QM Aligned Course Design Template

Course Name: CE 3130: Steel Structures Design

Module 09: Title (Shear Strength, Block Shear, Deflections, Design)
Module Overview / Introduction (ST. 1 - 8)
A beam is defined as a member acted upon primarily by transverse loading, often gravity dead and live load
effects. The term transverse loading is taken to include end moments. Thus, beams in a structure may also be referred
as girders, joists, purlins, stringers, girts, lintels. Other terms, such as header, trimmer, and rafter, are sometimes used.
A beam is a combination of a tension elements and compression element. The concepts of tension members
and compression members are now combined in the treatment as a beam.
Serviceability, instead of strength, may and often does control the design of beams. Excessive deflection may
cause damage to supported nonstructural elements such as partitions, may impair the usefulness of the structure by, for
instance, distorting door jambs so that doors will not open or close, or may cause “bouncy” floors. (Salmon-2009)
Module Learning Objectives (ST. 2 & 8)
Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:
1. Understanding the basic concepts associated to design of shear strength.
2. Selection of the materials, shape dimensions to prevent excessive deflections.
3. Design of beams, elastic members with or without lateral bracing elements.

SHEAR STRENGTH
Whereas the long beams may be governed by deflection and medium length beams are usually controlled by flexural
strength, short-span beams may be governed by shear. (Salmon-2009)

The nominal shear strength of unstiffened or stiffened webs is specified as:

𝑉𝑛 = 0.6𝐹𝑦 𝐴𝑤 𝐶𝑣 (AISC Equation G2-1)

Where:
𝐴𝑤 = area of the web ≈ 𝑑𝑡𝑤
𝑑 = overall depth of the beam
𝐶𝑣 = ratio of critical web stress to shear yield stress

The value of 𝐶𝑣 depends on whether the limit state is web yielding, web inelastic buckling, or web elastic
buckling. (Segui-2012)
Using this equation for the webs of I-shaped members when ℎ⁄𝑡𝑤 ≤ 2.24√𝐸 ⁄𝐹𝑦 , we find that 𝐶𝑣 =
1.0, ф𝑣 = 1.00, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 Ω𝑣 = 1.50.
For the webs of all doubly symmetric shapes, singly symmetric shapes, and channels, except round HSS, ф𝑣 =
0.90 𝑎𝑛𝑑 Ω𝑣 = 1.67 are used to determine the design shear strength, ф𝑣 𝑉𝑛 , and the allowable shear strength
𝑉𝑛 ⁄Ω . 𝐶𝑣 , the web shear coefficient, is determinate from the following situations and is substituted into AISC Equation:
ℎ 𝑘𝑣 𝐸
𝑎. 𝐹𝑜𝑟 ≤ 1.10√ , 𝐶𝑣 = 1.0 (𝐴𝐼𝑆𝐶 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐺2 − 3)
𝑡𝑤 𝐹𝑦
 𝑘𝑣 𝐸 ℎ 𝑘𝑣 𝐸
𝑏. 𝐹𝑜𝑟 1.10√ < ≤ 1.37√
𝐹𝑦 𝑡𝑤 𝐹𝑦

𝑘 𝐸
1.10√ 𝐹𝑣
𝑦
𝐶𝑣 = 1.0 (𝐴𝐼𝑆𝐶 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐺2 − 4)
ℎ
𝑡𝑤
ℎ 𝑘𝑣 𝐸
𝑐. 𝐹𝑜𝑟 > 1.37√
𝑡𝑤 𝐹𝑦
1.51 𝐸𝑘𝑣
𝐶𝑣 = (𝐴𝐼𝑆𝐶 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐺2 − 5)
ℎ 2
(𝑡 ) 𝐹𝑦
𝑤

The web plate shear buckling coefficient, 𝑘𝑣 , is specified in the AISC Specification G2.1b, parts (i) and (ii). For
webs without transverse stiffeners and with ℎ⁄𝑡𝑤 < 260: 𝑘𝑣 = 5. This is the case for most rolled I-shaped members
designed by engineers. (McCormac-2013)

Example 1
A W21 x 55 with 𝐹𝑦 = 50 𝑘𝑠𝑖 is used for the beam and loads of Figure 1. Check its adequacy in shear.

