Designing a Cold-Formed Steel

Beam Using AISI S100-16

Understanding the design process using the
Direct Strength Method

Brooks H. Smith, CPEng, PE, MIEAust, NER, RPEQ

brooks.smith@clearcalcs.com
Outline
• Introduction
• How CFS is Unique
• Designing a CFS Beam
• Flexural Capacity
• Shear Capacity
• Bearing Capacity
• Load Interactions
• Deflection
• Example Beam Calculations
• Conclusion & Questions

14 February 2019 ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 2

Introduction – About the Presenter

Brooks H. Smith
• Licensed Professional Engineer (TX)
• MSCE, CPEng
• Currently the lead engineering developer for ClearCalcs
• Launching in the US, recently released CFS beam and column/stud calculators
• 8 years of previous experience in:
• Structural engineering R&D consulting, specialising in cold-formed steel
• Research fellowship in system behaviour of thin-walled steel
• Forensic structural engineering, specialising in reinforced and PT concrete

14 February 2019 ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 3

About ClearCalcs.com
ClearCalcs helps engineers design More Accurate
without compromise by bringing Design more accurately with
together powerful FEA analysis with unrestricted and accessible
easy to use design tools for concrete, FEA analysis
steel, and timber.
Eliminates Wasted Time
Explore our range at clearcalcs.com Eliminate time wasted using
clunky methods or waiting for
software licenses to free up

Available Everywhere
Empower engineers to work
effectively from office, home,
or site
Intro Video Hyperlink

ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 4

Introduction – Today’s Goals
• To be able to design a cold-formed steel beam to AISI S100-16
• Cee or Zee sections bent about strong axis
• Negligible holes in the cross-section
• Direct Strength Method, assuming prequalified
• Detailing will only be broadly addressed
• We’ll distribute this slide deck and video after the webinar
• Please ask quick questions as I go – best to answer while on the topic
• Please ask using the “Q&A” feature, NOT the chat/messaging feature
• I’ll save involved questions until the end
• Note: Everything today is based on the codes
• We are not on the AISI committee, are not communicating any special
knowledge

14 February 2019 ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 5

Outline
• Introduction
• How CFS is Unique
• Designing a CFS Beam
• Flexural Capacity
• Shear Capacity
• Bearing Capacity
• Load Interactions
• Deflection
• Example Beam Calculations
• Conclusion & Questions

14 February 2019 ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 6

How CFS is Unique
• Buckling is a major issue
• Most sections will buckle before yielding
• Bearing / web crippling can easily control
• Buckling of the web for either bottom supports or top point loads
• Design may require finite element/strip analysis
• But this only needs to be done once, and can be avoided
• Highly-customizable shapes
• So design methodology can be used
for any cross-section

14 February 2019 ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 7

Buckling in Cold-Formed Steel
• Hot-rolled steel classifies sections as compact, noncompact, or
slender – and requires extra equations for “slender”
• In cold-formed steel, “slender” checks always need to be done
• Local, distortional, or global buckling modes
• Global encompasses both lateral and lateral-torsional buckling
• Stiffeners function to mitigate buckling

ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 8

Bearing / Web Crippling
• If the web isn’t directly restrained either at supports or under
point loads, web crippling must be checked
• In hot-rolled steel, checks are simple and rarely control
• But in CFS, they may commonly control and are highly-dependent upon
the precise cross-section and arrangement of forces

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tws.2012.01.003

ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 9

Finite Element / Strip Analysis
• The Direct Strength Method, which is the preferred method in
AISI S100-16, requires a rational analysis that usually takes the
form of the Finite Strip Method
• Generally only needs to be done once for a section, and
alternate methods do exist

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tws.2013.09.004

https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tws.2014.01.005

ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 10

Highly-Customizable Shapes
• Standard sections available, but custom sections also economical
• SFIA (Steel Framing Industry Alliance); SSMA (Steel Stud Manufact’rs
Assoc.)

