Design of Composite Beams using

LRFD criterion

Lecture 7

Presented by:
Dr. Sherine Swelem
 Definitions
• What is meant by ASDE ?

ASDE = Allowable Stress Design Elastic

• What is meant by LRFD ?

• LRFD = Load and Resistance Factor Design

(a) For Concrete
 Design Strength of Concrete in LRFD
• Fcu is the compressive strength of a cube of
concrete after 28 days.
• The LRFD code limits the compressive strength
to be used in the design to k Fcu
• k = 0.67.
• The design strength of concrete is obtained by
dividing k Fcu by a Safety factor γc
• γc = 1.5.
• The design compressive strength for concrete:
Fcd = 0.67 Fcu /γc = 0.67 Fcu / 1.5 = 0.447 Fcu
 Design Strength of Concrete in ASDE

• Fcu is the compressive strength of a cube

of concrete after 28 days.
• The ASDE code limits the compressive
strength to be used in the design by
dividing Fcu by a Factor of safety F.O.S
• Fc = Fcu / F.O.S
• F.O.S ≈ 2.5 - 3
 Example
If Fcu = 250 kg/cm²

In LRFD:
Fcd = 0.67 Fcu / 1.5 = 0.447 Fcu = 0.447(250)
= 111 kg/cm²

In ASDE:
Fc = Fcu / F.O.S = 250 / 3 ≈ 90 kg/cm²
(b) For Steel
 Design Stress of Steel in LRFD
• Fy is the yield stress of steel

• The design stress for steel is obtained by

dividing Fy by a factor of safety γa

• γa = 1.1

• The design stress for steel section:

Fyd = Fy /γa = Fy /1.1
 Design Stress of Steel in ASDE
• Fy is the yield stress of steel
• The ASDE code limits the allowable stress of
steel to be used in the design by multiplying
Fy by a Factor of safety F.O.S
• Fb is the allowable stress in bending for steel
• Fbx = 0.58 Fy for non compact sections
• Fbx = 0.64 Fy for compact sections
 Example
For Steel 37: Fy = 2.4 t/cm²

In LRFD:
Fyd = Fy / 1.1 = 2.4/1.1 = 2.18 t/cm²

In ASDE:
Fbxall = 0.58 (2.4) = 1.4 t/cm²
Fbxall = 0.64 (2.4) = 1.536 t/cm²
Design of Composite Section subjected to
Positive Bending Moment
Assumptions:
• Shear connectors are able to transfer forces
occurring between Steel and Concrete (Full
shear connection)
• No slip occurs between Steel and Concrete
(Complete interaction)
• Tension in concrete is neglected
• Plane cross section remains plane after
bending and even in failure
 Conditions for Plastic Analysis
(1) Plastic Analysis is only allowed when the Steel
section in the positive or negative region has a
compact web: dw /tw ≤ 127/√ Fy
(2) Composite section must be shored. (Unsupported
length for compressed flange Lu = 0)
(3) All loads are resisted by the composite cross
section (section is shored)
(4) Steel beam alone should be capable of supporting
Dead loads (Own weight of steel beam and own
weight of R.C slab) and construction loads.
 Concept of Design in LRFD
(1) Determination of Design Moment Resistance
or Design Shear Resistance for the beam
cross section Rd

(2) Determination of Internal Moments and

Internal Forces (Normal and Shear) due to
factored loads for the beam cross section Sd

(3) If Sd < Rd Then the cross section is safe

 Rd
• Rd = Ø Rn

Where:

Rn = Nominal Resistance for the section

Ex: Bending moment resistance of the section Mn

Shear resistance of the section Qn

Ø = Resistance Factor = 0.85

 Sd
• Sd = Σ γi Qi
Where:
Σ γi Qi = Required Strength due to applied factored
loads
Ex: Actual bending moment Muact and actual shear
Quact due to applied factored loads
γi = Load Factor
Qi = Nominal Load
i = Type of load (D.L or L.L …etc.)
 Meaning of LRFD
• Therefore: Σ γi Qi ≤ Ø Rn (Sd < Rd )

