ERT352

FARM STRUCTURES

BEAM DESIGN

It doesnt matter what the subject is; once youve

learnt how to study, you can do anything you want.

INTRODUCTION
Steel beams of various cross-sectional shapes are
commercially available.
Sections of steel beams are indicated with a
combination of letters and a number.
Eg: 305 102 UB 25: 305 mm by 102 mm
universal beam weighing 25 kg/m.

ANALYSIS LOAD
DISTRIBUTION
Loads from slab are normally defined in qkN/m2.
These loads are transferred to supporting beams
in either wkN/m or W kN.
Loads from reinforced concrete solid slab:
o Loads may be distributed to the supporting beams

depending on the ratio of long side/short side of the slab

(Ly/Lx)
o Type of distribution loads from slab:
One-way spanning slab, when Ly/Lx > 2.0
Two-way spanning slab, when Ly/Lx 2.0

ANALYSIS LOAD DISTRIBUTION

(cont.)
Load from precast
concrete slab
o Loads may be

distributed to the
supporting beams in
one direction only and
not depending on the
ratio of Ly/Lx.
o This is because
precast concrete slab
are one-way spanning
as they are supported
by beams at the ends
of the slab only.

ANALYSIS LOAD
DISTRIBUTION (cont.)
1. One-way spanning slab (Ly/Lx > 2.0)
o

For one way slab, the loads from the slab are
distributed to supporting beams as shown in figure
below.
In the following case only beams AB and CD carry the
loads

ANALYSIS LOAD
DISTRIBUTION (cont.)
2. Two-way spanning slab (Ly/Lx 2.0)
o
o

For two way slab, the loads from the slab are
distributed in two directions as shown in figure below.
In this case, all the four beams supporting the slab
carry the loads

Example 1: Load distribution

and beam analysis

The following figure shows s floor plan of a steel building.

The floor consists of precast concrete hollow core slabs.
Load carried by the slab are follows:
o Unfactored dead load from selfweight of precast slabs,

selfweight of steel beams and finishing

o Unfactored imposed load
= 4.0 kN/m2

= 5.0 kN/m2

Determine the maximum shear force and moment in beam

1/A-B.

Solution:
Load distribution:
o for precast slab, considered as one-way spanning and it is

supported by beam AB and CD.

Design load, n
n = 1.35Gk + 1.5Qk
= 1.35 (5 kN/m2) +1.5 (4.0 kN/m2)
= 12.75 kN/m2
Total design load, w
w = n x width of load transferred to beam 1/A-B
= 12.75 kN/m2 x (2 m)
= 25.5 kN/m

Solution: (cont.)
Since beam AB is simply supported and loads are
symmetry, then:
o Maximum shear force, VEd = (wL)/2

= (25.5 kN/m)(5 m)/2

= 63.75 kN
o Maximum moment, MEd

= (wL2)/8

= (25.5 kN/m)(5 m)2/8

= 79.7kNm

Example 2: Load distribution

and beam analysis
The following figure shows the plan of a building.
The slab is cast in-situ reinforced concrete.
Unfactored dead and imposed loads are shown on
the drawing. In addition, beam 2/A-B alo carries
4m high brickwall of 3 kN/m2. determine the
maximum shear force and moment of beam 2/AB.

Solution:
Load distribution on reinforced concrete solid slab
o Slab 1: Ly/Lx = 7m/4m = 1.75 < 2.0, two way spanning

slab
o Slab 2: Ly/Lx = 7m/3m = 2.3 > 2.0, one way spanning
slab

Solution:(cont.)
Load from slab 1: beam 2/A-B
o Design load, n1

= 1.35Gk + 1.5Qk

= 1.35 (5 kN/m2) + 1.5(2.0kN/m2)

= 9.75kN/m2
o Total design load, W1

= n1 x trapezodial area of load

from slab 1
= 9.75kN/m2 x [(3m +7m)/2 x 2m]
= 97.5kN

Solution:(cont.)
Since beam is simply supported and loads are
symmetry, then:
o Maximum shear force, VEd1 = (wL)/2