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Zg-prof.jpg

ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 11

Outline
• Introduction
• How CFS is Unique
• Designing a CFS Beam
• Flexural Capacity
• Shear Capacity
• Bearing Capacity
• Load Interactions
• Deflection
• Example Beam Calculations
• Conclusion & Questions

14 February 2019 ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 12

Designing a Cold-Formed Steel Beam
• Calculate your demands by ASCE 7 or the IBC
• Limit states which must be checked:
• Positive moment flexural capacity (midspans)
• Negative moment flexural capacity (supports)
• Shear capacity
• Web crippling capacity
• Load interaction limits
• Deflection

14 February 2019 ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 13

Geometric Derivatives
• First, make sure you have some of the basic geometric
properties:
• 𝐼𝐼𝑥𝑥 = moment of inertia about the strong axis
• 𝐼𝐼𝑦𝑦 = moment of inertia about the weak axis
• 𝐴𝐴 = gross cross-sectional area
• 𝑥𝑥𝑜𝑜 = distance from centroid to shear center along x-axis
• 𝑟𝑟𝑥𝑥 , 𝑟𝑟𝑦𝑦 = radii of gyration about centroidal principal axes
• 𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜 = polar radius of gyration about the shear center = 𝑟𝑟𝑥𝑥2 + 𝑟𝑟𝑦𝑦2 + 𝑥𝑥𝑜𝑜2

• 𝐽𝐽 = St Venant’s torsion constant

• 𝐶𝐶𝑤𝑤 = Torsional warping constant

14 February 2019 ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 14

Flexural Capacity – Global Buckling (F2.1)
• Yielding and global buckling considered in one equation:

• 𝑆𝑆𝑓𝑓 is relative to extreme compression fiber, 𝑆𝑆𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 is relative to first yield

fiber
• Usually the same. May differ, for example, in C-sections bent about the weak axis
• 𝐹𝐹𝑛𝑛 is where global buckling is considered, depends upon 𝐹𝐹𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 being
calculated
• May alternatively be determined via Finite Strip Analysis or Effective Width
Method

14 February 2019 ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 15

Flexural Capacity – Global Buckling (F2.1.x)
• Main global buckling parameter 𝐹𝐹𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 depends upon section:
• Cee sections:
• Zee sections:

where 𝑀𝑀𝐴𝐴 , 𝑀𝑀𝐵𝐵 , 𝑀𝑀𝐶𝐶 are moments at quarter points

where 𝐿𝐿𝑦𝑦 , 𝐿𝐿𝑡𝑡 are unbraced lengths, and 𝐾𝐾𝑦𝑦 , 𝐾𝐾𝑡𝑡 are usually both = 1
ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 16
Flexural Capacity – Inelastic Reserve (F2.4.2)
• Allows small amounts of localized yielding that doesn’t affect
stability
• Optional provision; certain connections or member types may forbid it
• Only allowed if 𝑀𝑀𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 > 2.78𝑀𝑀𝑦𝑦 , where 𝑀𝑀𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 = 𝑆𝑆𝑓𝑓 𝐹𝐹𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐

• 𝑀𝑀𝑝𝑝 is the member plastic moment, equal to 𝑍𝑍𝑓𝑓 𝐹𝐹𝑦𝑦

• Generally not given in manufacturers’ information, but may be
calculated by setting compression area equal to tension area

ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 17

Flexural Capacity – Finite Strip
• Local and distortional buckling critical buckling capacities (𝑀𝑀𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐
and 𝑀𝑀𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 ) most easily determined via Finite Strip Method:
• CUFSM (free), from Johns Hopkins University, or
• THIN-WALL (paid), from the University of Sydney
• Critical capacities generally do not depend upon length
• As long as the beam is longer than about 24 to 30 inches

ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 18

Flexural Capacity – Finite Strip 2

ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 19

Flexural Capacity – Local Buckling (F3.2)
• Local buckling involves the corners of the cross-section staying
still, while the flat portions bend
• Calculations account for local buckling’s interaction with global buckling
• Usually occurs with a half-wavelength of about 4-10 inches

ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 20

Flexural Capacity – Local Buckling IR (F3.2.3)
• Inelastic reserve capacity also possible in local buckling, provided that
𝜆𝜆𝑙𝑙 ≤ 0.776 and 𝑀𝑀𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 ≥ 𝑀𝑀𝑦𝑦
• That is, provided global buckling occurs post-yield and local doesn’t control
• Calculation depends upon if first yield is in tension or compression:
• First yield in compression (or if theoretically simultaneous with tension):

• First yield in tension:

where 𝐶𝐶𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦 = 3 and 𝑀𝑀𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦 = 𝑆𝑆𝑓𝑓 𝐹𝐹𝑦𝑦 (i.e. yield in compression fiber)

ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 21

Flexural Capacity – Distortional Buckling (F4)
• Distortional buckling involves movement of the corners of the
cross-section, but where not all corners move together
• Does not assume an interaction with global buckling
• Usually occurs with a half-wavelength of about 16-30 inches

ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 22

Flexural Capacity – Dist. Buckling IR (F4.3)
• Distortional buckling may also include inelastic reserve, provided
that 𝜆𝜆𝑑𝑑 ≤ 0.673
• Again, calculation depends upon the nature of first yield:
• First yield in compression:

• First yield in tension:

where 𝐶𝐶𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦 = 3 and 𝑀𝑀𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦 = 𝑆𝑆𝑓𝑓 𝐹𝐹𝑦𝑦 (i.e. yield in compression fiber)

ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 23

Flexural Capacity – Overall (Sec. F)
• Overall flexural capacity is minimum of local, distortional, and
global buckling capacities
• Note: AISI S100-16 lists 𝜙𝜙𝑏𝑏 in every clause, but 𝜙𝜙𝑏𝑏 always equals 0.90
here
𝜙𝜙𝑏𝑏 𝑀𝑀𝑛𝑛 = 0.90 ∗ min(𝑀𝑀𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 , 𝑀𝑀𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 , 𝑀𝑀𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 )

ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 24

Shear Capacity – Shear Buckling (G2.3)
• Based upon 𝐴𝐴𝑤𝑤 = area of flat portion of web (i.e. without corner
radii)
• 𝑉𝑉𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 is comparable to 𝑀𝑀𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 , 𝑀𝑀𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 , 𝑀𝑀𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 , but calculated analytically

(𝜇𝜇 = 𝜐𝜐 = 0.3)

• For unreinforced webs, 𝑘𝑘𝑣𝑣 = 5.34

• For reinforced webs:

https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2012.07.029

ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 25

Shear Capacity – Without Stiffeners (G2.1)
• Based upon shear yield and buckling slenderness:

• Overall result: 𝜙𝜙𝑣𝑣 𝑉𝑉𝑛𝑛 = 0.95 ∗ 𝑉𝑉𝑛𝑛

ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 26

Shear Capacity – With Stiffeners (G2.2)
• Assuming minimum shear web stiffeners, with spacing not
exceeding twice the web depth
• These equations are essentially identical to flexural local buckling!

• Overall result: 𝜙𝜙𝑣𝑣 𝑉𝑉𝑛𝑛 = 0.95 ∗ 𝑉𝑉𝑛𝑛

ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 27
Web Crippling Capacity – Overview (G5)
• All based upon just one equation:

• Accounts for effects of web angle (𝜃𝜃), corner radius (𝑅𝑅), bearing length
(𝑁𝑁), and web height slenderness (ℎ)
• The key is in all those 𝐶𝐶𝑥𝑥 coefficients
• Different tables for Cee, Zee, built-up I-sections, hats, and steel decks
• Note that equation and tables are per web, so box sections, nested Zees,
etc would multiply 𝑃𝑃𝑛𝑛 by 2
• 𝜙𝜙𝑤𝑤 is not constant and also looked up in the tables!

ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 28

Web Crippling Capacity – Cees (Table G5-2)

ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 29

Web Crippling Capacity – Zees (Table G5-3)

ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 30

Load Interaction – Flexure & Shear (H2)
• Calculation depends upon whether shear stiffeners exist or not:
• Without shear stiffeners:

� ⁄𝑀𝑀𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 > 0.5 and 𝑉𝑉� ⁄𝑉𝑉𝑎𝑎 > 0.7):

• With shear stiffeners (only necessary if 𝑀𝑀

• Notes:
� 𝑉𝑉� are demands; 𝑉𝑉𝑎𝑎 = ϕ𝑣𝑣 𝑉𝑉𝑛𝑛 ; 𝑀𝑀𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 = 𝜙𝜙𝑏𝑏 𝑀𝑀𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 is local buckling without global
• 𝑀𝑀,
consideration:
𝜆𝜆𝑙𝑙 = 𝑀𝑀𝑦𝑦 ⁄𝑀𝑀𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐
• If 𝜆𝜆𝑙𝑙 ≤ 0.776: 𝑀𝑀𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 = 𝑀𝑀𝑦𝑦
0.4 0.4
𝑀𝑀𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝑀𝑀𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐
• If 𝜆𝜆𝑙𝑙 > 0.776: 𝑀𝑀𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 = 1 − 0.15 𝑀𝑀𝑦𝑦 𝑀𝑀𝑦𝑦
𝑀𝑀𝑦𝑦
• Additionally, if there are web stiffeners, 𝑀𝑀𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 = 𝜙𝜙𝑏𝑏 ∗ min(𝑀𝑀𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 , 𝑀𝑀𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 )

ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 31

Load Interaction – Flexure & Web Crip. (H3)
• Applies for both supports (negative moment) and point loads (usually
positive moment)
• 𝜙𝜙 = 0.9
• For unreinforced single webs:

• An exception exists for members spaced ≤ 10 inches o.c. with lateral bracing
• Back-to-back C-sections:

• Nested Z-sections:

• Note that a number of connection and geometric restrictions apply (see H3(c) )

ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 32

Deflection
• Important difference between effective and gross moments of
inertia
• Conservatively, you may use the 𝐼𝐼𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 values given by manufacturers
• There are long equations in the Cold-Formed Steel Design Manual
• More practically, only slightly more conservative is the following
equation:

• 𝑀𝑀 is the moment demand due to service loads being considered (max 𝑀𝑀𝑦𝑦 )
• 𝑀𝑀𝑑𝑑 = 𝑀𝑀𝑛𝑛 except that 𝑀𝑀𝑛𝑛 is recalculated replacing all instances of 𝑀𝑀𝑦𝑦 with 𝑀𝑀
• Manufacturers’ 𝐼𝐼𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 values are often equal to this equation with 𝑀𝑀 = maximum
reasonable DL+LL
• Note: 𝐸𝐸 = 29500 ksi

ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 33

Beams - Wrapping It Up
• This represents the general requirements for cold-formed steel
beams
• However, there are a number of alternative equations, which
generally give a little more capacity, for specific types of systems:
• Beams with one flange through-fastened to deck or sheathing (I6.2.1)
• Beams with one flange through-fastened to standing-seam roof (I6.2.2)
• Steel racks (ANSI MH16.1)
• Diaphragm systems (AISI S310-deck, AISI S240-flat sheet, AISI S400-
seismic)

https://www.steelconstruction.info/File:L1_Fig9.png

ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 34

Outline
• Introduction
• How CFS is Unique
• Designing a CFS Beam
• Flexural Capacity
• Shear Capacity
• Bearing Capacity
• Load Interactions
• Deflection
• Example Beam Calculations
• Conclusion & Questions

14 February 2019 ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 35

Example Beam #1 – Simply Supported
362S137-54 [33ksi]
DL = 15 psf
LL = 40 psf
.054”
3.625”

