Scheme Development: Web openings for services in beams in multi-storey buildings

Scheme Development: Web openings for services in beams in multi-storey buildings

SS015a-EN-EU

Scheme Development: Web openings for services in beams

in multi-storey buildings
Outlines the types of openings in beams in multi-storey buildings that are necessary to
accommodate service within the depth of the beam. Gives guidance on practical geometric
limits.

Contents
1. Form of Construction 2

2. Geometric Limits on Opening Size 2

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Created on Saturday, November 17, 2007

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Scheme Development: Web openings for services in beams in multi-storey buildings

Scheme Development: Web openings for services in beams in multi-storey buildings

SS015a-EN-EU

1. Form of Construction
Web openings may be used in cases where the beam is over-designed in bending, or where
shear forces are relatively low. Three generic types cases of beams with web openings exist:
‰ Cellular beams with multiple circular openings.
‰ Castellated beams with multiple hexagonal openings.
‰ Fabricated or hot rolled steel beam with isolated openings.
For cellular or castellated beams, it is generally the conditions of high shear close to the
supports that control design, whereas for fabricated beams, both the cross-section and opening
size can be ‘tailor made’ for the application.

Cellular beams are increasingly used because their openings are efficient for circular service
ducts. Elongated openings, for rectangular ducts, can be created by removing the web-post
locally in regions of low shear.

2. Geometric Limits on Opening Size

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Limits on the size of the openings for concept design of beams with large web openings are
summarised in Table 2.1 and in Figure 2.1. Rectangular openings may be required at major
service routes.

Particular care is required in cases of heavy point loads, or openings close to the supports. At
secondary beam locations, vertical stiffeners may be required.
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Scheme Development: Web openings for services in beams in multi-storey buildings

Scheme Development: Web openings for services in beams in multi-storey buildings

SS015a-EN-EU

Table 2.1 Geometric limits for large web openings

Dimensional limit

Circular Opening Rectangular Opening

Diameter / depth ≤ 0.8 D ≤ 0.7 D

Spacing ≥ 0.4 do ≥ Ro and ≥ do

End distance ≥ 0.5 do ≥ D

Distance from point loads ≥ 0.5 do ≥D

D = depth of section
do = opening diameter or depth
Ro = length of opening
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D ≥ 0.25 R0 d 0 ≤ 0.7 D

≥D R0 > R0

D d 0 ≤ 0.8 D

>0.5d 0 >0.4d 0

Figure 1.1 Limits on sizes and spacing of circular and rectangular web openings
Created on Saturday, November 17, 2007

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Scheme Development: Web openings for services in beams in multi-storey buildings

Scheme Development: Web openings for services in beams in multi-storey buildings

SS015a-EN-EU

An example of a series of rectangular openings in a primary beam is shown in Figure 2.2.

An example of an elongated opening in a cellular beam is shown in Figure 2.3.

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Figure 2.2 Series of rectangular openings in a primary beam

Created on Saturday, November 17, 2007

Figure 2.3 Elongated openings in cellular beams

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Scheme Development: Web openings for services in beams in multi-storey buildings

Scheme Development: Web openings for services in beams in multi-storey buildings

SS015a-EN-EU

Quality Record
RESOURCE TITLE Scheme Development: Web openings for services in beams in multi-
storey buildings

Reference(s)

ORIGINAL DOCUMENT

Name Company Date

Created by R.M. Lawson SCI Jan 05

Technical content checked by G.W. Owens SCI May 05

Editorial content checked by D.C. Iles SCI May 05

Technical content endorsed by the

following STEEL Partners:

1. UK G.W. Owens SCI 26/5/05

2. France A. Bureau CTICM 26/5/05

3. Sweden A. Olsson SBI 26/5/05

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Access Steel Licence Agreement

4. Germany C. Mueller RWTH 11/5/05

5. Spain J. Chica Labein 20/5/05

6. Luxembourg M. Haller PARE 26/5/05

Resource approved by Technical G.W. Owens SCI 26/4/06

Coordinator

TRANSLATED DOCUMENT

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Created on Saturday, November 17, 2007

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