WORKED EXAMPLE

4  4 BRACED FRAME DESIGN IN SIMPLE CONSTRUCTION WITH PINNED

CONNECTION

1.0 INPUT

1.1 Geometry

Building assumed to have 4 storeys with storey height = 4.0m for each floor, except 5.0m for
ground floor. Column size does not varies between two storeys.

Beam span = 6.0m

Frame centre = 6.0m

Loaded area per beam = 6.0  6.0 = 36m2

4.0

4.0

4.0

5.0

6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0

One-way span with distant

6m between frames equal to 6m

6m
1.2 Loading

Roof Permanent Load = 4.0kN/m2

Imposed Load = 1.5kN/m2
Floor Permanent Load = 4.0kN/m2
Imposed load = 4.0kN/m2

Design load for roof = 1.35(4.0) + 1.5(1.5) = 7.65 kN/m2 = 7.65  6 = 45.9 kN/m
Design load for floor = 1.35(4.0) + 1.5(4.0) = 11.4 kN/m2 = 11.4  6 = 68.4 kN/m

3.0 BEAM DESIGN

3.1 Floor Beams

For class 1 plastic or class 2 compact sections:
W pl f y
M c = M pl , Rd = ; Wpl is the plastic section modulus
M0
wL2 68.4  62
Free Moment Mdesign = = = 307.8kNm
8 8
M 307.8  103
Plastic Modulus, Wy-y,,req = design = = 1119.3cm3
fy 275
From the section properties table of Universal Beam (UB), the lightest section to have the
required plastic modulus (Wy-y,,req=1119.3cm3 ) is 457  152 UB 60, with Wy-y,prov = 1200 cm3
From the tables of properties, try section 457152UB60

t f = 13.3 mm, h = 454.6 mm, tw = 8.1 mm, c f / t f = 4.68, cw / tw = 50.3, hw = d = 407.6mm

Wpl , y = 1200 cm3 , Wel , y = 1060 cm3 , I y = 21600 cm4 , A = 7620mm2 , b = 152.9mm,r = 10.2mm

Step 4: Calculate the design strength and determine the section class, Table 5.2, BS EN1993-1-1.

Since tf = 13.3 mm < 40 mm, fy = 275N/mm2

0.5
 235 
 =  = 0.92
 275 
cf/tf = 4.68 < 9 (9 =  ×  = ), the flange is plastic (class 1)
cw/tw = 50.3 < 72 (72 =  ×  = ), the web is plastic (class 1)
Since the flange and the web are class 1, therefore, the cross section is class 1.
So, plastic design is valid for designing this section

Clause 4.2.3 Check for shear capacity:

Calculate the shear capacity, cl. 6.2.6

Vc ,Rd = V pl ,Rd =
(
Av f y / 31/ 2 ) ; and Av = A − 2bt f + (t w + 2r )t f
 M0
 Av = A − 2bt f + (t w + 2r )t f
= 7620 − 2(152.9)(13.3) + (8.1 + 2(10.2))(13.3)
= 3931.9mm 2
Av  hwtw = 1.0(407.6)(8.1) = 3301.6mm 2
(Ok. Take Av = 3931.9mm2)
V pl, Rd =
(
Av f y / 31 / 2 )
M0

=
(
3931.9 275 / 3 )
10− 3 = 624.3kN
1.0

VEd = Vmax = WL/2 = 68.4 x 6 /2 = 205.2 kN.

Since VEd = 205.2 kN  Vpl,Rd = 624.3 kN , the shear is adequate
Clause 4.2.5 Check for moment capacity:

Determine first whether the beam is subjected to low shear or high shear (Cl.6.2.8). The moment
resistance is given in Cl.6.2.5.

