UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA

Faculty of Engineering
END OF SEMESTER EXAMINATION – DECEMBER 2019
CE 615 DESIGN OF STEEL STRUCTURES
(Two Hours Only)
This exam is open book. Answer all THREE questions. Marks distribution of questions is
mentioned in parenthesis [ ]

(1). (a). A laterally restrained cantilevered beam is shown in Figure 1(a). The design load P is
70 kN as indicated (the self-weight of the beam is negligible). A beam 356×171×57UB of
grade S235 steel has been selected for this. Clearly stating relevant clauses of EC3,
(i) Show that the moment resistance and shear resistance of the selected section are
adequate to carry the design load. [8 marks]
(ii) Check whether the beam is adequate for combined bending and shear.
[6 marks]
(b). A design axial force N = 200 kN is also applied on the cantilevered beam given in (a)
above as shown in Figure 1(b). Find the Cross Section Class and, clearly stating relevant
clauses of EC3, describe the design procedure for the combined effect of the loading
(Calculation is not required). [6 marks]

Note: The section properties of 356×171×57UB: h = 358.6 mm, b = 172.1 mm,

d = 312.3 mm, tw = 8.0 mm, tf = 13.0 mm, r = 10.2 mm, A = 72.2 cm2, Iy = 16,100 cm4,
Iz = 1,110 cm4, Wel,y = 896 cm3, Wel,z = 129 cm3, Wpl,y = 1,010 cm3 Wpl,z = 199 cm3,
Iw = 3.31×1011 mm6, It = 33.1 cm4.

(a)

(b)
Figure 1

1
(2). Forces and dimensions of part of a portal frame of span 30 m are shown in Figure 2(a).
The rigid eaves connection of the portal frame is detailed in Figure 2(b).
(a). In Figure 2(b), N is the axial vertical force in the column, Mp is the plastic moment at
the eave and T is the tension of the bolt group (group of 4 bolts at the upper part of the
connection are considered for tension while all 6 bolts are considered for shear, see Section
A–A). C is the compressive force of the haunch on the column.
1 𝑁𝑑
(i) Considering the equilibrium of the connection, derive that; 𝑇 = 𝑎 (𝑀𝑝 − ).
2
[2 marks]
(ii) Using the details given in Figure 2(a), check whether D33 mm (M33) bolts of
Grade 5.6 are adequate for tension, shear and combined tension and shear.
[6 marks]
(b). Using the data given in Figure 2(a), calculate the stable length (Ls) of torsional
restraints for the column. [12 marks]
Notes:
 The gross area and the tensile area of a M33 bolt are 855 mm2 and 694 mm2
respectively.
 Section details of the column (457 x 152 x 82 UB section) are: h = 465.1 mm,
b = 153.5 mm, tw = 10.7 mm, tf = 18.9 mm, r = 10.2 mm, A = 10,400 mm2,
d = 407 mm, Iy = 36,200 cm4, Iz = 1,140 cm4, iy=18.6 mm, iz = 33.1 mm,
Wel,y = 1,560 cm3, Wel,z = 149 cm3, Wpl,y = 1,800 cm3, Wpl,z = 235 cm3, It = 89.3 cm4,
Iw = 5.69×1011 mm6. Steel is Grade S275.
 Width of sheeting rail (purlin) is 100 mm.

Ls

(a) (b)
Figure 2

2
(3). (a). Figure 3(a) shows details of half of a plate girder of span 16 m. It supports concentrated
loads and uniformly distributed loads. The resulting design bending moment and shear
force values at important points of the beam are given in Table 3(a). Section X–X is the
trial cross section of the plate girder. The grade of steel used is S355.
Table 3(a): Bending moments and shear forces of points indicated in Figure 3(a)
Location A B C D E
Design bending moment (kNm) 0 - 5520 - 7360
Design shear force (kN) 1440 1368 1320 496 400
(i) Determine the cross section class of all plate elements. [3 marks]
(ii) Determine the moment capacity of the section. [3 marks]
(iii) Check the shear buckling resistance of the panels AB and BC and its adequacy
to carry the design shear force. [6 marks]
(b). A profile sheet deck slab is placed on steel beams in such a way that the ribs of the
profile sheet are parallel to the steel beams. Thickness of a decking sheet is 0.7 mm. A
section of the composite deck is shown in Figure 3(b). Shear connectors of diameter 16 mm
and length 100 mm are used to connect the deck slab with the steel beams. The ultimate
strength fu of shear connectors is 450 N/mm2 and the grade of concrete of the slab is C
30/37 (Ecm is 34 GPa). Considering the strength reduction due to profile sheets, calculate
the shear resistance of a shear connector. [8 marks]

(a)

(b)

Figure 3