CBD Aisc 360 16

Composite Beam
Design Manual
AISC 360-16
For
ISO ETA080522M65 Rev. 0 August 2022

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Contents
Symbols 1
1 Introduction 6
2 Design Preliminaries 8
2.1 Design Preferences and Beam Overwrites 8
2.2 Frame Objects Designed as Composite Beams 9

2.2.1 Hard Requirements 9
2.2.2 Soft Requirements 10
2.2.3 Overwriting the Frame Design Procedure 10
3 Steel Beam Section Properties and Nominal Strength 11
3.1 Steel Section Properties 11
3.2 Steel Section Classification 11
3.3 Flexural Capacity Unbraced Length 12
3.4 Lateral-Torsional Buckling Factor 12
3.5 Steel Beam Flexural Strength 13
3.6 Steel Beam Tensile Strength 13
3.7 Axial Capacity Unbraced Lengths 13
3.8 Steel Beam Compressive Strength 14
4 Composite Beam Section Properties and Moment Capacity 16
4.1 Deck Properties and Effective Slab Width 16
4.1.1 Location where Deck Properties and Slab Width are checked 16
i
4.1.2 Deck Orientation and Properties 16
4.1.3 Effective Width of the Concrete Slab 18
4.2 Transformed Section Moment of Inertia 20
4.3 Transformed Section Modulus 22
4.4 Effective Moment of Inertia for Partial Composite Connection 22
4.5 Effective Section Modulus for Partial Composite Connection 23
4.6 Composite Plastic Moment Capacity for Positive Bending 23
5 Strength Checks 26
5.1 Design Load Combinations 26
5.1.1 Strength Checks for Construction Loads 26

5.1.2 Strength Checks for Service Loads 27
5.2 Beam Stations Checked for Strength 27
5.3 Shear Yield Check 28
5.4 Moment Magnification in the Presence of a Compression Force 28
5.5 Construction Bending Check 29
5.6 Negative Bending Check 29
5.7 Positive Bending Check 30
5.8 Combined Flexure and Axial Force Check 31
5.9 Elastic Stresses Check 32
6 Deflection Checks 33
6.1 Composite Beam Deflections 33
6.2 Dead Load Deflection Check 34
6.3 Camber 34
6.4 Post-Composite and Live Load Deflection Checks 35
6.5 Net Deflection Checks 35
7 Shear Studs 36
7.1 Beam Segments and their Maximum and Minimum Numbers of Studs 36
7.1.1 Beam Segments 36
ii
7.1.2 Maximum Number of Shear Studs on Beam Segments 38
7.1.3 Minimum Number of Shear Studs on Beam Segments 39
7.2 Strength of Shear Studs 39
7.3 How ETABS Distributes Shear Studs on Beams 40
7.4 User Defined Shear Stud Distributions 42
8 Vibration Checks 43
8.1 Effective Panel Weight 43
8.2 Floor Fundamental Natural Vibration Frequency 45
8.3 Design for Walking Excitation 46
8.4 Design for Rhythmic Excitation 46
8.5 Design for Sensitive Equipment and Sensitive Occupancies 47
9. Web Openings 49
9.1 Steel Section Restrictions 49
9.2 Limits on Opening Placement and Dimensions 50

9.2.1 Aspect Ratio 50
9.2.2 Buckling of Tee-shaped Compression Zone 50
9.2.3 Maximum Opening Dimensions 51
9.2.4 Tee Proportions 51
9.2.5 Concentrated Loads 51
9.2.6 Placement of Openings 51
9.2.7 Reinforcement Plate Aspect Ratio 51
9.3 Strength Checks 51
9.3.1 Maximum Nominal Flexural Capacity 52

9.3.2 Maximum Nominal Shear Capacity 53
9.3.3 Lateral Buckling 55
9.4 Circular Openings 56
9.5 Minimum Spacing between Openings 56
10. Castellated and Cellular Beams 58
10.1 Global Forces Checks 58
10.2 Design of the Top and Bottom Tees 60
10.2.1 Axial Force and Bending Moment in Tees of Non-Composite Beams 61
iii
10.2.2 Axial Force and Bending Moment in Tees of Composite Beams 62
10.2.3 Axial and Flexural Strength of Tees 64
10.2.4 Check of Tees for Combined Flexural and Axial Forces 65
10.3 Design of the Web Posts 65
10.3.1 Web Posts of Castellated Beams 65

10.3.2 Web Posts in Cellular Beams 67
10.3.3 Horizontal Shear Check 68
10.4 Deflection and Vibrations 69
10.5 Shear Studs Distribution 69
Appendix A. Design Preferences 70
A1. Beam Tab 70
A2. Shear Studs Tab 71
A3. Camber Tab 72
A4. Deflection Tab 73
A5. Vibration Tab 74
A6. Prices Tab 77
A7. Factors Tab 77
Appendix B. Beam Overwrites 79
B1. Beam Tab 79
B2. Bracing (C) and Bracing (S) Tabs 81
B3. Deck Tab 83
B4. Shear Studs Tab 84
B5. Deflection Tab 86
B6. Vibration Tab 87
iv
Symbols
The following table provides a list of the symbols used in this manual and their definitions. As a
rule, the symbols used in this manual match those used in the AISC Specification and
Commentary, and in AISC Design Guide 11.
Ac Area of concrete slab within effective width, in2.

Ac-left Area of concrete slab within effective width on left side of beam, in2.
Ac-right Area of concrete slab within effective width on right side of beam, in2.
Ag Area of the structural steel cross section, in2.
AS Area of the structural steel cross section, in2.
Asa Cross-sectional area of a steel-headed stud anchor, in2.
Atr Transformed area of an element of the composite steel beam section, in2.
Aw Area of the web, in2.
Awr Cross-sectional area of web reinforcement along top or bottom edge of an opening
B Effective panel width, in.
Bg Girder panel mode effective width, in.
Bj Beam panel mode effective width, in.
C Compression force in the concrete slab, kips.
Cb Lateral-torsional buckling modification factor, unitless.
Cbot Cope depth at bottom of beam, in.
Cf Compression force in the slab in a composite beam, smaller of AsFy and
0.85 f c' Ac , kips
Ctop Cope depth at top of beam, in.
Dg Girder transformed moment of inertia per unit width, in.3
Dj Beam transformed moment of inertia per unit width, in.3
Ds Slab transformed moment of inertia per unit width, in.3
Ec Modulus of elasticity of concrete slab, ksi. Possibly different on the left and right
sides of the beam. Also, different for stress calculations and deflection
Symbols 1
Composite Beam Design AISC 360-16 Symbols
calculations.
Es Modulus of elasticity of steel, ksi.
Fcr Critical stress, ksi.
Fe Elastic buckling stress, ksi.
Fu Minimum specified tensile strength of structural steel or shear stud, ksi.
Fy Minimum specified yield stress of structural steel, ksi.
Fycp Cover plate yield stress, ksi.
Iequiv Equivalent moment of inertia of a partially composite beam, in4.
IO Moment of inertia of an element of the composite steel beam section taken about
its own center of gravity, in4.
Ig Transformed or effective moment of inertia of the girder, in.4
Ij Transformed or effective moment of inertia of the beam, in.4
Islab Moment of inertia of a beff wide strip of slab, including any concrete in the deck
ribs, in.4
Is Moment of inertia of the structural steel section, including any cover plate, in4.
Itr Moment of inertia for fully composite uncracked transformed section, in4.
L Center-of-support to center-of-support length of the beam, in.
L1 Distance from point of maximum moment to the closest point of zero moment or
physical end of beam top flange, or physical end of concrete slab, in.
L2 Distance from point of maximum moment to the nearest point of zero moment or
physical end of beam top flange, or physical end of concrete slab measured on the
other side of the point of maximum moment from the distance L1, in.
Lb Laterally unbraced length of beam; length between points that are braced against
lateral displacement of the compression flange or braced against twist of the
cross-section, in.
Lg Girder span, in.
Lj Beam span, in.
Mmax Maximum positive moment for a beam, kip-in.
Mn Nominal flexural strength, kip-in.
Mp Plastic bending moment, kip-in.
Mpt load Moment at the location of a point load, kip-in.
Mu Required flexural strength, kip-in.
N1 Required number of shear studs between the point of maximum moment and an
adjacent point of zero moment (or end of slab), unitless.
Symbols 2
N2 Required number of shear studs between a point load and a point of zero moment
(or end of slab), unitless.
P0 Amplitude of the driving force, P0 = 65 lbs.
Py Tensile strength of the structural steel section: Py=FyAs, kips.
PCC Percent composite connection, unitless.
Qn Nominal strength of one shear stud (shear stud or channel), kips.
Rg Coefficient to account for group effect, unitless
Rp Position effect factor for shear studs, unitless
S Beam spacing, in
Seff Effective section modulus of a partially composite beam transformed section
referred to the tension flange (including cover plate), in3.
Ss Section modulus of the structural steel section, including any cover plate if,
referred to the tension flange, in3.
Str Section modulus for the fully composite uncracked transformed section referred to
the tension flange of the steel section (including cover plate), in3.
Vh Horizontal shear force to be provided by the shear studs between the location of
the maximum bending moment and the nearest point of zero-moment, kips
Vh2 Horizontal shear force to be provided by the shear studs between a point load
location and the nearest point of zero-moment, kips
Vn Nominal shear strength, kips.
Vu Required shear strength, kips.
W Effective panel weight, lbs.
Wg Effective panel weight for a girder, kips
Wj Effective panel weight for a beam, kips
a Depth of the compression block in the concrete slab, in.
a0 Acceleration tolerance limit, in/seconds2, or web opening length
ap Predicted peak acceleration of the beam, in/seconds2
beff Effective width of the concrete flange of the composite beam, in.., beff = beff-left +
beff-right
beff-left Effective width of the concrete slab on the left side of a beam, in.
beff-right Effective width of the concrete slab on the right side of a beam, in.
d Depth of a structural steel section from the outside face of the top flange to the
outside face of the bottom flange, in.
d1 Distance from the centroid of the compression force, C, in the slab the top of the
steel section, in.
Symbols 3
d2 Distance from the centroid of the compression force in the steel section to the top
of the steel section, in.
d3 Distance from the centroid of the steel section to the top of the steel section, in.
e Eccentricity of web opening: distance from the centerline of the steel section to
the centerline of the opening, positive for composite sections when the opening is
above the centerline of the steel section
emid-ht Distance from the edge of steel headed shear stud shank to the steel deck web, in.
f c' Specified compressive strength of concrete, ksi.
f c'−left Specified compressive strength of concrete on left side of beam, ksi.
f c'−right Specified compressive strength of concrete on right side of beam, ksi.
fn Natural fundamental vibration frequency of a beam panel, Hz.

g Acceleration of gravity, in/seconds2.
h0 Web opening height
hr Height of metal deck rib, in. Possibly different on the left and right sides of the
beam.
i Harmonic number:1,2, or3
ifstep ith harmonic forcing frequency, Hz.
n Modular ratio, n = Es Ec
tc Thickness of concrete slab, in. If there is metal deck, this is the thickness of the
concrete slab above the metal deck. Possibly different on the left and right sides of
the beam
tcp Thickness of the cover plate, in.
tw Thickness of the web, in.
w Supported weight per unit area of a panel, psf.
wp Unit weight of rhythmic activity participants distributed over the entire bay, psf.
wt Distributed weight supported, including dead load, superimposed dead load,
occupants and participants distributed over the entire bay, psf.
y Distance from the bottom of the bottom flange of the structural steel section to the
elastic neutral axis of the fully composite beam section, in.
ybare Distance from the bottom of the bottom flange of the structural steel section,
excluding any cover plate, to the neutral axis of the structural steel section,
including any cover plate, in.
i Dynamic coefficient for the ith harmonic of the rhythmic activity
 Unitless factor used in computing the number of shear studs between a point load
Symbols 4
and a point of zero moment, equal to Str /Ss for full composite connection and Seff
/Ss for partial composite connection.
 Damping ratio
j Midspan deflection of a beam due to the weight it supports, in.
g Midspan deflection of a girder due to the weight it supports, in.
b Resistance factor for bending in a non-composite beam, unitless. The default
value is 0.9.
bcpp Resistance factor for positive bending in a composite beam, unitless. The default
value is 0.9.
c Resistance factor for compression in a steel beam alone. The default value is 0.9.
t Resistance factor for tension in a steel beam alone. The default value is 0.9.
v Resistance factor for beam shear, unitless. The default value is 0.9.
Symbols 5
1 Introduction
This manual describes composite beam design in ETABS, including the design of beams with
web openings and castellated and cellular beams, per the provisions of the ANSI/AISC 360-16,
Specification for Structural Steel Buildings (AISC), the ASCE 23-97 Specification for Structural
Beams with Web Openings (ASCE 23-97), and the AISC Steel Design Guide 31, Castellated and
Cellular Beams (DG31).
Once you have analyzed a model, you can perform the design of its composite beams by selecting
the Design menu > Composite Beam Design > Start Design/Check command.
Other commands in the Composite Beam Design submenu let you:
• control the various design parameters, including the applicable design code, on a model-
wide basis
• control the various design parameters on a beam-by-beam basis
• select groups of beams to be designed all with the same section
• change the design load combinations from the default ones
• design individual or grouped beams interactively, including adding openings to
individual beam webs
• view the design results
• freeze the design section of selected beams
• change the design section of selected beams by selecting a specific section from a list
• change the design of selected beams by copying a design from a beam and pasting it to
other beams
• change the design sections of selected beams by resetting them to what they were when
the model was last analyzed
• compare the current design sections to what they were when the model was last analyzed
• verify that all the previous designs are still acceptable after the model was re-analyzed,
or the design preferences and/or the beam overwrites were changed
• reset all the design parameters
• delete the current design results
Composite beam design consists of trying various trial structural steel sections, computing their
composite section properties, the resulting shear and flexural stresses and deflections at several
key locations along the length of a beam, and then comparing those computed values with
acceptable limits. That comparison produces a demand/capacity ratio, which typically should not
Introduction 6
Composite Beam Design AISC 360-16 Introduction
exceed a value of one if code requirements are to be satisfied. ETABS checks the requirements
for strength and deflection limit states under construction and service conditions. It also checks
vibrations acceptability under service conditions.
For each structural steel section it evaluates, ETABS determines the total number of shear studs
required to satisfy the design requirements and their distribution. If you prefer, ETABS can check
the adequacy of a shear stud distribution you specify. In interactive design mode, you can try out
various design sections and vary the percentage of composite action for each, and view the
resulting demand/capacity ratios and shear stud distributions.
The design output can be presented graphically, in tables for both input and output data, or in
calculation sheets prepared for each beam.
The remainder of this manual is organized in nine chapters and two appendices:
• Chapter 2 introduces the composite beam design preferences and beam overwrites and
explains which frame objects are designed as composite beams
• Chapter 3 provides an overview of how ETABS determines the values of the section
properties of the steel beam acting alone and its flexural strength
• Chapter 4 explains how ETABS computes the transformed moment of inertia and the elastic
and plastic moment capacities of beams
• Chapter 5 explains how ETABS checks the strength of beams
• Chapter 6 explains how ETABS checks beam deflections
• Chapter 7 explains how ETABS determines the total numbers of shear studs required on
beams and their distribution
• Chapter 8 explains how ETABS checks beam vibration acceptability
• Chapter 9 explains how ETABS checks the strength of beams at web openings
• Chapter 10 explains how ETABS designs castellated and cellular beams
• Appendix A lists the various design preferences items
• Appendix B lists the various beam overwrites items
Introduction 7
2 Design Preliminaries
This chapter introduces the composite beam design preferences and beam overwrites and explains
which frame objects are designed as composite beams.
2.1 Design Preferences and Beam Overwrites

The composite beam design preferences are assignments that apply to all the composite beams in
a model. Notably, the preferences include the selection of a design code.
Default values are provided for all preference items and you should review these with the Design
> Composite Beam Design > View/Revise Preferences… command to ensure they are
acceptable. The preference items are described in Appendix A.
You can change the values of the preferences with the View/Revise Preferences…command at
any time. After changing the preferences, you can redesign the beams, or you can check that the
previous designs are still acceptable with the Design > Composite Beam Design > Verify All
Members Passed… command.
The beam overwrites are assignments that apply only to selected beam objects. They take
precedence over the preference items. They include most of the preference items, plus some
assignments that are beam-specific by nature.
Default values are provided for all overwrite items. You can change these values with the Design
> Composite Beam Design > View/Revise Overwrites… command or by clicking the
Overwrites… button when designing a beam in interactive mode. The overwrite items are
described in Appendix B.
After changing the overwrites with the View/Revise Overwrites… command, you can redesign
the affected beams, or you can check that the previous designs are still acceptable with the Verify
All Members Passed… command.
Design Preferences and Beam Overwrites 8

Composite Beam Design AISC 360-16 Design Preliminaries
2.2 Frame Objects Designed as Composite Beams
2.2.1 Hard Requirements

