CBD Ec 4 2004

Composite Beam
Design Manual
Eurocode 4-2004
for ETABS®
ISO ETA073120M70 Rev. 0 July 2020

Proudly developed in the United States of America
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i
Contents
Symbols 1
1 Introduction 7
2 Design Preliminaries 9
2.1 Design Preferences and Beam Overwrites 9
2.2 Frame Objects Designed as Composite Beams 10

2.2.1 Hard Requirements 10
2.2.2 Soft Requirements 10
2.2.3 Overwriting the Frame Design Procedure 11
3 Steel Beam Section Properties and Bending Resistance 12
3.1 Steel Section Properties 12
3.2 Upper-Limit on Grade of Steel 12
3.3 Steel Section Classification 12
3.4 Plastic Resistance to Vertical Shear of Steel Cross-Sections 13
3.5 Shear Buckling Resistance of Steel Webs 14
3.6 Bending Resistance of Steel Cross-Sections 14
3.7 Beam Unbraced Length 15
3.8 Buckling Resistance Moment of Steel Beams 15
4 Composite Beam Section Properties and Bending Resistance 18
4.1 Deck Properties and Effective Slab Width 18

4.1.1 Location where Deck Properties and Slab Width are checked 18
4.1.2 Deck Orientation and Properties 19
4.1.3 Effective Width of the Composite Beam 20
i
4.2 Transformed Section Moment of Inertia 22
4.3 Transformed Section Modulus 25
4.4 Effective Moment of Inertia for Partial Composite Connection 25
4.5 Effective Section Modulus for Partial Composite Connection 26
4.6 Plastic Resistance Moment of a Composite Cross-Section 26
4.7 Elastic Resistance Moment of a Composite Cross-Section 28
5 Strength Checks 29
5.1 Design Load Combinations 29

5.1.1 Strength Checks for Construction Loads 29
5.1.2 Strength Checks for Service Loads 31
5.2 Shear Strength Check 32
5.3 Construction Bending Check 32
5.4 Negative Bending Check 33
5.5 Positive Bending Check 33
5.6 Elastic Stresses Check 35
6 Deflection Checks 36
6.1 Composite Beam Deflections 36
6.2 Dead Load Deflection Check 37
6.3 Camber 37
6.4 Post-Composite and Live Load Deflection Checks 38
6.5 Deflection Caused by Concrete Shrinkage 38
6.6 Net Deflection Checks 39
7 Shear Connectors 40
7.1 Beam Segments and their Maximum and Minimum Numbers of Studs 40
7.1.1 Beam Segments 40
7.1.2 Maximum Number of Shear Connectors on Beam Segments 42
7.1.3 Minimum Number of Shear Connectors on Beam Segments 43
7.2 Design Resistance of Shear Connectors 43
ii
7.2.1 Headed Stud Connectors in Solid Slabs 43
7.2.2 Headed Stud Connectors in Filled Decks with Ribs Parallel to the Beam 44
7.2.3 Headed Stud Connectors in Filled Decks with Ribs Transverse to the Beam 44
7.3 Minimum Percentage of Composite Action 45

7.3.1 Minimum Percentage of Composite Action per EC4 Clause 6.6.1.2 45
7.3.2 PN002a Minimum Percentage of Composite Action for Unshored Beams 46
7.3.3 PN002a Minimum Percentage of Composite Action for Shored Beams
Supporting a Deck with Perpendicular Ribs 47
7.3.4 PN002a Minimum Percentage of Composite Action for Unshored Beams
Supporting a Deck with Perpendicular Ribs 47
7.4 Maximum Percentage of Composite Action 48
7.5 How ETABS Distributes Shear Connectors on Beams 48
7.6 User Defined Shear Connector Distributions 49
8 Vibration Checks 51
8.1 Effective Panel Weight 52
8.2 Floor Fundamental Natural Vibration Frequency 53
8.3 Design for Walking Excitation 54
8.4 Design for Rhythmic Excitation 55
8.5 Design for Sensitive Equipment and Sensitive Occupancies 56
Appendix A. Design Preferences 58
A1. Beam Tab 58
A2. Shear Studs Tab 59
A3. Camber Tab 60
A4. Deflection Tab 61
A5. Vibration Tab 62
A6. Prices Tab 64
A7. Factors Tab 65
Appendix B. Beam Overwrites 67
B1. Bracing (C) and Bracing (S) Tabs 69
B2. Deck Tab 70
iii
B3. Shear Studs Tab 71
B4. Deflection Tab 73
B5. Vibration Tab 74
iv
Symbols
The following table provides a list of the symbols used in this manual and their definitions. As a
rule, the symbols used in this manual match those used in EC4, SCI Pub. 359, and DG11 as
referenced elsewhere in this manual.
Aa Area of the structural steel cross-section

Ac Area of concrete slab within effective width
Ac-left Area of concrete slab within effective width on left side of beam
Ac-right Area of concrete slab within effective width on right side of beam
Atr Transformed area of an element of the composite steel beam section
Av Shear area
Aw Area of the web
B Effective panel width
Bg Girder panel mode effective width
Bj Beam panel mode effective width
C1 Modification factor for moment distribution
Cbot Cope depth at bottom of beam
Ctop Cope depth at top of beam
Dg Girder transformed moment of inertia per unit width
Dj Beam transformed moment of inertia per unit width
Ds Slab transformed moment of inertia per unit width
E Modulus of elasticity of steel

Ecm Secant modulus of elasticity of the concrete in the slab or deck fill for short term
loading Possibly different on the left and right sides of the beam.
IO Moment of inertia of an element of the composite steel beam section taken about
its own center of gravity
Ia Moment of inertia of the structural steel section, including any cover plate
Ic Moment of inertia for fully composite transformed section
Symbols 1
Composite Beam Design Eurocode 4-2004 Symbols
Ieff Equivalent moment of inertia of a partially composite beam

Ig Transformed or effective moment of inertia of the girder
Ij Transformed or effective moment of inertia of the beam
Islab Moment of inertia of a beff wide strip of slab, including any concrete in the deck
ribs
IT Torsion constant of a structural steel section
Itr Moment of inertia for checking vibrations
Iw Warping constant of a structural steel section
Iz Minor axis moment of inertia of a structural steel section
L Center-of-support to center-of-support length of the beam
L1 Distance from point of maximum moment to the closest point of zero moment or
physical end of beam top flange, or physical end of concrete slab
L2 Distance from point of maximum moment to the nearest point of zero moment or
physical end of beam top flange, or physical end of concrete slab measured on the
other side of the point of maximum moment from the distance L1,
Le Distance between points of zero bending moment
Lg Girder span
Lj Beam span
LTB Laterally unbraced length of beam; length between points that are braced against
lateral displacement of the compression flange or braced against twist of the
cross-section
Mb,Rd Design value of the buckling resistance moment of a steel beam
Mcr Elastic critical moment for lateral-torsional buckling of a steel beam
MEd Design bending moment
Mmax Maximum positive moment for a beam
Mc,a,Rd Design resistance for bending of the structural steel section
Mel,a,Rd Design value of the elastic resistance moment of the structural steel section
Mel,Rd Design value of the elastic resistance moment of the composite section
Mpl,a,Rd Design value of the plastic resistance moment of the structural steel section
Mpl,Rd Design value of the plastic resistance moment of the composite section with full
shear connection
Mpt load Moment at the location of a point load
MRd Design value of the resistance moment of a composite section
N1 Required number of shear connectors between the point of maximum moment and
Symbols 2
an adjacent point of zero moment (or end of slab)

N2 Required number of shear connectors between a point load and a point of zero
moment (or end of slab)
Nc Compression force in the concrete slab
Nc,1 Horizontal shear force to be provided by the shear connectors between the point
of maximum moment and the point of zero moment
Nc,2 Horizontal shear force to be provided by the shear connectors between the point
load considered and the point of zero moment
Nc,f Design value of the compressive normal force in the concrete flange with full
shear connection
Npl,a Axial resistance of the steel section
P0 Amplitude of the driving force, P0 =289N
Prd Design value of the shear resistance of a single shear connector
Prd,solid Design value of the shear resistance of a single shear connector in a solid concrete
slab
S Beam spacing
Va,Rd Design value of the shear buckling resistance of a steel web
Vc,Rd Design shear resistance
VEd Design shear force
Vpl,Rd Plastic design shear resistance
W Effective panel weight
Weff Effective section modulus of a partially composite beam transformed section
referred to the tension flange (including cover plate)
Wel,y Section modulus of the structural steel section, including cover plate if any
Wpl,y Plastic section modulus of the structural steel section, including cover plate if any
Wg Effective panel weight for a girder
Wj Effective panel weight for a beam
Wy Section modulus of the structural steel section, including cover plate if any
Wtr Section modulus for the fully composite uncracked transformed section referred to
the tension flange of the steel section (including cover plate)
A Depth of the compression block in the concrete slab
a0 Acceleration tolerance limit
ap Predicted peak acceleration of the beam
Symbols 3
beff Effective width of the concrete flange of the composite beam., beff = beff-left + beff-
right
beff-left Effective width of the concrete slab on the left side of a beam
beff-right Effective width of the concrete slab on the right side of a beam
bf Steel section flange width
d Depth of a structural steel section from the outside face of the top flange to the
outside face of the bottom flange. Also diameter of a shear stud connector.
d1 Distance from the centroid of the compression force, C, in the slab the top of the
steel section
d2 Distance from the centroid of the compression force in the steel section to the top
of the steel section
d3 Distance from the centroid of the steel section to the top of the steel section
f ck
fcd Design value of compressive strength of concrete, f cd =
γC
f cd −left Design compressive strength of concrete on left side of beam
f cd − right Design compressive strength of concrete on right side of beam
f ck Specified compressive strength of concrete
fn Natural fundamental vibration frequency of a beam panel, Hz.

fu Specified ultimate tensile strength of structural steel or shear connector
fy Nominal value of the yield strength of structural steel
fycp Cover plate yield stress
fy
fyd Design value of the yield strength of steel, f yd =
γ M1
g Acceleration of gravity
hr Height of metal deck rib. Possibly different on the left and right sides of the beam.
hsc Height of shear stud connector
hw Depth of the web
i Harmonic number:1, 2, or 3
ifstep ith harmonic forcing frequency, Hz.
kℓ Reduction factor for design shear resistance of a shear connector in a filled deck
with ribs parallel to the beam
kt Reduction factor for design shear resistance of a shear connector in a filled deck
with ribs transverse to the beam
Symbols 4
n Modular ratio, n = Es/Ec

r Root radius of the rolled steel section
tc Thickness of concrete slab. If there is metal deck, this is the thickness of the
concrete slab above the metal deck. Possibly different on the left and right sides of
the beam
tcp Thickness of the cover plate
tf Thickness of the flanges
tw Thickness of the web
w Supported weight per unit area of a panel
wp Unit weight of rhythmic activity participants distributed over the entire bay
wt Distributed weight supported, including dead load, superimposed dead load,
occupants and participants distributed over the entire bay
z Distance from the bottom of the bottom flange of the structural steel section to the
elastic neutral axis of the fully composite beam section
zbare Distance from the bottom of the bottom flange of the structural steel section,
excluding any cover plate, to the neutral axis of the structural steel section,
including any cover plate
i Dynamic coefficient for the ith harmonic of the rhythmic activity
j Midspan deflection of a beam due to the weight it supports
g Midspan deflection of a girder due to the weight it supports
LT Value to determine the reduction factor, χLT
LT Imperfection factor
 Unitless factor used in computing the number of shear connectors between a point
load and a point of zero moment, equal to Wtr /Wy for full composite connection
and Weff /Wy for partial composite connection.
 Damping ratio
 Partial factor for structural steel applied to resistance of cross-sections
 Partial factor for structural steel applied to resistance of members to instability
assessed by member checks
V Partial factor for design shear resistance of a headed stud
 Percent composite connection, and also shear area factor
 Coefficient depending on fy
LT  Non-dimensional slenderness factor
w Web slenderness parameter
 Parameter related to reduced design bending resistance accounting for vertical
Symbols 5
shear
χLT Reduction factor for lateral-torsional buckling
w Reduction factor for web buckling resistance
Symbols 6
1 Introduction
This manual describes composite beam design in ETABS per the EN 1994-1-1:2004 Eurocode
4: Design of composite steel and concrete structures - Part 1-1: General rules and rules for
buildings (CEN) – referred to as EC4 henceforth.
Once you have analyzed an ETABS model, you can perform the design of its composite beams
by selecting the Design menu > Composite Beam Design > Start Design/Check command.
Other commands in the Composite Beam Design submenu let you:
• control the various design parameters, including the applicable design code, on a
model-wide basis
• control the various design parameters on a beam-by-beam basis
• select groups of beams to be designed all with the same section
• change the design load combinations from the default ones
• design individual or grouped beams interactively,
• view the design results
• freeze the design section of selected beams
• change the design section of selected beams by selecting a specific section from a list
• change the design of selected beams by copying a design from a beam and pasting it to
other beams
• change the design sections of selected beams by resetting them to what they were when
the model was last analyzed
• compare the current design sections to what they were when the model was last
analyzed
• verify that all the previous designs are still acceptable after the model was re-analyzed,
or the design preferences and/or the beam overwrites were changed
• reset all the design parameters
• delete the current design results
Composite beam design consists of trying various trial structural steel sections, computing their
composite section properties, the resulting shear and flexural stresses and deflections at several
key locations along the length of a beam, and then comparing those computed values with
acceptable limits. That comparison produces a demand/capacity ratio, which typically should
not exceed a value of one if code requirements are to be satisfied. ETABS checks the
requirements for strength and deflection limit states under construction and service conditions.
Introduction 7
Composite Beam Design Eurocode 4-2004 Introduction
It also checks vibrations acceptability under service conditions.
For each structural steel section it evaluates, ETABS determines the total number of shear
connectors required to satisfy the design requirements and their distribution. If you prefer,
ETABS can check the adequacy of a shear connector distribution you specify. In interactive
design mode, you can try out various design sections and vary the percentage of composite
action for each, and view the resulting demand/capacity ratios and shear connector distributions.
The design output can be presented graphically, in tables for both input and output data, or in
calculation sheets prepared for each beam.
The remainder of this manual is organized in seven chapters and two appendices:
• Chapter 2 introduces the composite beam design preferences and beam overwrites and
explains which frame objects are designed as composite beams
• Chapter 3 provides an overview of how ETABS determines the values of the section
properties of the steel beam acting alone and its bending resistance
• Chapter 4 explains how ETABS computes the transformed moment of inertia and the
elastic and plastic bending resistance of composite beams
• Chapter 5 explains how ETABS checks the strength of beams
• Chapter 6 explains how ETABS checks beam deflections
• Chapter 7 explains how ETABS determines the total numbers of shear connectors
required on beams and their distribution
• Chapter 8 explains how ETABS checks beam vibration acceptability
• Appendix A lists the various design preferences items
• Appendix B lists the various beam overwrites items
Introduction 8
2 Design Preliminaries
This chapter introduces the composite beam design preferences and beam overwrites, and explains
which ETABS frame objects are designed as composite beams.
2.1 Design Preferences and Beam Overwrites