= (97.5 kN/m)(5 m)/2

= 48.75 kN
o From the bending moment diagram;

aL = 2m
a = 2m / 7m = 0.286
o Maximum moment, MEd1 = [(3 4 a2) /24 (1 - a)] WL
= [(3 4 (0.2862) /24 (1 - 0.286)] 97.5kN
(7m)
= 106.5 kNm

Solution:(cont.)
Load from slab 2: beam 2/A-B
o Design load, n2

= 1.35Gk + 1.5Qk

= 1.35 (5 kN/m2) + 1.5(3.0kN/m2)

= 11.25 kN/m2
o Total design load, W2

= n2 x width of slab 2
= 11.25 kN/m2 x 1.5 m
= 16.9 kN/m

Solution:(cont.)
Load from beam selfweight and brick wall
o Selfweight of beam = 1 kN/m
o Weight of brickwall per meter length = weight of brickwall x height

of wall
= 3 kN/m2 x 4 m
= 12 kN/m
o Total dead load, Gk = selfweight of beam + weight of brickwall
= 1 kN/m + 12 kN/m
= 13 kN/m
o Design load, w3

= 1.35Gk = 1.35(13kN/m) = 17.55 kN/m

o Total design load for slab 2, brickwall and self weight of beam,

w4 = w2 + w3 = 16.9 kN/m + 17.55 kN/m

= 34.5 kN/m

Solution:(cont.)

Since beam AB is simply supported and loads are

symmetry, then:
o Maximum shear force, VEd2 = (wL)/2

= (34.5 kN/m)(7 m)/2

= 120.75 kN
o Maximum moment, MEd2

= (wL2)/8
= (34.5 kN/m)(7 m)2/8
= 211.3 kNm

Solution:(cont.)
Load combination from slab 1 and slab 2
o The maximum shear force and moment from beam 2/A-B

is obtained by combining the loads from slab 1 and slab

2 together as follow:
o Maximum shear force, VEd = VEd1 + VEd2
= 48.75 + 120.75
= 169.5 kN
o Maximum moment, MEd

= MEd1 + MEd2

= 106.5 + 211.3
= 317.8 kNm

Beam Design
Section Classification
o Any steel beam sections that are subject to compression due to

bending or an axial force should be classified.

o The purpose of the classification is to determine whether local

buckling influences the capacity of the beam.

o The occurrence of local buckling of compressed elements of a

cross-section prevents the development of full section capacity.

o The classification of a section is carried out by comparing the

width-to-thickness ration of the elements, i.e. c/t of the flange

element and c/t of the web element against the limit of c/t of
the flange and c/t of the web respectively given by Table 5.2
EC3

Example: Section
classification
Determine the classification of a 406 x 140 x 46
UB in grade S275.
Solution:
o Refer Table 3.1 page 26:

Steel grade, S275 t < 40 mm fy = 275 N/mm2

o Refer Table 5.2 page 42: = (235/fy) = (235/275) =

0.92
o Flange: c/tf = 5.13 < 9 = 9 (0.92) = 8.28 flange is
Class 1
o Web: c/tw = 53.0 < 72 = 72(0.92) = 66.2 web is Class
1

Restrained and
Unrestrained Beams
Steel beams may be design as either restrained
or unrestrained.
If a beam full lateral restraint to its compression
flange along the span, the beam is considered
fully restrained.
Cases where beams can be designed as fully
restrained along the spans are:
o Beams carrying in-situ reinforced concrete slab
o Beams with steel decking flooring systems, with or

without shear studs. Shear studs function as a simple

concrete anchor.

Restrained and Unrestrained Beams

(cont.)
Deflection of restrained beam
o The restrained beam is fully prevented from moving

sideways.
o The deflection will only take place vertically about the
major axis without any lateral deflection.