ETABS puts the following restrictions on the frame objects that it can design as composite beams:
(a) Section Requirement
Only frame objects that are assigned an I-section, channel section, castellated section, cellular
section, or an auto-select section consisting of a list of any of these can be designed as composite
beams.
Note that while castellated and cellular sections can be seen as I-shaped, the term I-section is
reserved to rolled or built-up sections and does not apply to castellated or cellular sections.
The I-sections and channel sections can be imported from the built-in property files, or they can
be user-defined. The castellated and cellular sections are custom-defined in terms of constituent
I-section and opening spacing and geometry. Sections defined with the Section Designer and non-
prismatic sections are categorized as “general” sections regardless of their actual shape, and
ETABS will not design beams with such sections as composite beams.
Unsymmetrical I-sections, castellated sections, and cellular sections in which the top and bottom
flange have different dimensions are valid composite beam sections.
(b) Material Property Requirement
Only frame objects that are assigned a material whose property data specifies “Steel” as the type
of design can be designed as composite beams.
(c) Beam Orientation Requirement
Only frame objects whose line type is "Beam" can be designed as composite beams. This means
the frame objects must lie in a horizontal plane, or in a plane with an inclination that is within the
maximum inclination from horizontal for beams and floors tolerance defined in the model.
Furthermore, the local axis 2 angle of the frame object must be zero, which means its local axes
1 and 2 are in the same vertical plane. You can check the local axis 2 Angle of any beam by right
clicking on it and then selecting the Geometry tab of the Beam Information form.
(d) Support and Extent Requirement
Only frame objects spanning between two supports or frame objects representing cantilevers can
be designed as composite beams. Composite beams cannot be modeled using multiple, adjacent
frame objects between supports for a single composite beam.
Cantilevers and their backspans can be modeled as a single object when the cantilever is a beam
overhang extending over a supporting girder, but they should be modeled as two separate objects
when the cantilever is moment-connected to its backspan.
Design Preliminaries 9
Composite Beam Design AISC 360-16 Design Preliminaries
2.2.2 Soft Requirements

ETABS will by default design steel beam objects as composite beams when they meet the above
hard requirements, plus the following two soft requirements:
• At least one side of the beam objects must support a floor object whose section is
specified as a deck section (not a slab or a wall section). The deck section can be filled,
unfilled or it can be a solid slab. When the deck is unfilled, the beam will still go through
the composite beam design procedure, which will design it as a non-composite beam.
• The beam objects must not frame continuously into a column or a brace. Both ends of the
objects must be pinned for major axis bending (bending about the local 3 axis). Note that
the assembly of a column and a beam moment connected to it at one end and simply
supported at the other makes an elementary frame capable of resisting lateral forces.
2.2.3 Overwriting the Frame Design Procedure

By default, ETABS designs steel beam objects that meet the hard requirements above but not the
two soft requirements per the steel frame design procedure.
You can change the design procedure for one or more steel beam objects from steel frame design to
composite beam design by selecting them, selecting the Design menu > Overwrite Frame Design
Procedure command, and choosing composite beam design. This change is successful only if the
beam objects meet the hard requirements above. For example, if you select a steel beam with a
tube section and try to change its design procedure to composite beam design, the change will not
happen.
You can set the design procedure of a steel beam object that supports a floor object with a slab
section instead of a deck section. If you do, you should also set the modeling type of the floor
object section to membrane, to ensure that the distributed loads applied on the floor object result
in distributed line loads on the beam. Also, the floor object will not provide any composite action.
Floor objects that are intended to provide composite action should be defined as deck sections,
which include an option to model solid slabs.
When ETABS performs the composite beam design of a non-composite beam that does not
support any deck, it computes the flexural capacity of the beam based on its unbraced length, but,
unless you instruct it to, it does not account for axial forces and it never accounts for any out-of-
plane bending, and it does not check the adequacy of slender sections. Therefore, the design
results for some beams will be different when they are designed with the steel frame design
procedure.
Design Preliminaries 10
3 Steel Beam Section Properties and Nominal Strength
This chapter provides an overview of how ETABS determines the values of the various section
properties of the steel beam acting alone and its flexural, tensile, and compressive strength. The
subject is covered in detail in the Steel Frame Design Manual AISC 360-16 for ETABS, to which
you are referred for additional information.
3.1 Steel Section Properties

When designing a composite beam and evaluating a structural steel section, ETABS:
• retrieves its section properties from the properties tables if the section is a catalog section
and the beam overwrites do not specify the provision of a cover plate,
• computes the section properties otherwise.
3.2 Steel Section Classification

When evaluating the flexural capacity of beams, ETABS classifies sections as compact,
noncompact, or slender-element for flexure in accordance with AISC Section B4.1. Additional
information is available in Section 3.3 Classification of Sections for Local Buckling in the Steel
Frame Design Manual AISC 360-16. ETABS deems slender-element sections for flexure not
acceptable and does not do any further checks of these.
I-shaped and channel sections with webs that are not compact are also deemed not acceptable. On
the other hand, ETABS places no such requirement on the webs of castellated and cellular
sections.
Note that per AISC, all current ASTM W, S, M, C, & MC shapes have compact flanges except
W21x48, W14x99, W14x90, W12x65, W10x12, W8x31, W8x10, W6x15, W6x9, W6x8.5, and
M4x6 (for Fy = 50 ksi), and all current ASTM A6 W, S, and HP shapes have compact webs at Fy
≤ 70 ksi.
By default, ETABS does not consider axial forces when designing composite beams. However,
you can instruct it to do so on a model-wide basis in the Composite Beam Preferences, and on a
beam-by-beam basis in the Composite Beam Overwrites. Then, when evaluating the compressive
Steel Section Properties 11

Composite Beam Design AISC 360-16 Steel Beam Section Properties and Nominal Strength
strength of beams, ETABS classifies sections as non-slender element or slender-elements sections

in accordance with AISC Section B4.1. Again, additional information is available in Section 3.3
Classification of Sections for Local Buckling in the Steel Frame Design Manual AISC 360-16 for
ETABS.
3.3 Flexural Capacity Unbraced Length

When computing the unbraced length, Lb, that ETABS uses to evaluate the flexural capacity of a
beam based on its limit state of lateral-torsional buckling, ETABS decides whether the deck
restrains the top flange of the beam somewhat differently, depending on whether the beam is
being checked for flexural capacity under construction conditions or under service conditions:
• under construction conditions, the deck restrains the top flange of the beam only if it is
perpendicular to it
• under service conditions, the deck always restrains the top flange of the beam if it is filled,
and if it is not filled, only restrains the top of the beam if it is perpendicular to it.
Under both construction and service conditions, ETABS considers that the top
and bottom flange of a beam are braced at any joint where another beam frames
Beam Considered
into it at an angle greater than 30 degrees, as depicted in the sketch to the right. Br
ac
ing
You need to detail the connection so as to ensure that the flanges are adequately Be
am
braced, or else redefine the beam brace points in the beam overwrites.
 > 30
When the bracing is program calculated or brace points are user-specified in
the overwrites, ETABS always assumes that each end of the beam is braced at
both the top and the bottom flange. If the unbraced length of a beam is longer than the actual
beam, you need to specify an unbraced length in the beam overwrites instead of brace points.
3.4 Lateral-Torsional Buckling Factor

The value of the beam lateral-torsional buckling factor, Cb, for a given load combination and at a
given location on one of the unbraced segments of the beam, is:
12.5M max
Cb = if the beam is not a cantilever (AISC F1-1)
2.5M max + 3M A + 4 M B + 3M c
Cb = 1.0 if the beam is a cantilever (AISC F1-1)
where:
Mmax = absolute value of the maximum moment in the unbraced segment

MA = absolute value of the moment at the quarter point of the unbraced segment
MB = absolute value of the moment at the center point of the unbraced segment
MC = absolute value of the moment at the three-quarter point of the unbraced segment
Steel Beam Section Properties and Nominal Strength 12

You can specify the values of Cb under both construction conditions and service conditions in the
beam overwrites.
3.5 Steel Beam Flexural Strength

Once it has classified a section as compact or non-compact, ETABS computes the design flexural
strength, bMn, of the steel beam acting alone in accordance with AISC Sections F1 through F4.
Additional information is available in Section 3.5.3 Nominal Flexure Strength in the Steel Frame
Design Manual AISC 360-16 for ETABS.
Because the value of Mn depends on the values of Lb and Cb, which in turn depend on the load
combination for which the strength of the beam is being checked, and on the location along the
beam where that strength is being checked, ETABS computes anew the value of Mn for each load
combination and at each output station being checked.
In accordance with DG31, ETABS computes the lateral-torsional buckling bending strength of
castellated and cellular beams per the AISC provisions for plain-webbed beams, with the cross-
sectional properties of these beams calculated at their gross-sections.
3.6 Steel Beam Tensile Strength

ETABS computes the nominal tensile strength of the steel beam, Pn, based on tensile yielding of
the steel section, which per AISC Section D2, is equal to:
Pn = FyAg (AISC Eq. D2-1)

ETABS does not check the tensile strength based on tensile rupture of the net section.
ETABS computes the tensile strength of castellated and cellular beams based on their net cross-
sections but only uses the resulting tensile strength as part of a preliminary check of the overall
strength of these beams, prior to carrying out the localized checks described in Castellated and
Cellular Beams.
3.7 Axial Capacity Unbraced Lengths

Neither the deck nor other beams framing into it can prevent a beam from buckling about its
major axis, and when computing the compressive strength of a beam, ETABS assumes that the
unbraced length of the beam for buckling about its major axis, Lx, is equal to its length.
The unbraced length of the beam for buckling about its minor axis, Ly, is computed differently
depending on whether the beam is being checked for axial capacity under construction conditions
or under service conditions:
• under construction conditions, the deck restrains the beam only if it is perpendicular to it
• under service conditions, the deck always restrains the beam if it is filled, as stated in

AISC Commentary Section I7, and if it is not filled, only restrains the beam if it is
perpendicular to it.
In addition, all beams framing in restrain the beam against buckling about its minor axis.
The unbraced length of the beam Lz, is taken as equal to Ly for torsional buckling, and equal to Lx
for constrained-axis torsional buckling.
Per AISC Section C3, the effective length of the beam is conservatively taken as equal to its
unbraced length.
You can specify the values of Lx and Ly, under both construction conditions and service conditions
in the beam overwrites provided you have instructed ETABS to consider axial forces for all beams
in the design preferences or for the beam of interest in its overwrites.
3.8 Steel Beam Compressive Strength

ETABS evaluates the compressive strength of a beam differently based on whether the selected
design procedure is steel design or composite beam design with axial forces. In both cases,
ETABS computes the compressive strength of the steel beam as explained in Section 3.5.2
Nominal Compressive Strength in the Steel Frame Design Manual AISC 360-16 for ETABS but
in the case of composite beam design, ETABS additionally takes into account the limit state of
constrained-axis torsional buckling, as prescribed in AISC Section E4(d) for members with lateral
bracing offset from the shear center.
The nominal compressive strength Pn based on the state constrained axial-torsional buckling is
given by:
Pn = Fcr Ag when the beam has no slender elements (AISC Eq. E3-1)
Pn = Fcr Ae when the beam has slender elements (AISC Eq. E7-1)
where:
 Fy
 Fy
Fcr =  0.658 Fe  Fy when  2.25 (AISC Eq. E3-2)
  Fe
 
Fy
Fcr = 0.877 Fe when  2.25 (AISC Eq. E3-3)
Fe
 2 EI y  h 2 2
 1
Fe =   2 
0
+ a  + GJ  2 (AISC Eq. C-E4-1)
 ( Lcz )  4   Ar0
d
a= (AISC Fig. C-E4.2)
2

h0 = d − t f (AISC Fig. C-E4.2)
 = 0.9
r0 = ( rx2 + ry2 + a 2 + b 2 ) (AISC Eq. C-E4-1)
b=0 (AISC Fig. C-E4.2)

Similar to what it does for tensile strength, ETABS computes the compressive strengths of
castellated and cellular beams based on their net cross-sections, but only uses the resulting
compressive strengths as part of a preliminary check of the overall strength of these beams, prior
to carrying out the localized checks described in Castellated and Cellular Beams.

4 Composite Beam Section Properties and Moment Capacity
This chapter explains how ETABS computes the transformed moment of inertia, transformed
section modulus, and plastic moment capacities of composite beams. These depend on the adjacent
deck properties and effective slab width so the determination of these is presented first.
4.1 Deck Properties and Effective Slab Width
4.1.1 Location where Deck Properties and Slab Width are checked
In order to compute the section properties and plastic moment capacity of a composite beam,
ETABS only computes the effective slab width and retrieves the adjacent deck properties along
the middle 70% of the beam. This 70% ratio is derived based on two assumptions:
• The plastic moment capacity of the composite beam is approximately twice that of the
steel beam alone.
• The steel beam alone is capable of resisting the entire moment in the beam for the last
15% of the beam length at each end of the beam. Note that for a uniformly loaded beam,
the moment drops off to half of the maximum moment or less in the last 15% of the beam.
• You can redefine this default “middle range” of 70% in the design preferences, as
explained in Appendix A.
4.1.2 Deck Orientation and Properties

ETABS distinguishes between the properties of the deck on the left and right sides of a composite
beam since they can differ on the two sides and carries the distinction throughout the rest of the
composite section property calculations. The figure below shows examples of different deck types
Deck Properties and Effective Slab Width 16

Composite Beam Design AISC 360-16 Composite Beam Section Properties and Moment Capacity
and different deck directions on the two sides of a beam:
Deck Direction Different on Deck Type Different on

Two Sides of Beam Two Sides of Beam
Figure 4-1 Different Deck Types and Different Deck Directions

on the Two Sides of the Beam
For the purpose of composite beam design, the deck ribs are considered as either parallel or
perpendicular to the span of a beam. The concrete in the metal deck ribs is included in the
transformed section moment of inertia and composite moment capacity calculations when the
deck ribs are oriented parallel to the beam, and it is not included when the deck ribs are oriented
perpendicular to the beam. ETABS assumes the deck span is parallel to the beam span as long as
the two are within 15 degrees of one another.
While it accounts for different types of deck and different deck orientations on the two sides of a
beam, ETABS only accounts for a single set of deck properties and a single deck orientation on
each side.
When multiple deck types or deck directions occur within the middle range on the same side of a
beam, ETABS decides which single deck section and direction to use on that side of the beam based
on the following steps:
• ETABS computes the product of tc • f c for each deck where tc is the depth of the concrete
above the metal deck and f c is the concrete slab compressive strength. It uses the deck
section that has the smallest value of tc • f c in the calculations for the beam.
• If two or more deck sections have the same value of tc • f c but the deck spans in different
directions, ETABS uses the deck section that spans perpendicular to the beam.
• If two or more deck sections span in the same direction and have the same value of tc •
f c, ETABS uses the deck section with the smaller tc value.
• If two or more deck sections span in the same direction and have the same values of tc
and f c, ETABS uses the first defined deck section.
You can specify the deck properties and deck orientation on each side of a beam as beam
overwrites, as explained in Appendix B.
Composite Beam Section Properties and Moment Capacity 17

4.1.3 Effective Width of the Concrete Slab

ETABS computes the effective widths of the concrete slab, beff-left and beff-right, separately on each
side of a composite beam.
On each side, ETABS computes the distances to the nearest approximately parallel beam or to
the nearest slab edge along the middle range of the beam and records the smallest distance. The
effective width on each side is, in accordance with AISC Section I3.1a, the smallest of:
• half the smallest distance to the nearest approximately parallel beam
• the smallest distance to the nearest slab edge
• one eighth the beam span.
You can specify the effective slab width on each side of a beam as a beam overwrite, as explained
in Appendix B.
4.1.3.1 Effect of Diagonal Beams on Effective Slab Width

Consider the example shown in Plan A of Figure 4-2. In Plan A, the length of Beam A is LA.
Assume that the effective width of this beam is controlled by the distance to the centerline of the
adjacent beam. Also, assume that ETABS checks the effective width of the slab over the default
middle range (70%) of Beam A. If the variable labeled xA in the figure is less than or equal to
0.15, the effective width of the concrete slab on the upper side of Beam A (i.e., the side between
Beam A and Beam X) is controlled by the distance between Beam A and Beam X. On the other
hand, if xA is greater than 0.15, the effective width of the concrete slab on the upper side of Beam
A is controlled by the distance between Beam A and Girder Y, at a location of 0.15LA from the
left end of Beam A. This distance is measured along a line that is perpendicular to Beam A.

