LIMIT STATE METHOD FOR

STRUCTURAL STEEL DESIGN

REQUIREMENT OF GOOD DESIGN METHOD

 Rational

 Adequate Safety and Serviceability

 Economy (Efficient use of material)

2
ALLOWABLE STRESS DESIGN (ASD)
 Stresses caused by the characteristic loads must be
less than an “allowable stress”, which is a fraction of
the yield stress.

 Allowable stress may be defined in terms of a “factor

of safety" which represents a margin for overload
margin for under strength and other unknown factors
which could be tolerated by the structure.

Allowable stress = (Yield stress) / (Factor of safety)

3
ALLOWABLE STRESS DESIGN (ASD)

Limitations
Non realistic assumption of linear elastic behaviour.
Stress concentration, Residual stresses ignored.
Non-linear behaviour in the post buckled state and the
property of steel to tolerate high stresses by yielding
locally and redistributing the loads not accounted for.
Different degrees of uncertainty of DL, LL, WL and EL
are ignored.
Does not provide realistic measure of actual FOS.

4
 Design of Tension Member
Design load Pd (kN) 120
Reqired net area (sq.mm) 800 mm²
Select Section ISA755010 1152.00 9.00kg/m
Type of Section UNEQUAL
Longer(mm) 75.00 Cxx 26.00 mm
Shorter(mm) 50.00 Cyy mm
Thickness(mm) 10.00 Type of Bolt Machine
Bolt Dia(mm) 20.00 tvf 100 N/mm²
Hole Dia(mm) 21.50 sb 300 N/mm²

single angle
A1 485.00 mm²
A2 450.00 mm²
k 0.76
Anet 828.70 mm²
Psafe 124.31 kN SECTION IS SAFE
Area modified 1142.86 mm² 3.59%

Rivet design
Ps(kN) 36.31
Pb(kN) 64.50
Rv(kN) 36.31
No of Rivets 3.42 4
5
 UNCERTAINTY INVOLVED IN DESIGN

Uncertainties affecting the safety of a structure are due to:

 uncertainty about loading

 uncertainty about material strength and

 uncertainty about structural dimensions, prediction in

behaviour

 Human errors

6
 LIMIT STATES
“Limit States” are the various conditions in which a structure
would be considered to have failed to fulfil the purpose for
which it was built.

Limit states are grouped in two types:

(a) Ultimate Limit States: which define safety against the
extreme loads during the intended life of the structure
(strength, overturning, sliding, buckling, fatigue fracture,
sway, brittle fracture)

(b) Limit states of serviceability which define the functional

requirements.
(discomfort to occupancy, malfunction caused by
excessive deflection, vibration, corrosion etc.
7
 PHILOSOPHY OF LIMIT STATE DESIGN

 Adequate safety at ultimate load.

 Adequate serviceability at working (service) load.

 Two partial safety factors, one applied to loading

(f) and another to the material strength (m) are
employed.

8
f allows for;
 the possible deviation of the actual behaviour
of the structure from the analysis model

 deviation of loads from specified values and

 reduced probability that the various loads

acting together will simultaneously reach the
characteristic value.

9
m takes in to account;
 the possible deviation of the material property in
the structure from that assumed in design

 the possible reduction in the strength of the

material from its characteristic value and

 manufacturing tolerances.

 Mode of failure (ductile or brittle).

10
 PARTIAL SAFETY FACTOR FORMAT

S*  R*
S* - factored load effect = f x S < m x R

R* - factored resistance of the element which is a

function of the nominal value of the material
yield strength.