7’-2” = 86 inches

1.375”
• Office building floor purlin
• 16” tributary width
Showing methods and formulas
• No transverse shear reinforcement
using ClearCalcs’s new cold-formed
• Laterally unbraced at 24 inches o.c.
steel calculator
• Torsionally unbraced for full span

14 February 2019 ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 36

Example Beam #2 – Complex Beam
Ex #1 Beam @ 14 ft

DL = 15 psf
LL = 40 psf

72 inches 120 inches 24 inches

362S162-68 [50ksi]

• Office building floor purlin

• No transverse shear reinforcement .068”
• Tributary width of 16 inches o.c. 3.625”
• Bottom flange and torsional bracing
at 48 inches o.c.

1.625”
14 February 2019 ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 37
Outline
• Introduction
• How CFS is Unique
• Designing a CFS Beam
• Flexural Capacity
• Shear Capacity
• Bearing Capacity
• Load Interactions
• Deflection
• Example Beam Calculations
• Conclusion & Questions

14 February 2019 ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 38

Summing It Up
• CFS engineering design is unique because of:
Buckling • Web Crippling • Finite Strip Analysis • Customizable
Shapes
• Beam design checks at all sections include:
• Flexure: Global buckling → FSM → Local Buckling → Distortional
buckling
• Shear: Shear yield → Shear buckling → With or without stiffeners
• Bearing: Plug in coefficients, 𝜙𝜙𝑤𝑤 for end/interior and 1- / 2-flange
loading
• Load interaction: Flexure+Shear and Flexure+Web crippling
• Deflection: Effective 2nd moment of area → Long-term factor
• We performed examples with simply supported and complex
beams
14 February 2019 ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 39
Questions?
Explore our broad range of calculations
at clearcalcs.com
Already available:
- Timber
- Steel
- Cold-formed steel
- Concrete
- Connections
- Footings
- Post & sleeper retaining walls

In development:
- Advanced connections
- Advanced foundations
- Other retaining walls

And watch for more free webinars

upcoming on designing other types of
members and connections!

14 February 2019 ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 40

Appendix
About ClearCalcs

14 February 2019 ClearCalcs Pty Ltd 41

Happy Engineers Using ClearCalcs
ClearCalcs has been used in over 250,000 designs by a growing number of engineers across Australia.

“Faster, more accurate design, “A great tool to ensure quality,

easier to modify calculations, verifiable, and professionally
just all around better” presented comps”
Murray P. Adam M.
Vision Engineers AM-A Engineers

“ClearCalcs has streamlined my “Far superior product to similar

design process with its simplicity I've used and appears to be
and convenience” improving much more rapidly”
Andrew G. Peter M.
Intrax Consulting Engineers Intrax Consulting Engineers

14 February 2019 ClearCalcs Pty Ltd 42

What Sets Our Calculations Apart
• Live solutions
• Instantly see how every change you
make affects the design, in all load cases

• Finite Element Analysis

• Get the most accurate results no
matter what your configuration

• As simple or complex as you want

• Safely enter in only a few properties,
or tune every parameter – it’s up to you

15 January 2019 ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 43

What Sets Our Design Process Apart
• Member selector
• Check every possible member in seconds

• Link your loads

• No need to manually copy reactions
into the next sheet – just create a link

• Simple traffic light indicators

• See at a glance how close your design
is to perfection

ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 44

What Sets Our Platform Apart
• Clean, clear printouts
• Beautiful results your clients can understand

• See full detail for every field

• References, equations, and more

• Rapid product updates

• Receive new features and calculations
within days, not years

ClearCalcs.com | FEA Structural Design in the Cloud 45

The ClearCalcs Team
A growing team of passionate engineers and programmers

14 February 2019 ClearCalcs Pty Ltd 46

Key Advantages
ClearCalcs is designed for the modern efficiency focused engineering practice

14 February 2019 ClearCalcs Pty Ltd 47