1 0.940200 5.1 0.999462 8.1 0.999995
2.2 0.948876 5.2 0.999540 8.2 0.999996
2.3 0.956297 5.3 0.999607 8.3 0.999996
2.4 0.962644 5.4 0.999664 8.4 0.999997
2.5 0.968070 5.5 0.999713 8.5 0.999997
2.6 0.972709 5.6 0.999755 8.6 0.999998
2.7 0.976674 5.7 0.999790 8.7 0.999998
2.8 0.980064 5.8 0.999821 8.8 0.999998
2.9 0.982961 5.9 0.999847 8.9 0.999999
3 0.985438 6 0.999869 9 0.999999
3.1 0.987554 6.1 0.999888 9.1 0.999999
3.2 0.989363 6.2 0.999904 9.2 0.999999
3.3 0.990910 6.3 0.999918 9.3 0.999999
3.4 0.992231 6.4 0.999930 9.4 0.999999
3.5 0.993360 6.5 0.999940 9.5 0.999999
3.6 0.994325 6.6 0.999949 9.6 1.000000
3.7 0.995150 6.7 0.999956 9.7 1.000000
3.8 0.995855 6.8 0.999963 9.8 1.000000
3.9 0.996458 6.9 0.999968 9.9 1.000000
4 0.996973 7 0.999973 10 1.000000

Table 8 Rectangular Section F12 Values

Page 12 of 15
Technical Note Frame Stress Calculation

Values of |13 (0, )/2|, in which >

/ 13 (0, )/2 / 13 (0, )/2 / 13 (0, )/2

1 0.675318 4 0.742452 7 0.742458
1.1 0.692860 4.1 0.742454 7.1 0.742458
1.2 0.705928 4.2 0.742455 7.2 0.742458
1.3 0.715613 4.3 0.742455 7.3 0.742458
1.4 0.722762 4.4 0.742456 7.4 0.742458
1.5 0.728024 4.5 0.742456 7.5 0.742458
1.6 0.731890 4.6 0.742457 7.6 0.742458
1.7 0.734725 4.7 0.742457 7.7 0.742458
1.8 0.736803 4.8 0.742457 7.8 0.742458
1.9 0.738323 4.9 0.742457 7.9 0.742458
2 0.739436 5 0.742457 8 0.742458
2.1 0.740249 5.1 0.742457 8.1 0.742458
2.2 0.740844 5.2 0.742458 8.2 0.742458
2.3 0.741279 5.3 0.742458 8.3 0.742458
2.4 0.741596 5.4 0.742458 8.4 0.742458
2.5 0.741829 5.5 0.742458 8.5 0.742458
2.6 0.741998 5.6 0.742458 8.6 0.742458
2.7 0.742122 5.7 0.742458 8.7 0.742458
2.8 0.742212 5.8 0.742458 8.8 0.742458
2.9 0.742279 5.9 0.742458 8.9 0.742458
3 0.742327 6 0.742458 9 0.742458
3.1 0.742362 6.1 0.742458 9.1 0.742458
3.2 0.742388 6.2 0.742458 9.2 0.742458
3.3 0.742407 6.3 0.742458 9.3 0.742458
3.4 0.742420 6.4 0.742458 9.4 0.742458
3.5 0.742430 6.5 0.742458 9.5 0.742458
3.6 0.742438 6.6 0.742458 9.6 0.742458
3.7 0.742443 6.7 0.742458 9.7 0.742458
3.8 0.742447 6.8 0.742458 9.8 0.742458
3.9 0.742450 6.9 0.742458 9.9 0.742458
4 0.742452 7 0.742458 10 0.742458

Table 9 Rectangular Section F13 Values

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Technical Note Frame Stress Calculation

Box Section

x2
16 15 14 For Saint Venant Torsional stress:
13 12
= 2 = fT , fT = 2
11 10

tw Where = (2 ) (3 )

9
8
t3
x3 2 3
12 = f12T() + f12V2() + f12V3()
33 22
tf 6 2 3
7
13 = f13T() + f13V2() + f13V3()
33 22
5 4
3 2 1

t2

Figure 10 - Box Section Points, i

Point Stress f1jV2(i) f1jV3(i) f1jT(i)

i (j)
1
S12 (1) 1 1 [f12T(4)
[f12V2(4) + f12V2(6)] [f12V3(4) + f12V3(6)] 2
2 2
+ f12T(6)]
1 1
[f13T(4)
S13 (2) 1
[f13V2(4) + f13V2(6)]
1
[f13V3(4) + f13V3(6)] 2
2 2
+ f13T(6)]
S12 (1) 0 0 0
2 S13 (2) 2 22
2
0 [3 ( 2 ) + ( 2 ) ] (2 ) (2 )
1
S12 (1) 1 1 [f12T(5)
[f12V2(5) + f12V2(7)] [f12V3(5) + f12V3(7)] 2
2 2
+ f12T(7)]
3 1
[f13T(5)
S13 (2) 1
[f13V2(5) + f13V2(7)]
1
[f13V3(5) + f13V3(7)] 2
2 2
+ f13T(7)]
S12 (1) 0 0 0
4 3 2
S13 (2) (2 2 ) ( 2
) (2 ) 3 ( 2
) (2 ) (2 )

S12 (1) 0 0 0
5 3 2
S13 (2) (2 2 ) ( 2 ) (2 ) 3 ( 2 ) (2 ) (2 )
3 3
S12 (1) 2 ( 2 ) (2 ) (3 2 ) ( 2 ) (2 ) (2 )
6
S13 (2) 0 0 0
3 2
S12 (1) 2 ( 2 ) (2 ) (3 2 ) ( 2 ) (2 ) (2 )
7
S13 (2) 0 0 0
2
S12 (1) [2
3
( 2 ) +
32
( 2 ) ] (2 ) 0 (2 )
8
S13 (2) 0 0 0

Page 14 of 15
Technical Note Frame Stress Calculation

2
3 32
S12 (1) [2 ( 2
) + ( 2
) ] (2 ) 0 (2 )
9
S13 (2) 0 0 0
3
S12 (1) 2 ( 2 ) (2 ) (3 2 ) (2) (2 ) (2 )
2
10
S13 (2) 0 0 0
3 2
S12 (1) 2 ( 2 ) (2 ) (3 2 ) ( 2 ) (2 ) (2 )
11
S13 (2) 0 0 0
S12 (1) 0 0 0
12 3 2
S13 (2) (2 2 ) ( 2 ) (2 ) 3 ( 2 ) (2 ) (2 )

S12 (1) 0 0 0
13 3 2
S13 (2) (2 2 ) ( 2
) (2 ) 3 ( 2
) (2 ) (2 )
1
1 1 [f12T(10)
S12 (1) [f12V2(10) + f12V2(12)] [f12V3(10) + f12V3(12)] 2
2 2
+ f12T(12)]
14 1
[f13T(10)
1 1
S13 (2) [f13V2(10) + f13V2(12)] [f13V3(10) + f13V3(12)] 2
2 2
+ f13T(12)]
S12 (1) 0 0 0
15 2 22
2
S13 (2) 0 [3 ( 2 ) + ( 2 ) ] (2 ) (2 )
1
1 1 [f12T(11)
S12 (1) [f12V2(11) + f12V2(13)] [f12V3(11) + f12V3(13)] 2
2 2
+ f12T(13)]
16 1
[f13T(11)
1 1
S13 (2) [f13V2(11) + f13V2(13)] [f13V3(11) + f13V3(13)] 2
2 2
+ f13T(13)]

Table 10 Box Section Stress Variables, by Point i

Page 15 of 15