For low shear (if VEd <0.5 Vpl,Rd): 0 < 0.5 x 624.3 = 312.5kN low shear
W pl f y 275 1200 10 −3
Moment capacity, M c = M pl, Rd = = = 330kNm  307.8kNm OK
M0 1.0
3
5WL 5(144)(6000) 3
Deflection,  max= = = 9.2mm
384EI y − y 384(205)(21600  10 4 )
L
 limit = = 16.7mm Pass!
360

3.2 Roof Beams

For class 1 plastic or class 2 compact sections:

W pl f y
M c = M pl , Rd = ; Wpl is the plastic section modulus
M0
wL2 45.9  62
Free Moment Mdesign = = = 206.5kNm
8 8

M design 206.5  103

Plastic Modulus, Wy-y,,req = = = 751.1cm3
fy 275
From the section properties table of Universal Beam (UB), the lightest section to have the
required plastic modulus (Wy-y,,req=751.1cm3 ) is 356x171x45 UKB, with Wy-y,prov= 775 cm3
From the tables of properties, try section 356x171x45 UKB

t f = 11.2 mm, h = 351.4 mm, tw = 7.0 mm, c f / t f = 7.41, cw / tw = 44.5, hw = d = 311.6mm

Wpl, y = 775 cm3 , Wel , y = 687 cm3 , I y = 12100 cm4 , A = 5730mm 2 , b = 171.1mm, r = 10.2mm

Step 4: Calculate the design strength and determine the section class, Table 5.2, BS EN1993-1-1.

Since tf = 9.7 mm < 40 mm, fy = 275N/mm2

 0.5
 235 
 =  = 0.92
 275 
cf/tf = 7.41 < 9 (9 =  ×  = ), the flange is plastic (class 1)
cw/tw = 44.5 < 72 (72 =  ×  = ), the web is plastic (class 1)
Since the flange and the web are class 1, therefore, the cross section is class 1.
So, plastic design is valid for designing this section

Clause 4.2.3 Check for shear capacity:

Calculate the shear capacity, cl. 6.2.6

Vc ,Rd = V pl ,Rd =
(
Av f y / 31/ 2 ) ; and Av = A − 2bt f + (t w + 2r )t f
 M0
Av = A − 2bt f + (tw + 2r )t f
= 5730 − 2(171.1)(11.2) + (7.0 + 2(10.2))(11.2)
= 2202.0mm 2
Av  hwtw = 1.0(311.6)(7.0) = 2181.2mm 2
(Ok. Take Av = 2202.2mm2)

V pl, Rd =
(
Av f y / 31 / 2 )
M0

=
2202.2 275 / 3 (
10 − 3
)
1.0
= 349.6kN
VEd = Vmax = WL/2 = 45.9x 6 /2 = 137.7 kN.
Since VEd = 137.7 kN  Vpl,Rd = 349.6 kN , the shear is adequate

Clause 4.2.5 Check for moment capacity:

Determine first whether the beam is subjected to low shear or high shear (Cl.6.2.8). The moment
resistance is given in Cl.6.2.5.

For low shear (if VEd <0.5 Vpl,Rd): 0 < 0.5 x 349.6 = 174.8kN low shear

Unfactored variable load = 1.5 x 6 x 6 = 54kN.

W pl f y 275  775 10 −3
Moment capacity, M c = M pl, Rd = = = 213.1kNm  216kNm OK
M0 1.0
5WL3 5(54)(6000)3
Deflection,  max = = = 6.0mm
384EI y − y 384(210)(12100 10 4 )
L
 limit = = 16.7mm Pass!
360
4.0 COLUMN DESIGN

4.1 Internal Column

The major and minor axis beam connections are assumed to be pinned to the column, so that
the effective length factors are 0.85 for buckling for both axes. Assume the section is at least
of Class 3 and roughly estimate that reduction factor to be 0.6. Thus,

Table 4.1 Factored and unfactored load on internal column.