The composite beam design preferences are assignments that apply to all the composite beams
in an ETABS model. Notably, the preferences include the selection of a design code.
Default values are provided for all preference items and you should review these with the
Design > Composite Beam Design > View/Revise Preferences… command to ensure they are
acceptable. The preference items are described in Appendix A.
You can change the values of the preferences with the View/Revise Preferences…command at
any time. After changing the preferences, you can redesign the beams, or you can check that the
previous designs are still acceptable with the Design > Composite Beam Design > Verify All
Members Passed… command.
The beam overwrites are assignments that apply only to selected beam objects. They take
precedence over the preference items. They include most of the preference items, plus some
assignments that are beam-specific by nature.
Default values are provided for all overwrite items. You can change these values with the
Design > Composite Beam Design > View/Revise Overwrites… command or by clicking the
Overwrites… button when designing a beam in interactive mode. The overwrite items are
described in Appendix B.
After changing the overwrites with the View/Revise Overwrites… command, you can redesign
the affected beams, or you can check that the previous designs are still acceptable with the
Verify All Members Passed… command.
Design Preferences and Beam Overwrites 9

Composite Beam Design Eurocode 4-2004 Design Preliminaries
2.2 Frame Objects Designed as Composite Beams
2.2.1 Hard Requirements

ETABS puts the following restrictions on the frame objects that it can design as composite
beams:
(a) Section Requirement
Only frame objects that are assigned an I-section, channel section, or auto-select section
consisting of a list of any of these can be designed as composite beams. The I-shaped and
channel sections can be imported from the built-in ETABS property files, or they can be user-
defined. Sections defined with the Section Designer and non-prismatic sections are categorized
as “general” sections regardless of their actual shape, and ETABS will not design beams with
such sections as composite beams.
Unsymmetrical I-section and channels in which the top and bottom flange have different
dimensions are valid composite beam sections, although you may have limited use for them
since you can specify the provision of a bottom flange cover plate in the beam overwrites.
(b) Material Property Requirement
Only frame objects that are assigned a material whose property data specifies “Steel” as the type
of design can be designed as composite beams.
(c) Beam Orientation Requirement
Only frame objects whose line type is "Beam" can be designed as composite beams. This means
the frame objects must lie in a horizontal plane, or in a plane with an inclination that is within
the maximum inclination from horizontal for beams and floors tolerance defined in the model.
Furthermore, the local axis 2 angle of the frame object must be zero, which means its local axes
1 and 2 are in the same vertical plane. You can check the local axis 2 angle of any beam by right
clicking on it and then selecting the Geometry tab of the Beam Information form.
(d) Support and Extent Requirement
Only frame objects spanning between two supports or frame objects representing cantilevers
can be designed as composite beams. Composite beams cannot be modeled using multiple,
adjacent frame objects between supports for a single composite beam.
Cantilevers and their backspans can be modeled as a single object when the cantilever is a beam
overhang extending over a supporting girder, but they should be modeled as two separate
objects when the cantilever is moment-connected to its backspan.
2.2.2 Soft Requirements

ETABS will by default design steel beam objects as composite beams when they meet the
Design Preliminaries 10
Composite Beam Design Eurocode 4-2004 Design Preliminaries
above hard requirements, plus the following two soft requirements:
• At least one side of the beam objects must support a floor object whose section is
specified as a deck section (not a slab or a wall section). The deck section can be filled,
unfilled or it can be a solid slab. When the deck is unfilled, the beam will still go
through the composite beam design procedure, which will design it as a non-composite
beam.
• The beam objects must not frame continuously into a column or a brace. Both ends of
the objects must be pinned for major axis bending (bending about the local 3 axis). Note
that the assembly of a column and a beam moment connected to it at one end and
simply supported at the other makes an elementary frame capable of resisting lateral
forces.
2.2.3 Overwriting the Frame Design Procedure

By default, ETABS designs steel beam objects that meet the hard requirements above but not
the two soft requirements per the steel frame design procedure.
You can change the design procedure for one or more steel beam objects from steel frame design to
composite beam design by selecting them, selecting the Design menu > Overwrite Frame Design
Procedure command, and choosing composite beam design. This change is successful only if the
beam objects meet the hard requirements above. For example, if you select a steel beam with a
tube section and try to change its design procedure to composite beam design, the change will
not happen. Also, the floor object will not provide any composite action. Floor objects that are
intended to provide composite action should be defined as deck sections, which include an
option to model solid slabs.
You can set the design procedure of a steel beam object that supports a floor object with a slab
section instead of a deck section. If you do, you should also set the modeling type of the floor
object section to membrane, to ensure that the distributed loads applied on the floor object result
in distributed line loads on the beam.
When ETABS performs the composite beam design of a non-composite beam that does not
support any deck, it computes the flexural capacity of the beam based on its unbraced length but
it does not account for axial forces or any out-of-plane bending, and it does not check the
adequacy of slender sections. Therefore, the design results for some beams will depend on the
choice of design procedure.
Design Preliminaries 11
3 Steel Beam Section Properties and Bending Resistance
This chapter provides an overview of how ETABS determines the values of the various section
properties of the steel beam acting alone and evaluates its shear and bending resistance when
designing a composite beam per EC4. ETABS designs the steel beam per EN1993-1-1:2005
Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures - Part 1-1: General rules and rules for and per EN1993-
1-5:2006 Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures - Part 1-5: Plated Structural Elements –
referred to as EC3-1 and EC3-5 henceforth. The subject is also covered in the Eurocode 3-
1:2005 with Eurocode 8:2004 Steel Frame Design Manual for ETABS, to which you are
referred for additional information.
3.1 Steel Section Properties

When designing a composite beam and evaluating a structural steel section, ETABS:
• retrieves its section properties from the properties tables if the section is a catalog
section and the beam overwrites do not specify the provision of a cover plate,
• computes the section properties otherwise.
3.2 Upper-Limit on Grade of Steel

Per EC4 Clause 3.3, the value of the design yield strength, fyd, of the steel the beams are made of
is capped at 460 MPa in all composite beam design calculations.
3.3 Steel Section Classification

Per EC4 Clause 5.5.2(2), ETABS classifies steel sections as class 1, class 2, class 3, class 4 or
too slender in accordance with EC3-1 Table 5.2, with an exemption for the top flanges of beams
supporting a deck.
Per EC4 Clause 5.5.2(1), a steel compression flange restrained from buckling by effective
attachment to a concrete slab or deck can be assumed to be in class 1 if the spacing of the
connectors complies with Clause 6.6.5.5, which ETABS assumes is always the case – even
when the shear connectors distribution is user-specified. This means that when ETABS designs
Steel Section Properties 12

Composite Beam Design Eurocode 4-2004 Steel Beam Section Properties and Bending Resistance
a beam assuming composite action, its top flange is necessarily class 1.
Specific information on section classification per EC3-1 is available in Section 4.5 Section
Classification in the Eurocode 3-1:2005 with Eurocode 8:2004 Steel Frame Design Manual for
ETABS.
ETABS deems class 4 and too slender sections not acceptable and does not do any further
checks of these. Note that none of the universal beams, universal columns, joist or parallel
flange channels in grade S275 or S355 are class 4 in pure bending according to Section 8.1 of
SCI Publication 363: Steel Building Design: Design Data in accordance with Eurocodes and
UK National Annexes – referred to as SCI Pub. 363 henceforth.
EC4 Clause 5.5.2(3) allows sections with webs in class 3 and flanges in class 1 or 2 to be
treated as effective cross-sections in class 2 with their effective web areas reduced per EC3-1
Clause 6.2.2.4, and ETABS takes advantage of this allowance. Any beam ETABS designs
assuming composite action is thus class 1 or class 2, since its top flange is class 1 as explained
above.
Note that per BCSA Publication 55/13 Table 2.2 and SCI Publication 362 Section 6.2.5:
• none of the universal beam sections are class 3 in pure bending
• UC152x152x23 is the only universal column section that is class 3 in pure bending
when it is grade S275
• UC356x368x129, UC305x305x97, UC152x152x23 are the only three universal column

sections that are class 3 in pure bending when they are grade S355.
3.4 Plastic Resistance to Vertical Shear of Steel Cross-Sections

Per EC3-1 Clause 6.2.6(2), the plastic design resistance Vpl,Rd of a steel cross-section is equal to:
V pl , Rd =
(
Av f y 3 ) (EC3-1 6.2.6 Eq. 6.18)
γM 0
Per EC3-1 Clause 6.2.6(3)a, Av is computed differently based on whether the beam being
checked has a rolled or a welded section, is coped or not at its ends, and on where on the beam
the shear capacity is being checked.
Away from the beam ends, or when the beam is not coped:
Av =A − 2b f t f + ( tw + 2r ) t f ≥ η hwtw if the beam section is a rolled section
Av = η hwtw if the beam section is a welded section
At the beam ends when the beam is coped:
Av = (d − Ctop − Cbot) • tw
Steel Beam Section Properties and Bending Resistance 13

3.5 Shear Buckling Resistance of Steel Webs

Per EC3-1 Clause 6.2.6 (6) and EC3-5 Clause 5.1(2), there is no need to consider the resistance
to shear buckling of steel beam webs when their slenderness ratio hw/tw is less than or equal to
72
ε , where:
η
235
ε=
f y  N / mm 2 
η = 1 if the Eurocode country has been set to Singapore or United Kingdom in the
composite design preferences, and η = 1.2 per EC3-5 Clause 5.1 (2) Note 2 otherwise.
The webs of all UKB and UKC sections satisfy the above condition.
The shear buckling resistance of steel webs, Vbw,Rd, with higher slenderness ratios, is equal to:
χ w f y hwt
Vbw,Rd = (EC3-5 5.2(1) Eq. 5.1)
3γ M 1
where χw is a reduction factor for buckling resistance given as a function of the web slenderness
parameter, λ w and of η in EC3-5 Table 5.1.
ETABS assumes that transverse stiffeners are only provided at supports, and that these create
only non-rigid end posts. Accordingly:
h
λw = w (EC3-5 5.3(3))
86.4t ε
χw = η if λ w < 0.83 / η (EC3-5 Table 5.1)
χ w = 0.83 / η if λ w ≥ 0.83 / η (EC3-5 Table 5.1)
3.6 Bending Resistance of Steel Cross-Sections

Per EC3-1 Clause 6.2.5(2), the design resistance for bending of the steel cross-section, Mc,a,Rd is
equal to:
W pl ,a f y
M c ,a ,Rd M
= = pl ,a , Rd for class 1 or 2 cross-sections (EC3-1 6.2.5(2) Eq. 6.13)
γ MO
Wel ,min ,a f y
M
= c ,a , Rd M
= el ,a , Rd for class 3 cross-sections (EC3-1 6.2.5(2) Eq. 6.13)
γ MO
where Wel,min,a corresponds to the fiber with the maximum elastic stress.

3.7 Beam Unbraced Length

When computing the unbraced length, LTB, of a beam, ETABS decides whether the deck
restrains the top flange of the beam somewhat differently, depending on whether ETABS is
checking the beam flexural capacity under construction conditions or under service conditions:
• under construction conditions, the deck restrains the top flange of the beam only if it is
transverse to it
• under service conditions, the deck always restrains the top flange of the beam if it is
filled, and if it is not filled, only restrains the top of the beam if it is transverse to it.
Under both construction and service conditions, ETABS considers that the top
and bottom flange of a beam are braced at any joint where another beam
Beam Considered
frames into it at an angle greater than 30 degrees, as depicted in the sketch to Br
ac
ing
the right. You need to detail the connection so as to ensure that the flanges are Be
adequately braced, or else redefine the beam brace points in the beam am
overwrites. θ > 30°
When the bracing is program calculated or brace points are user-specified in

the beam overwrites, ETABS always assumes that each end of the beam is braced at both the
top and the bottom flange. If the unbraced length of a beam is longer than the actual beam, you
need to specify an unbraced length in the beam overwrites instead of brace points.
3.8 Buckling Resistance Moment of Steel Beams

Per EC3-1 Clause 6.3.2.(3), if the beam compression flange(s) is (are) not fully braced, the
buckling resistance moment of the steel beam, Mb,Rd depends on the resistance of its steel cross-
section and a reduction factor χLT for lateral torsional buckling:
fy
M b,Rd = χ LTWy (EC3-1 6.3.2.1 (3) Eq. 6.55)
γ M1
where:
• Wy, the appropriate section modulus, is equal to the plastic section modulus, Wpl,y for
class 1 and 2 sections, and equal to the elastic section modulus, Wel,y, for class 3
sections
• the reduction factor χLT is equal to:
1 1
=χ LT ≤ 1.0and ≤ 2 (EC3-1 6.3.2.3(1) Eq. 6.57)
2 2
Φ LT + Φ LT − βλ LT λ LT
• the factor ΦLT and the non-dimensional slenderness λLT are equal to:

Φ LT 0.5 1 + α LT ( λ LT − λ LT .0 ) + βλ LT 2 
= (EC3-1 6.3.2.3 (1))
W f
λ LT = y y (EC3-1 6.3.2.2(1))
M cr
• the imperfection factor αLT is retrieved from EC3-1 Table 6-1 based on the appropriate
buckling curve, defined in EC3-1 Table 6-2:
Table 6-1: Imperfection factors (EC3-1 Table 6.3, 6.3.2.2(2))

Buckling Curve a b c d
Imperfection Factor, αLT [NDP] 0.21 0.34 0.49 0.76
Table 6-2: Buckling curves (EC3-1 Table 6.4, 6.3.2.2(2))

Section Shape Limits Buckling Curve
h/b ≤ 2 a
Rolled I-sections
h/b > 2 b
h/b ≤ 2 c
Welded I-sections
h/b > 2 d
Other sections - d
• the parameters λ LT ,0 and β are code-specified:
λ LT ,0 = 0.4 for rolled sections and equivalent welded sections (EC3 6.3.2.3(1))
β = 0.75 for rolled sections and equivalent welded sections (EC3 6.3.2.3(1))
• Mcr is the elastic critical moment. EC3-1 does not provide an equation for Mcr. ETABS
uses the equation given in Section 8.1(b) of SCI Pub. 363:
0.5
π2 EI  I L2 GI 
=M cr C1 2 z  w + TB2 T  (SCI Pub. 363 8.1(b))
LTB  I z π EI z 
where:
• C1 is a factor accounting for the moment distribution. ETABS takes C1 as equal to 1.0,
which, per SCI Pub. 363 8.1, is always conservative
• Iz, Iw, and IT are, respectively, the minor axis inertia, warping constant, and torsion
constant of the steel cross-section
• LTB is the unbraced length of the beam
If you want, you can override the value of C1 in the composite beam overwrites of the beam
being designed.
Note that the above equation for the value of Mcr is applicable to beams with UB sections, UC
sections, joists or parallel flange channels. For beams with other sections, you need to

independently determine the exact value of Mcr and specify in the beam overwrites a value of C1
equal to the ratio of that value to the ETABS calculated value.

4 Composite Beam Section Properties and Bending Resistance
This chapter explains how ETABS computes the transformed moment of inertia, transformed
section modulus, and plastic moment capacities of composite beams. These depend on the adjacent
deck properties and effective slab width so the determination of these is presented first.
4.1 Deck Properties and Effective Slab Width
4.1.1 Location where Deck Properties and Slab Width are checked
In order to compute the section properties and plastic resistance moment of a composite beam,
ETABS only computes the effective slab width and retrieves the adjacent deck properties along
the middle 70% of the beam. This 70% ratio is derived based on two assumptions:
• The plastic resistance moment of the composite beam is approximately twice that of the
steel beam alone.
• The steel beam alone is capable of resisting the entire moment in the beam for the last
15% of the beam length at each end of the beam. Note that for a uniformly loaded
beam, the moment drops off to half of the maximum moment or less in the last 15% of
the beam.
• You can redefine this default “middle range” of 70% in the design preferences, as
explained in Appendix A.
Deck Properties and Effective Slab Width 18

Composite Beam Design Eurocode 4-2004 Composite Beam Section Properties and Bending Resistance
4.1.2 Deck Orientation and Properties

ETABS distinguishes between the properties of the deck on the left and right sides of a
composite beam since they can differ on the two sides, and carries the distinction throughout the
rest of the composite section property calculations. The figure below shows examples of
different deck types and different deck directions on the two sides of a beam:
Figure 4-1 Different Deck Types and Different Deck Directions

on the Two Sides of the Beam
For the purpose of composite beam design, the deck ribs are considered as either parallel or
transverse (“perpendicular”) to the span of a beam. Concrete in the metal deck ribs is included
in the transformed section moment of inertia and composite bending resistance calculations
when the deck ribs are oriented parallel to the beam, and it is not included when the deck ribs
are perpendicular to the beam. ETABS assumes the deck span is parallel to the beam span as
long as the two are within 15 degrees of one another.
While it accounts for different types of deck and different deck orientations on the two sides of
a beam, ETABS only accounts for a single set of deck properties and a single deck orientation
on each side.
When multiple deck types or deck directions occur within the middle range on the same side of a
beam, ETABS decides which single deck section and direction to use on that side of the beam based
on the following steps:
• ETABS computes the product of tc • f cd for each deck where tc is the depth of the
concrete above the metal deck and f c′ is the concrete slab compressive strength. It uses
the deck section that has the smallest value of tc • f cd in the calculations for the beam.
• If two or more deck sections have the same value of tc • f cd but the deck spans in
different directions, ETABS uses the deck section that spans perpendicular to the beam.
• If two or more deck sections span in the same direction and have the same value of tc •
f cd ETABS uses the deck section with the smaller tc value.
• If two or more deck sections span in the same direction and have the same values of tc
Composite Beam Section Properties and Bending Resistance 19

and f cd ETABS uses the first defined deck section.
You can specify the deck properties and deck orientation on each side of a beam as beam
overwrites, as explained in Appendix B.
4.1.3 Effective Width of the Composite Beam

Per EC4 Clauses 6.1.2 and 5.4.1.2(5), the total effective width of a composite beam, beff, at mid-
span or an internal support, is equal to:
beff= b0 + ∑ bei (EC4 5.4.1.2(5) Eq. 5.3)
where:
• b0 is the distance between the centers of the outstand shear connectors
• bei is the value of the effective width of the concrete flange on each side of the web and
taken as Le/8 but not greater than the geometric width bi. The value bi should be taken
as the distance from the outstand shear connector to a point mid-way between adjacent
webs, measured at mid-depth of the concrete flange, except that at a free edge bi is the
distance to the free edge. The length Le, should be taken as the distance between points
of zero bending moment.
Per EC4 Clause 5.4.1.2(4), when elastic global analysis is used, which is the case for gravity
load cases in ETABS, a constant effective width may be assumed over the whole of each span.
This value may be taken as the value beff,1 at mid-span for a span supported at both ends, or the
value beff,2 at the support for a cantilever.
.ETABS makes a couple of changes to the above stipulations. Both are conservative:
1. b0 is taken as zero even when there is more than one row of shear connectors
2. beff-left and beff-right, on the left and right sides of the beam, are considered constant over the
middle range of the beam, with each equal to the smallest of:
• half the smallest distance from the beam centerline to the nearest approximately parallel
beam
• the smallest distance from the beam centerline to the nearest slab edge
• one eighth the distance, Le, between points of zero bending moment.
You can specify the effective slab widths on the two sides of a beam, beff-left and beff-right, as beam
overwrites as explained in Appendix B.
4.1.3.1 Effect of Diagonal Beams on Effective Slab Width

Consider the example shown in Plan A of Figure 4-2. In Plan A, the length of Beam A is LA.

Assume that the effective width of this beam is controlled by the distance to the centerline of
the adjacent beam. Also, assume that ETABS checks the effective width of the slab over the
default middle range (70%) of Beam A. If the variable labeled xA in the figure is less than or
equal to 0.15, the effective width of the concrete slab on the upper side of Beam A (i.e., the side
between Beam A and Beam X) is controlled by the distance between Beam A and Beam X. On
the other hand, if xA is greater than 0.15, the effective width of the concrete slab on the upper
side of Beam A is controlled by the distance between Beam A and Girder Y, at a location of
0.15LA from the left end of Beam A. This distance is measured along a line that is perpendicular
to Beam A.
Figure 4-2 Examples of the Effect of Diagonal Beams on

Composite Beam Effective Width
Now consider the example shown in Plan B of Figure 4-2. Assume that the effective width of
Beam B is controlled by the distance to the centerline of the adjacent beam. When considering
the perpendicular distance from Beam B to the adjacent beam on the upper side of Beam B,
ETABS considers the diagonal beam labeled Beam Z when the angle θ is less than 45 degrees.
If the angle θ is greater than or equal to 45 degrees, Beam Z is ignored when computing the
effective slab width on the upper side of Beam B.
Plan C in Figure 4-2 shows a special case where two diagonal beams frame into Beam C at the
same point. In this special case, ETABS assumes that the effective width of the slab on the side
of the beam where the two diagonals exist is zero. You may change this in the beam overwrites.
ETABS assumes the zero effective width because, although it is checking the effective width
for Beam C, it is unable to determine whether a slab is actually between the two diagonal

beams.
4.1.3.2 Effect of Openings on Effective Slab Width

Now consider Plan D shown in Figure 4-3. There is an opening on both sides of the slab at the
left end of Beam D:
LV
xD * LD
Beam D
Plan D
Figure 4-3 - Example of the Effect of Openings on Composite Beam Effective Width
Assume again that the effective width of this beam is controlled by the distance to the centerline
of the adjacent beam, and assume that ETABS checks the effective width of the slab over the
default center 70% of the Beam D length. If the width of the opening, xD • LD is less than
0.15LD, ETABS bases the effective width of the concrete slab on the distance to the adjacent
beams. On the other hand, if xD • LD exceeds 0.15LD, ETABS assumes the effective concrete
slab width for Beam D to be zero; that is, it assumes a non-composite beam.
4.2 Transformed Section Moment of Inertia

This section describes how ETABS computes the transformed moment of inertia, of the fully
composite uncracked transformed section of a beam, which is subject to positive bending resulting
in stresses in the elastic range.
ETABS computes the value of the transformed moment of inertia Ic used for beam strength and
deflection checks and the value of the transformed moment of inertia Itr used for beam vibration
checks separately because the two values are different.
Per EC4 Clauses 5.4.2.2 (11), 6.2.1.5(4) and 7.2.1(3), in order to account for the effects of
concrete creep and shrinkage, the value of Ic is based on Ec equal to Ecm divided by a creep
factor of 2, where Ecm is the secant modulus of elasticity of the concrete for short term loading.
Note that Ecm is the value you should provide for E in the Material Property Data form when
specifying the properties of the concrete. You can specify a value of the creep factor other than

2.0 in the design preferences and beam overwrites.
Per AISC Design Guide 11, the value of Itr is, based on an enhanced short-term modulus of
elasticity of concrete due to the small strain range involved in vibration: Ec is taken as the
modulus of elasticity specified in the material definition multiplied by a 1.35 enhancement
factor.
Also, for strength and deflection calculations, concrete is considered effective only when it is in
compression, whereas for vibration calculations, it is considered effective in both compression
and tension.
The concrete in the metal deck ribs is included in the composite moment of inertia and plastic
bending resistance calculations when the deck ribs are oriented parallel to the beam, and not
included otherwise. Note that the deck type and deck orientation may be different on the two
sides of the beam as described in Deck Properties and Effective Slab Width.
All calculations are done based on a “transformed section” of the beam, that is, the section
consisting of the steel section, including any cover plate, plus the “transformed areas” of the
concrete slab to the left and right of the beam. The transformed area of the concrete slab on one
side of the beam is defined as the area of the concrete slab on that side multiplied by the ratio
Ec/Es. Again, Ec may be different on the two sides of the beam.
ETABS first computes the location z of the elastic neutral axis, “ENA”, of the transformed
section. By definition of the ENA, when the beam is subject to positive bending such that the
flexural stresses remain in the elastic range, all the parts of the composite section located below
the ENA are in tension, and all the parts above it are in compression. When all the concrete is in
compression, or when concrete is considered effective in both tension and compression, the
ENA is located at the centroid of the transformed section. If concrete in tension is considered
not effective and there is some, the ENA is located at the centroid of the transformed section
obtained by considering the steel and only the parts of the concrete slab that are in compression.
ETABS measures z from the bottom of the steel section – without cover plate.
When the deck properties are the same on both sides of the beam, the location of the ENA can
be computed by checking whether it is located within the steel section, or within the deck ribs,
or within the deck cover. Because “within the deck ribs” or “within the deck cover” may be ill-
defined when there are different deck types on each side of the beam, ETABS uses an iterative
algorithm in which concrete in tension is removed and the location of the ENA is recomputed at
each iteration until no concrete in tension remains.
Once the location of the ENA is known, ETABS computes Ic and Itr through a two-step process:
1. ETABS computes the moment of inertia relative to the bottom flange of the steel section,
Σ (A z 2
tr 1 ), per the equations in the table below:
Table 4-1 Transformed Section Properties for a Fully Composite Beam

Transformed
Item Area, Atr z1 Atrz1 Atrz12 IO

Table 4-1 Transformed Section Properties for a Fully Composite Beam

Transformed
Item Area, Atr z1 Atrz1 Atrz12 IO
Concrete slab, beff tc* Ec tc* beff Ec tc*3

d + hr + tc − Atrz1 Atrz12
left side Es 2 12 Es
Concrete slab, beff tc* Ec tc* beff Ec tc*3

d + hr + tc − Atrz1 Atrz12
right side Es 2 12 Es
Concrete in
beff hr* wr Ec hr* beff wr Ec hr*3
metal deck d + hr − Atrz1 Atrz12
S r Es 2 12 Sr Es
ribs, left side
Concrete in
beff hr* wr Ec hr* beff wr Ec hr*3
metal deck d + hr − Atrz1 Atrz12
S r Es 2 12 Sr Es
ribs, right side
Steel section
including any Aa zbare Atrz1 Atrz12 Ia
cover plate
Sums ΣA tr Σ (A z ) Σ (A z
tr 1
2
tr 1 ) ΣI O
* *
In the above table, hr and tc have different meanings depending on whether Ic is computed, for
beam deflection checks, or Itr, for beam vibration checks:
*
• For strength and deflection checks, hr is the height of the metal deck ribs above the
ENA, if the deck ribs are parallel to the beam, and zero if they are perpendicular to it
*
• For vibration checks, the concrete in tension is considered effective and hr = hr if the
deck ribs are parallel to the beam, and zero if they are perpendicular to it
*
• For strength and deflection checks, tc is the thickness of the concrete slab that lies
*
above the ENA, zero if the ENA is above the concrete slab, tc = 0
*
• For vibration checks, tc is the thickness of the concrete slab
* *
Note that the value of hr and tc can be different on the left and right sides of the beam.
2. Once Σ (A z tr 1
2
) is known, ETABS computes Ic and Itr by application of the parallel axis
theorem:
∑ A z + ∑ I − (∑ A ) z
2 2
I c= tr 1 O tr

4.3 Transformed Section Modulus

The value of the section modulus for the fully composite uncracked transformed section
referred to the tension flange of the steel section, Wc, is derived from the value of Ic:
Ic
Wc =
z + tcp
4.4 Effective Moment of Inertia for Partial Composite Connection

Per EC4 Clause 7.3.1(4), ETABS ignores the effect of partial composite action on beam
deflections if:
• the design of the shear connection is in accordance with EC4 Clause 6.6, which ETABS
assumes is always the case – even when the shear connectors distribution is user-
specified
• not less shear connectors are used than half the number for full shear connection
• in case of a ribbed slab with ribs transverse to the beam, the height of the ribs does not
exceed 80 mm.
When these conditions are not met, ETABS computes beam deflections based on the
recommendation of Section 3 of SCI NCCI: Modified Limitations on Partial Shear Connection
in Beams for Building PN002a-GB – referred to as PN002a henceforth. The deflection of the
beam, δ, is taken as equal to:
δ=
δ c + 0.5(1 − η )(δ s − δ c ) if the beam is shored
δ=
δ c + 0.3(1 − η )(δ s − δ c ) if the beam is not shored
where:
• δs is the deflection for the steel beam acting alone
• δc is the deflection of a composite beam with full shear connection for the same loading
A corresponding moment of inertia, Ieff, for the partially composite beam is computed as
follows:
δc
I eff = I if the beam is shored
δ c
δ c − δ s ,dead
I eff = I if the beam is not shored
δ − δ s ,dead c

4.5 Effective Section Modulus for Partial Composite Connection

If all of the conditions set forth in EC4 Clause 7.31(4) are met, ETABS considers that the
section of modulus, referred to the tension flange of the steel section, of the partially composite
beam, Weff, is the same as that for the fully composite beam, Wc.
Otherwise, ETABS evaluates Weff per the following equation:
I − Ia
W y + eff
Weff =
Ic − Ia
(Wc − Wy )
4.6 Plastic Resistance Moment of a Composite Cross-Section

Per EC4 Clauses 6.2.1.2 and 6.2.2.4, ETABS computes the plastic resistance moment, Mpl,Rd, of
a composite cross-section based on the assumptions that:
• the steel in the steel section flanges is stressed to its design yield strength, fyd, in tension
fy
or compression. f yd = per EC4 2.4.1.2(4). Also, note that per EC4 Clause 3.3, the
γM0
value of fyd is capped at 460 MPa
• the steel in the steel section web and fillets is stressed to fyd if the vertical shear force
VEd is less than half the plastic vertical shear resistance of the beam, Vpl,Rd, and less than
half the shear buckling resistance of the beam, Vb,Rd, if applicable
• the contribution of the steel in part of the web defined in EC3-1 Clause 6.2.2.4 is
neglected if the web of the section is class 3 and its flanges are class 1 or 2
• if the vertical shear force VEd is more than half Vpl,Rd or half Vb,Rd,, the steel in the web
and fillets resists a reduced stress equal to (1 − ρ ) f yd with ρ given by:
2
 2VEd 
=ρ  − 1 (EC4 6.2.2.4 Eq. 6.5)
 min(V 
 pl ,a , Rd ,V b , Rd ) 
• the contribution of the steel reinforcement can be neglected
• the effective area of concrete in compression resists a stress of 0.85fcd, constant over the
whole depth between the plastic neutral axis of the composite section and the top of the
concrete deck or slab, with:
f ck
0.85 f cd = 0.85 (EC4 2.4.1.2(2) Eq. 2.1)
γc
A typical plastic stress distribution is shown in the figure below. The compression force in the
concrete slab, Nc, is the smallest of:
N pl ,a = Aa f yd if the vertical shear force is low, or N pl=

,a ( Aa − Aw ) f yd if it is high

=N c , f 0.85( f cd −left Ac −left + f cd − right Ac − right )
∑P rd
When computing Npl,a, ETABS includes the contribution of the bottom flange cover plate if
there is one. When computing Nc,f, ETABS computes separately the maximum compressive
forces that can be developed by the concrete in the slab on the left side of the beam and on the
right side of the beam, and adds up the two.
α1 f c′
CConc
a
CSteel
Fy
Plastic neutral axis (PNA)
TSteel
Fy
Beam Section Beam Elevation Plastic Stress

Distribution
Figure 4-4 – Composite Beam Plastic Stress Distribution

Given a value of the compression force, Nc, ETABS computes the resulting plastic bending
resistance, Mpl,Rd, through a three-step process:
1. ETABS first computes the depth, a, of the compression block in the slab and the distance,
d1, from its centroid to the top of the steel section.
a is such that if the top of the highest slab on the left and right sides of the beam is offset by
a, the compressive force developed by the concrete located above the resulting plane is
equal to Nc.
If the deck properties are the same on both sides of the beam, and the slab is a solid slab, or
there is deck and it is perpendicular to the beam on both sides, then:
Nc
a=
0.85 f cd beff
Because the computation is not as straightforward when the deck properties differ on the
two sides of the beam, or when the concrete in the deck rib contributes to the compression
force, ETABS uses an iterative algorithm in which the value of a is adjusted until the exact
answer is found.
2. ETABS computes the location of the plastic neutral axis, PNA, in the steel section, and the
distance, d2, from the centroid of the compression force in the steel section to the top of the

steel section. When Nc is equal to Npl,a, the steel section is completely in tension, the PNA is
at the top of the steel section and d2 is zero.
3. ETABS computes Mpl,Rd :
Mpl,Rd = Nc(d1 + d2) + Npl,a(d3 – d2)

where d3 is the distance from the centroid of the steel section to the top of the steel section.
4.7 Elastic Resistance Moment of a Composite Cross-Section

The design value of the elastic resistance moment of the composite section, Mel,Rd, is taken as
equal to:
Weff f y
M el ,Rd =
γ MO
.

5 Strength Checks
This chapter explains how ETABS checks the shear and bending resistance of the beams it
designs under construction conditions and service conditions.
5.1 Design Load Combinations

ETABS can automatically generate default composite beam design load combinations with
which it will check the shear and bending resistance of the composite beams it designs. These
load combinations are consistent with:
• the action classification set forth in EN 1991-1-6:2005: Eurocode 1 - Actions on

structures Part 1-6: General actions - Actions during execution referred to as Eurocode
1-6 and abbreviated as EC1-1-6 henceforth
• the load combinations specified in EN 1990:2002: Eurocode - Basis of structural

design, referred to as Eurocode 0 and abbreviated as EC0 henceforth.
The factors in these load combinations depend on the values of some “Nationally Determined
Parameters” (NDP). If you set the Eurocode country in the Composite Design Preferences prior
to running the design, the generated load combinations will be based on the corresponding
values of the relevant NDP’s. You can change the Eurocode country after running the design,
but this will not modify the previously created load combinations.
You may let ETABS use the default load combinations; you may define your own load
combinations and have ETABS use these instead; or you may have ETABS use both. You may
modify the default load combinations, and you may delete them if you have defined your own.
5.1.1 Strength Checks for Construction Loads

The load combinations used for checking the strength of an unshored beam subjected to
construction loads are the “construction load combinations”. The automatically generated
construction load combinations depend on whether you select “Eq. 6.10” or the “Max. of Eq.
6.10.a and 6.10.b” option for the Combinations Equation item in the Factors tab of the
Composite Beam Design Preferences form.
Design Load Combinations 29

Composite Beam Design Eurocode 4-2004 Strength Checks
If you select the “Eq. 6.10 option”, ETABS generates a single construction load combination,
corresponding to the following formula:
∑γ
j ≥1
G, j Gk , j + γ p P + γ Q ,1Qk ,1 + ∑γ
i >1
Q ,i ψ 0,i Qk ,i (EC0 6.4.3.2.Eq. 6.10)
Because Eurocode 1-6 Clause 2.2 specifies that the load exerted by the concrete should be
treated as a variable action during construction, and because ETABS does not distinguish
between loads exerted by steel and by concrete, ETABS treats the entire dead load as a variable
action, which is a conservative assumption but in most cases only slightly so. Accordingly, the
above formula reduces itself to:
γQ,1 ( Σ WDL + ΣCL) (EC0 Eq. 6.10)
where:
ΣWDL = the sum of all wet dead load (WDL) load cases defined for the model. Note
that if a load case is simply defined as dead load, it is considered a WDL load
case.
ΣCL = the sum of all construction load (CL) load cases defined for the model. Note
that you need to define all corresponding loads in the ETABS model.
If you select “Max. of Eq. 6.10.a and 6.10.b” option, ETABS generates two construction load
combinations, corresponding to the following formulas:
∑γ
j ≥1
G, j Gk , j + γ p P + γ Q ,1ψQ ,1Qk ,1 + ∑γ i >1
Q ,i ψ 0,i Qk ,i (EC0 6.4.3.2.Eq. 6.10a)
∑ξ γ
j ≥1
j G, j Gk , j + γ p P + γ Q,1Qk ,1 + ∑γ
i >1
Q ,i ψ 0,i Qk ,i (EC0 6.4.3.2.Eq. 6.10b)
which reduce themselves to:
γQ,1 ψ0,1 ( WDL + Σ ΣCL) (EC0 Eq. 6.10a)
Σ
γQ,1 ( WDL + ΣCL) (EC0 Eq. 6.10b)
The variable values and factors used in the load combinations are country dependent and default
to:
γGj = 1.35 [NDP] (EC0 Table A1.2(B))
γQ,1 = 1.5 [NDP] (EC0 Table A1.2(B))
γQ,i = 1.5 [NDP] (EC0 Table A1.2(B))
ψ 0,1 1.0 [NDP]

= (EC1-1-6 A1.1 Note 2)
Strength Checks 30
ξ = 0.85 [NDP] (EC0 Table A1.2(B))
ETABS checks the strength of the beam subjected to construction loads if the beam is unshored.
If the beam is shored, any specified design load combinations for construction loads are not
relevant.
5.1.2 Strength Checks for Service Loads

The load combinations used for checking the strength of a composite beam under service loads
are the “strength load combinations”. The automatically generated strength load combinations
depend on whether you select “Eq. 6.10” or the “Max. of Eq. 6.10.a and 6.10.b” option for the
Combinations Equation item in the Factors tab of the Composite Beam Design Preferences
form.
If you select the “Eq. 6.10” option, ETABS generates a single strength load combination,
corresponding to the following formula:
∑γ
j ≥1
G, j Gk , j + γ p P + γ Q ,1Qk ,1 + ∑γ
i >1
Q ,i ψ 0,i Qk ,i (EC0 6.4.3.2 Eq. 6.10)
which reduces itself to:
γGj,(ΣWDL +ΣSDL) + γQ,1(ΣLL + ΣRLL)
where:
ΣLL = the sum of all live load (LL) load cases defined for the model.
ΣRLL = the sum of all reducible live load (RLL) load cases defined for the model.
ΣSDL = the sum of all superimposed dead load (SDL) load cases defined for the model.
and the remainder of the terms are as defined previously
If you select the “Max. of Eq. 6.10.a and 6.10.b” option, ETABS generates two strength load
combinations, corresponding to the following formulas:
∑γ
j ≥1
G, j Gk , j + γ p P + γ Q,1ψQ ,1Qk ,1 + ∑γ
i >1
Q ,i ψ 0,i Qk ,i (EC0 6.4.3.2 Eq. 6.10a)
∑ξ γ
j ≥1
j G, j Gk , j + γ p P + γ Q,1Qk ,1 + ∑γ
i >1
Q ,i ψ 0,i Qk ,i (EC0 6.4.3.2 Eq. 6.10b)
which reduce themselves to :
γGj,(ΣWDL +ΣSDL) + γ Q,1Ψ0,1 (ΣLL + ΣRLL)
Strength Checks 31
Σ Σ Σ
ξγGj,( WDL + SDL) + γQ,1( LL + ΣRLL)
and the remainder of the terms are as defined previously, with the exception of ψ0,1 which has a
different default value:
ψ 0,1 0.7 [NDP]

= (EC0 Table A1-1)
5.2 Shear Strength Check

ETABS checks that the shear resistance of a beam is adequate for all the construction and all the
strength load combinations along its entire length. The design must satisfy:
VEd
≤ 1.0 (EC3-1 6.2.6 Eq. 6.17)
Vc ,Rd
Per EC4 Clause 6.2.2.2, Vc,Rd is taken as equal to Vpl,a,Rd, which is computed as explained in
Plastic Resistance to Vertical Shear of Steel Cross-Sections.
In addition, per EC4 Clause 6.2.2.3, if EC3-5 Clause 5.2 (2), the design must also satisfy:
VEd
≤ 1.0
Vbw,Rd
where Vbw,Rd is the shear buckling resistance of the steel web and is computed as explained in
Shear Buckling Resistance of Steel Webs.
5.3 Construction Bending Check

If the beam is unshored, ETABS checks that the bending resistance of the steel beam alone is
adequate for all the construction load combinations along its entire length.
The design must satisfy:
M Ed
≤ 1.0 (EC3-1 6.2.5 Eq. 6.12)
M Rd
where:
• MEd is the design bending moment. It can be positive or negative.
• MRd is the smallest of Mc,a,Rd and Mb,Rd which are computed as explained in Bending
Resistance of Steel Cross-Sections and in Buckling Resistance Moment of Steel Beams.
Mb,Rd is computed anew at each location and for each location based on the corresponding
unbraced length of the beam.
Strength Checks 32
The above check does not take into account any axial force or out-of-plane bending that may
occur in the beam.
5.4 Negative Bending Check

If a beam is subject to any negative bending at any location and for any of the strength load
combinations, ETABS checks that the bending resistance of the steel beam alone is adequate
where and when the negative bending occurs.
− M Ed
≤ 1.0 (EC3-1 6.2.5 Eq. 6.12)
M Rd
where:
• MEd is the negative design bending moment
• MRd is the smallest of Mc,a,Rd and Mb,Rd
5.5 Positive Bending Check

ETABS checks that the bending resistance of the composite beam is adequate for all the
strength load combinations at the location where the positive bending moment is the greatest,
and if ETABS is checking a user-input shear connector distribution and there are point loads on
the beam, at the locations of all the point loads.
M Ed
≤ 1.0 (EC3-1 6.2.5 Eq. 6.12)
M Rd
where:
• MEd is the design bending moment
• MRd is the design resistance moment of the composite beam.
Per EC4 Clause 6.2.1, the value of MRd depends on whether or not the beam is designed as
composite, the classification of its section, and its grade of steel:
• If the beam is composite, its section is class 1 or 2, and its grade is less than S420, MRd is
equal to Mpl,Rd which is computed as explained in Plastic Resistance Moment of a
Composite Cross-Section.
• If the beam is composite, its section is class 1 or 2, but its grade is S420 or higher, the
value of MRd depends on the distance xpl between the plastic neutral axis and the top of
Strength Checks 33
the slab or deck. If xpl is less than 0.15 h, where h is the overall depth of the beam, MRd is
equal to Mpl,Rd. If xpl is equal to 0.4 h, MRd is equal to 0.85 Mpl,Rd. For values of xpl between
0.15 h and 0.4 h, MRd is obtained by linear interpolation. For values of xpl greater than 0.4
h, MRd is equal to Mel,Rd, which is computed as explained in Elastic Resistance Moment of
a Composite Cross-Section.
• If the beam is non-composite, MRd is the smallest of Mc,a,Rd and Mb,Rd.
Note that all composite beams have a class 1 or class 2 section, as explained in Steel Section
Classification.
ETABS considers a beam to be non-composite if:
• its effective width is zero, or
• the deck(s) next to it is (are) not filled, or
• there are not enough shear studs on the beam to achieve the EC4 specified minimum
percentage of composite action.
Also, you can specify in the composite beam design overwrites if ETABS is to design a beam
as non-composite without connectors, non-composite with connectors, composite as required, or
always composite.
In the case of a moment-connected beam supported at both ends, ETABS makes an allowance
for pattern loading in which only a fraction of the live load is present on the adjacent spans,
since this will increase the positive bending of the beam.
If ETABS is determining the shear connector distribution, it checks that the above equation is
satisfied at the location of the maximum moment for each load combination twice:
• In the first pass, ETABS uses the value of MRd obtained assuming full composite action.
ETABS stores the resulting ratios and uses these, along with some other ratios it
computes for the deflection checks, to determine an optimum percentage of composite
action and distribute shear connectors accordingly.
• In the second pass, ETABS uses the value of MRd obtained for the percentage of
composite action provided by the shear connector distribution.
When it is determining the shear connector distribution, ETABS does not check the above
equation is satisfied at the locations of any of the point loads. Instead, ETABS distributes the
shear connectors in such a way as to ensure there will be enough shear connectors between each
point load location and the nearest point of zero moment to satisfy the above equation with the
local value of MEd. This is explained in How ETABS Distributes Shear Connectors on Beams.
Also, note that the above check does not take into account any axial force or out-of-plane
bending that may occur in the beam.
Strength Checks 34
5.6 Elastic Stresses Check

In accordance with Section 6.1.3 of SCI Publication 359: Composite Design of Steel Frame
Buildings, referred to as SCI Pub. 359 henceforth, ETABS checks that the flexural stresses
remain in the elastic range under un-factored service loads.
For all deflection load combinations, a design must satisfy the following equation at the location
of maximum positive bending:
M total
≤ fy if the beam is shored
Weff
M dead M sup er −dead + M live

+ ≤ fy if the beam is not shored
Wy Weff
where:
Mdead = Maximum positive bending moment produced by the dead load

Msuper-dead = Maximum positive bending moment produced by the superimposed dead
load
Mlive = Maximum positive bending moment produced by the live load
Mtotal = Maximum positive bending moment
and Weff is computed as explained in Effective Section Modulus for Partial Composite
Connection.
Strength Checks 35
6 Deflection Checks
This chapter explains how ETABS computes and checks the deflections of the composite beams
it designs.
6.1 Composite Beam Deflections

ETABS computes composite beam deflections using a moment-area technique: ETABS
constructs an M/EI diagram by computing the M/EI values at each output station along the
length of the beam and assuming a linear variation of M/EI between the stations. M/EI is taken
as zero along the end length offsets of the beams. Deflections at each station are then computed
based on this M/EI diagram. Finally, the overall deflected shape of the beam is drawn by
connecting the computed values of the deflection at the various stations with straight-line
segments.
For the purpose of composite beam design, in the case of a beam supported at both ends,
ETABS measures beam deflections from the straight line joining the two supports as illustrated
below:
Figure 6-1 Deflection Results Reported by the Composite Beam Design Postprocessor
In the case of cantilever beams, ETABS measures the displacement at the free end relative to
the beam support. In addition, ETABS assumes that the supported end of the cantilever beam is
fixed against rotation.
Composite Beam Deflections 36

Composite Beam Design Eurocode 4-2004 Deflection Checks
The automatically created design load combination for computing deflections is given by the
following equation:
ΣWDL + ΣSDL + ΣLL + ΣRLL (AISC L1, ASCE 2.4.1, C.1.1, C.2)
where all of the terms are as described in Design Load Combinations. Note that all the load
factors for this serviceability check are 1.0. Dead load deflections are the dead load component
of the deflections computed for this load combination. Likewise, superimposed dead load are
the superimposed dead load component of the deflections computed for it, and live load
deflections are the sum of the unreducible live load and reducible live load components of the
deflections computed for it.
As explained in Elastic Stresses Check, ETABS always checks that the flexural stresses remain
in the elastic range under un-factored service loads.
6.2 Dead Load Deflection Check

Shoring during construction affects how ETABS evaluates dead load deflection and specifies
camber. By default, ETABS assumes beams are not shored during construction but you can
specify shoring for specific beams in the beam overwrites.
If a beam is shored, ETABS computes its dead load deflection using:
• the moment of inertia of the steel section (including any cover plate) Ia, if the beam is
non-composite or is a cantilever beam
• the effective moment of inertia of the beam, Ieff, otherwise – see Effective Moment of
Inertia for Partial Composite Connection for information on Ieff
and does not check the computed value against any limit, but retrieves it later, to compute the
total beam deflection.
If a beam is not shored, ETABS computes its dead load deflection based on Ia. If the design
preferences or the beam overwrites specify a maximum limit for dead load deflection, ETABS
checks that the dead load deflection is less.
6.3 Camber
If you have specified a specific camber during interactive beam design or in the beam
overwrites, ETABS uses that camber.
Otherwise, ETABS computes a camber equal to 80% of the dead load deflection, rounded down
to the nearest beam camber increment if the beam and its structural steel section meet the
following criteria:
• the beam is not shored

• camber is not preempted in the beam overwrites
Deflection Checks 37
• the beam span is more than 7.5 m

• the depth of the steel section is more than 350 mm
• the web thickness of the section is more than 6 mm
• the computed camber is at least the minimum camber specified in the design
preferences
If that camber is more than the maximum camber specified in the design preferences, ETABS
uses the maximum camber.
All the numbers used in the above criteria, as well as the 80% ratio, can be changed in the
composite beam design preferences. The next to last three criteria implement recommendations
published by AISC in the Specifying Camber Steelwise article of Modern Steel Construction,
July 2006.
6.4 Post-Composite and Live Load Deflection Checks

ETABS computes the superimposed dead load and live load deflections using Ia if the beam is
designed as non-composite or is a cantilever beam, Ieff, otherwise. How Ieff is computed is
explained in Effective Moment of Inertia for Partial Composite Connection.
In the case of a moment-connected beam supported at both ends, ETABS makes an allowance
for pattern loading in which only a fraction of the live load is present on the adjacent spans
since this will increase the estimated deflection of the beam. Also, note that ETABS uses Ieff
along the entire length of the beam, even in the areas of negative bending.
If the design preferences or the beam overwrites specify a maximum limit for post-composite
deflection, ETABS checks that the sum of the superimposed dead load and live load deflections
is less.
If the design preferences or the beam overwrites specify a maximum limit for live load
deflection, ETABS checks that the live load deflection is less.
6.5 Deflection Caused by Concrete Shrinkage

Per EC4 Clause 7.3.1(8), the effect of shrinkage on beam deflection is neglected when the ratio
of span to overall depth of the beam is not greater than 20. Consistent with EC4 Clause
6.2.1.2(3) and Figure 6.3, the overall depth of the beam includes the thickness of the deck or
slab.
If that condition is not satisfied and the beam is designed as composite, ETABS computes the
deflection caused by concrete shrinkage and adds it to the deflection total.
Per SCI Pub. 359, Section 6.1.2, the curvature, Ks, due to a free shrinkage stain, εs, is equal to:
ε s ( hc + 2h p + ha ) Aa
Ks =
2(1 + nr ) I c
where:
• εs is the value of the total free shrinkage strain for dry environments within buildings
prescribed in EC4 Annex C:
εs = 325 x 10-6 for normal weight concrete

εs = 500 x 10-6 for lightweight concrete
• hc is the depth of the concrete cover
• hp is the depth of the deck ribs, if there are any
• ha is the height of the steel section
• Aa is the area of the steel section
• n is the modular ratio appropriate for shrinkage calculations – ETABS uses the same
value of n as for other deflection calculations.
• r is the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the steel section relative to the concrete section
• Ic is the transformed moment of inertia of the composite section
If the deck construction and concrete properties are different on the left and right sides of the
beam, ETABS evaluates Ks on each side and uses the larger of the two values.
You can change the values of εs in the composite beam design preferences and overwrites.
The deflection due to the shrinkage-induced curvature is then given by:
L2
δ s =K s (CSA17.3.1 (c))
8
6.6 Net Deflection Checks

If the design preferences or the beam overwrites specify a maximum limit for net deflection,
ETABS checks that the sum of the dead load, superimposed dead load, live load deflections,
and deflection caused by concrete shrinkage, minus any computed camber, is less than that
maximum limit.
7 Shear Connectors
This chapter explains how ETABS determines the total number of shear connectors required to
satisfy the design requirements on a composite beam, and their distribution.
It first introduces the concept of “beam segments”, along with the maximum workable and
minimum required numbers of shear connectors on any beam segment based on the minimum
and maximum spacing requirements specified in the design preferences.
Next, it explains how ETABS distributes shear connectors on the beam segments to satisfy
design requirements.
Finally, it explains how ETABS designs composite beams when their shear connector
distribution is user-specified.
7.1 Beam Segments and their Maximum and Minimum Numbers of Studs
7.1.1 Beam Segments

ETABS divides the top flange of each composite beam into one or more beam segments that
together extend along the length of the beam. A composite beam segment may span between
any two of the following three locations:
• the physical end of the beam top flange, which takes into account the physical
dimensions of the frame object or wall object supporting the beam, plus a half inch gap,
• a connection to another beam that frames into or sits on the beam being considered,
• the physical end of the concrete slab on top of the beam.
Figure 7-1 shows some examples of beam segments. The figure uses the following notation:
L = Length of composite beam measured from center-of-support to center-of-support

LCBS = Length of a beam segment
Beam Segments and their Maximum and Minimum Numbers of Studs 40

Composite Beam Design Eurocode 4-2004 Shear Connectors
LCBS
a) LCBS for Beam Between Two Columns
LCBS
b) LCBS for Beam Between Two Girders
LCBS LCBS LCBS
c) LCBS when Beams Frame into Considered Beam
End of
slab
LCBS
d) LCBS when Slab Ends in Beam Span
Figure 7-1 – Examples of Beam Segments and their Lengths
Shear Connectors 41
7.1.2 Maximum Number of Shear Connectors on Beam Segments

As stated in Deck Properties and Effective Slab Width, for the purpose of composite beam
design, ETABS considers there is at most a single deck type and orientation on each side of the
middle range of the beam.
7.1.2.1 Deck Ribs Oriented Perpendicular to Beam Span

If the deck on the left side or the deck on the right side, or both of them, has or have ribs and is
or are perpendicular to the beam, then shear connectors must be placed within these deck ribs.
ETABS limits the number of rows of shear connectors running along the width of the beam
flange in each metal deck rib to one. For a typical case with 19 mm diameter shear connectors
and an average width of the deck rib equal to150 mm, it is difficult to fit more than one row of
shear connectors in a deck rib and still have adequate edge clearances. (To have more than one
row of shear connectors in a single deck rib, you can specify a user-defined shear connector
pattern for the beam.) The maximum number of shear connectors that can be placed on a
segment is then equal to the product of the number of deck ribs that occur in that segment times
the maximum number of shear connectors that can be placed within one rib.
The number of deck ribs itself is computed by dividing the segment length, LCB, by the deck rib
spacing and rounding the number down. When the deck on the left and the deck on the right
have a different rib spacing, the widest one is used.
ETABS computes the maximum number of shear connectors that can be placed within one rib
based on the beam flange width, the minimum transversal shear connector spacing specified in
the design preferences, and a side cover requirement of 25 mm. or one connector diameter,
whichever is larger, as illustrated in the sketch below. If you want, you can specify a different
maximum number of connectors that can be placed within one rib in the beam overwrites.
7.1.2.2 Solid Slab or Deck Ribs Oriented Parallel to Beam Span

If instead:
• there is a deck on one side only of the beam and it is a solid slab type or it is parallel to
the beam
• or there are decks on both sides of the beam and both decks are a solid slab type or are
parallel to the beam
ETABS assumes that shear connectors can be placed anywhere on the flange of the beam. (This
assumes that the deck is split over the flange of the beam if necessary.)
The maximum number of shear connectors that can be placed in a single row along a segment is
Shear Connectors 42
computed by dividing the segment length, LCB, by the minimum longitudinal shear connector
spacing specified in the design preferences and rounding the number down.
The maximum number of rows of connectors on the beam is computed based on the beam
flange width, the minimum transversal shear connector spacing specified in the design
preferences, and a side cover requirement of 25 mm or one connector diameter, whichever is
larger, as illustrated in the sketch above. Again, the maximum number of rows of connectors
that can be placed on the beam can be specified in the beam overwrites.
7.1.2.3 No Deck or Unfilled Deck

When there is no deck on either side of the middle range of a beam, ETABS does not design the
beam as composite and does not place any connectors on it. It does the same when the decks on
both sides of the beam are unfilled, or when there is a deck on only one side and it is unfilled.
7.1.3 Minimum Number of Shear Connectors on Beam Segments

Generally, the minimum number of shear connectors required to satisfy the maximum spacing
requirements on a beam segment is computed by dividing the segment length by the maximum
shear connector spacing and rounding the number up.
If the deck on the left side or the deck on the right side, or both of them, has or have ribs and is
or are perpendicular to the beam, shear connectors must be placed within the deck ribs and the
maximum shear connector spacing is rounded down to the nearest multiple of the rib spacing.
When the deck on the left and the deck on the right have a different rib spacing, the widest one
is used.
7.2 Design Resistance of Shear Connectors

EC4 only provides equations for the design resistance of headed stud connectors, and
accordingly, ETABS only computes the resistance of such connectors. If you want to use a
different type of shear connector, you can specify the design resistance of a connector in the
beam overwrites of the beams being designed.
The design resistance of a headed stud connector depends on whether it is in a solid slab, in a
deck with ribs parallel to the supporting beam, or in a deck with ribs transverse to the
supporting beams.
7.2.1 Headed Stud Connectors in Solid Slabs

The design resistance of a single headed stud connector embedded in a solid slab, Prd,solid, is
computed per EC4 Clause 6.6.3.1, using the smaller of Eq. 6.18 and Eq. 6.19:
0.8 f uπ d 2 4
PRd ,solid = (EC4 6.6.3.1 Eq. 6.18)
γv
Shear Connectors 43
0.29α d 2 f ck Ecm
PRd ,solid = (EC4 6.6.3.1 Eq. 6.19)
γv
where:
h 
α= 0.2  sc + 1 for 3 ≤ hsc d ≤ 4 (EC4 6.6.3.1 Eq. 6.20)
 d 
=α 1 for hsc d > 4 (EC4 6.6.3.1 Eq. 6.21)
γ v is the partial factor = 1.25 [NDP]

d is the diameter of the shank of the stud, 16 mm ≤ d ≤25 mm
fu is the specified ultimate tensile strength of the stud material but fu ≤ 500 MPa
f ck is the characteristic cylinder compressive strength of the concrete
hsc is the overall nominal height of the stud
The terms f ck and Ecm can be different on the two sides of the beam. ETABS computes Prd,solid
for each side of the beam separately using the preceding equation and uses the smaller value in
the calculations.
7.2.2 Headed Stud Connectors in Filled Decks with Ribs Parallel to the Beam
The design shear resistance of a single headed stud connector embedded in a filled deck with its
ribs running parallel to the supporting beam is taken as k  PRd ,solid where:
PRd ,solid is computed for the connector embedded in solid slab using Eq. 6.18
wr  H s 
=k  0.6  − 1.0  ≤ 1.0 (EC4 6.6.4.1 Eq. 6.22)
hr  hr 
where:
H s ≤ hr + 75mm
7.2.3 Headed Stud Connectors in Filled Decks with Ribs Transverse to the Beam
The design shear resistance of a single headed stud connector embedded in a filled with its ribs
transverse to the supporting beam is taken as kt PRd where:
PRd ,solid is computed for the connector embedded in solid slab using Eq. 6.18 and using
f u ≤ 450 MPa.
0.7 wr  H s 
=kt  − 1.0  ≤ kt ,max (EC4 6.6.4.2 Eq. 6.23)
nr hr  hr 
Shear Connectors 44
where:
• nr is the number of shear connectors in one rib at a beam intersection, not to exceed 2 in
computations.
• the factor kt ,max is given in EC4 Table 6.2
7.3 Minimum Percentage of Composite Action

While EC4 Clause 6.6.1.2 specifies a minimum percentage of composite action, ηmin, ETABS
implements the guidance in PN002a, and uses a potentially lower minimum value of ηmin when:
• the beam being designed is not shored during construction, the design value of the
uniformly distributed load on the floor does not exceed 9kN/m2, and the shear connectors
have an overall height after welding not less than 4 times the diameter and a shank of
diameter not less than 16 mm and not greater than 25 mm, or
• the deck is transverse to the beam being designed and the shear connectors have an
overall height after welding not less than 95 mm and a shank of diameter is19 mm.
7.3.1 Minimum Percentage of Composite Action per EC4 Clause 6.6.1.2

EC4 Clause 6.6.1.2 specifies a minimum percentage of composite action ηmin equal to:
• For beams with a steel section with equal flanges:
 355 
ηmin =
1−  (0.75 − 0.03Le ) ≥ 0.4 when Le ≤ 25 (EC4 6.6.1.2 Eq. 6.12)
 f 
 y 
ηmin 1when Le > 25
= (EC4 6.6.1.2 Eq. 6.13)
• For beams with a steel section having a bottom flange with an area equal to three times
Shear Connectors 45
the area of the top flange:
 355 
ηmin =
1−   (0.30 − 0.015Le ) ≥ 0.4 when Le ≤ 20 (EC4 6.6.1.2 Eq. 6.14)

 fy 
ηmin 1when Le > 20
= (EC4 6.6.1.2 Eq. 6.15)
• For beams with a steel section having a bottom flange with an area exceeding the area
of the top flange but less than three times that area, the value of ηmin is obtained by
linear interpolation from the above values.
ETABS does not take advantage of the lower value of ηmin permitted by EC4 Clause 6.6.1.2(3)
because it does not compute the plastic resistance moment of the partially composite beam, Mrd,
per the straight-line approximation method depicted in EC4 Figure 6.5.

PN002a allows the use of a possibly lower value of ηmin than EC4 Clause 6.6.1.2 when:
• the beam being designed is not shored during construction
• the design value of the uniformly distributed load on the floor does not exceed 9kN/m2,
and
• the shear connectors have an overall height after welding not less than 4 times the
diameter and a shank of diameter not less than 16 mm and not greater than 25 mm.
In that case:
 355 
ηmin =
1−   (0.802 − 0.029 Le ) ≥ 0.4

 fy 
 355 
ηmin =
1−   (0.322 − 0.014 Le ) ≥ 0.4 when Le ≤ 20

 fy 
Shear Connectors 46
7.3.3 PN002a Minimum Percentage of Composite Action for Shored Beams

Supporting a Deck with Perpendicular Ribs
• the deck is transverse to the beam being designed
• the shear connectors have an overall height after welding not less than 95 mm and a
shank of diameter is19 mm
• the beam is shored during construction and
• the flanges of its steel section have equal flanges.
In that case:
 355 
ηmin =
1−   (1.433 − 0.054 Le ) ≥ 0.4

 fy 

Supporting a Deck with Perpendicular Ribs
• the deck is transverse to the beam being designed
• the shear connectors have an overall height after welding not less than 95 mm and a
shank of diameter is19 mm and
• the beam is not shored during construction.
In that case:
 355 
ηmin =
1−   (2.019 − 0.070 Le ) ≥ 0.4

 fy 
 355 
ηmin =
1−   (0.434 − 0.011Le ) ≥ 0.4

 fy 
Shear Connectors 47
Note that in all the preceding equations, the lower bound value of ηmin is 0.4. If you want, you
can specify a higher lower bound value of ηmin in the composite beam design preferences. In
addition, when designing a beam interactively, you can choose the percentage of composite
action from a range of values some of which are lower than the value of ηmin applicable to the
beam. If you select a percentage less than ηmin, ETABS displays warning messages in the
Interactive Composite Beam Design form and in the composite beam design output.
7.4 Maximum Percentage of Composite Action

The target percentage of composite action cannot exceed the maximum percentage of composite
action specified in the design preferences.
EC4 Clause 6.6.1.3 specifies that shear connectors can be spaced uniformly over a length
between adjacent critical cross-sections if the plastic resistance moment of the composite
section does not exceed 2.5 times the plastic resistance moment of the steel section alone.
When the design of a beam does not satisfy this requirement, ETABS displays warning
messages in the Interactive Composite Beam Design form and in the composite beam design
output.
7.5 How ETABS Distributes Shear Connectors on Beams

ETABS considers a beam non-composite if its effective width is zero, or the deck(s) next to it is
(are) not filled. Also, you can specify in their overwrites if ETABS is to design beams as non-
composite without shear connectors, non-composite with shear connectors, composite as
required, or always composite.
If a beam is non-composite, ETABS places on it a minimum number of shear connectors, as

explained in Minimum Number of Shear Connectors on Beam Segments, or no shear connectors
if it is what you specified in the beam overwrites.
If the strength and stiffness of the structural steel section are adequate without composite action,
and you have not specified always composite in the beam overwrites, ETABS places on it a
minimum number of shear connectors.
Otherwise, ETABS computes a target percentage of composite action as the smallest percentage
for which the strength and stiffness of the beam are still adequate — as explained in Strength
Checks and Deflection Checks. If the strength or stiffness of the beam is inadequate even
assuming 100% composite action, ETABS sets a target of 100% composite action. The target
percentage of composite action is at least:
• the value of ηmin computed from the preceding equations

• the minimum percentage of composite action you specified in the design preferences
• whatever you set it to in interactive design mode.
Also, the target percentage of composite action cannot exceed the maximum percentage of
composite action specified in the design preferences.
Shear Connectors 48
ETABS computes the corresponding target horizontal shear force Nc,1 to be provided by the
shear connectors between the location of the maximum bending moment and the nearest point
of zero-moment for each load combination.
If there are point loads on the beam, ETABS also computes, for each point load location and
each load combination, a target horizontal shear force Nc2 to be provided by the shear
connectors between the location of the point load and the nearest point of zero-moment per the
following equation:
 M Ed − M pl ,a , Rd 
N c ,2 = N c ,1  
 M pl , Rd − M pl,a,Rd 
where:
Mpl,Rd = Maximum bending resistance of the composite beam, considering partial

composite connection if applicable
Mpl,a,Rd = Plastic bending resistance of the steel beam alone
MEd = Design bending moment at the point load location
Nc,1 = Horizontal shear force to be provided by the shear connectors between the
point of maximum moment and the point of zero moment
Nc,2 = Horizontal shear force to be provided by the shear connectors between the
point load considered and the point of zero moment
The use of this equation is conservative because it assumes a linear relationship between the
percentage of composite action and the beam plastic bending resistance, whereas the actual
plastic bending resistance is somewhat higher, as depicted in EC4 Figure 6.5.
ETABS then sorts the design load combinations in order of decreasing shear connector
densities. The shear connector density is the ratio of the target horizontal shear force to the
corresponding distance between the nearest point of zero moment and the location at which the
shear force was computed.
ETABS then distributes shear connectors on the beam segments. It first places the minimum
number required to satisfy maximum spacing requirements on all the segments. Then, starting
with the design load combination with the greatest shear connector requirement, and continuing
with the following load combinations, it checks that, at each of the locations where a shear force
has been computed, there are enough shear connectors on the segments to develop that shear
force. If there are not enough, ETABS progressively increases the number of shear connectors
on the segments, starting with the segments closest to the ends of the beam, until there are
enough shear connectors.
7.6 User Defined Shear Connector Distributions

As mentioned in the Introduction and explained in Shear Studs Tab, you can specify composite
shear connector distributions in the beam overwrites. This can be useful when you check an
Shear Connectors 49
existing building, or when you are not satisfied with the shear connector distribution generated
by ETABS. Before you use this feature, note that in interactive design mode, you can vary the
percentage of composite action for a given structural steel section, view the resulting
demand/capacity ratios, deflection ratios, and shear connector distributions, and choose one.
Also, note that you can achieve a shear connector distribution of one shear connector per foot
on most beams by setting the maximum longitudinal shear connector spacing in the design
preferences to one foot.
When you specify the shear connector distribution on a beam, ETABS counts the shear
connectors provided between the location of the maximum positive bending moment and the
nearest point of zero moment for each design load combination. If there are point loads on the
beam, ETABS also counts the number of shear connector provided between the locations of the
point loads and the nearest point of zero moment for each design load combination. ETABS
computes the number of rows of shear connectors along the beam is computed based on the
deck type and the deck orientation relative to the beam as explained above. This number of
rows determines the number of shear connectors per row and the individual capacities PRd of the
shear connectors.
For each of these locations and design load combinations, ETABS computes the horizontal
shear force provided by the shear connectors it counted, the corresponding composite plastic
bending resistance of the beam, and checks that the resulting flexural demand/capacity ratio is
satisfactory.
The percentage of composite action and composite plastic bending resistance reported in the
output are those computed for the controlling location and design load combination.
ETABS checks the beam deflection based on the percentage of composite action obtained at the
location of the maximum positive bending moment for that controlling design load
combination.
ETABS does not check shear connector minimum spacing requirements for user-defined shear
connector distributions.
Shear Connectors 50
8 Vibration Checks
By default, ETABS checks beam vibration acceptability when designing composite beams.
ETABS can apply one of the three sets of design criteria defined in AISC Steel Design Guide
11 (DG11):
• design criterion for walking excitation

• design criteria for rhythmic excitation
• design criteria for sensitive equipment and sensitive occupancies
Which of these criteria to apply depends on the intended use of the space supported by a beam.
By default, ETABS applies the walking excitation criterion. You can specify another DG11 set
of criteria, or no criteria at all, on a model-wide basis in the design preferences, and on a beam-
by-beam basis in the beam overwrites.
The evaluation of each of these sets of criteria depends on the values of a number of associated
parameters. When you specify a set of criteria, ETABS picks default values for the associated
parameters. You can modify most of these default values on a model-wide basis, and all on a
beam-by-beam basis.
ETABS applies the vibration criteria on a beam-by-beam basis: When it assesses the vibrations
of a beam supported by girders, ETABS computes the contributing characteristics of the girders
based on their current designs, and does not attempt to re-design the girders in order to satisfy
the beam vibrations criteria.
After explaining how ETABS computes several quantities common to all DG11 criteria, the
remainder of this chapter explains how ETABS implements each of the DG11 sets of criteria.
In the case of design for sensitive equipment, DG11 distinguishes between evaluation against a
generic velocity limit, against a waveform peak velocity or acceleration specific limit, and
against a narrowband spectral velocity or acceleration specific limit, but currently ETABS only
implements the first one.
User Defined Shear Connector Distributions 51

Composite Beam Design Eurocode 4-2004 Vibration Checks
8.1 Effective Panel Weight

The effective panel weight for the beam or girder panel modes is equal to:
W = wBL (DG11 4.2)

w, the supported weight per unit area, is computed by ETABS as the sum of the dead loads (not
counting any superimposed dead loads), plus the additional dead load and live load specified by
DG11 for the occupancy type specified in the design preferences. If you want, you can override the
occupancy type, and/or the associated additional dead load and live load in the beam overwrites.
For the beam panel mode, the effective width is equal to:
B j C j ( Ds D j )
14
= L j ≤ 2 3 × Floor Width (DG11 4.3a)
where:
C j = 2.0 for beams in most areas

= 1.0 for beams parallel to a free edge
Ds = I slab = Transformed slab moment of inertia per unit width
beff • n
Dj = I tr S = Transformed beam composite section moment of inertia per unit width
Itr = Transformed beam composite section moment inertia
S = Beam spacing
Lj = Beam length
DG11 defines a free edge as the edge of a balcony, a mezzanine, or the building edge if the
cladding is not connected. ETABS considers a beam parallel to a free edge if that beam is at the
limit of the building or is next to an opening, but you can explicitly tell ETABS whether the
beam is parallel to a free edge in the beam overwrites.
As mentioned in Transformed Section Moment of Inertia, Itr is computed differently for

vibration checks and deflection checks. Also, note that ETABS computes Islab more precisely
than DG11: DG11 averages the thickness of the slab and ribs, and acknowledges it is an
approximation, whereas ETABS uses the actual deck ribs geometry.
For the girder panel mode, the effective width is equal to:
Bg C g ( D j D g )
14
= Lg ≤ 2 3 × Floor Length (DG11 4.3b)
where:
Cg = 1.6 for girders supporting beams connected to the girder flange

= 1.8 for girders supporting beams connected to the girder web
Vibration Checks 52
Dg = Girder transformed moment of inertia per unit width

= I tr − g L j for all except edge girders
= I tr − g 2 L j for edge girders
Lg = Girder length
When the beam being designed is supported by two girders with different stiffness, the
computations are based on the properties of the most flexible one. Also, the moment of inertia
of the girder, Itr-g, is the composite transformed moment of inertia of the girder, even when it is
designed per the steel frame design procedure. This is consistent with DG11 Section 3.2, which
specifies using the composite transformed moment of inertia of a beam even when there are no
shear connectors on it as long as the slab or deck is somehow attached to it. If the girder is
separated from the slab (e.g., the case of beams with overhangs that extend over a supporting
girder), you can instruct ETABS to use the moment of inertia of the girder steel section in the
beam overwrites.
ETABS computes the floor width and floor length based on the extents of the framing at the
story and in the tower where the beam is located. The floor length and width are measured
parallel and perpendicular to the beam being designed, respectively, at its location. You can
specify their values in the beam overwrites.
When a beam is continuous over its supports, which per DG 11 includes the case where it
attached to girder webs, and the adjacent beam spans are greater than 0.7 times the beam span
under consideration, the effective panel weight, Wj, is increased by 50 percent.
For the combined mode, the panel weight, W, is equal to:
∆j ∆ 'g
=W Wj + Wg (DG11 4.4)
∆ j + ∆ 'g ∆ j + ∆ 'g
where:
∆ j = mid-span deflection of the beam under the weight it supports,

∆ 'g = reduced mid-span deflection of the girder, if any, under the weight it supports
Lg
∆ 'g = ∆ g where Lg/Bj is taken as not less than 0.5 nor greater than 1.0
Bj
∆ j and ∆ g are computed by ETABS as explained in Composite Beam Deflections.
8.2 Floor Fundamental Natural Vibration Frequency

In the case of design for walking excitation and rhythmic excitation, the floor fundamental
natural vibration frequency, fn, is evaluated as:
g
f n = 0.18 (DG11 3.4)
(∆ j + ∆g )
Vibration Checks 53
In the case of design for sensitive occupancies and sensitive occupancies, fn, is the smallest of
the beam frequency, and the girder frequency if there is a girder:
fn = min(fj, fg)
where:
g
f j = 0.18 (DG11 3.3)
∆j
g
f g = 0.18 (DG11 3.3)
∆g
If you want, you can specify the value of fn in the beam overwrites.
8.3 Design for Walking Excitation

The design of the beam must be such that the predicted peak acceleration of the floor, ap,
satisfies:
ap a0
≤ (DG11 2.6)
g g
where a0 is a specified walking tolerance acceleration limit which depends on the intended use
of the space supported by the beam, and ap/g is equal to:
P0e(
−0.35 f n )
ap
= (DG11 4.1)
g βW
with:
P0 = amplitude of the driving force, always 65 lbs. in accordance with DG11 Section
4.1.1
β = modal damping ratio
DG11 Table 4.1 lists recommended values for the ratio a0/g and you can set it accordingly in the
design preferences or the beam overwrites.
DG11 Table 4.2 provides guidelines for estimating β and you can set it accordingly in the
design preferences or the beam overwrites.
Vibration Checks 54
8.4 Design for Rhythmic Excitation

In the case of design for rhythmic excitation, the design of the beam must be such that the
predicted peak acceleration of the floor, ap, satisfies:
ap a0
≤ (DG11 2.18)
g g
While this equation is the same as DG 11 Equation 2.6, ap and a0 are computed differently than
in the case of design for walking excitation.
Recommended values for the ratio a0/g are listed in DG11 Table 5.1.
ap depends on the step frequency of the rhythmic activity. DG11 Table 5.2 provides suggested
ranges of step frequency and Equation 2.18 must be satisfied for all intermediate step
frequencies included within these ranges.
For a given step frequency fstep , ap is the combination of the floor responses to each harmonic of
the dynamic force and is given by:
ap
=
(∑ a ) 1.5 1/1.5
pj
(DG11 5-1)
g g
where the peak acceleration due to the ith harmonic is given by:
a pj 1.3αi w p wt
= (DG11 5.2)
g 2
 f  2   2βf  2
 n  − 1 +  n 
 if step    if step 
 
with:
αi = Dynamic coefficient from DG11 Table 5.2

wp = Effective weight per unit area of participants distributed over floor panel
wt = Effective distributed weight per unit area of floor panel, including occupants
i = 1 for the 1st harmonic, 2 for the 2nd one, 3 for the 3rd one
Vibration Checks 55
8.5 Design for Sensitive Equipment and Sensitive Occupancies

As mentioned above, while there are several DG 11 design criteria for sensitive equipment and
sensitive occupancies ETABS only implements the one that evaluates the beam response as a
velocity, which it compares to a specified maximum velocity, V1/3, Lim. The design of the beam
must be such that the floor maximum one-third octave spectral velocity due to walking, V1/3
satisfies:
φWV1/3 ≤ V1/3,Lim
where ΦW is a normalized mode shape value which accounts for the location of the walker
relative to the beam. The default value of ΦW is 1.0, corresponding to the worst-case scenario of
the walker located at mid-span, but you can specify a different value in the beam overwrites.
V1/3 is computed differently based on the type of walking — very slow, slow, moderate, or fast.
You can specify the type of walking in the design preferences and the beam overwrites.
In the case of very slow walking, V1/3 is equal to:

2.43
250 × 106 f step
=V1/3
βW fn 1.8
1− e (
−2πβ f n / f step
) (DG11 6-3a)
with:
fn = min(fb, fg) where fb is the beam frequency, and fg is the girder frequency if the
beam is supported by a girder
fstep = average step frequency from DG11 Table 6.
W = value of panel weight measured in lbs.
In the case of slow, moderate, or fast walking, V1/3 is equal to:
175 × 106 −γ f n
V1/3 = e if f n ≤ f L (DG11 6-3b)
βW f n
2.43
250 × 106 f step
=V1/3
βW fn 1.8
1− e (
−2πβ f n / f step
)
if f n ≥ fU (DG11 6-3b)
with:
f L = intermediate zone lower boundary frequency from DG11 Table 6.1

fU = intermediate zone upper boundary frequency from DG11 Table 6.1
γ = dynamic load parameter from DG11 Table 6.1
and with the value of V1/3 obtained by linear interpolation between the two above values for
intermediate values of fn.
Vibration Checks 56
The values of fstep, fL, fU and γ depend on the type of walking. DG11 Table 6.1 provides
recommended values. These recommended values are automatically selected when you set the
type of walking in the design preferences and beam overwrites, but you can specify different
values afterwards. The value of V1/3, Lim depends on the intended use of the space supported by
the beam. DG11 Table 6.2 provides recommended values of V1/3, Lim. This recommended value is
automatically selected when you set the occupancy in the design preferences and beam
overwrites, but you can specify a different value afterwards.
Vibration Checks 57
Appendix A. Design Preferences
The composite beam design preferences are assignments that apply to all the composite beams
in an ETABS model. You can review and modify their values with the Design > Composite
Beam Design > View/Revise Preferences... The command displays the Composite Beam
Design Preferences form, which features seven tabs:
• Beam tab
• Shear Studs tab
• Camber tab
• Deflection tab
• Vibration tab
• Prices tab
• Factors tab
A1. Beam Tab

Table A1 lists the design preference items available on the Beam tab:
Table A1: Composite Beam Preferences on the Beam Tab

Item Possible Default Value Description
Values
Shored Toggle for shored or unshored
Yes/No No
Construction? construction.
Length in the middle of the beam over
which the program checks the effective
Middle Range (%) ≥ 0% 70%
width on each side of the beam, expressed
as a percentage of the total beam length.
Factor applied to live load for special
Pattern Live Load
≥0 0.75 pattern live load check for cantilever back
Factor
spans and continuous spans.
The acceptable stress ratio limit. This item
Stress Ratio Limit >0 1.0
applies to design optimization only.
Design for Sensitive Equipment and Sensitive Occupancies 58

Composite Beam Design Eurocode4-2004 Design Preferences
A2. Shear Studs Tab

Table A2 lists the design preference items available on the Shear Studs tab:
Table A2: Composite Beam Preferences on the Shear Studs Tab

Values
Minimum percent composite connection
applied to the beams that require
Minimum PCC composite action to meet strength or
>0 40
(%) deflection criteria. This percentage also
applies to beams for which Always
Composite is specified in the Overwrites.
Maximum percent composite connection
Maximum PCC(%) >0 100
for the beams.
Toggle for placement of shear connectors
in a single segment. To place connectors in
a single segment with uniform spacing
Single
Yes/No No throughout the beam, select Yes. This
Segment?
factor has no effect on checking beams
with user- defined shear connector
distributions.
6ds Minimum longitudinal spacing of shear
Min. Long. (i.e., six connectors along the length of the beam.
>0
Spacing connector
diameters)
Maximum longitudinal spacing of shear
connectors along the length of the beam.
Max. Long.
>0 1m This setting applies to all beams composite
Spacing
or non-composite unless "Non Composite
w/o Studs" is specified in the overwrites.
4ds Minimum transverse spacing of shear
Min. Trans. (i.e., four connectors across the beam flange.
>0
Spacing connector
diameters)
Max. Studs per Maximum number of shear connectors in a
>0 3
Row single row across the beam flange.
Shear Studs Tab 59

A3. Camber Tab

Table A3 lists the design preference items available on the Camber tab:
Table A3: Composite Beam Preferences on the Camber Tab

Values
Toggle for whether or not beams may have
Calculate Camber? Yes/No Yes
a camber.
Percent of dead load (not including
Camber DL, % ≥0 80 superimposed dead load) on which camber
calculations are based.
Minimum Beam Actual (not nominal) beam depth below
≥0 340 mm
Depth for Camber which beams are never cambered.
Minimum Web Web thickness below which beams are
≥0 6 mm
Thick. for Camber never cambered.
Minimum Beam Minim beam span below which beams are
≥0 7m
Span for Camber never cambered.
The limiting number in the current unit. If
Minimum Camber, the calculated camber falls below this
≥0 15 mm
abs. limit, the required camber will be reported
as zero.
The minimum camber limitation
denominator. Inputting a value of 360
Minimum Camber, means that the maximum camber limit is
>0 900
L/ L/360. If the calculated camber falls below
this limit, the required camber will be
reported as zero.
The absolute maximum camber in the
Camber Abs Max current unit. If the calculated camber is
>0 150 mm
Limit larger than this limit, the required camber
will be reported as this limiting value.
The maximum camber limitation
Camber Max means that the maximum camber limit is
>0 180
Limit, L/ L/360. If the calculated camber is larger
than this limit, the required camber will be
reported as this limiting value.
Camber Tab 60
Table A3: Composite Beam Preferences on the Camber Tab

Values
The camber interval in the current unit.
The camber is reported as an integer
Camber Increment >0 5 mm
multiple of the interval. This is used for
rounding purposes only.
Camber rounding procedure. If Yes is
Camber Rounding selected, camber is rounded down
Yes/No Yes
Down consistently to the next level; else camber
is rounded to the nearest level.
A4. Deflection Tab

Table A4 lists the design preference items available on the Deflection tab:
Table A4: Composite Beam Preferences on the Deflection Tab

Values
Pre-composite dead load deflection
PreComp DL limitation denominator. Inputting a value
≥0 0
Limit, L/ of 120 means that the deflection limit is
L/120. Zero means no check for this item.
Post-composite superimposed dead plus
live load deflection limitation
Super DL+LL
≥0 240 denominator. Inputting a value of 120
Limit, L/
means that the deflection limit is L/120.
Zero means no check for this item.
Live load deflection limitation
Live Load
≥0 360 means that the deflection limit is L/360.
Limit, L/
Inputting zero is special, since it means no
check has to be made for this item.
Net deflection (total deflection minus
Total Camber camber) limitation denominator. Inputting
≥0 240 a value of 240 means that the deflection
Limit, L/ limit is L/240. Zero means no check for
this item.
Deflection Tab 61
Table A4: Composite Beam Preferences on the Deflection Tab

Values
A factor that accounts for the increase in
Creep Factor ≥1 2 deflection due to creep of concrete. It
affects deflection calculation only.
Free shrinkage strain of the concrete used
Free Shrinkage
>0 0.0008 in the decks. This affects deflection due to
Strain
shrinkage.
A5. Vibration Tab

Table A5 lists the design preference items available on the Vibration tab:
Table A5: Composite Beam Preferences on the Vibration Tab

Values
Walking, Vibration criterion to be considered in
Rhythmic, design.
Vibration
Sensitive Walking
Criterion
Equipment,
None
Paper Office, Occupancy category to be considered in
Electronics the design. Selecting this item changes the
Office, default parameters for the damping ratio
Residential, (DG11 Table 4.2) and vibrational
Church, acceleration due to gravity a0/g (DG11
Assembly, Table 4.1). However, the default
Dining, parameters can be changed here.
Occupancy
Exercise Paper Office
Category
Room,
Shopping
Mall, Indoor
Footbridge,
Outdoor
Footbridge,
Other
Damping ratio of the system (DG11 Table
Damping Ratio >0 0.0250
4.2, DG11 Section 5.2).
Vibration Tab 62

Values
Vibrational acceleration limit as a fraction
Acceleration Limit, of acceleration due to gravity, a0/g for
> 0% 0.005
a0/g walking excitation (DG11 Table 4.1,
DG11 Table 5.1).
Rhythmic activity to be considered in the
design. Selecting this item changes the
Aerobics,
default parameters for damping ratio
Dancing, Live
Rhythmic Activity (DG11 Section 5.2), and upper and lower
Concert, Aerobics
Type values of forcing frequencies for first
Sports Event,
harmonic mode of loading (DG11 Table
Other
5.2). However, the default parameters can
be changed in this tab.
Affected occupancy category to be
Office or
considered in the design. Selecting this
Residential,
Affected item changes the default parameters for
Dining, Office or
Occupancy vibrational acceleration limit as a fraction
Weightlifting, Residential
Category of acceleration due to gravity a0/g (DG11
Rhythmic
Table 5.1). However, the default limit can
Activity only
be changed in this tab.
Upper value of forcing frequency, f, for
first harmonic mode of loading (DG11
Upper Step Table 5.2). The default value comes from
>0 2.75
Frequency the entry listed in that table for the selected
rhythmic activity and affected occupancy
category.
Lower value of forcing frequency, f, for
first harmonic mode of loading (DG11
Lower Step Table 5.2). The default value comes from
>0 2
Frequency the entry listed in that table for the selected
rhythmic activity and affected occupancy
category.
Number Number of frequencies between the lower
Frequencies >0 16 step and upper step frequencies for which
Checked the beam will be checked.
Vibration Tab 63

Values
Equipment or use category to be
Computer
considered in the design. Selecting this
Equipment or Use System, Lab Computer
item changes the default damping ratio
Category Robots, Class System
(DG11 Table 4.2) and vibrational velocity
A through E
limit (DG11 Table 6.2).
Walking speed. Selecting this item
Very Slow, changes the default damping step
Slow, frequency, intermediate zone lower and
Walking Speed Very Slow
Moderate, upper frequencies, and value of γ (DG11
Fast Table 6.1). However, the values of these
four parameters can be changed in this tab.
Vibrational Vibrational velocity limit (DG11 Table
>0 8000
Velocity Limit 6.2).
f step >0 1.25 Step frequency (DG11 Table 6.1).

Intermediate zone lower frequency (DG11
f_L >0 6
Table 6.1).
Intermediate zone upper frequency (DG11
f_U >0 8
Table 6.1).
γ >0 0.1 γ factor (DG11 Table 6.1)
A6. Prices Tab

Table A6 lists the design preference items available on the Prices tab:
Table A6: Composite Beam Preferences on the Prices Tab

Values
Toggle to consider price rather than steel
Optimize for
Yes/No No weight when selecting the optimum beam
Price?
section from an auto select section list.
Price of steel per unit weight of steel beam
Steel Price ($/N) ≥0 $1 per N
(including any cover plate).
Stud Price ($) ≥0 $2 Installed price for a single shear connector.
Prices Tab 64
Table A6: Composite Beam Preferences on the Prices Tab

Values
Camber Price Camber price per unit weight of steel beam
≥0 $0.1
($/N) (including any cover plate).
A7. Factors Tab

Table A7 lists the preference items available for the nationally determined parameters and other
code specific factors and options when the design code is set to Eurocode 4. Most of these
factors are specified by EC3-1 but a few are specific to ETABS.
Table A7 Composite Beam Preferences on the Factors Tab

Values
CEN Default, Country specific implementation considering
United country National Annex. CEN Default is the
Kingdom, general version without an annex.
Slovenia,
Bulgaria,
Norway,
Singapore,
Country CEN
Sweden,
Finland,
Denmark,
Portugal,
Germany,
Poland,
Ireland
Design code combinations to consider. These

Combination Eq. 6.10, Max of
Eq. 6.10 are generated either from Eq. 6.10 or from both
Equations Eq. 6.10.a/6.10.b
Eqs. 6.10a and 6.10b
Reliability class that defines a scale factor for

Class 1, Class 2,
Reliability Class Class 2 load combinations. This is currently only used
Class 3
for Denmark, Finland, and Sweden.
Method 1 Method for determining the interaction factors

Interaction Factors (Annex A), Method 2 for Eurocode 3-2005. This is either Method 1
Method Method 2 (Annex B) from Annex A or Method 2 from Annex B.
(Annex B)
Factors Tab 65
Table A7 Composite Beam Preferences on the Factors Tab

Values
The partial factor for resistance of cross-
γM0 (Steel) >0 1.0
sections, for Eurocode 3-2005

γM1 (Steel) >0 1.0

γM2 (Steel) >0 1.0

γV (Steel) >0 1.25
sections to shear capacity, for Eurocode 3-2005
γC (Concrete) >0 1.5 γC is the partial safety factor for concrete.
The reported reaction forces are multiplied

by this factor. A value of 1 means that the
Reaction Factor >0 1.0
program calculated load-factored end
reaction forces are reported.
Factors Tab 66
Appendix B. Beam Overwrites
The composite beam overwrites are assignments that apply only to their target beam objects.
You can review and modify their values for selected beams with the Design > Composite
Beam Design > View/Revise Overwrites... The command displays the Composite Beam
Design Overwrites form, which features seven tabs:
• Beam tab
• Bracing (C) tab
• Bracing (S) tab
• Deck tab
• Shear Studs tab
• Deflection tab
• Vibration tab
Table B-1 lists the overwrite items available on the Beam tab:
Table B-1: Composite Beam Overwrite Items on the Beam Tab

Values
Toggle to select if the beam depth is to be
Restrict Beam considered in an auto select section list. If
Yes/No No
Depth? yes, maximum and minimum depths must
be input.
Maximum actual (not nominal) beam
Maximum Depth >0 1100 mm depth to be considered in an auto select
section list.
Minimum actual (not nominal) beam depth
Minimum Depth ≥0 0
to be considered in auto select section list.
Toggle to select if the beam width is to be
Restrict Beam considered in an auto select section list. If
Yes/No No
Width? yes, maximum and minimum width must
be input.
Maximum actual beam width to be
Maximum Width >0 460 mm
considered in an auto select section list.
Factors Tab 67
Composite Beam Design Eurocode4-2004 Beam Overwrites
Table B-1: Composite Beam Overwrite Items on the Beam Tab

