BS 5950-1: 2000
Technical details
Colin Taylor
It is clearly not possible to give meaningful details of all the changes, so
a few fairly major ones have been selected for illustration, mainly by
examples. As many of these indicate an advantage in using the new
edition, it is important to recall that the prime purpose of the
amendments was safety, thus there are some cases where the new
version is more conservative.
1. Moment capacity. The moment capacity of class 3 semi-compact
and class 4 slender sections is increased by using two new parameters
Seff and Zeff in 4.2.5. The effective plastic modulus Seff is found in 3.5.6
and answers the question of what happens if a section is only just
outside the limits for class 2 compact. The effective section modulus Zeff
is found in 3.6.2 and covers class 4 slender sections.
Figure 1 shows how the moment capacity of a welded section
varies with the d/t ratio of the web. The solid curve between d/t values
of 100 to 120 represents Seff /Z and the solid curve beyond d/t = 120
represents Z eff /Z. The dotted lines show the equivalent moment
capacity according to the 1990 edition. The new method for slender
sections is a variant of that given in EC3.
For rolled sections, the flange is more likely to be slender, not the
web. The value of Seff will then be based on the flange b/T ratio (or b/t
for an RHS). In 3.5.6.2 and 3.5.6.3 two values are given for Sx.eff .
The first applies when the web is slender and the second applies when
the flange is slender.
Figure 1: Variation of moment capacity with web slenderness ratio d/t
2. Compression member with a slender section. The new
method for class 4 slender sections under axial compression, see
4.7.4(b), uses the effective area A eff . For example, the web of a
45719167 UB with d/t = 48.0 may be slender, depending on the load.
For any value of axial compression, the basic limit in Table 11 is 40.
For S275 steel, using 3.6.2.2, Aeff = A - (d - 40t) t = A - (d/t - 40) t 2 ,
see figure 2.
So Aeff = 85.5 - (48 - 40)(8.5/10)2 = 85.5 - 5.8 = 79.7 cm2. If the
slenderness = L/ry = 100 then using 4.7.4(b) the reduced slenderness
is [Aeff /A]0.5 = 100(79.7/85.5)0.5 = 96.5. From Table 23, curve (b) applies
New Steel Construction, March/April 2001
and from Table 24 sheet (3) the value of p cs is 147 N/mm 2. So the
compression resistance Pcs = Aeff pcs = 79.7147/10 = 1172 kN. The new
method is as given by EC3.
Figure 2: Effective area
3. Classification. Classification now depends on the axial load in
some cases. Due to this, although the compression resistance in (2) is
about 20% more than given by the 1990 edition, it is still an under-
estimate. Even under a load of 1205 kN, from 3.5.5(a) the ratio r2 =
120510/85.5/275 = 0.5125 so the other expression in Table 11 gives an
increased d/t limit of 120/(1 + 20.5125) = 59.26 which is greater than
48.0 and thus the section is not slender after all. If the member
slenderness is 100 then p c is 141 N/mm 2 and the compression
resistance Pc = Apc= 85.5141/10 = 1205.5 kN.
If the member slenderness is 60 and it is assumed that the
section is not slender, then p c = 221N/mm 2 and the compression
resistance Pc would be 1890 kN. However a check under this load will
show that the section is now slender. Provided that the member
slenderness is low enough, the section will become slender when
120/(1 + 2r2 ) exceeds 48.0, which happens for S275 steel when the load
exceeds 1763 kN.
For simplicity, to avoid doubt whether the section is slender or not,
the limit of 40 is useful. On the other hand, for maximum economy the
expression using r2 is more appropriate.
Most rolled sections will not become slender except when the
member slenderness is low. Thus a practical design strategy is to
initially assume that sections are not slender, but include a check that
this is the case.