Storey Loading (kN) S.W Total load Reduction Total I.L Factored Total load
of DL (kN) in I.L (kN) after D.L + I.L after
col. IL (kN) reduction reduction (kN)
(kN) (kN)
4 DL = 72 IL 27 6 150 54 0 54 1.35x150
DL = 72 IL 27 +1.5x54=283.5
3 DL = 72 IL 72 6 300 198 10% 178.2 1.35x300
DL = 72 IL 72 (19.8) +1.5x178.2=672.3
2 DL = 72 IL 72 7 451 342 20% 273.6 1.35x451
DL = 72 IL 72 (68.4) +1.5x273.6=1019.3
1 DL = 72 IL 72 7 602 486 30% 340 1.35x602
DL = 72 IL 72 (146) +1.5x340=1322.7

Design for internal column from roof level to level 2

Af
N Ed =  y ;
 M1
N Ed M 1 672.3(1.0)
A= =  103 = 4074.5mm 2 = 40.74cm 2
f y 0.6(275)

From section property table, try 203 x 203 x 46UKC (A = 58.7 cm2):

b = 203.6 mm, h = 203.2 mm, t f = 11.0 mm, t w = 7.2 mm, c f / t f = 8.0, cw / t w = 22.3,
I y = 4570 cm4 , I z = 1550 cm4 , i y = 8.82 cm, iz = 5.13 cm, A = 58.7 cm2 , I w = 143  109 mm 6 ,
I T = 22.2  10 4 mm 4 , G = 81000 N / mm 2 , W pl = 497cm 3

Determination of NEd
From load distribution, N Ed = 672.3kN

Step 2: Section classification (refer to Table 5.2)

Since tf = 11.2 mm <40 mm, fy = 275N/mm2

0.5
 235 
 =  = 0.92
 275 
cf/tf = 8.0 < 14, the flange is NOT Class 4
cw/tw = 22.3 < 42, the web is NOT Class 4
 The section is NOT classified as Class 4 section (Class 1, 2 or 3 section).

Step 3: Cross-sectional resistance (Cl. 6.2.4)

 The design compressive force, NEd should not be greater than the cross-section
N Ed
resistance Nc,Rd.  1.0
N c , Rd
For Class 1, 2 and 3 cross section,
Af y 58.7  275
N c , Rd = = 10−1 = 1614.2kN
 M0 1.0
N Ed 672.3
= = 0.42  1.0
N c,Rd 1614.2
 The compression resistance of the cross section is adequate.

Step 4: Buckling Resistance (Cl. 6.3.1)

The resistance to flexural buckling about minor axis is the critical case in this example.
Therefore the flexural buckling resistance (Nb,Rd) is determined for the z-z axis only.

N Ed
 1.0 For Class 1, 2 and 3 cross section under flexural buckling,
N b, Rd
Af y
N b , Rd = 
 M1
1
=  1.0
 + 2 −  2


 = 0.5 1 +  ( − 0.2) +  2 
Af y Lcr 1
 LT = =
N cr i 1
E
1 = = 93.9 = 93.9(0.92) = 86.4
fy
Lcr = 0.85 L = 3400 mm
Lcr 1  3400  1 
LT , z = =   = 0.76
iz 1  51.3  86.4 
From Table 6.3 and Table 6.5 of EC3-1-1:
h 203.2
= = 0.99  1.2 ; tf < 100 mm; S275; choose curve “b”
b 203.6
 = 0.34
  ( )
= 0.5 1 +  z − 0.2 + z
2


= 0.5 1 + 0.34(0.76 − 0.2) + (0.76) 2 
= 0.88
 1
 =
 +  2 − LT , z
2

1
=
0.88 + 0.882 − 0.76 2
= 0.76  1.0
Af y 58.7(275)
N b,Rd = = (0.76)  10 −1 = 1226.8kN
 M1 1.0
N Ed 672.3
= = 0.55  1.0
N b,Rd 1226.8

The flexural buckling resistance is adequate.

Design for internal column from level 2 to ground level.