Figure 4-2 Examples of the Effect of Diagonal Beams on

Composite Beam Effective Width
Now consider the example shown in Plan B of Figure 4-2. Assume that the effective width of
Beam B is controlled by the distance to the centerline of the adjacent beam. When considering
the perpendicular distance from Beam B to the adjacent beam on the upper side of Beam B,
ETABS considers the diagonal beam labeled Beam Z when the angle  is less than 45 degrees. If
the angle  is greater than or equal to 45 degrees, Beam Z is ignored when computing the effective
slab width on the upper side of Beam B.
Plan C in Figure 4-2 shows a special case where two diagonal beams frame into Beam C at the
same point. In this special case, ETABS assumes that the effective width of the slab on the side
of the beam where the two diagonals exist is zero. You may change this in the beam overwrites.
ETABS assumes the zero effective width because, although it is checking the effective width for
Beam C, it is unable to determine whether a slab is actually between the two diagonal beams.
4.1.3.2 Effect of Openings on Effective Slab Width

Now consider Plan D shown in Figure 4-3. There is an opening on both sides of the slab at the
left end of Beam D:

LV
xD * L D
Beam D
Plan D
Figure 4-3 - Example of the Effect of Openings on Composite Beam Effective Width
Assume again that the effective width of this beam is controlled by the distance to the centerline
of the adjacent beam and assume that ETABS checks the effective width of the slab over the
default center 70% of the Beam D length. If the width of the opening, xD • LD is less than 0.15LD,
ETABS bases the effective width of the concrete slab on the distance to the adjacent beams. On
the other hand, if xD • LD exceeds 0.15LD, ETABS assumes the effective concrete slab width for
Beam D to be zero; that is, it assumes a non-composite beam.
4.2 Transformed Section Moment of Inertia

This section describes how ETABS computes the moment of inertia, Itr, of the fully composite
uncracked transformed section of a beam, which is subject to positive bending resulting in stresses
in the elastic range.
ETABS computes the values of Itr used for beam deflection checks and for beam vibration checks
separately because the two values are different. The value of Itr used for deflection checks is based
on the modulus of elasticity of concrete, Ec, specified in the material definition. The value of Itr
used for vibration checks is, in accordance with AISC Design Guide 11, based on an enhanced
short-term modulus of elasticity of concrete due to the small strain range involved in vibration:
Ec is taken as the modulus of elasticity specified in the material definition multiplied by a 1.35
enhancement factor. Also, for deflection calculations, concrete is considered effective only when
it is in compression, whereas for vibration calculations, it is considered effective in both
compression and tension.
The concrete in the metal deck ribs is included in the composite moment of inertia and plastic
moment capacity calculations when the deck ribs are oriented parallel to the beam, and not
included otherwise. Note that the deck type and deck orientation may be different on the two sides
of the beam as described in Deck Properties and Effective Slab Width.
All calculations are done based on a “transformed section” of the beam, that is, the section

consisting of the structural steel section, including any cover plate, plus the “transformed areas”
of the concrete slab to the left and right of the beam. The transformed area of the concrete slab on
one side of the beam is defined as the area of the concrete slab on that side multiplied by the ratio
Ec/Es. Again, Ec may be different on the two sides of the beam.
ETABS first computes the location y of the elastic neutral axis, “ENA”, of the transformed
section. By definition of the ENA, when the beam is subject to positive bending such that the
flexural stresses remain in the elastic range, all the parts of the composite section located below
the ENA are in tension, and all the parts above it are in compression. When all the concrete is in
compression, or when concrete is considered effective in both tension and compression, the ENA
is located at the centroid of the transformed section. If concrete in tension is considered not
effective and there is some, the ENA is located at the centroid of the transformed section obtained
by considering the steel and only the parts of the concrete slab that are in compression. ETABS
measures y from the bottom of the steel section – without cover plate.
When the deck properties are the same on both sides of the beam, the location of the ENA can be
computed by checking whether it is located within the steel section, or within the deck ribs, or
within the deck cover. Because “within the deck ribs” or “within the deck cover” may be ill-
defined when there are different deck types on each side of the beam, an iterative algorithm is
used in which concrete in tension is removed and the location of the ENA is recomputed at each
iteration until no concrete in tension remains.
Once the location of the ENA is known, Itr is computed through a two-step process:
1. ETABS computes the moment of inertia relative to the bottom flange of the steel section, 
(Atry12), per the equations in the table below:
Table 4-1 Transformed Section Properties for a Fully Composite Beam

Transformed
Item Area, Atr y1 Atry1 Atry12 IO
Concrete slab, beff tc* Ec tc* beff Ec tc*3

d + hr + tc − Atry1 Atry12
left side Es 2 12 Es
Concrete slab, beff tc* Ec tc* beff Ec tc*3

d + hr + tc − Atry1 Atry12
right side Es 2 12 Es
Concrete in
beff hr* wr Ec hr* beff wr Ec hr*3
metal deck d + hr − Atry1 Atry12
S r Es 2 12Sr Es
ribs, left side
Concrete in
beff hr* wr Ec hr* beff wr Ec hr*3
metal deck d + hr − Atry1 Atry12
S r Es 2 12Sr Es
ribs, right side

Table 4-1 Transformed Section Properties for a Fully Composite Beam

Transformed
Item Area, Atr y1 Atry1 Atry12 IO
Steel section
including any AS ybare Atry1 Atry12 Is
cover plate
Sums A tr  (A y )  (A y
tr 1
2
tr 1 ) I O
* *
In the above table, hr and t c have different meanings depending on whether Itr is computed for
beam deflection checks, or for beam vibration checks:
•
*
For deflection checks, hr is the height of the metal deck ribs above the ENA, if the deck
ribs are parallel to the beam, and zero if they are perpendicular to it
•
*
For vibration checks, the concrete in tension is considered effective and hr = hr if the
deck ribs are parallel to the beam, and zero if they are perpendicular to it
•
*
For deflection checks, t c is the thickness of the concrete slab that lies above the ENA,
*
zero if the ENA is above the concrete slab, t c = 0
•
*
For vibration checks, t c is the thickness of the concrete slab
* *
Note that the value of hr and t c can be different on the left and right sides of the beam.
2. Once  (A ytr 1
2
) is known, Itr is computed by application of the parallel axis theorem:
I tr = A 2
tr y1 + I O − ( A ) y
tr
2
4.3 Transformed Section Modulus

The value of the section modulus for the fully composite uncracked transformed section referred
to the tension flange of the steel section, Str is derived from the value of Itr:
I tr
Str =
y + tcp
4.4 Effective Moment of Inertia for Partial Composite Connection

The equivalent moment of inertia, Iequiv, of a beam with partial composite action is by definition

equal to:
I equiv = I s + (Qn / C f ) ( I tr − I s ) (AISC Equation C-I3-3)
where:
Q n = sum of strengths of shear studs between the point of maximum positive bending
moment and the nearest point of zero moment (AISC C-I3-8)

and Cf is the compression force in the slab for a fully composite beam:
C f = Min( As Fy , 0.85( f c'−left Ac −left + f c'−right Ac −right ))
4.5 Effective Section Modulus for Partial Composite Connection

The effective section of modulus, Seff, referred to the tension flange of the steel section for a
partially composite beam is equal to:
Seff = S s + (Qn / C f ) ( Str − S s ) (AISC Equation C-I3-4)
4.6 Composite Plastic Moment Capacity for Positive Bending

AISC Section I3.2 specifies that the positive bending moment capacity of composite beams be
computed based on the plastic stress distribution for the limit state of yielding provided the web
of the beam is compact. Because, as stated in Steel Beam Flexural Strength, it dismisses as
inadequate I-shaped and channel sections that do not meet that requirement, ETABS always
computes the positive bending moment capacity of I-shaped and channel sections composite
beams based on the plastic stress distribution.
ETABS also computes the positive bending moment capacity of composite castellated and
cellular beams based on the plastic stress distribution because the design procedure outlined in
DG31 always calls for it, irrespective of the slenderness of the web.
A typical plastic stress distribution is shown in the figure below. The compression force in the
concrete slab, C, is the smallest of:
C = AS Fy (AISC C-I3-6)
C = 0.85( f c'−left Ac−left + f c'−right Ac−right ) (equivalent to AISC C-I3-7)
C =  Qn
= sum of strengths of shear studs between the location of the station being checked and
the nearest point of zero moment to either side (adapted from AISC C-I3-8)
When computing AISC Equation C-I3-6, ETABS includes the contribution of the bottom flange

cover plate if there is one.
When computing AISC Equation C-I3-7, ETABS computes separately the maximum
compressive forces that can be developed by the concrete in the slab on the left side of the beam
and on the right side of the beam and adds up the two.
When computing AISC Equation C-I3-8, ETABS conservatively counts the shear studs acting at
the beam station being checked instead of those acting at the point of maximum positive moment
so as to satisfy the requirements of AISC Section I8-2c.
1 f c
CConc
a
CSteel
Fy
Plastic neutral axis (PNA)
TSteel
Fy
Beam Section Beam Elevation Plastic Stress

Distribution
Figure 4-4 – Composite Beam Plastic Stress Distribution

Consistent with standard practice, ETABS does not account for the contribution of the
longitudinal slab reinforcement to the compression force.
Given a value of the compression force, C, the resulting plastic moment capacity, Mn, is computed
using a three-step process:
1. ETABS first computes the depth, a, of the compression block in the slab and the distance, d1,
from its centroid to the top of the steel section.
a is such that if the top of the highest slab on the left and right sides of the beam is offset by
a, the compressive force developed by the concrete located above the resulting plane is equal
to C.
If the deck properties are the same on both sides of the beam, and the slab is a solid slab, or
there is deck and it is perpendicular to the beam on both sides, then:
C
a= (AISC C-I3-9)
0.85 f c'beff
Because the computation is not as straightforward when the deck properties differ on the two
sides of the beam, or when the concrete in the deck rib contributes to the compression force,
ETABS uses an iterative algorithm in which the value of a is adjusted until the exact answer
is found.

2. ETABS computes the location of the plastic neutral axis, PNA, in the steel section, and the
distance, d2, from the centroid of the compression force in the steel section to the top of the
steel section. When C is controlled by AISC Equation C-I3-7, the steel section is completely
in tension, the PNA is at the top of the steel section and d2 is zero.
3. ETABS computes Mn:
Mn = C(d1 + d2) + Py(d3 – d2) (AISC-C-I3-10)

5 Strength Checks
This chapter explains how ETABS checks the shear and flexural strength of the beams it designs
under construction conditions and service conditions.
ETABS performs the checks described in this Chapter for castellated and cellular beams.
However, this is just a preliminary check of the overall strength of these beams, prior to carrying
out the more localized checks described in Castellated and Cellular Beams.
5.1 Design Load Combinations

ETABS can automatically generate default composite beam design load combinations with which
it will check the shear and flexural strength of the composite beams it designs. You may use these
default load combinations; you may define your own load combinations and use these instead; or
you may use both. You may modify the default load combinations, and you may delete them if
you have defined your own.
5.1.1 Strength Checks for Construction Loads

The load combinations used for checking the strength of an unshored beam subjected to
construction loads are the “construction load combinations”. The automatically generated
construction load combinations are given by the following formulas:

1.4 ( WDL) (AISC B2, ASCE 2.3.2(1))

1.2 ( WDL) + 1.6 ( CL) (AISC B2, ASCE 2.3.2(2))
where:
WDL = The sum of all wet dead load (WDL) load cases defined for the model. Note
that if a load case is simply defined as dead load, it is considered a WDL load
case.
CL = The sum of all construction load (CL) load cases defined for the model. Note
that you need to define all corresponding loads in the model.
Design Load Combinations 26

Composite Beam Design AISC 360-16 Strength Checks
ETABS checks the strength of the beam subjected to construction loads if the beam is unshored.
If the beam is shored, any specified design load combinations for construction loads are not
relevant.
5.1.2 Strength Checks for Service Loads

The load combinations used for checking the strength of a composite beam under service loads
are the “strength load combinations”. The automatically generated strength load combinations are
given by the following formulas:

1.4 ( WDL + SDL) (AISC B2, ASCE 2.3.2(1))

1.2 ( WDL + SDL) + 1.6 (LL + RLL) (AISC B2, ASCE 2.3.2(2))
where:
LL = The sum of all live load (LL) load cases defined for the model.
RLL = The sum of all reducible live load (RLL) load cases defined for the model.
SDL = The sum of all superimposed dead load (SDL) load cases defined for the model.
and the remainder of the terms are as defined previously.
Note that the automatically generated load combinations do not include any of the lateral load
cases. In order to check the beams for floor diaphragm horizontal forces, you will need to add the
appropriate load combinations to the composite beam design load combinations.
5.2 Beam Stations Checked for Strength

By default, ETABS does not consider axial forces when designing composite beams. However,
you can instruct it to do so on a model-wide basis in the Composite Beam Preferences, and on a
beam-by-beam basis in the Composite Beam Overwrites. Your selection affects for which beam
output stations ETABS performs the strength checks described in this Chapter.
If axial forces are to be considered, ETABS performs these checks at all the beam stations.
If axial forces are to be ignored, ETABS performs these checks only at the following beam
stations:
• The first and last stations on the beam

• The stations where the maximum shear, maximum positive bending moment, and
maximum negative bending moment occur for the load combination being checked
• The stations located where point loads are applied
• The stations located where other beams frame in.
Strength Checks 27
5.3 Shear Yield Check

ETABS checks that the shear strength of a beam is adequate for all the construction and all the
strength load combinations at all the stations listed in Beam Stations Checked for Strength. The
design must satisfy:
Vu
 1.0
vVn
In the above equation:

h E
• v is equal to 1 for rolled I-shaped members with  2.24 and to 0.9 otherwise, in
tw Fy
accordance with AISC Section G1, and
• Vn is given by:
Vn = 0.6 Fy AwCv (AISC G2-1)
where Aw is the area of the beam web, minus an allowance for coping when one of the ends
of the beam is checked and the beam frames into an I-shaped or channel shaped girder:
Aw = d • tw away from the beam ends

Aw = (d − Ctop − Cbot) • tw at the beam ends
and Cv, the web shear coefficient, is computed in accordance with AISC Section G2. The
reader is referred to Section 3.5.4 Nominal Shear Strength in the Steel Frame Design
Manual AISC 360-16 for ETABS for specifics.
ETABS does not perform the checks against the limit state of block shear rupture called for in
AISC Section J4.3
5.4 Moment Magnification in the Presence of a Compression Force

If both the options to consider axial forces and to magnify moments are selected in either the
Composite Beam Design Preferences or the Composite Beam Overwrites, and the forces on the
beam being designed include a compression force Pu, ETABS magnifies the values of Mu referred
to in the sections that follow per the method presented in AISC Appendix 8:
Mu = Mr
M r = B1M nt + B2 M lt (AISC Eq. A-8-1)
where:
M nt = first-order moment produced by the vertical loads on the beam
M lt = first-order moment produced by the horizontal loads on the beam, taken as zero
Strength Checks 28
Cm
B1 = (AISC Eq. A-8-3)
1 − Pr / Pel
with:
Cm = 1.0 per AISC Section A8-2-1(b)
Pr = Pu (equivalent to AISC Eq. A-8-2 for composite beams)
 = 1.0
2 EI
Pel = (equivalent to AISC Eq. A-8-5 for composite beams)
L2x
5.5 Construction Bending Check

If the beam is unshored, the flexural strength of the steel beam alone is checked for all the
construction load combinations at all the stations listed in Beam Stations Checked for Strength.
If axial forces are to be considered, then the design must satisfy AISC Equations H1-1a and H1-
1b as explained in Combined Flexure and Axial Force Check.
Otherwise, the design must satisfy:
Mu
 1.0 (AISC B3-1)
b M n
where:
• Mu is the required flexural strength, that is, the applied factored moment. It can be positive
or negative
• b is equal to 0.9. per AISC Section F1, and
• Mn is computed in function of Cb, and Lb for each load combination and each location as
explained in Steel Beam Section Properties and Nominal Strength.
The above check does not take into account any out of plane bending that may occur in the beam.
5.6 Negative Bending Check

If the beam is subject to negative bending for any of the strength load combinations at any of the
stations listed in Beam Stations Checked for Strength, the flexural strength of the steel beam alone
is checked for that load combination at that station.
Strength Checks 29
−M u
 1.0 (AISC B3-1)
b M n
where:
• Mu is the required flexural strength, that is, the applied factored moment
• b is equal to 0.9. per AISC Section F1, and
• Mn is computed in function of Cb, and Lb for the load combination and station under
consideration as explained in Steel Beam Section Properties and Nominal Strength.
5.7 Positive Bending Check

The flexural strength of the composite beam is checked for all the strength load combinations at
all the stations listed in Beam Stations Checked for Strength.
Mu
 1.0 (AISC B3-1)
M n
where:
• Mu is the required flexural strength, that is, the applied factored moment
•  is equal to b if the beam is non-composite, and bcpp if the beam is composite. You can
set the values of b and bcpp in the Composite Beam Design Preferences. They both have
a default value of 0.9 per AISC Section I3.2.
• Mn is computed based on, amongst other parameters, the cumulative strength of the shear
studs acting at the beam station being checked as explained in Composite Plastic Moment
Capacity for Positive Bending if the beam is composite,
• Mn is computed as explained in Steel Beam Flexural Strength otherwise.
The beam is considered non-composite if its effective width is zero, or the deck(s) next to it is
(are) not filled. Also, you can specify in their overwrites if ETABS is to design beams as non-
composite without studs, non-composite with studs, composite as required, or always composite.
In the case of a moment-connected beam supported at both ends, ETABS makes an allowance for
pattern loading in which only a fraction of the live load is present on the adjacent spans, since this
will increase the positive bending of the beam.
Strength Checks 30
Mu
When the highest ratio occurs at a beam station other than the one where the maximum
M n
positive bending moment occurs, the percentages of composite action attained based on the shear
stud distribution and resulting composite plastic moment capacities are reported for both stations
in the output.
Note that the above check does not take into account any out of plane bending that may occur in
the beam.
5.8 Combined Flexure and Axial Force Check

If you have instructed ETABS to consider axial forces when designing composite beams, then,
per AISC Commentary Section I7, when an axial force acts on a beam, ETABS checks that its
design satisfies the AISC interaction equations H1-1a and H1-1b at all the beam output stations
and for all the design load combinations:
Pr 8 M M ry  P
+  rx +   1.0 when r  0.2 (AISC H1-1a)

