CITY UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG

DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE AND CIVIL ENGINEERING

CA3619 DESIGN OF STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS
Assignment 2
Deadline: 22 Oct 2022, 1:00pm, submit through CANVAS

Question 1
Figure Q1 shows a typical splice joint to connect two UKB 457 x 191 x 98 (S275) sections by two
flange plates and two web plates (both in S275) with M20 bolts (assume 2mm clearance). Given that
the flange plate thickness and width (𝑏! ) are 18mm and 180mm, respectively; the web plates
thickness and depth (𝑑" ) are 12mm and 300mm, respectively.
a) Determine the design tension resistance of the two flange plates.
b) Determine the design tension resistance of the two web plates.
c) Determine the design tension resistance of the UKB section.
d) Estimate the maximum design tension force T.
In the absence of specific information, students are expected to make reasonable assumptions.

Figure Q1

Question 2
This question is about the plotting of buckling curves ( l vs. c) for axial compression members
using equation (6.49) in EC3, 1-1. The target non-sway, pin-pin column is made of UKB 356 x 171 x
67 (S275) section. Students are recommended to use EXCEL or MATLAB to plot the curves. The
curves should cover l range approximately from 0.1 to 2.9.
a) For buckling about the major axis, plot the buckling curve of this column.
b) For buckling about the minor axis, plot the buckling curve of this column on the same figure.
c) Provide appropriate title, x and y axis labels, and legends in the figure.
d) By observation, discuss the buckling behaviors when the column height is “very short” (fail
by yielding)
e) Estimate the column height below which the column is considered as “very short”.
[For parts a to c, provide calculation steps for plotting the two buckling curves.]

1
Question 3
The column AB is pinned to the beam at A and rigidly connected to the base at B. There is a lateral
restraint at C about the minor axis of the column. Check if 254 x 146 x 31 UKB (S235) can be used
as the column AB under the ULS (Eurocode). Given that the unfactored dead load and imposed load
on the beam are both equal to 60kN/m.

Figure Q3