Af y
N b ,Rd =  ;
 M1
N Ed  M 1 1322.7(1.0)
A= =  103 = 8016.4mm 2 = 80.16cm 2
f y 0.6(275)

From section property table, try 254x254x73UKC (A = 93.1 cm2):

b = 254.6 mm, h = 254.1 mm, t f = 14.2 mm, t w = 8.6 mm, c f / t f = 7.77, cw / t w = 23.3,
W pl = 497  103 mm 3 , I y = 11400cm 4 , I z = 3910 cm4 , i y = 11.1 cm, i z = 6.48 cm, A = 93.1 cm 2 .

Step 2: Section classification (refer to Table 5.2)

Since tf = 14.2 mm <40 mm, fy = 275N/mm2

0.5
 235 
 =  = 0.92
 275 
cf/tf = 7.77 < 14, the flange is NOT Class 4
cw/tw = 23.2 < 42, the web is NOT Class 4
 The section is NOT classified as Class 4 section (Class 1, 2 or 3 section).

Step 3: Cross-sectional resistance (Cl. 6.2.4)

The design compressive force, NEd should not be greater than the cross-section resistance
N Ed
Nc,Rd.  1.0
N c , Rd
For Class 1, 2 and 3 cross section,
Af y 93.1  275
N c ,Rd = =  10−1 = 2560.3kN
 M0 1.0
N Ed 1322.7
= = 0.52  1.0
N c ,Rd 2560.3
 The compression resistance of the cross section is adequate.
Step 4: Buckling Resistance (Cl. 6.3.1)

The resistance to flexural buckling about minor axis is the critical case in this example.
Therefore the flexural buckling resistance (Nb,Rd) is determined for the z-z axis only.

N Ed
 1.0 For Class 1, 2 and 3 cross section under flexural buckling,
N b, Rd
Af y
N b , Rd = 
 M1
1
=  1.0
 + 2 −  2


 = 0.5 1 +  ( − 0.2) +  2 
Af y Lcr 1
 LT = =
N cr i 1
E
1 = = 93.9 = 93.9(0.92) = 86.4
fy
Lcr = 0.85L = 4250mm
L 1  4250  1 
LT , z = cr =   = 0.76
i z 1  64.8  86.4 
From Table 6.3 and Table 6.5 of EC3-1-1:
h 254.1
= = 1.0  1.2 ; tf < 100 mm; S275; choose curve “b”
b 254.6
 = 0.34
 
= 0.5 1 +  ( z − 0.2) +  z
2


= 0.5 1 + 0.34(0.76 − 0.2 ) + (0.76) 2 
= 0.88
1
 =
 +  2 −  LT , z
2

1
=
0.88 + 0.882 − 0.762
= 0.76  1.0
Af y 93.1( 275)
N b,Rd =  = (0.76)  10−1 = 1945.8kN
 M1 1.0
N Ed 1322.7
= = 0.68  1.0
N b,Rd 1945.8
The flexural buckling resistance is adequate.
4.2 External Column

In EC3-1-1, clause 6.3.3(4) gives two expressions that should be satisfied for member with combined
bending and compression. However for column in simple construction, the two expressions may be
replaced by a single equation:

N Ed M y ,Ed M z ,Ed
+ + 1.5  1.0 (4.1)
N min,b,Rd M y ,b,Rd M z ,cb ,Rd
Where:
Nmin,b,Rd is the minimum axial buckling resistance
My,b,Rd is the buckling moment resistance at y-y axis
Mz,cb,Rd is the buckling moment resistance at z-z axis

The Eq. 4.1 is given as the Non-Contradict Complementary Information (NCCI) and stated in Access-
steel document SN048. The equation is valid to use within the following criteria:
• The column is a hot-rolled I or H section, or an RHS.
• The cross section is Class 1, 2 or 3 under compression
• The bending moment diagrams about each axis are linear
• The column is restrained laterally in both the y-y and z-z directions at each floor level, but is
unrestrained between the floors.