Pc 9  M cx M cy  Pc
Pr M M ry  P
+  rx +   1.0 when r  0.2 (AISC H1-1b)
2 Pc  M cx M cy  Pc
where:
• Pr is the required axial strength, that is the applied factored tension or compression force.
• Pc is the available axial strength, which is equal to tPn is the beam is in tension, or cPn if
the beam is in compression. Per AISC Commentary Section I7, tPn is computed as
explained in Steel Beam Tensile Strength and cPn is computed as explained in Steel Beam
Compressive Strength even when the beam is composite.
• Mrx is the required flexural strength, that is the applied factored moment.
• Mcx is the bending strength of the beam and is equal to bMn. Per AISC Commentary
Section I7, Mn is computed as explained in Composite Plastic Moment Capacity for
Positive Bending if the beam is being checked for service conditions, it is composite, and
the applied bending is positive. and Mn is computed as explained in Steel Beam Flexural
Strength otherwise.
• Mry is the out-of-plane bending moment in the beam and taken as equal to zero, i.e. ignored.
• Mcy is the out of plane bending strength of the beam and is not computed.
Strength Checks 31
5.9 Elastic Stresses Check

ETABS checks that the flexural stresses remain in the elastic range under un-factored service
loads in accordance with the provisions of AISC Commentary Section I3.2. While the
commentary only requires this check when the beam is composite and its design is controlled by
deflection, ETABS always carries out the check.
For all deflection load combinations, the design must satisfy the following equation at the location
of maximum positive bending:
M total
 Fy if the beam is shored
S eff
M dead M sup er −dead + M live

+  Fy if the beam is not shored
Ss Seff
where:
Mdead = Maximum positive bending moment produced by the dead load, kip-in.
Msuper-dead = Maximum positive bending moment produced by the superimposed dead
load, kip-in.
Mlive = Maximum positive bending moment produced by the live load, kip-in
Mtotal = Maximum positive bending moment, kip-in
Strength Checks 32
6 Deflection Checks
This chapter explains how ETABS computes and checks the deflections of the composite beams
it designs.
6.1 Composite Beam Deflections

Composite beam deflections are computed using a moment-area technique: ETABS constructs an
M/EI diagram by computing the M/EI values at each output station along the length of the beam
and assuming a linear variation of M/EI between the stations. M/EI is taken as zero along the end
length offsets of the beams. Deflections at each station are then computed based on this M/EI
diagram. Finally, the overall deflected shape of the beam is drawn by connecting the computed
values of the deflection at the various stations with straight-line segments.
For the purpose of composite beam design, in the case of a beam supported at both ends, beam
deflections are measured from the straight line joining the two supports as illustrated below:
Figure 6-1 Deflection Results Reported by the Composite Beam Design Postprocessor
In the case of cantilever beams, the displacement is measured at the free end relative to the beam
support. In addition, the supported end of the cantilever beam is assumed to be fixed against
rotation.
The automatically created design load combination for computing deflections is given by the
following equation:
WDL + SDL + LL + RLL (AISC L1, ASCE 2.4.1, C.1.1, C.2)
Composite Beam Deflections 33

Composite Beam Design AISC 360-16 Deflection Checks
where all of the terms are as described in Design Load Combinations. Note that all the load factors
for this serviceability check are 1.0. Dead load deflections are the dead load component of the
deflections computed for this load combination. Likewise, superimposed dead load are the
superimposed dead load component of the deflections computed for it, and live load deflections
are the sum of the unreducible live load and reducible live load components of the deflections
computed for it.
As explained in Elastic Stresses Check, ETABS always checks that the flexural stresses remain
in the elastic range under un-factored service loads.
6.2 Dead Load Deflection Check

Shoring during construction affects how dead load deflection is evaluated and how camber is
specified. By default, beams are not shored during construction, but you can specify shoring for
specific beams in the beam overwrites.
If a beam is shored, ETABS computes its dead load deflection using:
• the moment of inertia of the steel section (including any cover plate) Is, if the beam is
non-composite or is a cantilever beam
• the effective moment of inertia of the beam, Iequiv, otherwise – see Effective Moment of
Inertia for Partial Composite Connection for information on Iequiv
and does not check the computed value against any limit, but retrieves it later, to compute the
total beam deflection.
If a beam is not shored, ETABS computes its dead load deflection based on Is. If the design
preferences or the beam overwrites specify a maximum limit for dead load deflection, ETABS
checks that the dead load deflection is less.
6.3 Camber
If you have specified a specific camber during interactive beam design or in the beam overwrites,
ETABS uses that camber.
Otherwise, it computes a camber equal to 80% of the dead load deflection, rounded down to the
nearest beam camber increment if the beam and its structural steel section meet the following
criteria:
• the beam is not shored

• camber is not preempted in the beam overwrites
• the beam span is more than 24 ft.
• the depth of the steel section is more than 14 in.
• the web thickness of the section is more than ¼ in.
• the computed camber is at least the minimum camber specified in the design preferences
Deflection Checks 34
Composite Beam Design AISC 360-16 Deflection Checks
If that camber is more than the maximum camber specified in the design preferences, the
maximum camber is used.
All the numbers used in the above criteria, as well as the 80% ratio, can be changed in the design
preferences. The next to last three criteria implement recommendations published by AISC in the
Specifying Camber Steelwise article of Modern Steel Construction, July 2006.
6.4 Post-Composite and Live Load Deflection Checks

ETABS computes the superimposed dead load and live load deflections using Is if the beam is
designed as non-composite or is a cantilever beam, Iequiv, otherwise.
In the case of a moment-connected beam supported at both ends, ETABS makes an allowance for
pattern loading in which only a fraction of the live load is present on the adjacent spans since this
will increase the estimated deflection of the beam. Also, note that Iequiv is used along the entire
length of the beam, even in the areas of negative bending.
While AISC no longer recommends computing deflections using 75% of the value of Iequiv in its
2016 Specification Commentary, you can specify an adjustment factor for Iequiv in the design
preferences.
If the design preferences or the beam overwrites specify a maximum limit for post-composite
deflection, the sum of the superimposed dead load and live load deflections is checked against
that limit.
If the design preferences or the beam overwrites specify a maximum limit for live load deflection,
ETABS checks that the live load deflection is less.
6.5 Net Deflection Checks

If the design preferences or the beam overwrites specify a maximum limit for net deflection, the
sum of the dead load, superimposed dead load, and live load deflections, minus any computed
camber is checked versus that maximum limit.
Deflection Checks 35
7 Shear Studs
This chapter explains how ETABS determines the total number of shear studs required to satisfy
the design requirements on a composite beam, and their distribution.
It first introduces the concept of “beam segments”, along with the maximum workable and
minimum required numbers of shear studs on any beam segment based on the minimum and
maximum spacing requirements specified in the design preferences.
Next, it explains how shear studs are distributed along the beam segments to satisfy design
requirements.
Finally, it explains how composite beams are designed when their shear stud distribution is user-
specified.
7.1 Beam Segments and their Maximum and Minimum Numbers of Studs
7.1.1 Beam Segments

ETABS divides the top flange of each composite beam into one or more beam segments that
together extend along the length of the beam. A composite beam segment may span between any
two of the following three locations:
• the physical end of the beam top flange, which takes into account the physical
dimensions of the frame object or wall object supporting the beam, plus a half inch gap,
• a connection to another beam that frames into or sits on the beam being considered,
• the physical end of the concrete slab on top of the beam.
Figure 7-1 shows some examples of beam segments. The figure uses the following notation:
L = Length of composite beam measured from center-of-support to center-of-support

LCBS = Length of a beam segment
Beam Segments and their Maximum and Minimum Numbers of Studs 36

Composite Beam Design AISC 360-16 Shear Studs
LCBS
a) LCBS for Beam Between Two Columns
LCBS
b) LCBS for Beam Between Two Girders
LCBS LCBS L CBS
c) LCBS when Beams Frame into Considered Beam
End of
slab
LCBS
d) LCBS when Slab Ends in Beam Span
Figure 7-1 – Examples of Beam Segments and their Lengths
Shear Studs 37
7.1.2 Maximum Number of Shear Studs on Beam Segments

As stated in Deck Properties and Effective Slab Width, for the purpose of composite beam design,
there is at most a single deck type and orientation on each side of the middle range of the beam.
7.1.2.1 Deck Ribs Oriented Perpendicular to Beam Span

If the deck on the left side or the deck on the right side, or both of them, has or have ribs and is
or are perpendicular to the beam, then shear studs must be placed within these deck ribs. The
number of rows of shear studs running along the width of the beam flange in each metal deck rib
is limited to one. For a typical case with 3/4" diameter shear studs and an average width of the
deck rib equal to 6 inches, it is difficult to fit more than one row of shear studs in a deck rib and
still have adequate edge clearances. (To have more than one row of shear studs in a single deck
rib, you can specify a user-defined shear stud pattern for the beam.) The maximum number of
shear studs that can be placed on a segment is then equal to the product of the number of deck
ribs that occur in that segment times the maximum number of shear studs that can be placed within
one rib.
The number of deck ribs itself is computed by dividing the segment length, LCB, by the deck rib
spacing and rounding the number down. When the deck on the left and the deck on the right have
a different rib spacing, the widest one is used.
The maximum number of shear studs that can be placed within one rib is computed based on the
beam flange width, the minimum transversal shear stud spacing specified in the design
preferences, and a side cover requirement of one inch or one stud diameter, whichever is larger,
as illustrated in the sketch below. If you want, you can specify a different maximum number of
studs that can be placed within one rib in the beam overwrites.
 ds &  1"
7.1.2.2 Solid Slab or Deck Ribs Oriented Parallel to Beam Span

If instead:
• there is a deck on one side only of the beam and it is a solid slab type or it is parallel to
the beam
• or there are decks on both sides of the beam and both decks are a solid slab type or are
parallel to the beam
shear studs can be placed anywhere on the flange of the beam. (This assumes that the deck is split
over the flange of the beam if necessary.)
The maximum number of shear studs that can be placed in a single row along a segment is
computed by dividing the segment length, LCB, by the minimum longitudinal shear stud spacing
Shear Studs 38
specified in the design preferences and rounding the number down.
The maximum number of rows of studs on the beam is computed based on the beam flange width,
the minimum transversal shear stud spacing specified in the design preferences, and a side cover
requirement of one inch or one stud diameter, whichever is larger, as illustrated in the sketch
above. Again, the maximum number of rows of studs that can be placed on the beam can be
specified in the beam overwrites.
7.1.2.3 No Deck or Unfilled Deck

When there is no deck on either side of the middle range of a beam, the beam is not designed as
composite, and no studs are placed on it. This is also the case when the decks on both sides of the
beam are unfilled, or when there is a deck on only one side and it is unfilled.
7.1.3 Minimum Number of Shear Studs on Beam Segments

Generally, the minimum number of shear studs required to satisfy the maximum spacing
requirements on a beam segment is computed by dividing the segment length by the maximum
shear stud spacing and rounding the number up.
If the deck on the left side or the deck on the right side, or both of them, has or have ribs and is
or are perpendicular to the beam, shear studs must be placed within the deck ribs and the
maximum shear stud spacing is rounded down to the nearest multiple of the rib spacing. When
the deck on the left and the deck on the right have a different rib spacing, the widest one is used.
7.2 Strength of Shear Studs

ETABS only supports the use of steel headed stud anchors as shear studs. Accordingly, the
capacity Qn of a single shear stud is equal to:
Qn = 0.5 Asa fcEc  Rg Rp Asa Fu (AISC I8-1)
Shear Studs 39
where Rg and Rp are defined in the table below:
Condition Rg Rp
Solid slab (No decking) 1.0 0.75
Decking oriented parallel to the steel shape

wr
 1.5
hr 1.0 0.75
wr
 1.5 0.85 0.75
hr
Decking oriented perpendicular to the steel shape.

Number of steel headed stud anchors occupying the same
deck rib:
1 1.0 0.6+
2 0.85 0.6+
3 or more 0.7 0.6+
+
This value may be increased to 0.75 when emid-ht  2 in. (51 mm).
The terms fc and Ec can be different on the two sides of the beam. The program computes Qn for
each side of the beam separately and uses the smaller value in the calculations.
You can specify the value of Qn to use for any given beam in the beam overwrites. This can be
useful in case you want to use channel anchors as shear studs.
7.3 How ETABS Distributes Shear Studs on Beams

A beam is considered non-composite if its effective width is zero, or the deck(s) next to it is (are)
not filled. Also, you can specify in their overwrites if ETABS is to design beams as non-composite
without studs, non-composite with studs, composite as required, or always composite.
If a beam is non-composite, a minimum number of shear studs are placed on it, as explained in
Minimum Number of Shear Studs on Beam Segments, or no studs if it is what you specified in the
beam overwrites.
If the strength and stiffness of the structural steel section are adequate without composite action,
and you have not specified always composite in the beam overwrites, a minimum number of shear
studs are placed.
Otherwise, ETABS determines the optimal number of shear studs through an iterative process, in
Shear Studs 40
which for each iteration:
• a tentative percentage of composite action is set,

• a corresponding shear stud distribution is computed as explained below,
• the strength and deflection of the beam with that shear stud distribution are checked as
explained in Strength Checks and Deflection Checks — with, in particular, Mn computed
for each station being checked based on the number of shear studs acting at that station
• a next percentage of composite action is chosen based on the results of the checks.
The investigated percentage of composite action is at least:
• 25% or the minimum percentage of composite action you specified in the design
preferences, in the case of beams with spans not exceeding 30 ft.
• the smallest of 50% and the percentage of composite action developed by shear studs
with a 16-kip nominal capacity placed at a uniform 12-inch spacing in the case of beams
with spans exceeding 30 ft., in accordance with AISC Commentary Section I3.2d
• whatever you set it to in interactive design mode.
Also, the investigated percentage of composite action is at most the maximum percentage of
composite action specified in the design preferences.
For a given percentage of composite action, ETABS computes the corresponding target horizontal
shear force Vh to be provided by the shear studs between the location of the maximum bending
moment and the nearest point of zero-moment for each load combination.
If there are point loads on the beam, ETABS also computes, for each point load location and each
load combination, a target horizontal shear force Vh2 to be provided by the shear studs between
the location of the point load and the nearest point of zero-moment per the following equation:
 M u −  M n steel alone 
Vh 2 = Vh 
  M n comp −  M n steel alone 
 
where:
Mn comp = Maximum moment capacity of the composite beam, considering partial

composite connection if applicable, kip-in.
Mn steel alone = Moment capacity of the steel beam alone, kip-in.
Mu = Moment at the point load location, kip-in.
Vh = Horizontal shear force to be provided by the shear studs between the point
of maximum moment and the point of zero moment, kips
Vh2 = Horizontal shear force to be provided by the shear studs between the point
load considered and the point of zero moment, kips
The design load combinations are then sorted in order of decreasing shear stud densities. The
shear stud density is the ratio of the target horizontal shear force to the corresponding distance
between the nearest point of zero moment and the location at which the shear force was computed.
Shear Studs 41
The shear studs are then distributed on the beam segments. ETABS first places the minimum
number required to satisfy maximum spacing requirements on all the segments. Then, starting
with the design load combination with the greatest shear stud requirement, and continuing with
the following load combinations, it checks that, at each of the locations where a shear force has
been computed, there are enough shear studs on the segments to develop that shear force. If there
aren’t enough, the number of shear studs on the segments is progressively increased, starting with
the segments closest to the ends of the beam, until there are enough shear studs.
7.4 User Defined Shear Stud Distributions

As mentioned in the Introduction and explained in Shear Studs Tab, you can specify composite shear
stud distributions in the beam overwrites. This can be useful when you check an existing building,
or when you are not satisfied with the shear stud distribution generated. Before you use this
feature, note that in interactive design mode, you can vary the percentage of composite action for
a given structural steel section, view the resulting stress, deflection ratios, and shear stud
distributions for each of these percentages, and choose one. Also, note that you can achieve a
shear stud distribution of one shear stud per foot on most beams by setting the maximum
longitudinal shear stud spacing in the design preferences to one foot.
When you specify the shear stud distribution on a beam, ETABS computes the number of rows
of shear studs along the beam based on the deck type and the deck orientation relative to the beam
as explained above. This number of rows determines the number of shear studs per row and the
individual capacities Qn of the shear studs.
ETABS checks the strength and deflection of the beam as explained in Strength Checks and in
Deflection Checks — with, in particular, Mn computed for each station being checked based on
the number of shear studs acting at that station.
Shear stud minimum spacing requirements are NOT checked for user-defined shear stud
distributions.
Shear Studs 42
8 Vibration Checks
By default, ETABS checks beam vibration acceptability when designing composite beams.
ETABS can apply one of the three sets of design criteria defined in AISC Steel Design Guide 11
Second Edition (DG11):
• design criterion for walking excitation

• design criteria for rhythmic excitation
• design criteria for sensitive equipment and sensitive occupancies
Which of these criteria to apply depends on the intended use of the space supported by a beam.
By default, the walking excitation criterion is applied. You can specify another DG11 set of
criteria, or no criteria at all, on a model-wide basis in the design preferences, and on a beam-by-
beam basis in the beam overwrites.
The evaluation of each of these sets of criteria depends on the values of a number of associated
parameters. When you specify a set of criteria, default values for the associated parameters will
be used. You can modify most of these default values on a model-wide basis, and all on a beam-
by-beam basis.
The vibration criteria is applied on a beam-by-beam basis: When it assesses the vibrations of a
beam supported by girders, ETABS computes the contributing characteristics of the girders based
on their current designs, and does not attempt to re-design the girders in order to satisfy the beam
vibrations criteria.
After explaining how several quantities common to all DG11 criteria are computed, the remainder
of this chapter explains how each of the DG11 sets of criteria is implemented.
In the case of design for sensitive equipment, DG11 distinguishes between evaluation against a
generic velocity limit, against a waveform peak velocity or acceleration specific limit, and against
a narrowband spectral velocity or acceleration specific limit, but only the first one is implemented.
8.1 Effective Panel Weight