11
 TABLE 5.1 PARTIAL SAFETY FACTORS FOR LOADS, f, FOR LIMIT STATES

Limit State of Strength Limit state of Serviceability

CCombination LL WL/ LL WL/
DL Accompanying AL DL Leading Accompanying
Leading
(CL, SL etc.) EL (CL etc.) EL
DL+LL+CL 1.5 1.5 1.05   1.0 1.0 1.0 

DL+LL+CL+ 1.2 1.2 1.05 0.6

 1.0 0.8 0.8 0.8
WL/EL 1.2 1.2 0.53 1.2
1.5
DL+WL/EL (0.9)   1.5  1.0   1.0
*

1.2
DL+ER 1.2       
(0.9)
DL+LL+AL 1.0 0.35 0.35  1.0    
*
This value is to be considered when stability against overturning or stress reversal is
critical
Abbreviations: DL= Dead Load, LL= Imposed Load (Live Loads), WL= Wind Load,
SL= Snow Load, CL= Crane Load (Vertical/horizontal), AL=Accidental Load,
ER= Erection Load, EL= Earthquake Load.
Note: The effects of actions (loads) in terms of stresses or stress resultants may be
obtained from an appropriate method of analysis as in Section 4

12
 TABLE 5.2 PARTIAL SAFETY FACTOR FOR MATERIALS, m

Sl. No Definition Partial Safety Factor

1 Resistance, governed by yielding m0 1.10
2 Resistance of member to buckling m0 1.10
3 Resistance, governed by ultimate 1.25
stress m1
4 Resistance of connection m1 Shop Field
Fabrications Fabrications

(i)Bolts-Friction Type, mf 1.25 1.25

(ii) Bolts-Bearing Type, mb 1.25 1.25

(iii) Rivets 1.25 1.25

(iv) (iv) Welds 1.25 1.50

13
DESIGN OF TENSION MEMBERS

14
Applications: suspenders

rafter

tie (a) Roof Truss

purlin
Sag rod (b) Suspended Building

Top chord

(c) Roof Purlin System (d) Braced frame

Fig.1(a ) Tension Members IN Buildings
APPLICATION

(a) Road bridge

Stay cables

(b) Cable stayed Bridge

suspenders

(c) Suspension Bridge

Fig.1(b) Tension Members in Bridges

Cross Sections Used for Tension Members

Channel

Angle Double Angle

Rod Cable

Built up sections
APPLICATION
APPLICATION
APPLICATION
APPLICATION
 DIFFERENT MODES OF FAILURE

Gross Area Yielding: Strength limited to gross section

yield strength, so as to prevent excessive deformation of
the member.

Net Section Failure: Failure occurs due to rupture of

critical section.
Block Shear Failure: A “block” of the connected element
may separate from the remainder of the element.

22
NET SECTION FAILURE

23
BLOCK SHEAR FAILURE

24
Tension Member Design (Limit State Method)

Yield strength of gross section

Tdg = fy.Ag/m o; where,
fy = yield strength of material
Ag = gross area of cross section
m o = partial safety factor for failure in tension by yielding
= 1.10

Rupture strength of net section

(a) Plates in Tension
Tdn = 0.9fu.An/m1
fu = Ultimate tensile strength of material
An = Net area of cross section after deduction for bolt holes
m1= partial safety factor for ultimate tension failure by
rupture = 1.25 25
BEHAVIOUR IN TENSION
Strength due to Rupture of Net Section
su
Plates with a Hole sy

(a) Elastic (b) Elasto-Plastic (c) Ultimate

Tdn = 0.9.An.fu / m1 m1 = 1.25

In statically loaded plates the point adjacent to the holes reaches yield
stress fy first.
 PLATES IN TENSION
 On further loading, the stress at that point remains
constant at yield stress fy and the section plastifies
progressively away from the hole
 Ultimately the entire net section at the hole reaches
yield stress, fy.
 Finally the section ruptures when the entire net
section reaches ultimate stress, fu.
 A small length of the member adjacent to the
smallest cross section at the holes would stretch a
lot at fu. As long as the gross section is below yield
stress, the design strength is given as mentioned
earlier.
BEHAVIOUR IN TENSION

Plates with Holes

1

d b 2
g
3
(a) (b) 1 p 4
Case a: Net Area: = t (b - 2*d)
(c)
Case b: Net Area: = t (b – d)
P = pitch
Case c: Net Area: < t (b – d)
g = gauge
> t (b - 2*d)
TENSION MEMBERS