• Internal forces due to factored loads ≤

Nominal Resistance for the section x Factor of
safety Ø
 Load Factors
• The required shear and bending moments
must be obtained from factored loads:

• Wu = 1.2 D.L + 1.6 L.L

• Wu = 1.4 D.L
 Effective Width of R.C Slab
• Effective width Be is the smaller of:

Be ≤ Span/4

Be ≤ Spacing
 Actual Bending Moment due to
factored Loads Muact

• In the case of a simply supported beam

subjected to uniform distributed load, the
critical section for maximum bending moment
is at mid span.

Muact = Mmax = wu L²/8

 Plastic neutral axis P.N.A
• Neutral axis (N.A) of the section is the axis that
passes through the Center of Gravity (C.G) of
the section. (At C.G: ∑ Moment of Area of the
section in compression = ∑ Moment of Area of
the section in tension).

• Plastic neutral axis (P.N.A) of the section is the

axis at which the sum of compressive forces in
the section equals the sum of tensile forces in
the section.
• The neutral axis N.A for the section in the
elastic condition is different from the plastic
neutral axis P.N.A for the section in the plastic
condition.
• Unless the section is symmetrical, the plastic
neutral axis for the plastic condition will not
be at the same location as the neutral axis for
the elastic condition.
• All the fibres are considered to have the same
yield stress Fy in the plastic condition.
• The areas above and below the Plastic neutral
axis must be equal.
 Calculation of the Nominal Moment
Resistance Mn

• Mn depends on the position of plastic neutral

axis P.N.A.

• The location of P.N.A of the section should be

determined first.
Determine Location of P.N.A
 Location of P.N.A
• Assume P.N.A lies at the bottom of the
concrete slab if it is a solid slab or above the
profiled steel sheet in the composite slab

• i.e. Let x = tc

• Calculate Cc , Tw and Ts and compare their

values
 Calculation of Cc, Tw and Ts

• Cc = (k fcu/γc) Be tc = 0.447 fcu Be tc

• Ts = As fy / γa

• Tw = (As - 2Afl) fy / γa
Case (a):
If Cc > Ts
P.N.A lies in concrete slab
Case (b):
If Tw < Cc < Ts
P.N.A lies in the steel flange
Case (c):
If Cc < Tw and Cc < Ts
P.N.A lies in the steel web
Case (a): P.N.A lies in concrete slab
(1) Calculate the required x to balance
the section
• x ≤ tc
Let Cc = Ts
Cc = 0.447 fcu Be x
Ts = As fy /1.1

0.447 fcu Be x = As fy /1.1

Solve to obtain x
x ≤ tc
(2) Calculate the Nominal Moment of
Resistance Mn
Mn = Ts x e
Where:
e = distance between Forces Cc and Ts

• If the section is a hot rolled section, the C.G of

steel section lies at height = hs /2

e = hs /2 + (tr + tc) – x/2

• If the section is a built up section with
different flange sections, we obtain the C.G of
the steel section first:

• e = distance between the C.G of the steel

section and the top of steel flange + (tr + tc) –
x/2

• Mu = Ø Mn = 0.85 Mn
 (3) Check Safety of the section

• If Muact ≤ Ø Mn

• The section is safe.

Case (b): P.N.A is located in the Steel
Flange
 (1) Calculate the required x to balance
the section
• x is measured from top of the upper flange to
P.N.A
Cc = 0.447 fcu Be tc
Cfl1 = (bfl1 )(x) fy /1.1
Tfl1 = bfl1 (tfl1 - x) fy /1.1
Tw = ( hw tw) fy /1.1
Tfl2 = bfl2 ( tfl2 ) fy /1.1

Let Cc + Cfl1 = Tfl1 + Tw + Tfl2

• Solve to obtain x
 (2) Calculate the Nominal Moment of
Resistance Mn
• Mn = - Cfl1 x e1 + Tfl1 x e2 + Tw x e3 + Tfl2 x e4
e1 = x/2 + tr + tc/2
e2 = (tfl1 - x)/2 + x + tr + tc/2
e3 = hw/2 + tfl1 + tr + tc/2
e4 = (hs - tfl2/2) + tr + tc/2

• Mu = Ø Mn = 0.85 Mn
 (3) Check Safety of the section

• If Muact ≤ Ø Mn

• The section is safe.