Figure 1. (Galambos-1999)
Solution:

Using a W21 x 55 (A = 16.2 𝑖𝑛2 , d = 20.8 in, 𝑡𝑤 = 0.375 𝑖𝑛, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑘𝑑𝑒𝑠 = 1.02 𝑖𝑛)
ℎ = 20.8 − 𝑘𝑑𝑒𝑠 = 20.8 − 2(1.02) = 18.76 𝑖𝑛.

ℎ 18.76 29000
= = 50.03 < 2.24√ = 53.95
𝑡𝑤 0.375 52
∴ 𝐶𝑣 = 1.0, ф𝑣 = 1.00, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 Ω𝑣 = 1.50.
𝐴𝑤 = 𝑑𝑡𝑤 = (20.8 𝑖𝑛)(0.375 𝑖𝑛) = 7.80 𝑖𝑛2
∴ 𝑉𝑛 = 0.6𝐹𝑦 𝐴𝑤 𝐶𝑣 = 0.6 (50 𝑘𝑠𝑖)(7.80 𝑖𝑛2 )(1.0) = 264 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠
LRFD ф𝑣 = 1.00
𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠
𝑊𝑢 = (1.2)(2) + (1.6)(4) = 8.8 .
𝑓𝑡
𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠
8.8(20)
𝑓𝑡
𝑉𝑢 = = 88 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠.
2
ф𝑣 𝑉𝑛 = (100)(234) = 234 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠. > 88 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠. 𝑶𝑲
BLOCK SHEAR

Block shear, which was considered earlier in conjunction with tension member connections, can occur in certain
types of beam connections. To facilitate the connection of beams to other beams so that the top flanges are at the same
elevation, a short length of the top flange of one of the beams may be cut away, or coped. If a coped beam is connected
with bolts as in Figure 2, segment ABC will tend to tear out.
The applied load in this case will be the vertical beam reaction, so shear will
occur along line AB and there will be tension along BC. Thus the block shear strength
will be a limiting value of the reaction.
We covered the computation of block shear strength in Module 3, but we will
review it here. Failure is assumed to occur by rupture (fracture) on the shear area (subject
to an upper limit) and rupture on the tension area. AISC J4.3, “Block Shear
Strength,” gives the following equation for block shear strength:
Figure 2. (Segui-2013) 𝑅𝑛 = 0.6𝐹𝑢 𝐴𝑛𝑣 + 𝑈𝑏𝑠 𝐹𝑢 𝐴𝑛𝑡 ≤ 0.6𝐹𝑦 𝐴𝑔𝑣 + 𝑈𝑏𝑠 𝐹𝑢 𝐴𝑛𝑡 (AISC Equation J4-5)

Where:
𝐴𝑔𝑣 = gross area in shear (in Figure 5.20, length AB times the web thickness)
𝐴𝑛𝑣 = net area along the shear surface or surfaces
𝐴𝑛𝑡 = net area along the tension surface (in Figure 5.20, along BC)
𝑈𝑏𝑠 = 1.0 when the tensile stress is uniform (for most coped beams)
= 0.5 when the tension stress is not uniform (coped beams with two lines of bolts or with nonstandard distance
from bolts to end of beam) (Ricles and Yura, 1983)

For LRFD, ф = 0.75. For ASD, Ω = 2.00.

Example 2
Determine the maximum reaction, based on block shear, that can be resisted by the beam shown in Figure 3
3 1 7
The effective hole diameter is:4 + 8 = 8 𝑖𝑛.