The effective panel weight for the beam or girder panel modes is equal to:
W = wBL (DG11 4.2)
Effective Panel Weight 43

Composite Beam Design AISC 360-16 Vibration Checks
w, the supported weight per unit area, is computed as the sum of the dead loads (not counting any
superimposed dead loads), plus the additional dead load and live load specified by DG11 for the
occupancy type specified in the design preferences. If you want, you can override the occupancy type,
and/or the associated additional dead load and live load in the beam overwrites.
For the beam panel mode, the effective width is equal to:
B j = C j ( Ds D j ) L j  2 3  Floor Width
14
(DG11 4.3a)
where:
C j = 2.0 for beams in most areas

= 1.0 for beams parallel to a free edge
Ds = I slab = Transformed slab moment of inertia per unit width
beff • n
Dj = I tr S = Transformed beam composite section moment of inertia per unit width
Itr = Transformed beam composite section moment inertia
S = Beam spacing
Lj = Beam span
DG11 defines a free edge as the edge of a balcony, a mezzanine, or the building edge if the
cladding is not connected. ETABS considers a beam parallel to a free edge if that beam is at the
limit of the building or is next to an opening, but you can explicitly set whether the beam is
parallel to a free edge in the beam overwrites.
As mentioned in Transformed Section Moment of Inertia, Itr is computed differently for vibration
checks and deflection checks. Also, note that ETABS computes Islab more precisely than DG11:
DG11 averages the thickness of the slab and ribs, and acknowledges it is an approximation,
whereas ETABS uses the actual deck ribs geometry.
For the girder panel mode, the effective width is equal to:
Bg = Cg ( D j Dg ) Lg  2 3  Floor Length
14
(DG11 4.3b)
where:
Cg = 1.6 for girders supporting beams connected to the girder flange

= 1.8 for girders supporting beams connected to the girder web
Dg = Girder transformed moment of inertia per unit width
= I tr − g L j for all except edge girders
= I tr − g 2 L j for edge girders
Lg = Girder span
Vibration Checks 44
When the beam being designed is supported by two girders with different stiffness, the
computations are based on the properties of the most flexible one. Also, the moment of inertia of
the girder, Itr-g, is the composite transformed moment of inertia of the girder, even when it is
designed per the steel frame design procedure. This is consistent with DG11 Section 3.2, which
specifies using the composite transformed moment of inertia of a beam even when there are no
shear studs on it as long as the slab or deck is somehow attached to it. If the girder is separated
from the slab (e.g., the case of beams with overhangs that extend over a supporting girder), you
can instruct ETABS to use the moment of inertia of the girder steel section in the beam overwrites.
The floor width and floor length are computed based on the extents of the framing at the story
and in the tower where the beam is located. The floor length and width are measured parallel and
perpendicular to the beam being designed, respectively, at its location. You can specify their
values in the beam overwrites.
When a beam is continuous over its supports, which per DG 11 includes the case where it attached
to girder webs, and the adjacent beam spans are greater than 0.7 times the beam span under
consideration, the effective panel weight, Wj, is increased by 50 percent.
For the combined mode, the panel weight, W, is equal to:
j  'g
W= Wj + Wg (DG11 4.4)
 j +  'g  j +  'g
where:
 j = mid-span deflection of the beam under the weight it supports,

 'g = reduced mid-span deflection of the girder, if any, under the weight it supports
Lg
 'g =  g where Lg/Bj is taken as not less than 0.5 nor greater than 1.0
Bj
 j and  g are computed, as explained in Composite Beam Deflections.
8.2 Floor Fundamental Natural Vibration Frequency

In the case of design for walking excitation and rhythmic excitation, the floor fundamental natural
vibration frequency, fn, is evaluated as:
g
f n = 0.18 (DG11 3.4)
( j + g )
In the case of design for sensitive occupancies and sensitive occupancies, fn, is the smallest of the
beam frequency, and the girder frequency if there is a girder:
fn = min(fj, fg)
where:
Vibration Checks 45
g
f j = 0.18 (DG11 3.3)
j
g
f g = 0.18 (DG11 3.3)
g
If you want, you can specify the value of fn in the beam overwrites.
8.3 Design for Walking Excitation

The design of the beam must be such that the predicted peak acceleration of the floor, ap, satisfies:
ap a0
 (DG11 2.6)
g g
where a0 is a specified walking tolerance acceleration limit which depends on the intended use of
the space supported by the beam, and ap/g is equal to:
P0e(
−0.35 f n )
ap
= (DG11 4.1)
g W
with:
P0 = amplitude of the driving force, always 65 lbs. in accordance with DG11 Section
4.1.1
β = modal damping ratio
DG11 Table 4.1 lists recommended values for the ratio a0/g and you can set it accordingly in the
design preferences or the beam overwrites.
DG11 Table 4.2 provides guidelines for estimating  and you can set it accordingly in the design
preferences or the beam overwrites.
8.4 Design for Rhythmic Excitation

In the case of design for rhythmic excitation, the design of the beam must be such that the
predicted peak acceleration of the floor, ap, satisfies:
ap a0
 (DG11 2.18)
g g
While this equation is the same as DG 11 Equation 2.6, ap and a0 are computed differently than
in the case of design for walking excitation.
Recommended values for the ratio a0/g are listed in DG11 Table 5.1.
Vibration Checks 46
ap depends on the step frequency of the rhythmic activity. DG11 Table 5.2 provides suggested
ranges of step frequency and Equation 2.18 must be satisfied for all intermediate step frequencies
included within these ranges.
For a given step frequency fstep, ap is the combination of the floor responses to each harmonic of
the dynamic force and is given by:
ap
=
( a ) 1.5 1/1.5
pj
(DG11 5-1)
g g
where the peak acceleration due to the i-th harmonic is given by:
a pj 1.3i w p wt
= (DG11 5.2)
g  f  2 2
  2

 n  − 1 +  2f n 
 if step    if step 
 
with:
i = Dynamic coefficient from DG11 Table 5.2

wp = Effective weight per unit area of participants distributed over floor panel
wt = Effective distributed weight per unit area of floor panel, including occupants
i = 1 for the 1st harmonic, 2 for the 2nd one, 3 for the 3rd one
8.5 Design for Sensitive Equipment and Sensitive Occupancies

As mentioned above, while there are several DG 11 design criteria for sensitive equipment and
sensitive occupancies, ETABS only implements the one that evaluates the beam response as a
velocity, which it compares to a specified maximum velocity, V1/3, Lim. The design of the beam
must be such that the floor maximum one-third octave spectral velocity due to walking, V1/3
satisfies:
WV1/3  V1/3,Lim
where W is a normalized mode shape value which accounts for the location of the walker relative
to the beam. The default value of W is 1.0, corresponding to the worst-case scenario of the walker
located at mid-span, but you can specify a different value in the beam overwrites.
V1/3 is computed differently based on the type of walking — very slow, slow, moderate, or fast.
You can specify the type of walking in the design preferences and the beam overwrites.
In the case of very slow walking, V1/3 is equal to:
250  106 f step

( )
2.43
−2 f n / f step
V1/3 = 1− e (DG11 6-3a)
W fn 1.8
Vibration Checks 47
with:
fn = min(fb, fg) where fb is the beam frequency, and fg is the girder frequency if the
beam is supported by a girder
fstep = average step frequency from DG11 Table 6.
W = value of panel weight measured in lbs.
In the case of slow, moderate, or fast walking, V1/3 is equal to:
175  106 − fn
V1/3 = e if f n  f L (DG11 6-3b)
W f n
250  106 f step

( )
2.43
−2 f n / f step
V1/3 = 1− e if f n  fU (DG11 6-3b)
W fn 1.8
with:
f L = intermediate zone lower boundary frequency from DG11 Table 6.1
fU = intermediate zone upper boundary frequency from DG11 Table 6.1
 = dynamic load parameter from DG11 Table 6.1

and with the value of V1/3 obtained by linear interpolation between the two above values for
intermediate values of fn.
The values of fstep, fL, fU and  depend on the type of walking. DG11 Table 6.1 provides
recommended values. These recommended values are automatically selected when you set the
type of walking in the design preferences and beam overwrites, but you can specify different
values afterwards. The value of V1/3, Lim depends on the intended use of the space supported by
the beam. DG11 Table 6.2 provides recommended values of V1/3, Lim. This recommended value is
automatically selected when you set the occupancy in the design preferences and beam
overwrites, but you can specify a different value afterwards.
Vibration Checks 48
9. Web Openings
You can add, modify, and delete beam web openings on any I-section beam that is designed per
the composite beam design procedure and per the AISC 360-05, AISC 360-10 or AISC 360-16
design code by designing it interactively with the Interactive Composite Beam Design form and
clicking the Web Openings button, which in turn displays the Beam Web Openings form. While
the design procedure of the beam needs to be composite beam design, the design of the beam does
not need to be composite.
In accordance with AISC Commentary Section G7, the strength of a beam with web openings is
checked at these openings per the provisions of ASCE 23-97.
ASCE 23-97 places empirical limits on the location, size, and spacing of web openings. Before
checking the strength of a beam with web openings, ETABS first checks that the openings’
locations and dimensions are within these limits.
Because the minimum opening spacing depends on the strength demand/capacity ratios of the
beam at these openings, the opening spacing requirements are not checked until after the strength
of the beam has been checked.
In this chapter, the top tee and the bottom tee refer to the regions of the beam section above and
below a web opening.
9.1 Steel Section Restrictions

Per ASCE 23-97 Section 5.1, the section of a beam with web openings must be a compact section.
Accordingly, when a beam has web openings, ETABS only selects compact sections and deems
other sections not acceptable. As stated in Steel Section Classification, when designing composite
beams, ETABS anyway never selects slender-element sections or sections with webs that are not
compact.
Also, when h0 ≥ 0.3d, where h0 is the height of the opening and d is the depth of the steel section,
ASCE 23-97 limits the width to thickness ratio of the section web:
(d − 2t f ) / tw  520 / Fy with Fy in ksi(ASCE 23-97 Sections 5.2.1 and 5.2.2)
Steel Section Restrictions 49

Composite Beam Design AISC 360-16 Web Openings
9.2 Limits on Opening Placement and Dimensions

The following ASCE 23-97 requirements must be satisfied:
9.2.1 Aspect Ratio

a0
When h0 ≥ 0.3d, ASCE 23-97 limits the aspect ratio of the opening, where a0 is the length of
h0
the opening, to the following:
a0
= 3.0 when web of the section satisfies ( d − 2t f ) / tw  420 / Fy
h0
a0
= 2.2 otherwise (ASCE 23-97 Sections 5.2.1 and 5.2.3)
h0
Also, when h0 ≥ 0.3d, the opening must be proportioned so that:
p0 = ( a0 / h0 ) + (6h0 / d ) = 5.6 for non-composite beams,
p0 = ( a0 / h0 ) + (6h0 / d ) = 6.0 for composite beams(ASCE 23-97 Sections 5.2.1 and

5.2.4)
9.2.2 Buckling of Tee-shaped Compression Zone

ASCE 23-97 requires that non-composite tees in compression be designed as axially loaded
columns when M u / (Vu • d )  20 where Mu and Vu are the factored bending moment and shear,
respectively, at the centerline of the opening and when  exceeds 4 where:
 = aspect ratio of the tee = a0 / st or a0 / st if the opening is reinforced
st = depth of tee
st = effective depth of a reinforced tee = st − Awr / (2b f )

ETABS makes sure this requirement does not apply, then evaluates the ratio M u / (Vu • d ) for
each of the various design load combinations. When that ratio exceeds 20 for a given load
combination, and:
• the beam is non-composite, or

• the load combination is a construction load combination and the beam is not shored, or
• Mu is negative
ETABS then limits the ratio  of the tee in compression to no more than 4.
Web Openings 50
9.2.3 Maximum Opening Dimensions

Per ASCE 23-97 Section 5.5, h0 cannot be greater than 0.7d and a0 cannot be greater than 1.5d.
9.2.4 Tee Proportions

Per ASCE 23-97 Section 5.6, the depth of a tee in compression cannot be less than 0.15d and the
ratio  of a tee in compression cannot exceed 12. Whether the tee in compression is the top one
or the bottom one depends on the sign of the bending moment, and these two requirements are
checked for each of the various design load combinations.
9.2.5 Concentrated Loads

Per ASCE 23-97 Section 5.8, no web opening can be located under a point load. Accordingly,
when designing a girder supporting beams, ETABS checks that its web openings are located away
from the beams framing in.
Web openings are not checked to be located away from point loads caused by loads applied to the
model joint objects.
9.2.6 Placement of Openings

Per ASCE 23-97 Section 5.9, the nearest edge of a web opening cannot be closer than a distance
d from the support. The edges of all web openings are checked to be no closer than a distance d
from the beam ends. Note that the two checks are not equivalent in the case of beams with
overhangs that extend over a supporting girder.
9.2.7 Reinforcement Plate Aspect Ratio

To avoid compromising the compact classification of the beam section, the width, b, and the
thickness, t, of the reinforcement plates, if there are some, must satisfy the following equation:
b E
 0.38 (AISC Table B4.1b)
t Fy
9.3 Strength Checks

The section of the beam and, if the beam is composite, its shear stud distribution must be such
that the interaction of flexure and shear for each of the various design load combinations satisfies:
3 3
 M u   Vu 
  +   1.0 (ASCE 23-97 Eqn. 1)
 
 0 m  0 m
M V
where:
Web Openings 51
Mu = factored moment at centerline of opening

Vu = factored shear at centerline of opening
Mm = maximum nominal flexural capacity at opening; occurs when Vu = 0
Vm = maximum nominal shear capacity at opening; occurs when Mu = 0
 = resistance factor for opening design = 0.90 for non-composite beams, and 0.85 for
composite beams
9.3.1 Maximum Nominal Flexural Capacity

Per ASCE 23-97 Section 4.2, the maximum nominal flexural capacity at an opening Mm is
determined based on the plastic distribution on the net section. In the case of composite beams,
the calculation is identical to the calculation described in Composite Plastic Moment Capacity for
Positive Bending, with the following two adjustments:
1. the compression force in the concrete slab, which ASCE 23-97 refers to as Pc instead of C is
the smallest of:
Pc = 0.85( f c'−left Ac −left + f c'−right Ac−right ) (equivalent to ASCE 23-97 C6a)

N
Pc =  Qn (equivalent to ASCE 23-97 C6b)
1
Pc = Asn Fy (ASCE 23-97 C6c)
where:
f c'−left , f c'−right = specified concrete compressive strengths on left and right sides of
beam, respectively
Ac-left,Ac-right = areas of concrete slab within effective width on left and right sides of
beam, respectively
N = number of shear studs between the high moment end of the opening and
the support
Qn = individual shear stud capacity previously computed for the beam
Asn = the net area of the steel section = As − h0tw + 2 Awr
Awr = cross-sectional area of web reinforcement along top or bottom edge of

opening
2. AISC Equation C-I3-10 is adjusted to account for the hole in the beam web and the optional
opening reinforcement:
M n = Pc (d1 + d 2 ) + Fy Asn (d 3 − d 2 ) + Fy ( As − Asn )e

where:
Web Openings 52
e = eccentricity of web opening: distance from the centerline of the steel

section to the centerline of the opening, positive when the opening is
above the centerline of the steel section
In accordance with ASCE23-97 Section 4.3.2, only shear studs completely within the defined
range are counted when computing N.
Equations ASCE 23-97 C6a and AISC C-I3-7 are identical. As explained in Composite Plastic
Moment Capacity for Positive Bending, to evaluate equation ASCE 23-97 C6a, the maximum
compressive forces that can be developed by the concrete in the slab on the left side of the beam
are calculated separately from the right side of the beam and added together.
N
The term NQn in ASCE 23-97 Equation C6-b has been replaced with Q
n =1
n to account for the case
where the number of shear studs per row varies along the length of the beam and, with it, the
value of Qn.
Per ASCE 23-97 Section 4.2, when an opening is reinforced, Mm cannot exceed the nominal
flexural capacity of the unperforated section without reinforcement.
9.3.2 Maximum Nominal Shear Capacity

Per ASCE 23-97 Section 4.3, the maximum nominal shear capacity at an opening Vm is equal to
the sum of the shear capacities of the top tee and bottom tee: Vm = Vmt
Per ASCE 23-97 Section 5.6, the shear capacity for an individual tee Vmt is considered zero if:
• the depth of a tee in tension is less than 0.15d for non-composite beams or 0.12d for
composite beams, or
•  of the tee is greater than 12.
9.3.2.1 General Equations