Case (c): P.N.A is located in the Steel
web
 (1) Determination of the required x to
balance the section
• x is measured from the top of the upper flange
to the P.N.A
Cc = 0.447 fcu Be tc
Cfl1 = (bfl1)(tfl1) fy /1.1
Cw = tw (x - tfl1) fy /1.1
Tw = tw (hs – x – tfl2) fy /1.1
Tfl2 = bfl2 (tfl2) fy /1.1

Let Cc + Cfl1 + Cw = Tw + Tfl2

Solve equation to obtain x
 (2) Determination of the Nominal
Moment of Resistance Mn
• Mn = - Cfl1 x e1 – Cw x e2 + Tw x e3 + Tfl2 x e4
e1 = tfl1/2 + tr + tc/2
e2 = (x - tfl1)/2 + tfl1 + tr + tc/2
e3 = (hs – x – tfl2)/2 + x + tr + tc/2
e4 = (hs - tfl2/2) + tr + tc/2

• Mu = Ø Mn
= 0.85 Mn
 (3) Check Safety of the Section

• If Muact ≤ Ø Mn

The section is safe.

Check of the Safety of the steel beam
when supporting Dead Load alone

• The Steel beam should be checked to carry

the D.L alone.

• Dead load includes the weight of R.C slab and

the Own weight of the Steel beam.
 Steps
(1) wu = 1.4 D.L
Muact = wu L²/8 for simply supported beam

(2) Let Cfl + Cw = Tfl + Tw

Cfl = ( bfl1 tfl1) fy / γa

Tfl = ( bfl2 tfl2) fy / γa
Cw = ( x - tfl1) tw fy / γa
Tw = ( hs – x - tfl2) tw fy / γa

• Solving the previous equation to obtain x

(3) Mn = - Cw x e1 + Tw x e2 + Tfl x e3

e1 = (x - tfl1)/ 2 + tfl1 /2 = x / 2
e2 = (hs – x - tfl2) /2 + x - tfl1/2
e3 = hs - tfl1/2 - tfl2/ 2

(4) Mu = 0.85 Mn
If Muact ≤ Mu

• Then Steel section alone is capable of supporting

the D.L
 If the steel section is symmetrical
about x – axis
• The P.N.A coincides with the C.G of the steel
section.
 Method (1)
Cs = Ts = (As / 2) (fy / γa)

Get C.G of the T-sec

e = distance between
the two C.Gs of the
two T-sections

Mn = Cs x e = Ts x e
 Method (2)
Cfl = Tfl = bfl x tfl x fy / γa
Cw = Tw = (tw hw /2 ) (fy / γa)

e1 = hs - tfl
e2 = hw / 2

Mn = Cfl x e1 + Cw x e2
= Tfl x e1 + Tw x e2
 Example
Given:
Simply supported shored beam
Span = 18.0 m
Spacing = 2.0 m
Thick. Of R.C slab = 16 cm
tr = 7.5, tc = 8.5 cm
Steel 52 is used
Loading:
D.L = 0.8 t/cm2
L.L = 0.4 t/cm2
D.L without covering = 0.6 t/cm2
Required:
Check the safety of the beam section
Properties of IPE 600:
As = 156 cm2, hs = 60 cm, bf = 22 cm, tf = 1.9 cm,
tw = 1.2 cm