The shear areas are:

𝐴𝑔𝑣 = 𝑡𝑤 (2 + 3 + 3 + 3) = 0.300(11) = 3.3 𝑖𝑛2
7
𝐴𝑛𝑣 = 0.300 [11 − 3.5 ( )] = 2.381 𝑖𝑛2
8

Figure 3 (Segui-2013)
The net tension area is:
1 7
𝐴𝑛𝑡 = 0.300 [1.25 − ( )] = 0.2438 𝑖𝑛2
2 8
Since the block shear will occur in a coped beam with a single line of bolts, 𝑈𝑏𝑠 = 1.0, From AISC
Equation J4-5,
𝑅𝑛 = 0.6𝐹𝑢 𝐴𝑛𝑣 + 𝑈𝑏𝑠 𝐹𝑢 𝐴𝑛𝑡 ≤ 0.6𝐹𝑦 𝐴𝑔𝑣 + 𝑈𝑏𝑠 𝐹𝑢 𝐴𝑛𝑡
𝑅𝑛 = 0.6(65)(2.381) + 1.0(65)(0.2438) = 108.7 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠.
 with an upper limit of:
0.6𝐹𝑦 𝐴𝑔𝑣 + 𝑈𝑏𝑠 𝐹𝑢 𝐴𝑛𝑡 = 0.6(65)(3.300) + 1.0(65)(0.2438) = 144.5 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠.
The nominal block shear strength is therefore: 108.7 kips.

Solution:

LRFD: The maximum factored load reaction is the design strength: ф𝑅𝑛 = 0.75(108.7) = 81.5 kips
𝑅𝑛 108.7
ASD: The maximum service load reaction is the allowable strength: = = 54.4 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠.
Ω 2.00

DEFLECTIONS:

The deflections of steel beams are usually limited to certain maximum values. Among the several excellent reasons
for deflections limitations are the following:
1. Excessive deflections may damage other materials attached to or supported by the beam in question. Plaster
cracks caused by large ceiling joist deflections are one example.
2. The appearance of structures is often damaged by excessive deflections.
3. Extreme deflections do not inspire confidence in the persons using a structure although the structure may be
completely safe from a strength standpoint.
4. It may be necessary for several different beams supporting the same loads to deflect equal amounts.
Standard American practice for building has been to limit service live-load deflections to approximately 1/360 of the
span length. This deflection is supposedly the largest value that ceiling joist can deflect without causing cracks in
underlying plaster.
The 1/360 deflection is only one of many maximum deflection values in use because of different loading situations,
different engineers, and different specifications (McCormac-2012).
There are different methods for the computation of deflection of statically determinate or indeterminate beams. Some
of these methods include the moment area, conjugate beams, and virtual work procedures. Finite element method is the
most fruitful for digital computation of deflection of a variety of statically indeterminate beams configurations.
The most frequently expressions used for the determination of the maximum deflection are given in the following
(Machaly-2005):

A.- Simple supported beam loaded with a concentrated load P at midspan:

𝑃𝐿3
∆𝑚𝑎𝑥 = Where:
48𝐸𝐼 ∆𝑚𝑎𝑥 = maximum deflection at midspan.
𝐿 = 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑚 𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑛.
𝐼 = 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠
− 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑛𝑒𝑢𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠.
𝐸 = 𝑌𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑔′ 𝑠 𝑚𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠.

B.- Simply supported beam with uniform loading W:

5𝑊𝐿4 Where:
∆𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
384𝐸𝐼 𝑊 = 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑.
Example 3.

A W 24 x 55 (𝐼𝑥 = 1350 𝑖𝑛) has been selected for a 21 ft. simple span to support a total service load of 3
kips/ft. (include beam weight). Is the center line deflection of this section satisfactory for the service live load if the
maximum permissible value is 1/360 of the span?
Solution: Use E=29 x 106 lb/in2.
5𝑊𝐿4 (5)(3000/12)(12 ∗ 21)4
∆𝑚𝑎𝑥 = = = 0.335 𝑖𝑛 (𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛)
384𝐸𝐼 (384)(29 ∗ 106 )(1350)
1
<( ) (12 ∗ 21) = 0.70 𝑖𝑛. 𝑶𝑲
360

DESIGN:

Beam design entails the selection of a cross-sectional shape that will have enough strength and that will meet
serviceability requirements. As far as strength is concerned, flexure is almost always more critical than shear, so the
usual practice is to design for flexure and then check shear. The design process can be outlined as follows:

1. Compute the required moment strength (i.e., the factored load moment 𝑀𝑢 for LRFD or the unfactored
moment 𝑀𝑎 for ASD). The weight of the beam is part of the dead load but is unknown at this point. A value
may be assumed and verified after a shape is selected, or the weight may be ignored initially and checked
after a shape has been selected. Because the beam weight is usually a small part of the total load, if it is
ignored at the beginning of a design problem, the selected shape will usually be satisfactory when the
moment is recomputed.