4. Equivalent uniform moment for lateral-torsional buckling.
In the new edition, the shape of the bending moment diagram is always
allowed for by new equivalent uniform moment factors mLT instead of
using either m or n factors, depending on the type of loading, as in the
1990 edition. Table 18 gives values of mLT for common cases. In
addition, it gives a simple formula to allow the appropriate value of mLT
to be estimated for any shape of moment diagram. It should be noted
that, in each case, the relevant pattern of moments is that over the
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STEEL DESIGN
length L LT of a segment of the member between adjacent lateral
restraints.
For example, consider the beam shown in figure 3. All loads are
factored.
Figure 3: Main beam supporting secondary beams at 3m centres.
The secondary beams provide lateral restraint to the main beam at B, C
and D. The segments from B to C and from C to D have the largest
moments and are therefore critical. The moments in segment BC are
shown in figure 4.
Figure 4: Moment diagram for segment BC.
From Table 18, the equivalent uniform moment factor mLT is given by:
0.15M2 + 0.5M3 + 0.15M4
mLT = 0.2 + but mLT 0.44
Mmax
0.151348 + 0.51453 + 0.151554 = 0.904
mLT = 0.2 +
1650
Thus the equivalent uniform moment mLT Mmax is 0.9041650 = 1492
kNm. So the beam needs to have a buckling resistance moment Mb of at
least 1492 kNm and a moment capacity Mc of at least 1650 kNm.
5. Buckling resistance moment. The buckling resistance moment
Mb of a class 3 semi-compact or class 4 slender section is reduced, see
4.3.6.4, by basing it on the effective plastic modulus or effective elastic
modulus, as for the moment capacity, see (1), whereas the 1990 edition
uses the plastic modulus. This is off-set to some extent by using a
reduced slenderness, as for axial compression of a slender section, see
(2).
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For example, a 15215223 UC has a b/T ratio of 11.2 compared to
the limits of 10 for class 2 compact and 15 for class 3 semi-compact,
i.e. 10 and 15 for S275 steel. From 3.5.6.2 the effective plastic
modulus S x.eff = Z x + (S x - Z x )( 3f /(b/T) - 1)/( 3f / 2f - 1)
= 164 + (182 - 164)(15/11.2 - 1)/(15/10 - 1) = 164 + 180.339/0.5 = 176.
If the equivalent slenderness LT = uv = 100, the reduced equivalent
slenderness = uv[w ]0.5 = uv[Sx.eff/Sx]0.5 = 100(176/182)0.5 = 98.3, see
4.3.6.7.
6. Plate girders. The beam shown in figure 5 is a plate girder in
S275 steel, with a web 1200mm 10mm and flanges 400mm 40mm.
Secondary beams at B, C, D and E apply loads to the web of the main
beam through the top flange. They also provide the main beam with
lateral restraint at those points. All loads are factored.
Figure 5: Plate girder
The maximum bending moment is 5550 kNm (at the centre of the span)
and the moments at B and C are 3696 kNm and 5544 kNm respectively.
The maximum shear is 1240 kN and the shears at B and C are 1224 kN
and 608 kN respectively.
The shear capacity Pv = 0.6275120010/1000 kN = 1980 kN.
Thus, given sufficient stiffeners, the web is adequate. Assume initially
that load carrying or bearing stiffeners will be required at A and F to
resist the end reactions and at B, C, D and E to resist the loads applied
through the top flange, then check the shear buckling resistance of the
web to see whether any intermediate web stiffeners are required.
For the panel A-B, the ratio a/d = 3000/1200 = 2.5 and d/t = 120, so
from Table 21(1) qw = 102 N/mm2 thus from 4.4.5.2 the shear buckling
resistance of the web Vw = dtqw 120010102/1000 = 1224 kN which is
less than the applied shear Fv of 1240 kN. Therefore an intermediate
stiffener is needed between A and B.
Try a stiffener at a point A* located 1200 mm from A, see figure 6.
For the end panel A-A*, the ratio a/d = 1200/1200 = 1.0, so q w
= 128 N/mm2 and Vw = 120010128/1000 = 1536 kN, which is more
than the applied shear Fv . As an end panel, it will need an end post,
unless the critical shear resistance Vcr is also more than Fv , see 4.4.5.4.