 Plates With Holes ps

g
dh
g b
g
g

PLATES WITH BOLTS HOLES IN TENSION

 

psi2
An =
b  nd h  t
 i
4 gi 
BEHAVIOUR IN TENSION
Threaded Rods in Tension

f < fy fy fu

droot

dgross elastic elastic - Ultimate

Plastic
Gross Area Design Strength (Ptg)
Tdg = fy * Ag /MO  MO = 1.10

Net Area Design Strength (Ptn)

Tdn = 0.9 * fu * An / M1  M1 = 1.25
 Rupture strength of net section
(b) Angles in Tension
 The tensile Strength of angles connected by one leg
is evaluated based on the following:
1. Limiting the stress in the outstanding leg to fy
2. Limiting the stress in the connected leg with
holes to fu
 In addition, the potential for “block shear failure”
should be assessed
 The design tensile strength Ptd, will be the least of
three values.

31
 RUPTURE AT CRITICAL SECTION
OF ANGLES UNDER TENSION

This non-uniform stress distribution mainly depends upon the length of

connection, Dimensions of unconnected and connected legs and Stress
Concentrations.
32
 RUPTURE AT CRITICAL SECTION
OF ANGLES UNDER TENSION

SHEAR LAG
The flow of stress to the material in the
unconnected leg that is farther away from the
connected leg is limited to a certain extent only.

The stresses are said to lag in the elements not

connected directly and this is commonly
referred as the shear lag effect.

33
 RUPTURE AT NET SECTION
OF ANGLES UNDER TENSION

(ii) Strength as governed by tearing of net section --

Ptn = 0.9Anc..fu / m 1 + Ago.fy / mo
Anc = net area of connected leg
Ago = gross area of outstanding leg
fy and fu = yield and ultimate stress respectively
 = 1.4-0.076(w/t)(fy /fu)(bs/Lc) < (fu.  mo)/fy.  m1) but  > 0.7

` w w

w1 bs = w + w1 bs = w

Fig - 3 Angles with end connection

34
 BLOCK SHEAR STRENGTH
FAILURE MODEL 1

Gross
Shear
Plane
Net Tension Plane
“Block”
Block Shear strength considering Yielding of Gross Shear Plane
accompanied by Rupture of Net Tension Plane:

Tdb  ( Avg f y / 3 mo  0.9 f u Atn /  m1 )

Note: Yield Stress in shear = (1/ √3) Yield Stress in Tension

35
 BLOCK SHEAR STRENGTH
FAILURE MODEL 2
Net
Shear
Plane

“Block” Gross Tension

Plane
Block Shear Strength considering Rupture of Net Shear Plane
accompanied by Yielding of Gross Tension Plane:

Tdb  (0.9 f u Avn / 3 m1  f y Atg /  mo )

Note: Ultimate Stress in Shear = (1/ √3) Ultimate Stress in Tension

36
 DESIGN STRENGTH DUE TO BLOCK
SHEAR
Design Block shear Strength is the smaller of these two strengths:

Tdb  ( Avg f y / 3 mo  0.9 f u Atn /  m1 )

Tdb  (0.9 f u Avn / 3 m1  f y Atg /  mo )

Avg

Gauge distance (g1)

Edge distance (e1)

Atg
Pitch (p) Pitch (p)
Avn
Atn
End distance (e2) Length of connection (Lc)

37
 BLOCK SHEAR FAILURE
The failure of the members occurs along a path in
involving tension on one plane and shear on a plane
perpendicular plane along the fasteners.

38
 Examples of block shear failure

(a) At end of member (b) In gusset plates

39
EXAMPLES OF BLOCK SHEAR FAILURE

Strength as governed by Block Shear Failure

(Case – 1)

Tdb  ( Avg f y / 3 mo  0.9 f u Atn /  m1 )

(Case – 2)
Tdb  (0.9 f u Avn / 3 m1  f y Atg /  mo )

40
EXAMPLES OF BLOCK SHEAR FAILURE

Examples of Block Shear (between two gussets)

41
 DESIGN STEPS IN IS 800 : 2007
• Compute the gross area required from factored axial tension on the member
and yield stress.

• Select a trial section from steel tables.