Per ASCE 23-97 Section 4.3.1, the shear capacity for an individual tee Vmt, including the top tee
in a composite beam for which ( )( )
6 +  /  + 3  1.0 is given by:
6+
Vmt = V pt  V pt (ASCE 23-97 2)
+ 3
where:
Vpt = plastic shear capacity of the web of the of the tee = Fy tw st / 3
Fy = specified minimum yield stress of steel

tw = thickness of the web
bf = width of flange
Web Openings 53
= ratio relating the secondary bending moment contributions of concrete and opening
reinforcement to the product of the plastic shear capacity of a tee and the depth of
the tee,
2 Pr d r + Pch d h − Pcl d l
= (ASCE 23-97 3)
V pt st
where:
Pr = force in reinforcement along one edge of opening = Fy Awr  Fy twa0 / (2 3)

 Fy ( Af + Afr )
dr = distance from outside edge of flange to centroid of reinforcement
Pch, Pcl = concrete forces at high and low moment ends of opening, respectively; for top
tees in composite sections only
dh, dl = distances from outside edge of top flange to centroid of concrete force at high
and low moment ends of opening, respectively; for top tees in composite
sections only
Af = area of flange = bf tf
Afp = area of flange cover plate reinforcement
tf = thickness of flange
9.3.2.2 Top Tees in Composite Beams

Per ASCE 23-97 Section 4.3.2, the force in the concrete at the high moment end of the opening,
Pch, is the smallest of:
Pch = 0.85( f c'−left Ac−left + f c'−right Ac− right ) (equivalent to ASCE 23-97 4a)
N
Pch =  Qn (equivalent to ASCE 23-97 4b)
n =1
Pch = Fy Ast (ASCE 23-97 4c)
where Ast is the steel area of top tee, including the area of any opening reinforcement.
Per ASCE 23-97 Section 4.3.2, the force in the concrete at the high moment end of the opening,
Pcl, is equal to:
N0
Pcl = Pch −  Qn  0 (equivalent to ASCE 23-97 5)
n =1
where N0 is the number of shear studs fully over the opening.
Web Openings 54
N
The terms NQn and N0Qn in ASCE23-97 Equations 4-b and 5 have been replaced with Q
n =1
n and
N0
Q
n =1
n to account for the case where the number of shear studs per row varies along the length of
the beam and with it the value of Qn.
In accordance with ASCE 23-97 Section 4.3:
• dh is computed assuming the concrete is in compression at the top of the deck, down to a
specific depth, and the determination of dh is identical to the determination of d presented
in Composite Plastic Moment Capacity for Positive Bending
• dl is computed assuming the concrete is in compression at the bottom of the deck, if the
deck ribs are parallel to the beam, or at the bottom of the slab cover otherwise, up to a
specific depth. The determination of dl is not presented, but it is somewhat similar to the
determination of d, with the difference that the concrete compression block extends from
the top of the beam towards the top of the deck, instead of the reverse.
If the ratio ( )( )
6 +  /  + 3 exceeds 1.0, the values of Pch and accordingly Pl are recomputed
based on the following additional restriction:
Pch  Fy t f (b f − tw ) + Awr  (ASCE 23-97 9)
and Vmt is equal to:

Vmt = V  V pt (ASCE 23-97 8)
 pt
with = a0 / st
In no case can the value of Vmt computed for the top tee in a composite beam exceed its plastic
shear capacity, Vmt(sh) given by:
Vmt ( sh) = Vpt + 0.11 f c' Avc (ASCE 23-97 10b)
where:
Avc = effective concrete area shear area = 3ts te

ts = total thickness of the slab
te = average thickness of the slab, including the concrete in the ribs when they are parallel
to the beam
9.3.3 Lateral Buckling

ASCE 23-97 Section 5.4 specifies that non-composite beams and negative moment regions of
Web Openings 55
composite beams subject to lateral buckling of the compression flange shall be proportioned so
that strength is not governed by the strength at an opening, determined without regard to lateral
buckling. Additionally, ASCE 23-97 Section 5.4 specifies that the effect of the opening on lateral
buckling of the member shall be considered.
ETABS does not check either of these two provisions.
9.4 Circular Openings

Per ASCE 23-97 Section 5-11, the equations above still apply, with the following substitutions:
• for unreinforced openings
h0 = D0 for bending
h0 = 0.9 D0 for shear
a 0 = 0.45D0
• for reinforced openings
h0 = D0
a 0 = 0.45D0
9.5 Minimum Spacing between Openings

In accordance with ASCE 23-97 Section 5.10, when there are several web openings on a beam,
the clear spacing S between any two openings is checked to satisfy the following equations:
• for rectangular openings
S  h0 (ASCE 23-97 11a)
Vu
 0V p
S  a0 (ASCE 23-97 11b)
V
1− u
 0V p
• for circular openings
S  1.5D0 (ASCE 23-97 12a)
Web Openings 56
Vu
 0V p
S  D0 (ASCE 23-97 12b)
V
1− u
 0V p
Additionally, if the beam is composite, the spacing between any two openings must also satisfy:
S  a0 (ASCE 23-97 Eqn. 13a)
S  2d for rectangular openings (ASCE 23-97 Eqn. 13b)
Web Openings 57
10. Castellated and Cellular Beams
As mentioned in the Introduction, ETABS designs castellated and cellular beams per the
provisions of DG31. The procedure is as follows:
• The overall shear force and bending moment computed for the beam during the analysis
are retrieved. These forces are the beam “global forces”.
• The gross and net sections of the beam are checked to see if they can resist the global
vertical shear forces and the global bending moments.
• Based on the similarity between a castellated or cellular beam and a statically determinate
Vierendeel truss, “localized forces” that develop in the tees above and below the web
openings and in the web posts in-between are computed.
• The top and bottom tees above and below each web opening are checked against the
localized forces acting on them.
• The posts between each pair of web openings are checked against the localized forces
acting on them.
Additionally, ETABS checks beam deflections and vibrations and computes an optimal number
of shear studs for each beam.
Note that when point loads are applied on castellated or cellular beams, a warning is given to that
effect, but you must address all applicable detailing requirements.
10.1 Global Forces Checks
10.1.1.1 Gross Section Vertical Shear Check

In accordance with DG31 Section 3.5, ETABS checks that both the gross sections of the
castellated or cellular beams it designs are capable of resisting the vertical shear force Vr.
Per AISC Section G2, the nominal shear strength Vn of the gross section is equal to:
Vn = 0.6Fy AwCv1 (AISC Eqn. G2-1)
Global Forces Checks 58

Composite Beam Design AISC 360-16 Castellated and Cellular Beams
where the web shear strength coefficient Cv1 is determined per AISC Section G2.1(b):
Cv1 = 1.0 when h / tw  1.10 kv E / Fy (AISC Eqn. G2-3)
1.10 kv E / Fy
Cv1 = otherwise (AISC Eqn. G2-4)
h / tw
with the ratio h/tw based on the clear distance between flanges less the fillet, and the term kv taken
as equal to 5.34.
The available vertical shear strength of the gross section is:
Vc = vVn (DG31 Section 3.5.2)
with:
h
v = 1.0 for  2.24 E / FY (DG31 Section 3.5.2)
tw
v = 0.9 otherwise
10.1.1.2 Net Section Vertical Shear Check

In accordance with DG31 Section 3.5, ETABS checks that the net sections of the castellated or
cellular beams it designs are capable of resisting the vertical shear force Vr. ETABS apportions
this shear force between the top and bottom tees based on their areas. Each tee must be capable
of resisting its share of the shear force.
Per AISC Section G3, the nominal shear strength Vn of a tee is equal to:
Vn = 0.6Fy d g twCv 2 (from AISC Eqn. G3-1)
where the web shear buckling coefficient Cv2 is determined per AISC Section G2.2:
Cv 2 = 1.0 when h / tw  1.10 kv E / Fy (AISC Eqn. G2-9)
1.10 kv E / Fy
Cv 2 = when 1.10 kv E / Fy  h / t w  1.37 kv E / Fy (AISC Eqn. G2-
h / tw
10)
1.51kv E
Cv 2 = otherwise (AISC Eqn. G2-11)
(h / tw ) 2 Fy
with the ratio h/tw based on the depth of the stem of the tee, and the term kv taken as equal to 1.2.
The available vertical shear strength of a tee is:
Castellated and Cellular Beams 59

with:
h
v = 1.0 for  2.24 E / FY (DG31 Section 3.5.2)
tw
v = 0.9 otherwise.
10.1.1.3 Bending Strength of the Beam

Per DG31 Section 3.6, the lateral-torsional buckling bending capacity, flange local buckling
capacity, and tension flange yielding bending capacity of the castellated and cellular beams are
checked to ensure that designs are adequate.
In accordance with DG31, the lateral-torsional buckling bending capacity is computed per the
provisions of AISC Chapter F, Sections F2 through F5, similar to ordinary wide-flange beams,
using the net section properties of the beam. For composite sections, ETABS assumes that the
deck stabilizes the top flange.
The tension flange yield check is based on the plastic moment capacity of the net section. In
accordance with DG31, the effective width of the beam beff is computed per AISC Section I3 and
as explained in Effective Width of the Concrete Slab..
10.2 Design of the Top and Bottom Tees

The top and bottom tees above the web openings must resist localized forces consisting of axial
forces caused by the global bending moment in the beam and of Vierendeel bending moments
caused by the global shear they carry. To check the tees are capable of resisting these localized
forces, ETABS:
• computes their magnitude
• computes the axial and flexural strength of the tees based on the provisions of AISC
Chapters D, E and F
• checks that the interaction of axial force and bending moment is acceptable per the
provisions of AISC Chapter H.
If you have requested that axial forces be considered in the design composite beams, a portion of
the global axial force acting on the beam is added to the axial force caused by the global bending
moment. ETABS apportions the global axial force between the top and bottom tees based on their

areas.
10.2.1 Axial Force and Bending Moment in Tees of Non-Composite Beams
10.2.1.1 Axial Force

As explained in DG31, the axial force in the top and bottom tees at any location on a non-
composite beam, Pr, is a function of the global bending moment, Mr, at that location in the beam
– like the chord force in a truss. Pr is equal to the global bending moment divided by the distance
deffec between the centroids of the top and bottom tees:
Mr
Pr = (DG31 Eqn. 3-1)
d effec
where:
Mr = required flexural strength

deffec = distance between centroids of top and bottom tees
In the case of a positive global moment, the top tee in compression and the bottom tee in tension.
10.2.1.2 Vierendeel Bending Moment

As explained in DG31, the Vierendeel bending moment in a non-composite beam is computed by
apportioning the global shear force in the beam between the top and bottom tees and multiplying
the resulting shear force by a moment arm. If the top and bottom tees are identical, then the shear
can be divided equally between the two tees. If the top and bottom tees are different, the shear
force must be divided between the two tees based on their relative areas. For castellated sections,
the moment arm for calculating the Vierendeel moment is one-half the width of the top of the
openings, e/2. For cellular beams, the moment arm is one quarter the diameter of the openings,
Do/4. Accordingly, the Vierendeel moment required flexural strength, Mvr is equal to:
A  e 
M vr = Vr  tee    for castellated beams (DG31 Eqn. 3-2)
 Anet  2 
 A  D 
M vr = Vr  tee   0  for cellular beams(DG31 Eqn. 3-3)
 Anet   4 
where:
Vr = required shear strength

Atee = area of the tee section
Anet = combined area of top and bottom tees
e = length of solid-web section along centerline

D0 = opening diameter
10.2.2 Axial Force and Bending Moment in Tees of Composite Beams

Composite castellated and cellular beams are similar to non-composite ones, with two differences:
• the compression forces in the top tees are greatly reduced thanks to the presence of
concrete in the deck or slab
• the shear force resisted by the concrete in the deck or slab can be deducted from the global
shear force, which reduces the moments in the tees.
10.2.2.1 Axial Force

DG31 introduces an axial force distribution it calls “fully composite”, in which the compression
force is provided by the concrete only, and the tension force is provided by the bottom tee only –
with the top tee not contributing any net axial force.
The fully composite compression force developed by the concrete C1, and the fully composite
tension force developed by the bottom tee, T1, are both equal to:
Mr
T1 = C1 = (DG31 Eqn. 3-9)
d effec −comp
where:
d effec −comp = d g − y tee −bot + hr + tc − 0.5Yc (equivalent to DG31 Eqn. 3-8)
dg = depth of the expanded beam

hr = height of the deck ribs
tc = thickness of the concrete above the deck
y tee−bottom = distance from the bottom fiber to the centroid of the bottom tee
T1
Yc = depth of concrete resisting the global moment = (DG Eqn. 3-10)
0.85 f c'beff
If the area of concrete over the beam is large enough to develop C1 and enough shear studs are
provided between the web opening under consideration and the nearest point of zero moment to
develop C1, no further calculations are required to determine the axial forces in the top and bottom
tee.
If the area of concrete over the beam is too small to develop C1 or fewer shear studs than required
to develop C1 are provided, the section is “partially composite” and the values of C1, T0, (the
tension force in the top tee), and T1 must be adjusted:
C1−new = min(0.85( f c'−left Ac −left + f c'−right Ac −right ), qX i ) (similar to DG31 Eqn. 3-13)

 min(0.85( f c'−left Ac −left + f c'− right Ac − right ), qX i ) 

1 −  (similar to DG31 Eqn. 3-12)
T0 = M r  T1 
 d effec 
T1− new = C1− new + T0 (DG31 Eqn. 3-13)
where:

q = 
 Qn 
 (similar to DG31 Eqn. 3-11)
 Clear spanbetween points of zero moment 
Q n is the total shear force provided by the shear studs located between the nearest
beam ends or points of zero moment on the beam
Xi is the distance from the center of the opening being investigated to the nearest beam
end or point of zero-moment.
10.2.2.2 Vierendeel Bending Moment

The Vierendeel bending moment in composite beams is computed essentially like in non-
composite beams.
There is an increased likelihood of the section being asymmetric (with a larger bottom section
than top section) since the top tee usually does not carry significant axial forces. As with non-
composite beams, when an asymmetric section is used, the global shear force must be apportioned
between the top and bottom tees based on their relative areas.
Also, the concrete deck can be relied on to carry some of the global shear force, and this reduces
the Vierendeel bending moment. The nominal strength of the concrete deck, Vc, is equal to:
Vc = cvVnc
where:
cv = 0.75
Vnc = concrete deck punching shear strength = 3(hr + tc )(tc )(4 f c' ) (DG31 Eqn. 3-14)
The net shear force, Vr-net, is then equal to:
Vr − net = Vr − Vc (DG31 Eqn. 3-16)
while the Vierendeel required flexural strength, Mvr is equal to:
 A  e 
M vr = Vr − net  tee    for castellated beams (DG31 Eqn. 3-17)
 Anet   2 

A   D0 
M vr = Vr − net  tee −crit   for cellular beams(DG31 Eqn. 3-18)
 Acrit  4 
where:
Acrit = sum of the areas of the top and bottom tees at the critical section, which is
located 0.225D0 away from the center of the opening
Atee-crit = area of the tee at the critical section
10.2.3 Axial and Flexural Strength of Tees

In accordance with DG31, the available axial strength of the top and bottom tees is computed per
the provisions of AISC Chapters D and E, and their available flexural strength is computed per
the provisions of AISC Specification Chapter F.
10.2.3.1 . Compressive Strength of Tees

The nominal compressive strength of a top or bottom tee, Pn, is the lowest value obtained based
on the limit states of flexural buckling and flexural-torsional buckling. To compute these, DG31
makes the following assumptions:
Kx = 0.65 (assumes rotation and translation are fixed at the ends of the tee-section)
Ky = 1.0
L = laterally unbraced length of the member
= e for castellated beams
= D0/2 for cellular beams
Lcx = KxL = effective length for buckling about the strong axis of the tee
Lcy = KyL = effective length for buckling about the weak axis of the tee
Additional information on Pn, is available in Section 3.5.2 Nominal Compressive Strength in the
Steel Frame Design Manual AISC 360-16 for ETABS.
10.2.3.2 Tensile Strength of Tees

The nominal tensile strength of a top or bottom tee, Pn, is determined based on the limit state of
tensile yielding in the gross section:
Pn = Fy Ag (AISC Eqn. D-2)
10.2.3.3 Flexural Strength of Tees

Per DG31, the flexural strength of a top or bottom tee, Mn, is determined with an unbraced length
equal to the length of the tee section:

Lb = e for castellated beams

Lb = D0/2 for cellular beams
The flexural strength of the tee is the lowest value obtained according to the states of yielding
(plastic moment), lateral torsional buckling, flange local buckling, and local buckling of tee stems
as set forth in AISC Section F9. Note that because the Vierendeel moment changes sign over the
length of the tee, the moment computed for the limit state of yielding must assume that the web
of the tee is in compression, with AISC Eqn. 9.4 applying.
Additional information on Mn is available in Section 3.5.3 Nominal Flexure Strength in the Steel
Frame Design Manual AISC 360-16 for ETABS.
10.2.4 Check of Tees for Combined Flexural and Axial Forces

The interaction of flexure and axial forces in top and bottom tees is limited by AISC Equations
H1-1a and H1-1b. These equations are presented in Combined Flexure and Axial Force Check,
the difference being that in the case of castellated and cellular beam design, they are checked for
components of the beam instead of for the entire beam, and with the internal forces instead of
with the global forces.
10.3 Design of the Web Posts