Types of restraint
o There are two conditions of restraint:

Fully restrained along the beam contributed by the

concrete slab
Restrained at particular points only, normally at the
connections, such the connections between beam-tocolumn or beam-to-beam.

Design of Restrained
Beam
The design process for fully restrained beam is
follows:
o Analyze the beam and determine the reaction (R) ;

o
o
o
o
o
o
o

maximum shear force (VEd); maximum moment (MEd) and

maximum deflection.
Select suitable steel UB section.
Classify the section
Check the bending moment resistance
Check shear resistance
Check shear buckling resistance of web
Check combination of shear and moment
Check deflection

Bending Moment,
Clause 6.2.5 EC3
The design resistance for bending for classes 1
and 2 cros sections

M c , Rd

W pl f y

m0

For class 3 cross section

M c , Rd

Wel ,min f y

m0

Shear, Clause 6.2.6

EC3
For plastic design, shear resistance of the section
is given as

Vc , Rd V pl , Rd

Av ( f y / 3)

m0

Shear area for main beam, Av

o For main beams of rolled I and H sections, the shear

area of the section is given as:

Av A 2bt f (t w 2r )t f
o Where;

hw h 2t f

Av hwt w

 Shear area for secondary beam, Av

Av 0.9( A 2bt f )
o Where A = gross sectional area of the section

Shear Buckling Resistance of Web, Clause 6.2.6 (6)

EC3 h

o If

72

tw

be carried
out.

, shear buckling resistance no need to

hw h 2t f
o Where, depth of web,

 Shear and Moment, Clause 6.2.8 EC3

0.5V pl , Rd

o If the shear force is small, in which,

Ed

W pl f y

M c , Rdremains

the moment resistance

as

m0

for class 1 section.

VEd 0.5V pl , Rd

o If the shear force is small, in which,

W pl (1 ) f y

2VEd
M c , Rd the
design strength, fy should
be reduced
1 by factor
m0
V pl , Rd
(1 ).

Example:
Beam AB with span 5.0 m is simply supported at
A and B. From the analysis results, the maximum
external design shear, VEd = 192 kN and
maximum external design moment, MEd = 240
kNm. Using grade S275, Design beam AB.

Solution:
Trial section size based on moment resistance, Wpl

M Ed
W pl
fy

240kNm
240 x106 Nmm

2
2
275 N / mm
275 N / mm
872.2 x103 mm 3
872.7cm3
So, try section 406 x 140 x 46 UB in grade S275 (Wpl =
888cm3)

Solution: (cont.)
Section properties 406 x 140 x 46 UB
h = 403.2 mm

d = 360.4mm

b = 142.2 mm

A = 58.6 cm2

tw = 6.8 mm

tf = 11.2 mm

Iy = 15700 cm4

Iz = 538 cm4

Wpl,y = 888 cm3

Wel, y = 778 cm3

d/tw = 53

c/tf = 5,13

E = 210000 N/mm2 G = 81000 N/mm2

Solution: (cont.)
Design strength
o Table 3.1: Steel grade S275
o T< 40 mm fy = 275 N/mm2, fu = 430 N/mm2

Section classification
o Refer Table 5.2 page 42: = (235/fy) = (235/275) =

0.92
o Flange: c/tf = 5.13 < 9 = 9 (0.92) = 8.28 flange is
Class 1
o Web: c/tw = 53.0 < 72 = 72(0.92) = 66.2 web is Class
1
o Since flange and web are class 1, the section is classified

as Class 1.