The ratio Vw/Pv = 1536/1980 = 0.78 which is more than 0.72, so from
4.4.5.4 Vcr = (9Vw - 2Pv)/7 = (91536 - 21980)/7 = 1409 kN > 1240 kN.
The 1200 mm end panel is therefore satisfactory, but note in passing
that for a 1500 mm panel due to putting the stiffener A* mid-way from
A to B, the value of Vcr would be less than the applied shear Fv .
The maximum shear Fv in the 1800 mm panel A*-B is 1234 kN, the
ratio a/d = 1.5 and qw = 111 N/mm2 , hence Vw = 1332 kN > 1234 kN, so
this panel is also satisfactory. In the panel B-C, Fv = 624 kN, a/d = 2.5
New Steel Construction, March/April 2001
and Vw = 1224 kN, so no intermediate stiffener is needed. The panel C-D
does not need checking.
With a web d/t ratio of 120, the section is just class 3 semi-compact
and so the section modulus Zx should be used. For 40 mm flanges, py
= 265 N/mm2 , so the moment capacity Mc = py Zx = 26521477/1000
= 5691 kNm, which is more than the maximum applied moment of
5550 kNm.
Checks are also needed on the moments at C and B, combined with
the maximum shears in the adjacent web panels. At C, panel B-C
applies, so the ratio Fv /Vw = 624/1224 = 0.51 < 0.6. Thus the moment
capacity at C is not reduced by shear buckling, see 4.4.4.2(a). At B,
the moment capacity of the flanges alone is 400401240265/10 6
= 5258 kNm which is more than the applied moment of 3696 kN, so
again no reduction is needed for shear.
A check is also needed on lateral-torsional buckling between the
lateral restraints, but this is omitted here for brevity. In addition the
web stiffeners have to be sized, see the next example.
NOTE: This example has been devised to illustrate various
provisions of the code. However, if the web plate is made 12 mm thick
instead of 10 mm, the required shear buckling resistance can be achieved
without introducing an additional stiffener at A*, nor needing to anchor
any tension fields. Also because the web d/t ratio is increased to 100, the
section becomes class 2 compact and smaller flange plates can be used to
obtain the same moment capacity, leading to a reduction in the weight of
steel used.
7. Web bearing and buckling. New rules are given for the web
bearing capacity and buckling resistance under point loads and end
reactions applied to the web through a flange, see 4.5.2 and 4.5.3.
That for buckling is simpler than before, but both are liable to be more
conservative. Bearing now comes first, because the bearing capacity is
now used in determining the buckling resistance.
The plate girder used in (6) will be used again here. Figure 6
shows one end of this girder, including the intermediate stiffener added
between A and B. The ends of the girder have end plates, but the
stiffeners at B and C need to be designed to resist a local load of 600 kN
applied through the flange. The stiff bearing length b1 , see 4.5.1.3 and
Figure 13 of BS 5950-1: 2000, depends on the cross-section geometry of
the member that applies the load. In this case b1 = 60 mm.
Figure 6: Web stiffeners of welded plate girder
The bearing capacity Pbw of the unstiffened web of a welded I
section, except at the end of the member, see 4.5.2.1, is given by
(b1 + 5T)tpyw . Thus Pbw = (60 + 540)10275/1000 kN = 715 kN which
is more than 600 kN, so no stiffener is needed to prevent crushing of the
web. The buckling resistance Px of the unstiffened web, in this case, see
4.5.3.1, is given by 25tP bw /[(b 1 + 5T) d ] 0.5 . So P x
= 2510715/[(60 + 540)1200]0.5 = 320 kN which is less than 600 kN
and thus a stiffener is required to prevent web buckling.
New Steel Construction, March/April 2001
The design of the load carrying stiffener is given in 4.5.3.3. Try a
pair of stiffeners each 100 mm 10 mm (b/(ts) < 13, see 4.5.1.2).