As explained in DG31, web post buckling is caused by the horizontal shear force passing through
the web post, and the ultimate strength of the web posts is governed by one of two modes:
• flexural failure caused by the development of a plastic hinge in the web post
• buckling failure of the web post.
with the critical mode of failure dependent on the geometry and the thickness of the web post.
Separate checks must be made for the top and bottom tees when they have different thicknesses
and, as a result, different strengths.
10.3.1 Web Posts of Castellated Beams
10.3.1.1 Horizontal Shear in Web Posts of Non-Composite Beams

As explained in DG31, if one considers a segment of the beam as a free body acted upon by the
global bending moment, there is a difference in the axial forces at the top and bottom from one
end of the segment to the other. The difference in axial force is transferred out as horizontal shear,
Vrh, through the web post. Accordingly, Vrh is equal to:
M r (i +1) − M r (i )
Vrh = = Tr (i ) − Tr (i +1) (DG31 Eqn. 3-19)
d effec

10.3.1.2 Horizontal Shear in Web Posts of Composite Beams

As explained in DG31, the horizontal shear Vrh is equal to:
M r (i +1) − M r (i )
Vrh = = Tr (i ) − Tr (i +1) (DG31 Eqn. 3-19)
d effec
10.3.1.3 Bending in Web Posts

The bending moment at the top of a web post is equal to the product of the shear force by a
moment arm equal to the distance, htop, from the narrowest part of the post to the bottom of the of
the stem of top tee. Likewise, the bending moment at the bottom of a web post is equal to the
product of the shear force by a moment arm equal to the distance, hbot, from the narrowest part of
the post to the top of the stem of the bottom tee. The two distances, and as a result the two
moments, can be different when the top and bottom half of the cellular beam are cut from different
rolled I-sections:
M rh = Vrh htop for the top tee (DG31 Eqn. 3-20)
M rh = Vrh hbot for the bottom tee (DG31 Eqn. 3-21)
10.3.1.4 Flexural Strength of Web Posts

DG31 defines the buckling capacity of a web post, Mocr, as a percentage of its plastic bending
moment, Mp, with Mp equal to:
M p = 0.25tw (e + 2b)2 Fy (DG31 Eqn. 3-22)
where b is the length of the post taper.
The ratio Mocr/Mp depends on the angle  of the hexagonal cut and on the ratio e/tw.
For  = 
2
M ocr  2h   2h 
= 0.351 − 0.051  + 0.0026    0.26 for e/tw = 10 (DG31 Eqn. 3-23)
Mp  e   e 
2 3
M ocr  2h   2h   2h 
= 3.276 − 1.208   + 0.154   − 0.0067   for e/tw = 20 (DG31 Eqn. 3-
Mp  e   e   e 
24)
2 3
M ocr  2h   2h   2h 
= 0.952 − 0.30   + 0.0319   − 0.0011   for e/tw = 30(DG31 Eqn. 3-
Mp  e   e   e 
25)

with the value of Mocr/Mp obtained by linear interpolation for intermediate values of e/tw, but
always capped at the value of Mocr/Mp obtained for e/tw=10
For  = 
2h
M ocr
= 0.587(0.917) e  0.493 for e/tw = 10 (DG31 Eqn. 3-26)
Mp
2h
M ocr
= 1.96(0.699) e for e/tw = 20 (DG31 Eqn. 3-27)
Mp
2h
M ocr
= 2.55(0.574) e for e/tw = 30 (DG31 Eqn. 3-28)
Mp
with the value of Mocr/Mp obtained by linear interpolation for intermediate values of e/tw, but
always capped at the value of Mocr/Mp obtained for e/tw=10
For values of  between  and  the value of Mocr/Mp is obtained by linear interpolation of
the two sets of equations above, while the value of the resistance factor b is reduced:
b = 0.90 for  between  and 

b = 0.60 for  = 
b = 0.90 for  between  and 
with the value of b obtained by linear interpolation for intermediate values of .
The available flexural strength of the web post, Mn, is equal to:
M 
 M n = b  ocr  M p (DG31 Eqn. 3-29a)
 M
 p 
with b = 0.90.
10.3.2 Web Posts in Cellular Beams
10.3.2.1 Horizontal Shear and Bending in Web Posts

Like in castellated beams, Vrh is equal to:
Vrh = Tr ( i ) − Tr ( i +1) (DG31 Eqn. 3-30)
The bending moment at the top or bottom of the web posts is equal to:
D0
M rh = 0.90 Vrh (DG31 Eqn. 3-31)
2

10.3.2.2 Flexural Strength of Web Posts

DG31 defines the allowable capacity of a web post, Mallow, as a percentage of its elastic bending
moment, Me:
tw ( S − D0 + 0.564 D0 ) 2
M e= Fy (DG31 Eqn. 3-32)
6
and:
2
M allow  S   S 
= C1   − C2   − C3 (DG31 Eqn. 3-36)
Me  D0   D0 
where:
2
D  D 
C1 = 5.097 + 0.1464  0  − 0.00174  0  (DG31 Eqn. 3-33)
 tw   tw 
2
D  D 
C2 = 1.441 + 0.0625  0  − 0.000683  0  (DG31 Eqn. 3-34)
 tw   tw 
2
D  D 
C3 = 3.645 + 0.0853  0  − 0.00108  0  (DG31 Eqn. 3-34)
 tw   tw 
The available flexural strength of the web post, Mn, is equal to:
 M allow 
 M n = b   Me (DG31 Eqn. 3-37a)
 Me 
with b = 0.90.
10.3.3 Horizontal Shear Check

ETABS checks that the web posts are capable of resisting the horizontal shear force Vrh.
Per DG31, the nominal shear strength of a web post is:
Vn = 0.6F y Aw (DG31 Section 3.5.1)
with:
Aw = etw (DG31 Section 3.5.1)
and its available shear strength is:

with:
v = 1.0 (DG31 Section 3.5.1)
10.4 Deflection and Vibrations

In accordance with DG31 Section 3.7, the deflection and vibrations of castellated and cellular
beams are checked using 90% of the moment of inertia of the net section and treating it as a
prismatic section.
10.5 Shear Studs Distribution

The optimal number of shear studs to place on castellated and cellular beams is determined by an
iterative process, in which the strength of the beam is checked, and the percentage of composite
action is refined with each iteration.

Appendix A. Design Preferences
The composite beam design preferences are assignments that apply to all the composite beams in
a model. You can review and modify their values with the Design > Composite Beam Design >
View/Revise Preferences... The command displays the Composite Beam Design Preferences
form, which features seven tabs:
• Beam tab
• Shear Studs tab
• Camber tab
• Deflection tab
• Vibration tab
• Prices tab
• Factors tab
A1. Beam Tab

Table A1 lists the design preference items available on the Beam tab:
Table A1: Composite Beam Preferences on the Beam Tab

Item Possible Default Value Description
Values
Consider Axial Toggle for considering axial forces when
Yes/No No
Force? checking the strength of the beams.
Toggle for moment magnification to
Magnify
Yes/No No account for p-delta when axial forces are
Moments?
considered.
Shored Toggle for shored or unshored
Yes/No No
Construction? construction.
Length in the middle of the beam over
which the program checks the effective
Middle Range (%)  0% 70%
width on each side of the beam, expressed
as a percentage of the total beam length.
Design Preferences 70
Composite Beam Design AISC 360-16 Design Preferences
Table A1: Composite Beam Preferences on the Beam Tab

Values
Factor applied to live load for special
Pattern Live Load
0 0.75 pattern live load check for cantilever back
Factor
spans and continuous spans.
The acceptable stress ratio limit. This item
Stress Ratio Limit >0 1.0
applies to design optimization only.
A2. Shear Studs Tab

Table A2 lists the design preference items available on the Shear Studs tab:
Table A2: Composite Beam Preferences on the Shear Studs Tab

Values
Minimum percent composite connection
applied to the beams that require
Minimum PCC composite action to meet strength or
>0 25
(%) deflection criteria. This percentage also
applies to beams for which Always
Composite is specified in the Overwrites.
Maximum percent composite connection
Maximum PCC(%) >0 100
for the beams.
Toggle for placement of shear studs in a
single segment. To place studs in a single
Single segment with uniform spacing throughout
Yes/No No
Segment? the beam, select Yes. This factor has no
effect on checking beams with user-
defined shear stud distributions.
6ds Minimum longitudinal spacing of shear
Min. Long.
>0 (i.e., six stud studs along the length of the beam.
Spacing
diameters)
Maximum longitudinal spacing of shear
studs along the length of the beam. This
Max. Long.
>0 36 inches setting applies to all beams composite or
Spacing
non-composite unless "NonComposite w/o
Studs" is specified in the overwrites.
>0 4ds Minimum transverse spacing of shear

Min. Trans.
(i.e., four stud
Shear Studs Tab 71

Table A2: Composite Beam Preferences on the Shear Studs Tab

Values
Spacing diameters) studs across the beam flange.
Max. Studs per Maximum number of shear studs in a
>0 3
Row single row across the beam flange.
Middle of the Toggle controlling the location of shear
Position of Shear Ribs/Weak Middle of the studs within the deck ribs when the deck is
Studs in Deck Ribs Position/ Ribs perpendicular to the beam. It changes the
Strong Position stud shear strength.
A3. Camber Tab

Table A3 lists the design preference items available on the Camber tab:
Table A3: Composite Beam Preferences on the Camber Tab

Values
Toggle for whether or not beams may have
Calculate Camber? Yes/No Yes
a camber.
Percent of dead load (not including
Camber DL, % 0 80 superimposed dead load) on which camber
calculations are based.
Minimum Beam Actual (not nominal) beam depth below
0 13.5 in.
Depth for Camber which beams are never cambered.
Minimum Web Web thickness below which beams are
0 0.25 in.
Thick. for Camber never cambered.
Minimum Beam Minim beam span below which beams are
0 24 ft.
Span for Camber never cambered.
The limiting number in the current unit. If
Minimum Camber, the calculated camber falls below this
0 0.75 in.
abs. limit, the required camber will be reported
as zero.
Camber Tab 72
Table A3: Composite Beam Preferences on the Camber Tab

Values
The minimum camber limitation
denominator. Inputting a value of 360
Minimum Camber, means that the maximum camber limit is
>0 900
L/ L/360. If the calculated camber falls below
this limit, the required camber will be
reported as zero.
The absolute maximum camber in the
Camber Abs Max current unit. If the calculated camber is
>0 6
Limit larger than this limit, the required camber
will be reported as this limiting value.
The maximum camber limitation
Camber Max means that the maximum camber limit is
>0 180
Limit, L/ L/360. If the calculated camber is larger
than this limit, the required camber will be
reported as this limiting value.
The camber interval in the current unit.
The camber is reported as an integer
Camber Increment >0 0.25
multiple of the interval. This is used for
rounding purposes only.
Camber rounding procedure. If Yes is
Camber Rounding selected, camber is rounded down
Yes/No Yes
Down consistently to the next level; else camber
is rounded to the nearest level.
A4. Deflection Tab

Table A4 lists the design preference items available on the Deflection tab:
Table A4: Composite Beam Preferences on the Deflection Tab

Values
Pre-composite dead load deflection
PreComp DL limitation denominator. Inputting a value
0 0
Limit, L/ of 120 means that the deflection limit is
L/120. Zero means no check for this item.
Deflection Tab 73
Table A4: Composite Beam Preferences on the Deflection Tab

Values
Post-composite superimposed dead plus
live load deflection limitation
Super DL+LL
0 240 denominator. Inputting a value of 120
Limit, L/
means that the deflection limit is L/120.
Zero means no check for this item.
Live load deflection limitation
Live Load
0 360 means that the deflection limit is L/360.
Limit, L/
Inputting zero is special, since it means no
check has to be made for this item.
Net deflection (total deflection minus
Total Camber camber) limitation denominator. Inputting
0 240 a value of 240 means that the deflection
Limit, L/ limit is L/240. Zero means no check for
this item.
A factor by which the value of Iequiv is
Ieff Reduction
adjusted in deflection calculations to
Factor for Comp. >0 1.0
account for variations observed in
Defl.
composite beam deflections.
A5. Vibration Tab

Table A5 lists the design preference items available on the Vibration tab:
Table A5: Composite Beam Preferences on the Vibration Tab

Values
Walking, Vibration criterion to be considered in
Rhythmic, design.
Vibration
Sensitive Walking
Criterion
Equipment,
None
Vibration Tab 74

Values
Paper Office, Occupancy category to be considered in
Electronics the design. Selecting this item changes the
Office, default parameters for the damping ratio
Residential, (DG11 Table 4.2) and vibrational
Church, acceleration due to gravity a0/g (DG11
Assembly, Table 4.1). However, the default
Dining, parameters can be changed here.
Occupancy
Exercise Paper Office
Category
Room,
Shopping
Mall, Indoor
Footbridge,
Outdoor
Footbridge,
Other
Damping ratio of the system (DG11 Table
Damping Ratio >0 0.0250
4.2, DG11 Section 5.2).
Vibrational acceleration limit as a fraction
Acceleration Limit, of acceleration due to gravity, a0/g for
> 0% 0.005
a0/g walking excitation (DG11 Table 4.1,
DG11 Table 5.1).
Rhythmic activity to be considered in the
design. Selecting this item changes the
Aerobics,
default parameters for damping ratio
Dancing, Live
Rhythmic Activity (DG11 Section 5.2), and upper and lower
Concert, Aerobics
Type values of forcing frequencies for first
Sports Event,
harmonic mode of loading (DG11 Table
Other
5.2). However, the default parameters can
be changed in this tab.
Affected occupancy category to be
Office or
considered in the design. Selecting this
Residential,
Affected item changes the default parameters for
Dining, Office or
Occupancy vibrational acceleration limit as a fraction
Weightlifting, Residential
Category of acceleration due to gravity a0/g (DG11
Rhythmic
Table 5.1). However, the default limit can
Activity only
be changed in this tab.
Vibration Tab 75

Values
Upper value of forcing frequency, f, for
first harmonic mode of loading (DG11
Upper Step Table 5.2). The default value comes from
>0 2.75
Frequency the entry listed in that table for the selected
rhythmic activity and affected occupancy
category.
Lower value of forcing frequency, f, for
first harmonic mode of loading (DG11
Lower Step Table 5.2). The default value comes from
>0 2
Frequency the entry listed in that table for the selected
rhythmic activity and affected occupancy
category.
Number Number of frequencies between the lower
Frequencies >0 16 step and upper step frequencies for which
Checked the beam will be checked.
Equipment or use category to be
Computer
considered in the design. Selecting this
Equipment or Use System, Lab Computer
item changes the default damping ratio
Category Robots, Class System
(DG11 Table 4.2) and vibrational velocity
A through E
limit (DG11 Table 6.2).
Walking speed. Selecting this item
Very Slow, changes the default damping step
Slow, frequency, intermediate zone lower and
Walking Speed Very Slow
Moderate, upper frequencies, and value of  (DG11
Fast Table 6.1). However, the values of these
four parameters can be changed in this tab.
Vibrational Vibrational velocity limit (DG11 Table
>0 8000
Velocity Limit 6.2).
f step >0 1.25 Step frequency (DG11 Table 6.1).
Intermediate zone lower frequency (DG11
f_L >0 6
Table 6.1).
Intermediate zone upper frequency (DG11
f_U >0 8
Table 6.1).
 >0 0.1  factor (DG11 Table 6.1)
Vibration Tab 76
A6. Prices Tab

Table A6 lists the design preference items available on the Prices tab:
Table A6: Composite Beam Preferences on the Prices Tab

Values
Toggle to consider price rather than steel
Optimize for
Yes/No No weight when selecting the optimum beam
Price?
section from an auto select section list.
Price of steel per unit weight of steel beam
Steel Price ($) 0 $1 per pound
(including any cover plate).
Stud Price ($) 0 $2 Installed price for a single shear stud.
Camber price per unit weight of steel beam
Camber Price ($) 0 $0.1
(including any cover plate).
A7. Factors Tab

Table A7 lists the preference items available for  factors when the design code is set to AISC
360-16. Most of these factors are specified by the AISC specification but a few are specific to
ETABS. The default value for all of the  factors specific to ETABS is 0.9, the same as the 
factors for flexure (AISC I3.2a, G1) and thus by default they have no effect on the design.
Table A7 Composite Beam Preferences on the Factors Tab

Values
Resistance factor for bending capacity in a
steel beam alone, b. See Construction
-b >0 0.9
Bending Check and Negative Bending
Check.
Resistance factor applied to the positive
 -bcpp >0 0.9 bending capacity in a composite beam
section. See Positive Bending Check
Resistance factor for shear capacity in steel
 -v >0 0.9
beam, v. See Shear Yield Check.
Resistance factor for compression in steel
 -c >0 0.9 beam, c. See Combined Flexure and Axial
Force Check.
Prices Tab 77
Table A7 Composite Beam Preferences on the Factors Tab

Values
Resistance factor for tension in steel beam,
 -t >0 0.9 t. See Combined Flexure and Axial Force
Check.
The reported reaction forces are multiplied
by this factor. A value of 1 means that the
Reaction Factor >0 1.0
program calculated load-factored end
reaction forces is to be reported.
Factors Tab 78
Appendix B. Beam Overwrites
The composite beam overwrites are assignments that apply only to their target beam objects. You
can review and modify their values for selected beams with the Design > Composite Beam
Design > View/Revise Overwrites... The command displays the Composite Beam Design
Overwrites form, which features seven tabs:
• Beam tab
• Bracing (C) tab
• Bracing (S) tab
• Deck tab
• Shear Studs tab
• Deflection tab
• Vibration tab
B1. Beam Tab