Solution: (cont.)
Shear Resistance of Section (Clause 6.2.6)
o Maximum external design shear force, VEd = 192 kN
o Shear resistance of section, V

Vc , Rd V pl , Rd

c, Rd

= V

pl, Rd

Av ( f y / 3)

m0

o For rolled I and H section and load parallel to the web,

Av , web hwt w

the shear area, Av must not less than Av,web

hw h 2t f

403.2mm 2(11.2mm) 380.8mm

o So, shear are of web only
A , h t
v web

w w

1.0(380.8mm)(6.8mm)
2589.4mm 2

Solution: (cont.)
Shear area for main beam, Av

Av A 2bt f (t w 2r )t f
5860 2(142.2)(11.2) [6.8 2(10.2)]11.2
5860 3185.3 304.6
2979.3mm 2 Av , web 2589.4mm 2
Therefore, use the biggest Av = 2979.3 mm2

Solution: (cont.)
Vc , Rd V pl , Rd

Av ( f y / 3 )

m0

[2979.3(275 / 3 )]
1x103
473kN

Design check
VEd 192

0.41 1.0
section is satisfactory.
Vc , Rd 473

Solution: (cont.)
Bending Moment Resistance of Section (Clause
6.2.5)
o Maximum external design moment, MEd = 240 kN
o Moment resistance for class 1 cross-section:

M c , Rd

M c , Rd M pl , Rd

W pl f y

m0

(888 x103 )(275)

1x10 6
244.2kNm
244.2kNm

M Ed
240

0.98 1.0
M c , Rd 244.2

Solution: (cont.)
Shear Buckling Resistance of Web (Clause
hw

6.2.6(6))
72
o If t w
, shear buckling resistance no need to be
carried out.

hw h 2t f 403.2mm 2(11.2mm) 380.8mm

o

hw 380.8

0.92
, 56 72 72
66.2
Web depth
tw
6.8

1. 0

o So,

local web buckling is likely to occur and hence shear

buckling check no need to be carried out.

Solution: (cont.)
Combined bending and shear resistance (Clause 6.2.8)
o Since ,M
240
consider
Ed
a section
0.98where
1. 0
M c , Rd 244.2
moment is maximum
o Referring to shear force and bending moment diagrams,

consider mid-span section where MEd = 240 kN;

Shear force at maximum moment is V = 0 kN.
0.5 Vc,Rd = 0.5 x 473 = 236.5 kN
Since V = 0 kN < 0.5 Vc,Rd, it does not affect the moment
resistance, Mc,Rd.
o This beam section is able to carry the most critical

combination of bending and shear.

Unrestrained Beam
The possibility of lateral-torsional buckling must
be taken into consideration when the
compression flange of the beam is not fully
restrained along the span.
The buckling capacity of unrestrained beam
depends on the
o Section type.
o Unrestrained length
o Restraint condition
o Type of load applied

Design of Unrestrained
Beam
The following are the steps for designing
unrestrained beams:
o Divide the beam into segments between lateral

restraints
o Check the moment buckling resistance for each segment
where is given as;

M b , Rd LT W y

fy

m1

o Section modulus, Wy;

Wy = Wpl,y; Plastic modulus for Class 1 and Class 2

sections
Wy = Wel,y, Elastic modulus for Class 3 section

 The reduction factor LT, is given by

LT

1
LT

Where,

2
LT

o Non dimensional slenderness,LT

2
LT

Wy f y
M cr

o Buckling parameter,

LT 0.5[1 LT ( LT 0.2)

2
LT

 The critical elastic buckling moment,

EI z
M cr C1
2
Lcr
2

I w Lcr GI t
2

I z EI z
2

0.5

Where:
o E, G
are material properties
o Iz, It, Iw
are section properties
o Lcr is the buckling length of the member
o C1 is the factor that depends on the shape of bending moment

diagram

 If the moment along the beam is not uniform,

then Mcr is modified by the C1 factor
The modification factor, C1 is governed by the
ratio which is the ration of the smaller to larger
moments of restrained ends.
The ratio of smaller moment to larger moment is
given as
= Msmall / Mlarge for restrained ends
The C1 factor can be obtained from the following
table (refer BS5950).

 The C1 factor is never less than 1.0.

If C1 = 1.0, its means the moment along the
beam is uniform.
C1 = 1.88 1.40 + 0.52 2

Buckling length,
Lcr for designing
unrestrained
beams
Typical example
of beams without
intermediate
lateral restraints
and their
corresponding
buckling lengths.

Simple beams with

intermediate lateral
restraints

Simple supported beams with intermediate lateral

restraints are described as beams where
o Lateral restraints are provided at beam supports and at

intermediate of beams

 For example:
o Effective length for segment AB,

1.0 LLT 1 1.0 LLT 1

Lcr
1.0 LLT 1
2
o Effective length for segment AB,

1.0 LLT 3 0.7 LLT 3

Lcr
1.0 LLT 3
2

 The C1 factor:
o = Msmall / Mlarge for restrained ends
o C1 = 1.88 1.40 + 0.52 2

Example: Design of
Unrestrained Beam

Solution:
Design load, q

= 1.35Gk + 1.5Qk

= 1.35(3.0kN/m2) + 1.5(5.0kN/m2)
= 11.55kN/m2
Reaction of beam CD at support C
= point load at point C of beam AE
= (q x width x length)/2
= (11.55kN/m2 x 2.5 m x 6 m)/2
= 86.6 kN
Self-weight beam AE, w
= 0.52 kN/m

= 53kg/m x 9.81 x 10-3

 Section properties 406 x 140 x 53 UKB

h = 406.6 mm

d = 360.4mm

b = 143.3 mm

A = 67.9 cm2

tw = 7.9 mm

tf = 12.9 mm

Iy = 183,00 cm4
Iw = 0.246 dm4
Wpl,y = 1030 cm3
d/tw = 45.6

Iz = 635 cm4
It = 29 cm4
Wel, y = 899 cm3
c/tf = 4.46

E = 210000 N/mm2 G = 81000 N/mm2

Lcr = 2.5 m

r = 10.2 mm

 Design strength
o Table 3.1: Steel grade S275
o T< 40 mm fy = 275 N/mm2, fu = 430 N/mm2

Section classification
o Refer Table 5.2 page 42: = (235/fy) = (235/275) =

0.92
o Flange: c/tf = 4.46 < 9 = 9 (0.92) = 8.28 flange is
Class 1
o Web: c/tw = 45.6 < 72 = 72(0.92) = 66.2 web is
Class 1
o Since flange and web are class 1, the section is classified

as Class 1.

Solution: (cont.)
Shear Resistance of Section (Clause 6.2.6)
o Maximum external design shear force, VEd = 44.6 kN
o Shear resistance of section, V

Vc , Rd V pl , Rd
o Web shear areaAv , web

c, Rd

= V

Av ( f y / 3)

m0

hwt w

hw h 2t f

403.2mm 2(11.2mm) 380.8mm

Av , webare
of
hwtweb
o So, shear
w
only

1.0(380.8mm)(7.9mm)
3008.3mm 2

pl, Rd

Solution: (cont.)
More accurate calculation of shear area
considering the fillet area

Av A 2bt f (t w 2r )t f
6790 2(143.3)(12.9) [7.9 2(10.2)]12.9
6790 3697.1 365.1
3458mm 2 Av , web 3008.3mm 2
Therefore, use the biggest Av = 3458 mm2

Solution: (cont.)
Vc , Rd V pl , Rd

Av ( f y / 3 )

m0

[3458(275 / 3 )]

1x103
549kN
Design check
VEd
44.6

0.08 1.0
section is satisfactory.
Vc , Rd 549

Solution: (cont.)
Bending Moment Resistance of Section (Clause
6.2.5)
o Maximum external design moment, MEd = 109.9 kN
o Moment resistance for class 1 cross-section:

M c , Rd

M c , Rd

W pl f y

m0

(1030 x103 )(275)

1x10 6
283.3kNm
M pl , Rd 283.3kNm
M Ed
109.9

0.39 1.0
M c , Rd 283.3

Solution: (cont.)
Lateral torsional buckling (LTB)
o Maximum external design moment, MEd = 109.9 kNm
o Moment buckling resistance

M b , Rd LT W y

fy

m1

o If the moment along the beam is not uniform, then Mcr

is modified by the C1 factor.

o Determine the modification factor, C1

Msmall = 0 kNm, Mlarge = 109.9 kNm

= Msmall / Mlarge = 0/109.9 = 0 for restrained ends =
0
C1 = 1.88 1.40 + 0.52 2
= 1.88 1.40(0) + 0.52(0)2
= 1.88
o Elastic critical buckling moment

EI z
M cr C1
2
Lcr
2

I w Lcr GI t
2

I z EI z
2

0.5

1 dm = 100 mm, hence 1 dm6 = 1012 mm6

2 EI z
M cr C1
2
Lcr

I w Lcr 2GI t
2

I
z EI z

0.5

(21000
) x(635 x10 4 mm 4 )
2
mm

1.88
2
(2500mm)
2

N
4
4
(2500mm) 2 x(81000
)
x
(
29
x
10
mm
)
12
6

2
0.246 x10 mm
mm

N
635 x10 4 mm 4
2

(21000
) x(635 x10 4 mm 4 )
2

mm

884.30 x106 Nmm

884.3kNm

Wy f y

1030 x103 mm3 (275 N / mm 2 )

LT

0.566
6
M
884.3 x10 Nmm
Non-dimensional crslenderness for LTB

0.5

o Determine the buckling parameter, LT

Imperfection factor, LT for LTB curves

h/b = 406.6 mm/143.3 mm = 2.84 >2
curve b } hence, LT = 0.34 2

LT 0.5[1 LT ( LT 0.2)

LT

0.5[1 0.34(0.566 0.2) 0.566 2 ]

0.722
1 for LTB
o
Reduction
factor,
LT

LT

LT 2LT

2
LT

0.722 0.722 0.566

2

0.855

 Moment buckling resistance

fy
M b , Rd LT W y
m1
2
(
275
N
/
mm
)
3
3
0.855(1030 x10 mm )
1.0 x106
242.18kNm

M Ed
109.9

0.45 1section
.0
Design check
is satisfactory
M c , Rd 242.18

Example: Design of
restrained beam

Solution:

Solution:
Section properties 533 x 210 x122 UKB
h = 544.5 mm d = 476.5mm
b = 211.9 mm A = 155 cm2
tw = 12.7 mm tf = 21.3 mm
Iy = 76,000 cm4

Iz = 3390 cm4

Iw = 2.32 dm4 It = 178 cm4

Wpl,y = 3200 cm3 Wel, y = 2790 cm3
d/tw = 37.5 c/tf = 4.08
E = 210000 N/mm2 G = 81000 N/mm2
Lcr = 4.0 mr = 12.7 mm

Solution: (cont.)
Design strength
o Table 3.1: Steel grade S275
o T< 40 mm fy = 275 N/mm2, fu = 430 N/mm2

Section classification
o Refer Table 5.2 page 42: = (235/fy) = (235/275) =

0.92
o Flange: c/tf = 4.08 < 9 = 9 (0.92) = 8.28 flange is
Class 1
o Web: c/tw = 37.5 < 72 = 72(0.92) = 66.2 web is
Class 1
o Since flange and web are class 1, the section is classified

as Class 1.

Solution: (cont.)
Bending Moment Resistance of Section (Clause
6.2.5)
o Maximum external design moment, MEd = 821 kNm
o Moment resistance for class 1 cross-section:

M c , Rd

M c , Rd

W pl f y

m0

(3200 x103 )(275)

1x10 6
880kNm
M pl , Rd 880kNm
M Ed
821

0.93 1.0
M c , Rd 880

Solution: (cont.)
Lateral torsional buckling (LTB)
o Maximum external design moment, MEd = 821 kNm
o Moment buckling resistance

M b , Rd LT W y

fy

m1

o If the moment along the beam is not uniform, then Mcr

is modified by the C1 factor.