2. Select a shape that satisfies this strength requirement. This can be done in one of two ways.
a. Assume a shape, compute the available strength, and compare it with the required strength. Revise
if necessary. The trial shape can be easily selected in only a limited number of situations.
b. Use the beam design charts in Part 3 of the AISC Manual. This method is preferred.

3. Check the shear strength.

4. Check the deflection.

Example 4.

A simply supported beam (Figure 3) with span of 20 ft. is to carry a static uniform dead load of 1 kip/ft. and a
live load of 1.5 kips/ft. in addition to its own dead weight. The flange is laterally supported by the floor system that it
supports. Select the most economical W shape, using A36 steel. The live-load deflection shall not exceed L/360.

Solution:

Select beam type: Rolled W-Shape.

Select steel grade: A36, 𝐹𝑦 = 36 𝑘𝑠𝑖.
Loading cycles < 2000; no fatigue check necessary.
Static loading: no impact factor needed.
Figure 4.
Assume a compact laterally braced beam.
Flexural design strength:
ф𝑏 𝑀𝑛 = 0.9𝑀𝑝 = 0.9𝑍𝑥 𝐹𝑦
Assume that the web is compact in shear:
Shear design strength:
ф𝑉𝑛 = 0.9𝑉𝑛 = 0.9(0.6𝐹𝑦 𝐴𝑤 )
Estimate self-weight: 0.4 kip/ft.
Design Loads:
Dead Load: 𝑤𝐷 = 1.0 + 0.04 = 1.04 kips/ft.
Live Load: 𝑤𝐿 = 1.5 kips/ft.
Required design load: 𝑤𝑢 = max(1.4 𝑤𝐷 , 1.2 𝑤𝐷 + 1.6 𝑤𝐿 )
𝑤𝑢 = max(1.456, 3.648) = 3.648 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠/𝑓𝑡.
Required design moment:
𝑤𝑢 𝐿2 12
𝑀𝑢 = = 3.65 ∗ 202 𝑥 = 𝑴𝒖 = 2.189 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠/𝑖𝑛.
8 8
Required design shear:
𝑤𝐿 12
𝑉𝑢 = = 3.65 ∗ 202 ∗ = 𝑽𝒖 = 2.189 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠/𝑖𝑛.
8 8
Required plastic section modulus:
𝑀𝑢 2.189
𝑍𝑥 = = = 67.6 𝑖𝑛3
ф𝑏 𝐹𝑦 09 ∗ 36

Select beam size: W 16 x 40, 𝑍𝑥 = 72.9 𝑖𝑛3 (AISC Tables)

Check weight: 0.04 kips/ft.
Check compactness of flange:
𝑏𝑓 65
= 6.9 < = 10.8 𝑶𝑲
2𝑡𝑓 √𝐹𝑦
Check compactness of web flexure:
ℎ 640
= 46.6 < = 106.7 𝑶𝑲
𝑡𝑤 √𝐹𝑦
Check lateral stability: Compresion flange is braced: OK
Check shear compactness:
ℎ
= 46.6 < 260 𝑶𝑲
𝑡𝑤
ℎ 418
= 46.6 < = 69.7 𝑶𝑲
𝑡𝑤 √𝐹𝑦
Design shear strength:
0.9 ∗ 0.6 ∗ 36 ∗ 𝑑 ∗ 𝑡𝑤 = 0.9 ∗ 0.6 ∗ 36 ∗ 16.01 ∗ 0.305 = 94.9 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠 > 36.5 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠 𝑶𝑲.
Check live load deflection:
 5𝑊𝐿4 (5)(1.5/12)(20 ∗ 21)4
∆𝑚𝑎𝑥 = = = 0.36 𝑖𝑛
384𝐸𝐼 (384)(29 ∗ 106 )(518)
𝐿 (20 ∗ 12)
= = 0.36 𝑖𝑛. 𝑶𝑲
360 360
Use W 16 x 40.

