1 AISC_PART 16_A_Spec. A-D (1-32)_15th_Ed.

_2016 2016-11-30 1:33 PM Page 26 (Black plate)

16.1-26 CALCULATION OF REQUIRED STRENGTHS [Sect. C2.

User Note: For most building structures, the requirement regarding notional
load direction may be satisfied as follows: for load combinations that do not
include lateral loading, consider two alternative orthogonal directions of
notional load application, in a positive and a negative sense in each of the two
directions, in the same direction at all levels; for load combinations that
include lateral loading, apply all notional loads in the direction of the result-
ant of all lateral loads in the combination.

(c) The notional load coefficient of 0.002 in Equation C2-1 is based on a nominal
initial story out-of-plumbness ratio of 1/500; where the use of a different maxi-
mum out-of-plumbness is justified, it is permissible to adjust the notional load
coefficient proportionally.

User Note: An out-of-plumbness of 1/500 represents the maximum tolerance

on column plumbness specified in the Code of Standard Practice. In some
cases, other specified tolerances, such as those on plan location of columns,
will govern and will require a tighter plumbness tolerance.

(d) For structures in which the ratio of maximum second-order drift to maximum
first-order drift (both determined for LRFD load combinations or 1.6 times ASD
load combinations, with stiffnesses adjusted as specified in Section C2.3) in all
stories is equal to or less than 1.7, it is permissible to apply the notional load, Ni,
only in gravity-only load combinations and not in combinations that include
other lateral loads.

3. Adjustments to Stiffness
The analysis of the structure to determine the required strengths of components shall
use reduced stiffnesses, as follows:
(a) A factor of 0.80 shall be applied to all stiffnesses that are considered to contribute
to the stability of the structure. It is permissible to apply this reduction factor to
all stiffnesses in the structure.

User Note: Applying the stiffness reduction to some members and not others
can, in some cases, result in artificial distortion of the structure under load and
possible unintended redistribution of forces. This can be avoided by applying
the reduction to all members, including those that do not contribute to the
stability of the structure.

(b) An additional factor, τb, shall be applied to the flexural stiffnesses of all mem-
bers whose flexural stiffnesses are considered to contribute to the stability of the
structure. For noncomposite members, τb shall be defined as follows (see Section
I1.5 for the definition of τb for composite members).

Specification for Structural Steel Buildings, July 7, 2016

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION
1 AISC_PART 16_A_Spec. A-D (1-32)_15th_Ed._2016 2016-11-14 4:04 PM Page 27 (Black plate)

Sect. C3.] CALCULATION OF AVAILABLE STRENGTHS 16.1-27

(1) When αPr /Pns ≤ 0.5

τb = 1.0 (C2-2a)

(2) When αPr /Pns > 0.5

τb = 4(αPr /Pns)[1− (αPr /Pns)] (C2-2b)
where
α = 1.0 (LRFD); α = 1.6 (ASD)
Pr = required axial compressive strength using LRFD or ASD load combina-
tions, kips (N)
Pns = cross-section compressive strength; for nonslender-element sections, Pns
= Fy Ag, and for slender-element sections, Pns = Fy Ae, where Ae is as
defined in Section E7, kips (N)

User Note: Taken together, Sections (a) and (b) require the use of 0.8τb times
the nominal elastic flexural stiffness and 0.8 times other nominal elastic stiff-
nesses for structural steel members in the analysis.

(c) In structures to which Section C2.2b is applicable, in lieu of using τb < 1.0 where
αPr /Pns > 0.5, it is permissible to use τb = 1.0 for all noncomposite members if a
notional load of 0.001αYi [where Yi is as defined in Section C2.2b(a)] is applied
at all levels, in the direction specified in Section C2.2b(b), in all load combina-
tions. These notional loads shall be added to those, if any, used to account for the
effects of initial imperfections in the position of points of intersection of mem-
bers and shall not be subject to the provisions of Section C2.2b(d).
(d) Where components comprised of materials other than structural steel are consid-
ered to contribute to the stability of the structure and the governing codes and
specifications for the other materials require greater reductions in stiffness, such
greater stiffness reductions shall be applied to those components.

C3. CALCULATION OF AVAILABLE STRENGTHS

For the direct analysis method of design, the available strengths of members and con-
nections shall be calculated in accordance with the provisions of Chapters D through
K, as applicable, with no further consideration of overall structure stability. The
effective length for flexural buckling of all members shall be taken as the unbraced
length unless a smaller value is justified by rational analysis.

Bracing intended to define the unbraced lengths of members shall have sufficient
stiffness and strength to control member movement at the braced points.

User Note: Methods of satisfying this bracing requirement are provided in

Appendix 6. The requirements of Appendix 6 are not applicable to bracing that is
included in the design of the lateral force-resisting system of the overall structure.

Specification for Structural Steel Buildings, July 7, 2016

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION