SN004a-EN-EU - NCCI - Calculation of Alpha-Cr

NCCI: Calculation of alpha-cr

SN004a-EN-EU

This NCCI sets out the basis for the calculation of alpha-cr, the parameter that measures
the stability of the frame.
Contents
1. Methods for determining αcr 2
2. Simplification of load distribution 4
3. Scope of application 4
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Created on Wednesday, August 18, 2010
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SN004a-EN-EU
1. Methods for determining αcr

EN 1993-1-1 §5.2.1 concerns the checking of buildings for sway mode failures and defines
the parameter αcr as follows:
Fcr
α cr =
FEd
in which
FEd is the design load on the structure
Fcr is the elastic critical buckling load for the global instability mode.
For multi-storey buildings, the value of αcr is calculated for each storey in turn and the
criterion of expression (5.1) must be satisfied for each storey.
EN 1993-1-1 §5.2.1(4)B states: “αcr may be calculated using the approximate formula (5.2)”,
which is given as:
⎛ H ⎞⎛ h ⎞
α cr = ⎜⎜ Ed ⎟⎟⎜⎜ ⎟
δ ⎟
⎝ Ed ⎠⎝ H,Ed ⎠
V
where
HEd is the (total) design value of the horizontal reaction at the bottom of the storey to the
horizontal loads and fictitious horizontal loads
VEd is the total design vertical load on the structure at the bottom of the storey
δH,Ed is the horizontal displacement at the top of the storey, relative to the bottom of the
storey (due to the horizontal loads)
h is the storey height
An illustration of the displacement of a multi-storey building frame under horizontal loads is

given in Figure 1.1.
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SN004a-EN-EU
Displacement due
to horizontal Reaction at bottom
loads of storey
H1
Horizontal load
applied as H2 HEd = H1
series of forces,
calculated
separately for H3 HEd = H1 + H2
each storey
h
H4 HEd = H1 + H2+ H3
HEd = H1 + H2 + H3 + H4
δH,Ed
Figure 1.1 Displacement of a multi-storey frame due to horizontal loads (deflection parameters
for second storey only illustrated)
As an alternative to formula (5.2), in certain cases other checks may be more convenient or
more appropriate. The following three alternatives may be considered:
Alternative (1)
Use formula (5.2) with HEd determined by the fictitious horizontal loads from the initial sway
imperfections in 5.3.2(7) alone and with δH,Ed as the displacements arising from these
fictitious horizontal loads (i.e. exclude the effects of any other horizontal loads, such as wind
loads).
Alternative (2)
Calculate αcr by computer by finding the first sway-mode from an eigenvalue analysis. When
using this type of analysis, it is important to study the form of each buckling mode to see if it
is a frame mode or a local column mode. In frames where sway stability is ensured by
discrete bays of bracing (often referred to as “braced frames”), it is common to find that the
eigenvalues of the column buckling modes are lower than the eigenvalue of the first sway
mode of the frame. Local column modes may also appear in unbraced frames at columns
hinged at both ends or at columns that are much more slender than the average slenderness of
columns in the same storey.
Alternative (3)
Fcr may be found from design charts appropriate to the type of building considered.
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SN004a-EN-EU
2. Simplification of load distribution

In calculating Fcr for normal multi-storey building frames, it is adequate to model the frame
with the loading applied only at the nodes, thereby ignoring the bending moments caused by
load distribution. However, for long span portal frames in which the bending moments in the
members give rise to significant axial compression in the rafters, the distribution of the load
must be modelled when calculating αcr. According to Note 2B of EN 1993-1-1 §5.2.1(4)B,
the axial compression in a beam or a rafter may be assumed to be significant if:
Af y
λ ≥ 0,3
N Ed
in which
NEd is the design value of the compression force
λ is the in-plane non-dimensional slenderness calculated for the beam or rafter

considered as hinged at its ends with the length equal to the system length measured
along the beam or rafter.
3. Scope of application
The formula (5.2) in EN 1993-1-1 §5.2.1(4)B and alternatives (1) and (3) above apply to
normal beam and column buildings and normal portals, because the global instability mode is
a sway mode. For certain other forms of frame, such as arches, domes or pyramids, the
lowest mode of buckling is not a sway mode, so formula (5.2) will not give a safe value of
αcr.
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SN004a-EN-EU
Quality Record
RESOURCE TITLE NCCI: Calculation of alpha-cr
Reference(s)
ORIGINAL DOCUMENT
Name Company Date
Created by Charles King The Steel Construction

Institute
Technical content checked by Martin Heywood The Steel Construction

Institute
Editorial content checked by D C Iles SCI 6/5/05
Technical content endorsed by the

following STEEL Partners:
1. UK G W Owens SCI 25/4/05

2. France A Bureau CTICM 25/4/05
3. Sweden A Olsson SBI 25/4/05
4. Germany C Műller RWTH 25/4/05
5. Spain J Chica Labein 25/4/05
Resource approved by Technical G W Owens SCI 22/4/06

Coordinator
TRANSLATED DOCUIMENT
This Translation made and checked by:
Translated resource approved by:

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NCCI: Calculation of alpha-cr

NCCI: Calculation of alpha-cr

NCCI: Calculation of alpha-cr

2. Simplification of load distribution 4

NCCI: Calculation of alpha-cr

1. Methods for determining αcr

FEd is the design load on the structure

which is given as:

An illustration of the displacement of a multi-storey building frame under horizontal loads is

NCCI: Calculation of alpha-cr

NCCI: Calculation of alpha-cr

2. Simplification of load distribution

NEd is the design value of the compression force

λ is the in-plane non-dimensional slenderness calculated for the beam or rafter

NCCI: Calculation of alpha-cr

Name Company Date

Created by Charles King The Steel Construction

Technical content checked by Martin Heywood The Steel Construction

Editorial content checked by D C Iles SCI 6/5/05

Technical content endorsed by the

1. UK G W Owens SCI 25/4/05

2. France A Bureau CTICM 25/4/05

3. Sweden A Olsson SBI 25/4/05

4. Germany C Műller RWTH 25/4/05

5. Spain J Chica Labein 25/4/05

Resource approved by Technical G W Owens SCI 22/4/06

This Translation made and checked by:

Translated resource approved by:

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