Storey Loading S.W of Total load Reduc Total I.L Total load
(kN) col. DL(kN) IL(kN) tion in after D.L + I.L after
(kN) I.L reduction reduction
(kN) (kN)
4 DL = 72 5 77 27 0 27 1.35x77
IL = 27 +1.5x27=144.5
3 DL = 72 5 154 99 10% 89.1 1.35x154
IL = 72 (9.9) +1.5x89.1=341.6
2 DL = 72 6 235 171 20% 136.8 1.35x235
IL = 72 (34.2) +1.5x136.8=522.5
1 DL = 72 6 313 243 30% 170.1 1.35x313
IL = 72 (72.9) +1.5x170.1=677.7

Design for external column from level 2 to ground level.

Af y
N b ,Rd =  ;
 M1
N Ed  M 1 672.3(1.0)
A= =  103 = 4075mm 2 = 40.75cm 2
f y 0.6(275)
From section property table, try 203 x 203 x 46UKC (A = 58.7 cm2):

b = 203.6 mm, h = 203.2 mm, t f = 11.0 mm, t w = 7.2 mm, c f / t f = 8.0, cw / t w = 22.3,
I y = 4570 cm4 , I z = 1550 cm4 , i y = 8.82 cm, iz = 5.13 cm, A = 58.7 cm2 , I w = 143  109 mm 6 ,
I T = 22.2  10 4 mm 4 , G = 81000 N / mm 2 , W pl = 497cm 3

Determination of NEd
From load distribution, N Ed = 672.3kN

Step 2: Section classification (refer to Table 5.2)

Since tf = 11.2 mm <40 mm, fy = 275N/mm2

0.5
 235 
 =  = 0.92
 275 
cf/tf = 8.0 < 14, the flange is NOT Class 4
cw/tw = 22.3 < 42, the web is NOT Class 4
 The section is NOT classified as Class 4 section (Class 1, 2 or 3 section).

Step 3: Cross-sectional resistance (Cl. 6.2.4)

The design compressive force, NEd should not be greater than the cross-section resistance
N Ed
Nc,Rd.  1.0
N c , Rd
For Class 1, 2 and 3 cross section,
Af y 58.7  275
N c , Rd = = 10−1 = 1614.2kN
 M0 1.0
N Ed 677.7
= = 0.42  1.0
N c,Rd 1614.2
 The compression resistance of the cross section is adequate.

Step 4: Buckling Resistance (Cl. 6.3.1)

The resistance to flexural buckling about minor axis is the critical case in this example.
Therefore the flexural buckling resistance (Nb,Rd) is determined for the z-z axis only.

N Ed
 1.0 For Class 1, 2 and 3 cross section under flexural buckling,
N b, Rd
Af y
N b , Rd = 
 M1
1
=  1.0
 + 2 −  2


 = 0.5 1 +  ( − 0.2) +  2 
 Af y Lcr 1
 LT = =
N cr i 1
E
1 = = 93.9 = 93.9(0.92) = 86.4
fy
Lcr = 0.85 L = 4250 mm
Lcr 1  4250  1 
LT , z = =   = 0.96
iz 1  51.3  86.4 
From Table 6.3 and Table 6.5 of EC3-1-1:
h 203.2
= = 0.99  1.2 ; tf < 100 mm; S275; choose curve “b”
b 203.6
 = 0.34
  (
= 0.5 1 +  z − 0.2 + z ) 2


= 0.5 1 + 0.34(0.96 − 0.2) + (0.96) 2 
= 1.09
1
 =
 +  2 − LT , z
2

1
=
1.09 + 1.09 2 − 0.96 2
= 0.62  1.0
Af y 58.7(275)
N b,Rd = = (0.62)  10 −1 = 1005.0kN
 M1 1.0
N Ed 677.7
= = 0.67  1.0
N b,Rd 1005.0

The flexural buckling resistance is adequate.