Table B-1 lists the overwrite items available on the Beam tab:
Table B-1: Composite Beam Overwrite Items on the Beam Tab

Values
Toggle to select if the beam depth is to be
Restrict Beam considered in an auto select section list. If
Yes/No No
Depth? yes, maximum and minimum depths must
be input.
Maximum actual (not nominal) beam
Maximum Depth >0 44 inches depth to be considered in an auto select
section list.
Minimum actual (not nominal) beam depth
Minimum Depth 0 0
to be considered in auto select section list.
Beam Overwrites 79
Composite Beam Design AISC 360-16 Beam Overwrites
Table B-1: Composite Beam Overwrite Items on the Beam Tab

Values
Toggle to select if the beam width is to be
Restrict Beam considered in an auto select section list. If
Yes/No No
Width? yes, maximum and minimum width must
be input.
Maximum actual beam width to be
Maximum Width >0 18 inches
considered in an auto select section list.
Minimum actual beam width to be
Minimum Width 0 0
considered in auto select section list.
Consider Axial Toggle for considering axial forces when
Yes/No No
Force? checking the strength of the beam.
Toggle for moment magnification to
Magnify
Yes/No No account for p-delta when axial forces are
Moments?
considered.
Shored No Toggle for shored or unshored
Yes/No
Construction? (unshored) construction.
Specified in Yield stress of the beam, Fy. Specifying 0
Beam Fy 0 Material means that Fy is as specified in the material
Properties properties.
Specified in Minimum tensile strength of the beam, Fu.
Beam Fu 0 Material Specifying 0 means that Fu is as specified
Properties in the material properties.
Toggle switch indicating the provision of a
Cover Plate
Yes/No No full-length cover plate under the structural
Present?
steel section bottom flange.
Plate width 0 0 Width of cover plate, bcp.
Plate thickness 0 0 Thickness of cover plate, tcp.
Cover plate yield stress, Fycp. Specifying 0
Plate Fy >0 0 means that Fycp is as specified in the beam
material properties.
Value A reducible live load is multiplied by this
Live Load calculated for factor to obtain the reduced live load.
0
Reduction Factor the selected Specifying 0 means that the program
beam(s) calculated value is to be used.
Beam Tab 80
B2. Bracing (C) and Bracing (S) Tabs

Tables B-2a, B-2b, and B-2c list the overwrite items available on the Bracing (C) and Bracing (S)
tabs. The (C) is short for “under Construction Conditions”, and (S) short for “under Service
Conditions”.
Table B-2a: First Two Composite Beam Overwrite Items on the Bracing(C) and (S) Tabs
Values
Cb factor Beam lateral torsional buckling factor used
to compute the plastic moment capacity of
Program
0 the steel beam acting alone. Specifying 0
calculated
means that this value is program
calculated.
Unbraced Length Program This item defines how the unbraced Lb is
Lb calculated, calculated. Lb is the length between points
bracing Program that are braced against displacement of the
specified or calculated compression flange or braced against twist
length of the cross-section.
specified
Unbraced Length Program This item defines how the unbraced length
Lx calculated, Lx of the beam is calculated. Lx is the
bracing Program maximum unbraced length for buckling
specified or calculated about the strong axis.
length
specified
Unbraced Length Program This item defines how the unbraced length
Ly calculated, Ly of the beam is calculated. Ly is the
bracing Program maximum unbraced length for buckling
specified or calculated about the weak axis.
length
specified
When you set the Bracing Condition type to Bracing Specified, you get to specify the two items
shown in Table B-2b:
Bracing (C) and Bracing (S) Tabs 81

Table B-2b: Additional Composite Beam Overwrite Items When the Bracing Condition
Is Specified as Bracing Specified
Values
The number of user-specified point brace
locations. Clicking on this item displays
No. Point Braces 0 0
the Point Braces form, where you specify
point braces.
The number of user-specified uniform
No. Uniform braces. Clicking on this item displays the
0 0
Braces Uniform Braces form, where you specify
uniform braces.
When you set the Bracing Condition type to Length Specified, you get to specify the two items
shown in Table B2c:
Table B2c: Additional Composite Beam Overwrite Items When the Bracing Condition
Is Specified as Length Specified
Values
Absolute Yes/No No Toggle switch for whether the maximum
Length? unbraced length is given as an absolute
length or a relative length.
Unbraced  0 and  beam Length of Maximum length Lb between points that
Length Lb length beam are braced against displacement of the
Value compression flange or braced against twist
of the cross-section for construction
condition.
Unbraced  0 and  1.0 1.0 Factor for maximum length Lb between
Length Lb Ratio points that are braced against displacement
of the compression flange or braced
against twist of the cross-section for
construction condition. This item is
specified as a fraction of the beam length.
Unbraced  0 and  beam Length of Maximum unbraced length of the beam for
Length Lx length beam buckling about the strong axis for axial
Value loads.
Bracing (C) and Bracing (S) Tabs 82

Table B2c: Additional Composite Beam Overwrite Items When the Bracing Condition
Is Specified as Length Specified
Values
Unbraced  0 and  1.0 1.0 Factor for maximum unbraced length of
Length Lx Ratio the beam for buckling about the strong axis
for axial loads. This item is specified as a
fraction of the beam length.
Unbraced  0 and  beam Length of Maximum unbraced length of the beam for
Length Lx length beam buckling about the weak axis for axial
Value loads.
Unbraced  0 and  1.0 1.0 Factor for maximum unbraced length of
Length Ly Ratio the beam for buckling about the weak axis
for axial loads. This item is specified as a
fraction of the beam length.
Specifying the maximum unbraced length as an absolute length means entering the actual
maximum unbraced length. Specifying the maximum unbraced length as a relative length means
entering the ratio of the maximum unbraced length to the length of the beam. This ratio can range
from 0 to 1, inclusive.
B3. Deck Tab

Table B-3 lists the overwrite items available on the Deck tab:
Table B-3: Composite Beam Overwrite Items on the Deck Tab

Values
Program
calculated, any
Program
Deck ID Left defined deck Deck ID on the left side of the beam.
calculated
property, or
None
Program
Span direction of the metal deck ribs on
calculated, Program
Deck direction Left the left side of the beam relative to the
parallel, or calculated
span direction of the beam.
perpendicular
Program Toggle specifying how the effective width
b-eff left Program
calculated or of the concrete slab on the left side of the
Condition calculated
user-defined beam is determined.
Deck Tab 83
Table B-3: Composite Beam Overwrite Items on the Deck Tab

Values
User-specified effective width of the
Program
b-eff left 0 concrete slab on the left side of beam, beff
calculated
left.
Program
calculated, any
Program
Deck ID Right defined deck Deck ID on the right side of beam.
calculated
property, or
None
Program
Span direction of the metal deck ribs on
Deck direction calculated,
Perpendicular the right side of beam relative to the span
Right parallel, or
direction of beam
perpendicular
Program Toggle specifying how the effective width
b-eff right Program
calculated or of the concrete slab on the right side of the
Condition calculated
user-defined beam is determined
User-specified effective width of concrete
b-eff right 0 0
slab on the right side of the beam, beff right
When you set the Deck ID to program calculated, the actual value is not shown in the form, but
is listed in the output.
B4. Shear Studs Tab

Table B-4 lists the overwrite items available on the Shear Studs tab:
Table B-4: Composite Beam Overwrite Items on the Shear Studs Tab
Values
Type of beam design. NC w studs is short
Composite as
for Non-composite with minimum shear
required, NC w
Composite as studs. NC w/o studs is short for Non-
Beam Type studs, NC w/o
required composite without any shear studs. Force
studs, or Force
Composite is short for always design with
Composite
composite action.
Shear Studs Tab 84

Table B-4: Composite Beam Overwrite Items on the Shear Studs Tab
Values
Minimum value of percent composite
connection applied to beams that require
Minimum PCC composite action to meet strength or
>0 25
(%) deflection design criteria. This percentage
also applies to beams for which "Always
Composite" is specified.
Maximum percent composite connection
Maximum PCC(%) >0 100
considered for the beam.
Toggle to indicate if a user-defined shear
User Pattern? Yes/No No
stud pattern is defined.
Uniform average spacing of shear studs
along the beam. The actual spacing
depends on the number of shear studs per
0, meaning no
Uniform row, which depends on the row spacing.
0 user-specified
Spacing The row spacing is controlled by the deck
shear studs
if it has ribs and they are perpendicular to
the beam, or by the minimum longitudinal
shear stud spacing set in the Preferences.
Number of sections in which additional
uniformly spaced shear studs are specified.
0, meaning no Clicking on this item displays the
No. Additional
0 user-specified Additional Sections form, where you
Sections
sections specify the section lengths and the number
of uniformly spaced shear studs in the
sections.
Toggle for placement of shear studs in a
Single single segment. To place studs in a single
Yes/No No
Segment? segment with uniform spacing throughout
the beam, select Yes.
Max. Studs per Maximum number of shear studs in a
>0 3
Row single row across the beam flange.
Program Capacity of a single shear stud. Specifying
Program
Qn calculated or 0 means that the value is program
calculated
>0 calculated.
The default value for the maximum longitudinal spacing of shear studs along the length of the
beam is 36 inches in accordance with AISC Section I8.2d. However, AISC Section I8.2d also
specifies the spacing cannot exceed eight times the total slab thickness, and it is up to you to set
Shear Studs Tab 85

it accordingly if the total slab thickness is less than 36"/8 = 4.5".
The “Max Studs per Row” item indicates the maximum number of shear studs that is allowed in
a row across the beam flange. For wider beams, the Min. Trans. Spacing item might allow for
more shear studs across the beam flange but the Max Studs per Row item will limit the number
of studs in any row.
B5. Deflection Tab

Table B-5 lists the overwrite items available on the Deflection tab:
Table B5: Composite Beam Overwrite Items on the Deflection Tab

Values
Ratio, Toggle to consider live load and total load
Deflection Check
Absolute, Ratio deflection limitations as absolute or as
Type
Both divisor of beam length (relative).
Pre-composite dead load deflection
PreComp DL limitation denominator. Inputting a value
0 0
Limit, L/ of 120 means that the deflection limit is
L/120. Zero means no check for this item.
Post-composite superimposed dead plus
live load deflection limitation
Super DL+LL
0 240 denominator. Inputting a value of 120
Limit, L/
means that the deflection limit is L/120.
Live load deflection limitation
Live Load denominator. Inputting a value of 360
0 360
Limit, L/ means that the deflection limit is L/360.
Total - Camber camber) limitation denominator. Inputting
0 240 a value of 240 means that the deflection
Limit, L/ limit is L/240. Zero means no check for
this item.
Pre-composite dead load deflection limit
PreComp DL used when the absolute deflections are
0 0
Limit, abs checked. Zero means no check for this
item.
Deflection Tab 86
Table B5: Composite Beam Overwrite Items on the Deflection Tab

Values
Deflection limit for Post-composite
deflection (superimposed dead load plus
Super DL+LL Beam Span /
0 live load deflection) used when absolute
Limit, abs 240
deflections are checked. Zero means no
check for this item.
Deflection limit for live load deflection
Live Load Beam Span / used when absolute deflections are
0
Limit, abs 360 checked. Zero means no check for this
item.
Total Camber Beam Span / camber) limit used when absolute
0
Limit, abs 240 deflections are checked. Zero means no
check for this item.
Toggle for the program to calculate beam
Calculate Camber? Yes/No Yes
camber.
User-specified camber when the program
Fixed Camber 0 0
does not calculate beam camber
B6. Vibration Tab

Table B6 lists the composite beam overwrite items available on the Vibration tab:
Table B-6: Composite Beam Overwrite Items on the Vibration Tab

Values
Walking,
Rhythmic,
Vibration Vibration criterion to be considered in the
Sensitive Walking
Criterion design.
Equipment,
None
Vibration Tab 87

Values
Paper Office,
Electronics
Office,
Residential,
Occupancy category to be considered in
Church,
the design. Selecting this item changes the
Assembly,
default parameters for the damping ratio
Dining,
Occupancy (DG11 Table 4.2) and vibrational
Exercise Paper Office
Category acceleration limit as a fraction of
Room,
acceleration due to gravity a0/g (DG11
Shopping Mall,
Table 4.1, DG11 Table 5.1). However, the
Indoor
default parameters can be changed here.
Footbridge,
Outdoor
Footbridge,
Other
Damping ratio of the system (DG11 Table
4.1, DG11 Section 5.2). The default value
comes from the Preferences if the vibration
Damping Ratio >0 0.0250
criterion and occupancy category match;
otherwise, the value comes from the
predefined table.
Panel frequency. This is normally
Bay Frequency >0 0.000 Hz calculated by the program. This controls
the vibration analysis significantly.
Vibrational acceleration limit as a fraction
of acceleration due to gravity a0/g for
walking excitation (DG11 Table 4.1).
Acceleration
>0 0.005 Default value comes from the Preferences
Limit, a0/g
if the vibration criterion and occupancy
category match; otherwise, the value
comes from the predefined table.
Additional dead load (DL) to be
Additional Dead considered as mass source. This increases
>0 4 psf.
Load mass and reduces the natural frequency of
the system.
Live load (LL) in addition to dead load to
Additional Live be considered as mass source. This
>0 11 psf.
Load increases mass and reduces the natural
frequency of the system.
Vibration Tab 88

Values
Another load in addition to dead load to be
Additional considered as mass source. This increases
>0 0 psf.
Colateral Load mass and reduces the natural frequency of
the system.
Floor length for vibration, measured along
Floor Length >0
the beam.
Floor width for vibration, measured
Floor Width >0
perpendicular to the beam.
Toggle which when set to Yes instructs
ETABS to compute and use the composite
Comp. Steel
Yes, No Yes moment of inertia of the girder if it is a
Girder
steel girder, even if it was not designed
assuming composite action.
Position of the beam relative to the slab.
Program
Program DG11 defines a free edge as the edge of a
Free Edge Calculated,
Calculated balcony, a mezzanine, or the building edge
Yes, No
if the cladding is not connected.
Vibration Tab 89

CBD Aisc 360 16

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Composite Beam

ISO ETA080522M65 Rev. 0 August 2022

Copyright  Computers and Structures, Inc., 1978-2022

Further information and copies of this documentation may be obtained from:

Computers and Structures, Inc.

info@csiamerica.com (for general information)

CONSIDERABLE TIME, EFFORT AND EXPENSE HAVE GONE INTO THE

THIS PRODUCT IS A PRACTICAL AND POWERFUL TOOL FOR STRUCTURAL

THE INFORMATION PRODUCED BY THE SOFTWARE MUST BE CHECKED BY

2.1 Design Preferences and Beam Overwrites 8

2.2 Frame Objects Designed as Composite Beams 9

3 Steel Beam Section Properties and Nominal Strength 11

3.1 Steel Section Properties 11

3.2 Steel Section Classification 11

3.3 Flexural Capacity Unbraced Length 12

3.4 Lateral-Torsional Buckling Factor 12

3.5 Steel Beam Flexural Strength 13

3.6 Steel Beam Tensile Strength 13

3.7 Axial Capacity Unbraced Lengths 13

3.8 Steel Beam Compressive Strength 14

4 Composite Beam Section Properties and Moment Capacity 16

4.1 Deck Properties and Effective Slab Width 16

4.2 Transformed Section Moment of Inertia 20

4.3 Transformed Section Modulus 22

4.4 Effective Moment of Inertia for Partial Composite Connection 22

4.5 Effective Section Modulus for Partial Composite Connection 23

4.6 Composite Plastic Moment Capacity for Positive Bending 23

5.1 Design Load Combinations 26

5.1.1 Strength Checks for Construction Loads 26

5.2 Beam Stations Checked for Strength 27

5.3 Shear Yield Check 28

5.4 Moment Magnification in the Presence of a Compression Force 28

5.5 Construction Bending Check 29

5.6 Negative Bending Check 29

5.7 Positive Bending Check 30

5.8 Combined Flexure and Axial Force Check 31

5.9 Elastic Stresses Check 32

6.1 Composite Beam Deflections 33

6.2 Dead Load Deflection Check 34

6.4 Post-Composite and Live Load Deflection Checks 35

6.5 Net Deflection Checks 35

7.2 Strength of Shear Studs 39

7.3 How ETABS Distributes Shear Studs on Beams 40

7.4 User Defined Shear Stud Distributions 42

8.1 Effective Panel Weight 43

8.2 Floor Fundamental Natural Vibration Frequency 45

8.3 Design for Walking Excitation 46

8.4 Design for Rhythmic Excitation 46

8.5 Design for Sensitive Equipment and Sensitive Occupancies 47

9.1 Steel Section Restrictions 49

9.2 Limits on Opening Placement and Dimensions 50

9.3 Strength Checks 51

9.3.1 Maximum Nominal Flexural Capacity 52

9.4 Circular Openings 56

9.5 Minimum Spacing between Openings 56

10. Castellated and Cellular Beams 58

10.1 Global Forces Checks 58

10.2 Design of the Top and Bottom Tees 60

10.2.1 Axial Force and Bending Moment in Tees of Non-Composite Beams 61

10.3 Design of the Web Posts 65

10.3.1 Web Posts of Castellated Beams 65

10.4 Deflection and Vibrations 69

10.5 Shear Studs Distribution 69