Values
Minimum actual beam width to be
Minimum Width ≥0 0
considered in auto select section list.
Shored No Toggle for shored or unshored
Yes/No
Constuction? (unshored) construction.
Specified in Yield stress of the beam, Fy. Specifying 0
Beam Fy ≥0 Material means that Fy is as specified in the material
Properties properties.
Specified in Minimum tensile strength of the beam, Fu.
Beam Fu ≥0 Material Specifying 0 means that Fu is as specified
Properties in the material properties.
Toggle switch indicating the provision of a
Cover Plate
Yes/No No full-length cover plate under the structural
Present?
steel section bottom flange.
Plate width ≥0 0 Width of cover plate, bcp.
Plate thickness ≥0 0 Thickness of cover plate, tcp.
Cover plate yield stress, Fycp. Specifying 0
Plate Fy >0 0 means that Fycp is as specified in the beam
material properties.
Value A reducible live load is multiplied by this
Live Load calculated for factor to obtain the reduced live load.
≥0
Reduction Factor the selected Specifying 0 means that the program
beam(s) calculated value is to be used.
Factors Tab 68
B1. Bracing (C) and Bracing (S) Tabs

Tables B-2a, B-2b, and B-2c list the overwrite items available on the Bracing (C) and Bracing
(S) tabs. The (C) is short for “under Construction Conditions”, and (S) short for “under Service
Conditions”.
Table B-2a: First Two Composite Beam Overwrite Items on the Bracing(C) and (S) Tabs
Values
Modification factor accounting for effects
of moment distribution used to compute
C1 factor ≥0 1.0
the buckling resistance moment of the steel
beam.
Program This item defines how the unbraced
calculated, lengths are determined for buckling about
Unbraced Length bracing Program the beam local 2-axis. They are program
Lb Method specified or calculated calculated, based on user-specified
length uniform and point bracing, or based on a
specified user-specified maximum unbraced length.
When you set the Unbraced Length Lb Method to Bracing Specified, you get to specify the two
items shown in Table B-2b:
Table B-2b: Additional Composite Beam Overwrite Items When the Bracing Condition
Is Specified as Bracing Specified
Values
The number of user-specified point brace
locations. Clicking on this item displays
No. Point Braces ≥0 0
the Point Braces form, where you specify
point braces.
The number of user-specified uniform
No. Uniform braces. Clicking on this item displays the
≥0 0
Braces Uniform Braces form, where you specify
uniform braces.
Bracing (C) and Bracing (S) Tabs 69

When you set the Bracing Condition type to Length Specified, you get to specify the two items
shown in Table B2c:
Table B2c: Additional Composite Beam Overwrite Items When the Bracing Condition
Is Specified as Length Specified
Values
Absolute Length Yes/No No Toggle switch for whether the maximum
Lb? unbraced length is given as an absolute
length or a relative length.
Unbraced ≥ 0 and ≤ beam Length of Maximum unbraced length for buckling
Length Lb length beam about the beam local 2 axis.
Value
Unbraced ≥ 0 and ≤ 1.0 1.0 Maximum unbraced length ratio for
Length Lb Ratio buckling about the beam local 2 axis.
Specifying the maximum unbraced length as an absolute length means entering the actual
maximum unbraced length. Specifying the maximum unbraced length as a relative length means
entering the ratio of the maximum unbraced length to the length of the beam. This ratio can
range from 0 to 1, inclusive.
B2. Deck Tab

Table B-3 lists the overwrite items available on the Deck tab:
Table B-3: Composite Beam Overwrite Items on the Deck Tab

Values
Program
calculated, any
Program
Deck ID Left defined deck Deck ID on the left side of the beam.
calculated
property, or
None
Program
Span direction of the metal deck ribs on
calculated, Program
Deck direction Left the left side of the beam relative to the
parallel, or calculated
span direction of the beam.
perpendicular
Program Toggle specifying how the effective width
b-eff left Program
calculated or of the concrete slab on the left side of the
Condition calculated
user-defined beam is determined.
Deck Tab 70
Table B-3: Composite Beam Overwrite Items on the Deck Tab

Values
User-specified effective width of the
Program
b-eff left ≥0 concrete slab on the left side of beam, beff
calculated
left.
Program
calculated, any
Program
Deck ID Right defined deck Deck ID on the right side of beam.
calculated
property, or
None
Program
Span direction of the metal deck ribs on
Deck direction calculated,
Perpendicular the right side of beam relative to the span
Right parallel, or
direction of beam
perpendicular
Program Toggle specifying how the effective width
b-eff right Program
calculated or of the concrete slab on the right side of the
Condition calculated
user-defined beam is determined
User-specified effective width of concrete
b-eff right ≥0 0
slab on the right side of the beam, beff right
When you set the Deck ID to program calculated, ETABS does not show its actual value in the
form, but it lists it in the output.
B3. Shear Studs Tab

Table B-4 lists the overwrite items available on the Shear Studs tab:
Table B-4: Composite Beam Overwrite Items on the Shear Studs Tab
Values
Type of beam design. NC w studs is short
Composite as
for Non-composite with minimum shear
required, NC w
Composite as connectors. NC w/o studs is short for Non-
Beam Type studs, NC w/o
required composite without any shear connectors.
studs, or Force
Force Composite is short for always design
Composite
with composite action.
Shear Studs Tab 71

Table B-4: Composite Beam Overwrite Items on the Shear Studs Tab
Values
Minimum value of percent composite
connection applied to beams that require
Minimum PCC composite action to meet strength or
>0 40
(%) deflection design criteria. This percentage
also applies to beams for which "Always
Composite" is specified.
Maximum percent composite connection
Maximum PCC(%) >0 100
considered for the beam.
Toggle to indicate if a user-defined shear
User Pattern? Yes/No No
connector pattern is defined.
Uniform average spacing of shear
connectors along the beam. The actual
spacing depends on the number of shear
0, meaning no
connectors per row, which depends on the
Uniform user-specified
≥0 row spacing. The row spacing is controlled
Spacing shear
by the deck if it has ribs and they are
connectors
transverse to the beam, or by the minimum
longitudinal shear connector spacing set in
the Preferences.
Number of sections in which additional
uniformly spaced shear connectors are
0, meaning no specified. Clicking on this item displays
No. Additional
≥0 user-specified the Additional Sections form, where you
Sections
sections specify the section lengths and the number
of uniformly spaced shear connectors in
the sections.
Toggle for placement of shear connectors
Single in a single segment. To place connectors in
Yes/No No
Segment? a single segment with uniform spacing
throughout the beam, select Yes.
Max. Studs per Maximum number of shear connectors in a
>0 3
Row single row across the beam flange.
Program Capacity of a single shear connector.
Program
Qn calculated or Specifying 0 means that the value is
calculated
>0 program calculated.
The “Max Studs per Row” item indicates the maximum number of shear connectors that is
allowed in a row across the beam flange. For wider beams, the Min. Trans. Spacing item might
Shear Studs Tab 72

allow for more shear connectors across the beam flange but the Max Studs per Row item will
limit the number of connectors in any row.
B4. Deflection Tab

Table B-5 lists the overwrite items available on the Deflection tab:
Table B5: Composite Beam Overwrite Items on the Deflection Tab

Values
Ratio, Toggle to consider live load and total load
Deflection Check
Absolute, Ratio deflection limitations as absolute or as
Type
Both divisor of beam length (relative).
Pre-composite dead load deflection
PreComp DL limitation denominator. Inputting a value
≥0 0
Limit, L/ of 120 means that the deflection limit is
L/120. Zero means no check for this item.
Post-composite superimposed dead plus
live load deflection limitation
Super DL+LL
≥0 240 denominator. Inputting a value of 120
Limit, L/
means that the deflection limit is L/120.
Live load deflection limitation
Live Load denominator. Inputting a value of 360
≥0 360
Limit, L/ means that the deflection limit is L/360.
Total - Camber camber) limitation denominator. Inputting
≥0 240 a value of 240 means that the deflection
Limit, L/ limit is L/240. Zero means no check for
this item.
Pre-composite dead load deflection limit
PreComp DL used when the absolute deflections are
≥0 0
Limit, abs checked. Zero means no check for this
item.
Deflection limit for Post-composite
deflection (superimposed dead load plus
Super DL+LL Beam Span /
≥0 live load deflection) used when absolute
Limit, abs 240
deflections are checked. Zero means no
check for this item.
Deflection Tab 73
Table B5: Composite Beam Overwrite Items on the Deflection Tab

Values
Deflection limit for live load deflection
Live Load Beam Span / used when absolute deflections are
≥0
Limit, abs 360 checked. Zero means no check for this
item.
Total Camber Beam Span / camber) limit used when absolute
≥0
Limit, abs 240 deflections are checked. Zero means no
check for this item.
Toggle for the program to calculate beam
Calculate Camber? Yes/No Yes
camber.
User-specified camber when the program
Fixed Camber ≥0 0
does not calculate beam camber
A factor that accounts for the increase in
Creep Factor ≥1 2 deflection due to creep of concrete. It
affects deflection calculation only.
Free shrinkage strain of the concrete used
Free Shrinkage
>0 0.0008 in the decks. This affects deflection due to
Strain
shrinkage.
B5. Vibration Tab

Table B6 lists the composite beam overwrite items available on the Vibration tab:
Table B-6: Composite Beam Overwrite Items on the Vibration Tab

Values
Walking,
Rhythmic,
Vibration Vibration criterion to be considered in the
Sensitive Walking
Criterion design.
Equipment,
None
Vibration Tab 74

Values
Paper Office,
Electronics
Office,
Residential,
Occupancy category to be considered in
Church,
the design. Selecting this item changes the
Assembly,
default parameters for the damping ratio
Dining,
Occupancy (DG11 Table 4.2) and vibrational
Exercise Paper Office
Category acceleration limit as a fraction of
Room,
acceleration due to gravity a0/g (DG11
Shopping Mall,
Table 4.1, DG11 Table 5.1). However, the
Indoor
default parameters can be changed here.
Footbridge,
Outdoor
Footbridge,
Other
Damping ratio of the system (DG11 Table
4.1, DG11 Section 5.2). The default value
comes from the Preferences if the vibration
Damping Ratio >0 0.0250
criterion and occupancy category match;
otherwise, the value comes from the
predefined table.
Panel frequency. This is normally
Bay Frequency >0 0.000 Hz calculated by the program. This controls
the vibration analysis significantly.
Vibrational acceleration limit as a fraction
of acceleration due to gravity a0/g for
walking excitation (DG11 Table 4.1).
Acceleration
>0 0.005 Default value comes from the Preferences
Limit, a0/g
if the vibration criterion and occupancy
category match; otherwise, the value
comes from the predefined table.
Additional dead load (DL) to be
Additional Dead considered as mass source. This increases
>0 191 N/m2
Load mass and reduces the natural frequency of
the system.
Live load (LL) in addition to dead load to
Additional Live be considered as mass source. This
>0 527 N/m2
Load increases mass and reduces the natural
frequency of the system.
Vibration Tab 75

Values
Another load in addition to dead load to be
Additional considered as mass source. This increases
>0 0 N/m2
Colateral Load mass and reduces the natural frequency of
the system.
Beam Floor length for vibration, measured along
Floor Length >0
Specific the beam.
Beam Floor width for vibration, measured
Floor Width >0
Specific perpendicular to the beam.
Toggle which when set to Yes instructs
ETABS to compute and use the composite
Comp. Steel
Yes, No Yes moment of inertia of the girder if it is a
Girder
steel girder, even if it was not designed
assuming composite action.
Position of the beam relative to the slab.
Program
Beam DG11 defines a free edge as the edge of a
Free Edge Calculated,
Specific balcony, a mezzanine, or the building edge
Yes, No
if the cladding is not connected.
Vibration Tab 76

CBD Ec 4 2004

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Composite Beam

ISO ETA073120M70 Rev. 0 July 2020

Copyright © Computers and Structures, Inc., 1978 – 2020

Further information and copies of this documentation may be obtained from:

Computers and Structures, Inc.

info@csiamerica.com (for general information)

THIS PRODUCT IS A PRACTICAL AND POWERFUL TOOL FOR STRUCTURAL DESIGN.

THE INFORMATION PRODUCED BY THE SOFTWARE MUST BE CHECKED BY A QUALIFIED

2.1 Design Preferences and Beam Overwrites 9

2.2 Frame Objects Designed as Composite Beams 10

3 Steel Beam Section Properties and Bending Resistance 12

3.1 Steel Section Properties 12

3.2 Upper-Limit on Grade of Steel 12

3.3 Steel Section Classification 12

3.4 Plastic Resistance to Vertical Shear of Steel Cross-Sections 13

3.5 Shear Buckling Resistance of Steel Webs 14

3.6 Bending Resistance of Steel Cross-Sections 14

3.7 Beam Unbraced Length 15

3.8 Buckling Resistance Moment of Steel Beams 15

4 Composite Beam Section Properties and Bending Resistance 18

4.1 Deck Properties and Effective Slab Width 18

4.3 Transformed Section Modulus 25

4.4 Effective Moment of Inertia for Partial Composite Connection 25

4.5 Effective Section Modulus for Partial Composite Connection 26

4.6 Plastic Resistance Moment of a Composite Cross-Section 26

4.7 Elastic Resistance Moment of a Composite Cross-Section 28

5.1 Design Load Combinations 29

5.2 Shear Strength Check 32

5.3 Construction Bending Check 32

5.4 Negative Bending Check 33

5.5 Positive Bending Check 33

5.6 Elastic Stresses Check 35

6.1 Composite Beam Deflections 36

6.2 Dead Load Deflection Check 37

6.4 Post-Composite and Live Load Deflection Checks 38

6.5 Deflection Caused by Concrete Shrinkage 38

6.6 Net Deflection Checks 39

7.2 Design Resistance of Shear Connectors 43

7.3 Minimum Percentage of Composite Action 45

7.4 Maximum Percentage of Composite Action 48

7.5 How ETABS Distributes Shear Connectors on Beams 48

7.6 User Defined Shear Connector Distributions 49

8.1 Effective Panel Weight 52

8.2 Floor Fundamental Natural Vibration Frequency 53

8.3 Design for Walking Excitation 54

8.4 Design for Rhythmic Excitation 55

8.5 Design for Sensitive Equipment and Sensitive Occupancies 56

Appendix A. Design Preferences 58

A1. Beam Tab 58

A2. Shear Studs Tab 59

A3. Camber Tab 60

A4. Deflection Tab 61

A5. Vibration Tab 62

A6. Prices Tab 64

A7. Factors Tab 65

Appendix B. Beam Overwrites 67

B1. Bracing (C) and Bracing (S) Tabs 69

B2. Deck Tab 70

B4. Deflection Tab 73

B5. Vibration Tab 74

Aa Area of the structural steel cross-section

E Modulus of elasticity of steel

Ieff Equivalent moment of inertia of a partially composite beam