o Determine the modification factor, C1

Msmall = 794 kNm, Mlarge = 794 kNm

= Msmall / Mlarge = 794/794 = 1 for restrained ends
C1 = 1.88 1.40 + 0.52 2
= 1.88 1.40(1) + 0.52(1)2
= 1.0
o Elastic critical buckling moment

EI z
M cr C1
2
Lcr
2

I w Lcr GI t
2

I z EI z
2

0.5

1 dm = 100 mm, hence 1 dm6 = 1012 mm6

2 EI z
M cr C1
2
Lcr

I w Lcr 2GI t
2

I
z EI z

0.5

(21000
) x(3390 x10 4 mm 4 )
2
mm

1.0
2
(4000mm)
2

N
4
4
(4000mm) 2 x(81000
)
x
(
178
x
10
mm
)
12
6

2
232 x10 mm
mm

N
3390 x10 4 mm 4
2

(21000
) x(3390 x10 4 mm 4 )
2

mm

1397.46 x106 Nmm

1397.46kNm

Wy f y

3200 x103 mm 3 (275 N / mm 2 )

LT

0.794
6
M
1397.46 x10 Nmm
Non-dimensionalcrslenderness for LTB

0.5

o Determine the buckling parameter, LT

Imperfection factor, LT for LTB curves

h/b = 544.5 mm/211.9 mm = 2.6 >2
curve b } hence, LT = 0.34

LT 0.5[1 LT ( LT 0.2)

LT

0.5[1 0.34(0.794 0.2) 0.794 2 ]

0.916
1 for LTB
o
Reduction
factor,
LT

LT

LT 2LT

2
LT

0.916 0.916 0.794

2

0.728

 Moment buckling resistance

fy
M b , Rd LT W y
m1
2
(
275
N
/
mm
)
3
3
0.728(3200 x10 mm )
1.0 x10 6
640.4kNm

M Ed
821

1.28
section
1.0
Design check

is not satisfactory,
M c , Rd 640.4

hence, larger section should be used.

Deflection
A beam may not fail due to excessive deflection,
however, it is necessary to ensure that deflections are
not excessive under unfactored imposed loading to
prevent:
o Damage to various architectural features such as interior walls,

partitions, ceilings and exterior cladding

o Severe cracking in brittle finishes such as brick wall with plaster
finished
o Damage to non-structural element such as glass faade, ceilings,
partitions and other fragile elements.

Vertical deflection limit

o The following table gives suggested limits for calculated vertical

deflections of certain members under the characteristic load

combination due to variable loads and should not include
permanent loads.

Design
situation

Vertical Deflection
limit

 Maximum Vertical Deflection due to external load

o The following table shows the formula to calculate

vertical deflection at mid-span of a simply supported

beam with different loading types.
o The formula can be used to calculate deflection of a
restrained or unrestrained beam

Example:
Check deflection of beam shown in figure below

Solution:
Deflection is checked under serviceability.
Therfore, only unfactored imposed load (1.0Qk)
are considered in calculating the deflection. Dead
loads are not included
Beam 406 x 178 x 60 UB
Clause 3.2.6 EC3:
o Modulus of Elasticity, E = 210 000 N/mm 2

From table of properties:

o Second moment of inertia, Iy = 21 600 cm 4

Solution:(con.t)
Maximum deflection due to unfactored imposed loads
5wL4
wL3
c

384 EI 48 EI
5(5 N / mm)(10000mm) 4
30 x103 (10000) 3

2
4
4
384(210000 N / mm )(21600 x10 mm ) 48(210000 N / mm 2 )(21600 x10 4 mm 4 )
14.4mm 13.8mm
28.2mm

If the beam is carrying wall with plaster finish or any

other brittle finish, deflection limit,
L
10000mm
lim

27.8mm
360
360

c 28.2mm
lim larger
27.8beam
mm section
choose

THANK YOU
To acquire knowledge, one must study; but to acquire wisdom, one
must observe.
-Marilyn vos Savant-