CONCLUSION

a. Shear strength of an I-shaped beam is a function of the shear yield stress of the web material, the web area,
and the web slenderness. (Galambos-1999)

b. The thickness of the framing angles or plate is usually controlled by the “block shear” strength. (Salmon-2009)

c. The AISC Specification does not specify exact maximum permissible deflections. There are so many different
materials, types of structures, and loadings that no one single set of deflection limitations is acceptable for all
cases. (Salmon-2009)

d. Probably the most common shear problem ocurrs where two members (as beams and a column) are rigidly
connected together so that their webs lie in a common plane. This situation frequently occurs at the junction
of columns and beams (or rafters) in rigid frame structures (McCormac-2012)
Learning Activities and Learner Interactions
Activity 1.1 (ST. 3, 5, 6 & 8) Please read Notes 3-4 for more information about the activities
Objective:
Upon completion this activity you will be able to determinate the shear strength of connection
member’s shown.
Students Instructions:
1) This activity is for calculation.
2) You can realize this assessment once.
3) This exercise is worth 5 points; however, it is important to make it to reinforce your learning.
4) The deadline is indicated on “Calendar”, which is located in “Tools” in the Blackboard platform

Question:
A simply supported beam with a span length of 45 feet is laterally supported at its ends and is subjected to the following
service loads:
Dead load = 400 lb/ft (including the weight of the beam)
Live load = 1000 lb/ft
If 𝐹𝑦 = 50 ksi, is a W14 x 90; Check the beam for shear.
Learning Activities and Learner Interactions
Activity 1.2 (ST. 3, 5, 6 & 8) Please read Notes 3-4 for more information about the activities
Objective:
Upon completion this activity you will be able to determinate the shear strength of connection
member’s shown.
Students Instructions:
1) This activity is a multiple selection.
2) You can realize this assessment once.
3) This exercise is worth 5 points; however, it is important to make it to reinforce your learning.
4) The deadline is indicated on “Calendar”, which is located in “Tools” in the Blackboard platform

Question:
Using the LRFD and ASD methods, select the lightest available section with 𝐹𝑦 = 50 𝑘𝑠𝑖 to support a service dead
load of 1.2 kips/ft. and a service live load of 3 kips/ft. for a 30 ft. simple span. The section is to have full lateral bracing
for its compression flange and the maximum total service load deflection is not to exceed1/1500 the span length.
Assume that the beam weight is: 167 lb/ft.
Solution:
W33 x 170
W36 x 160
W40 x 167
W42 x 153
Learning Activities and Learner Interactions
Activity 1.3 (ST. 3, 5, 6 & 8) Please read Notes 3-4 for more information about the activities
Objective:
Upon completion this activity you will be able to determinate the shear strength of connection
member’s shown.
Students Instructions:
1) This activity is a multiple selection.
2) You can realize this assessment once.
3) This exercise is worth 5 points; however, it is important to make it to reinforce your learning.
4) The deadline is indicated on “Calendar”, which is located in “Tools” in the Blackboard platform

Question:
Select the lightest W section of A992 steel to carry a live load of 26 kips/ft. and dead load of 1 kips/ft. (in addition to the
weight of the beam). The simply supported span is 5 ft. Lateral bracing is adequate for lateral stability. Use LRFD.
W14 x 30
W14 x 34
W12 x 30
W12x 35
References (ST. 4 & 8)

Required Resources:

Steel Design, 5TH. Ed.; William T. Segui – The University of Memphis, USA 2013.

Additional Resources:
Steel Structures Design, 5th. Ed. Mc Cormac, Prentice Hall, 2012.
Basic Steel Design, Johnston, Lin, Galambos, 3th. Ed., Prentice Hall, USA 1988.
Steel Structures, Behavior and LRFD. 1st. Ed., S. Vinnakota, McGraw-Hill. USA 2006.
Steel Structures, Design and Behavior. 5th. Ed., C. Salmon, Pearson-Prentice Hall. USA 2009.
Behavior, Analysis and Design of Structural Steel Elements, E. Machaly, 5th. Ed. Cairo Univ. 2005.