Name :Asmita Sutar

Roll no: 25
ABCM - Report -01 09.06.2020

Long Span Beams

Long Span Structures:

Structures with span larger than 15-20 meters are regarded as Long Span Structures. For Such
structures span is unable to be achieved with ordinary R.CC construction. Generally long
span results in flexible, column-free internal spaces, reduces substructure costs and time to
erect the structure.
Common Structural Systems for Long Span Structures:
1. Long Span Beams
2. Long Span Trusses
3. Long Span Roof Structures:
• Tensile structures
• Folded Plates
• Shell structures
• Portal Frames
In this report Long Span Beams are further explained in detail:
Long Span Beams
Beams greater than 30 meters in span are said to be Long Span Beams.
The use of long span beams results in a range of benefits, including flexible, column free
internal spaces, reduced foundation costs, and reduced steel erection times.

Many long span solutions are also well adapted to facilitate the integration of services
without increasing the overall floor depth. The design of long span steel and (steel - concrete)
composite beams is generally carried out in accordance with the IS.
Most common type of long span beams used today are: Plate Girders, and Beams with Web
Openings. The popular construction methodology is composite construction (steel + concrete)
The types of long span beams are:

1. Parallel beam the parallel beam approach is effective for spans up to around 14 m. Floor
grids comprise two layers of fully continuous beams running in orthogonal directions.
Services running in either direction can be integrated within these two layers, so that
services passing in any direction can be accommodated within the structural floor depth.
A further benefit is that, being fully continuous, the depth of the beams themselves is
reduced without incurring the expense and complexity of rigid, full strength connections.

2. Composite Beam with Web openings Web openings are typically formed in beams to
allow services to pass through the beam, reducing the effective overall depth of floor
construction for a given spanning capability or for aesthetic reasons Span: 10 to 16 m.
The alternative way of forming the web openings is simply to cut them into the plate used
to form the web of a plate girder, or the web of a rolled section.

The openings introduce a number of potential failure modes not found in solid web
beams. Large openings may require stiffening to avoid instability (buckling) of the web
post.

Minimizing overall floor depth:

 Failure in Cellular beams:

With stiffened web opening:

3. Tapered girders can be a cost-effective solution in the span range 10 m to 20 m. They

are another solution that allows services to be accommodated within the structural floor
zone. The depth of the girder increases towards mid -span, where applied moments are
greatest, and thereby facilitating hanging services under the shallower regions near the
beam supports. It is also possible to form web openings in tapered girders in regions of
low shear, towards mid -span. These provide more options for service integration.
4. Stub girders are a Vierendeel form of truss. The bottom chord is typically formed from a
shallow open section (Hbeam), on which sit short lengths (stubs) of deeper I - sections.
The number of elements/surfaces associated with a stub girder may increase the cost of
fire protection compared with simpler solutions. Spans in excess of 20 m can be
economically achieved. Services and/or secondary beams can pass through the gaps
between the beam stubs, reducing overall construction

5. Haunched Composite beams Haunches may be added at the ends of a composite beam
to provide moment continuity. The stiffness and strength of the connections mean that the
rest of the span can be shallower (the bending moment diagram is 'lifted' and the effective
stiffness of the beam substantially increased), and services passed under it. In buildings
where the services are likely to need frequent replacement (for example in hospitals),
hanging the services under the beams can be advantageous. Spans in excess of 20 m can
readily be achieved.
6. Composite trusses, which use the concrete slab as the upper chord in the final state, can
achieve spans in excess of 20 m. This means they have been used when very long
spanning capability was needed. The main disadvantages are that during the construction
phase the truss may be rather flexible (laterally), and that in the final state the costs of fire
protection can be high given the large number of surfaces to protect. Clearly one of the
prices to pay for the spanning ability is that fabrication cost is higher than for a plain
beam. Services can be passed through the gaps between the truss members to reduce
overall floor depth.
Materials:
Timber, Laminated Timber
Glue-laminated timber can be
prefabricated using metal
connectors into trusses that span
up to 45 metres (150 feet)
Most economical forms: the pure
compression shapes of the
multiple-arch vault, with spans up
to 93 metres (305 feet), and ribbed
domes, with spans up to 107
metres (350 feet).
Used as industrial storage

Reinforced Concrete
(In - situ / Precast)

Metal
Structural steel
(Cut on site / Prefabricated)
Bending structures originally developed for
bridges, such as plate girders and trusses,
are used in long-span buildings. Plate
girders are welded from steel plates to
make I beams that are deeper than the
standard rolled shapes and that can span
up to 60 metres (200 feet)
Modern Techniques for Long Span Beams –
Precast Concrete

PRECAST BRIDGES

• Benefits to owner
o Reduction in the duration of work zones
o Reduced traffic handling costs
o Reduced accident exposure risks
o Less inconvenience to the traveling
public

• Benefits to owner
o Reduced exposure to hazards
o Reduced accident exposure risks
o Fewer weather delays
o Lower costs
Long
Benefits of using precast concrete beams
o Quality Quality and Corrosion Resistance
o Immediate Delivery and Erection
o No Curing Time

Case Studies

1. Example: Composite Beam with Web openings

Soccer Pro on nut 17, Thailand

 2. Example: Haunched Girder

The new Shibanpo Bridge

The new Shibanpo Bridge crosses the Yangtze River in Chongqing, China, connecting the
southern district and the Yuezhong District. This box girder bridge’s long span was made
economically and technologically feasible by using a 103 m steel box girder in the middle of
the 330 m main span, connecting monolithically to the concrete box girder to reduce the
weight of the structure.