(1) Check of compactness:

dw/tw = (60 – 2 x 1.9)/1.2 = 47
127/√Fy = 127/√3.6 = 67 > dw/tw O.K
Section is compact
(2) Effective width Be:
Be ≤ Span/4 = 1800/4 = 450 cm
Be ≤ Spacing = 200 cm
Taken Be = 200 cm

(3) Loading:
WD.L = 0.8 x 2 = 1.6 t/m'
WL.L = 0.4 x 2 = 0.8 t/m'
Wu = 1.2(1.6) + 1.6(0.8) = 3.2 t/m'
Muact = 3.2(18)2/8 = 129.6 t.m
 (4)Check the safety of Steel beam to support
D.L alone:

WD.L = 0.6 x 2 = 1.2 t/m’

Wu = 1.4 (1.2) = 1.68 t/m'

Muact = 1.68(18)2/8
= 68.04 t.m
Cfl = Tfl = (bfl tfl) fy/1.1 = 22 x 1.9 x 3.6/1.1 = 136.8 t

Cw = Tw = [(As – 2Afl)/2] x fy/1.1 = [(156 – 2 x 22 x

1.9)/2] x 3.6/1.1 = 118.47 t

Mn = Cfl x e1 + Cw x e2
= 136.8(60 – 1.9) + 118.47(56.2/2) = 11277 t.cm
= 112.8 t.m

Mu = Ø Mn = 0.85(112.8) = 95.86 t.m > Muact =

68.04 t.m O.K
(5)Calculation of Moment of Resistance for the
composite section:
Let x = tc
Cc = 0.447 Fcu Be tc = 0.447 x 0.3 x 200 x 8.5 = 228 t
Ts = (fy/1.1) x As = (3.6/1.1) x 156 = 510.5 t
Tw = tw (hs – 2 tfl) (fy/1.1)
= 1.2(60 – 2 x 1.9)(3.6/1.1) = 220.7 t

Tw < Cc < Ts
Therefore P.N.A lies in Steel Flange
• Cc = 228 t
• Cfl1 = (bfl1)(x)fy/1.1 = 22 (x)(3.6/1.1) = 72 x
• Tfl1 = (tfl1 – x)(bfl1) fy/1.1
= (1.9 – x)(22)(3.6/1.1) = 72(1.9 – x)
= 136.8 – 72 x
• Tw = (hw x tw) fy/1.1
= (60 – 2 x 1.9) x 1.2 x 3.6/1.1
= 56.2 x 1.2 x 3.6/1.1 = 220.7 t
• Tfl2 = (bfl2 x tfl2) fy/1.1
= ( 22 x 1.9) x 3.6/1.1 = 136.8 t
Cc + Cfl1 = Tfl1 + Tw + Tfl2
228 + 72 x = 136.8 – 72 x + 220.7 + 136.8
144 x = 266.3
x = 1.85 cm

Cfl1 = 72 x = 72(1.85) = 133.2 t

Tfl1 = 136.8 – 72 x = 136.8 – 72(1.85) = 3.6 t
e1 = x/2 + tr + tc /2
= 1.85/2 + 7.5 + 8.5/2 = 12.68 cm
e2 = (tfl - x)/2 + x + tr + tc /2
= (1.9 – 1.85)/2 + 1.85 + 7.5 + 8.5/2
= 13.62 cm
e3 = hw /2 + tfl1 + tr + tc /2
= 56.2/2 + 1.9 + 7.5 + 8.5/2 = 41.75 cm
e4 = (hs – tfl2 /2) + tr + tc /2
= (60 – 1.9/2) + 7.5 + 8.5/2 = 70.8 cm
Mn = - Cfl1 x e1 + Tfl1 x e2 + Tw x e3 + Tfl2 x e4
= - 133.2 (12.68) + 3.6(13.62) + 220.7(41.75)
+ 136.8(70.8)
= 17260 t.cm = 172.6 t.m

Mu = 0.85 Mn
= 0.85(172.6)
= 146.71 t.m > Muact = 129.6 t.m O.K
Thank you