Step 5: Buckling Moment Resistance

f yW pl , y
M y ,b , Rd =  LT
 M1
where Wy = Wpl,y for class 1 and class 2 cross-sections

Determine Mcr

 2 EI z  I w
Lcr 2GIT 
M cr = C1  + 
Lcr 2  I z  2 EI z 
From Table 4.2 of Chapter 4, C1 = 1.879

Loading and support conditions Bending moment diagram  Value of C1

+ 1.00 1.000

+ 0.75 1.141
 + 0.50 1.323

+ 0.25 1.563

0.00 1.879

- 0.25 2.281

- 0.50 2.704

- 0.75 2.927

- 1.00 2.752

  2 (210000 )(1550  10 4 )  143  10 9 (4250) 2 (81000 )(22.2  10 4 ) 

M cr = (1.879 )  +
 1550  10  2 (210000 )(1550  10 4 ) 
2 4
 4250
= 464.7 kNm

Non-dimensional lateral torsional slenderness  LT ,

M pl , Rd W pl , y f y 497  103  275

LT = = = = 0.54
M cr M cr 464.7  10 6

Select buckling curve and imperfection factor αLT,

Using Table 6.5 of EN 1993-1-1,

h/b = 203.2/203.6 = 0.99

Therefore, for a rolled H-section with h/b< 2, use buckling curve “b”, αLT = 0.34 from Table
6.5 of EN 1993-1-1.
  LT  1.0
1 
 LT = but    1
 LT + [ LT − (   LT ) ]
2 2 0.5
 LT 2
  LT
 LT = 0.5[1 +  LT ( LT −  LT ,0 ) +  ( LT ) 2 ]

 LT = 0.5 1 + 0.34(0.54 − 0.4) + (0.75)(0.54) 2 = 0.63 
1
 LT = = 1.06  1.0
0.63 + 0.63 − (0.75)(0.63) 2
2

1 1
= 2.52  1.0 ; take  LT = 1.0
LT 2 0.632
 Buckling moment resistance:

f yW pl , y 275( 497)
M y ,b,Rd =  LT = 1.0  10−3 = 136.7kNm
 M1 1.0

Step 6: Design requirement for column in simple construction

N Ed M y ,Ed M z ,Ed
+ + 1.5  1.0
N min,b,Rd M y ,b,Rd M z ,cb ,Rd

464.7 20.7
+ + 0 = 0.62  1.0
1005.0 136.7

The use of 203×203×46 UKC is adequate.

5.0 CONNECTION DESIGN

Proposed flexible end plates from Standard Connections (SCI publication: Joints in Simple
Construction Volume 2: Practical Applications - Appendix II).

Design Information:
Bolts : M20 grade 8.8 @ 90mm cross centres
Material : Design Grade 43 (S275)
End Plate : 150mm  8mm thick
Weld : 6mm fillet
 Beam Bolt Shear Critical End Plate Bolt Mark Fillet
Rows, Capacity Design Check Gauge, Weld,
n Bp  tp L g s
kN mm mm mm mm
406x140UB46 3 144 4-Beam Web 1508 220 90 EA3 6
457152UB60 4 216 4-Beam Web 1508 290 90 EA4 6

6.0 DESIGN SUMMARY

Member Section Total Length (m) Total Steel Weight (kg)

Roof Beam 406 x 140 UB 46 6  4 = 24 1104
Floor Beam 457x152 UB 60 6  4  7 = 168 10080
Internal Column:
Storey 7 – 8 203  203 UC 46 8  3 = 24 1104
Storey 5 – 6 254  254 UC 73 8  3 = 24 1752
Storey 3 – 4 254  254 UC 107 8  3 = 24 2568
Storey 1 – 2 305  305 UC 158 9  3 = 27 4266

External Column:
Storey 7 – 8 203  203 UC 46 8  2 = 16 736
Storey 5 – 6 203  203 UC 46 8  2 = 16 736
Storey 3 – 4 203  203 UC 71 8  2 = 16 1136
Storey 1 – 2 305  305 UC 97 9  2 = 18 1746

Total Steel Weight* (kg) 25348

* The total steel weight does not consider the steel weight of connections and members for
bracing system.