Including 300 mm of web, the complete cruciform area As of the stiffener
is 5000 mm2 , Is about the centreline of the web is 10(2100 + 10)3/12
+ (300 - 10)103/12 = 7741667 mm4 and hence rs = (7741667/5000)0.5
= 39.3 mm. The top flange is restrained in position and direction in the
plane of the stiffener by the secondary beam, thus = 0.71200/39.3
= 21.4 and using curve (c) of Table 24, pc = 268 N/mm2. So the buckling
resistance is 5000268/1000 = 1340 kN. This is much more than 600 kN,
but a smaller stiffener would seem disproportionate.
These stiffeners also serve as intermediate stiffeners. The rule in
4.4.6.4 is unchanged, giving a required Is for the stiffener (using the
actual web thickness t for simplicity) of 900000 mm4, which is less than
the 7717500mm 4 contributed by the stiffeners alone. A pair of
100 mm10 mm stiffeners could also be used for the intermediate
stiffener in the end panel.
The tension field in the 1800mm panel A*-B needs to be anchored
by the end panel A-A*, and this imposes extra forces on the stiffeners
bounding it. For the panel A*-B, the ratio Vw /Pv = 1332/1980 = 0.67 so
the value of Vcr is given by (Vw /0.9)2 /Pv = (1332/0.9)2/1980 = 1106 kN.
Then from H.4.1, using the option for Fv < Vw , the longitudinal anchor
force H q = 0.5dtp y ((F v - V cr )/(V w - V cr ))[1 - V cr /P v ] 0.5
= 0.5120010275/1000((1234 - 1106)/(1332-1106))[1 - 1106/1980] 0.5
= 621 kN. From H.4.4 the additional compression in the end stiffener
Ftf = 0.15Hqd/ae = 0.156211200/1200 = 93 kN.
If the end of the girder is supported from beneath, this 93 kN
should be added to the end reaction of 1240 kN. However, if the girder is
supported by bolting its end plate to the supporting member, this does
not apply. Assuming this applies here, a 250 mm15 mm end plate is
probably suitable, subject to checking the details of the bolted
connection. There is also a balancing tension of 93 kN in the next-to-end
stiffener at A*, producing a tensile stress of 931000/10/200 = 47 N/mm2,
which is less than 275 N/mm2 and is therefore satisfactory.
From H.4.4, the anchor force produces a longitudinal shear force
Rtf in the end panel of 0.75Hq = 466 kN. As the end panel is square, its
resistance Vcr,ep = Vcr = 1409 kN, which is sufficient.
8. Combined axial load and bending. The most important change
in 4.8 is that the use of equivalent uniform moment factors m has been
clarified. The m factor to be used in each case is related to the pattern
of moments about the axis being considered, taken over the length
betwe en lateral restraints against the form of buckling being
considered. Thus a member subject to biaxial bending, with 2 axes of
bending and two possible planes of buckling, will have 2 2 = 4
different m factors (m LT, m x, m y and myx), see 4.8.3.3.4.
As for lateral-torsional buckling, the m factor for in-plane buckling
can now be estimated approximately for any pattern of moments by
using the general method given in Table 26 of the code.
An innovation is the recognition that a sufficiently large moment in
one plane can, in some cases, reduce the resistance of a member to
buckling in the perpendicular plane due to axial compression, see
4.8.3.3.2 and 4.8.3.3.3. However in other cases, the method for
interaction between buckling about two axes can be more severe and
has therefore been retained alongside the new method.
It should be noted that the use of the more exact method for the
member buckling resistance of compression members with moments is
now limited to I or H sections with equal flanges, and to CHS, RHS and
box sections. For other sections, such as channels, the simplified
method given in 4.8.3.3.1 should be used.
It should also be noted that, in the more exact method, the 0.5
factor in the expression for in-plane buckling about the minor axis has
been increased to 1.0 for I and H sections only.
9. Connections. There are a number of important changes
concerning the design of bolted and welded connections, which it is
intended to cover in detail in a subsequent article.
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