• Assume the number of bolts, the pitch and end distance. Bolts are normally
placed along the standard gauge lines. Compute edge distance.

• Now, the strength due to yielding of gross section, rupture of net section
and block shear may be computed.

• The design strength is the lowest of these three strengths. The trial section is
OK, if the design strength must be more than or equal to the factored axial
tension. Otherwise, repeat the procedure by choosing another section or
modify the connection details such as length of connection.

• Compute the slenderness ratio. Check that it is less than Maximum Effective
Slenderness Ratio. Otherwise, repeat the procedure by choosing another
section.

42
 DESIGN EXAMPLE : SINGLE ANGLE

Td = 300 kN, Length = 3.0 m, d’ = 20 mm (8.8)

Tgp = 16 mm.
Nn = 1
Vdsb = fub (nn . Anb + ns . Asb)
Shear Plane

Ns = 1

43
 Fillet welds

 Ease of fabrication and adaptability

 Less precision
 No special edge preparation
 Throat of a weld
 Concave and convex surfaces
Weld and leg size
Face of weld
Theoretical throat
s (t=0.707s)

Root of weld Te

44
 Teaching Resources (c) IIT Madras, SERC
Madras, ANNA Univ, INSDAG Calcutta

FILLET WELDS
Behaviour
 Lap joints splices

 Shear is the main design consideration

 Side fillets and end fillets

 End fillet loaded in tension - high strength and

low ductility
 Side fillet loaded - Limited to weld shear strength
(50% tensile strength) Improved ductility
 Average stress in weld throat

 Fillet weld shape is important for end fillets.

45
•Optimum weld shape - Shear leg < 3 times tension leg
•Fillet welds are stronger in compression than in tension

FILLET (A) SIDE WELDS AND (B) END WELDS

(a)
(b)

46
AVERAGE STRESS IN THE WELD THROAT
t1
t1
t1
t1

P Tension
Shear

P P

(a) (b)

47
 Teaching Resources (c) IIT Madras, SERC Madras,
ANNA Univ, INSDAG Calcutta

¾t
1.5 mm
Specified size t

(a) (b)

(a) fillet welds on square edge of plate, (b) fillet welds on round toe of rolled section

Table 2. Value of K for different angles between fusion faces

Angle between 60 - 90 91-100 101-106 107-113 114-120

fusion faces
Constant K 0.70 0.65 0.60 0.55 0.50

48
 Teaching Resources (c) IIT Madras, SERC Madras,
ANNA Univ, INSDAG Calcutta

END RETURNS

End returns

P P

49
 SLOT AND PLUG WELDS

 Provided along with fillet welds in lap joints

 Strength of a plug or slot weld - allowable stress
and nominal area in the shearing plane
Ends shall be semi circular or have
corners rounded to a radius not less than
A A thickness of part containing slot

A A

Section A-A
Section A-A
(a) Slot weld
(b) Plug weld

50
 Design of Welded Tension Member
 Pd = 200 kN, fy = 250 MPa, fu = 410 Mpa
f wd 
fu f wd  410  189 .37 MPa for Shop weld
( 3  mw ) ( 3 1.25 )

f wd  410  157 .8MPa for Field weld

( 3 1.5)

pw / mm  0.707 *189 .37 * sw N / mm

bs = w
Lw  200 *1000 / 535 .54  373 .45 mm

Angles with end connection

w

bs = w + w1
51
 Strength of 50x50x6 (DL+LL)
Limit State Method (Welded) (IS: 800 [LSM])

 Strength as governed by yielding of gross section

Tdg = Ag.fy/γmo = 568x250/(1.10x1000) =129.1 kN

 Strength as governed by tearing at net section

Tdn = 0.9Anc fu / m1 +  Ago fy / mo.
β = 1.4 – 0.076 (w/t) (fy/fu) (bs/Lc )
= 1.4 – 0.076 x (50/6) x (250/410) x (50/140) = 1.262

=  0.9 x
568 410 568 250 
Tdn x  1.262 x x  / 1000  165.29 kN
 2 1.25 2 1.10 
Therefore, design strength is Tdn = 129.1 kN

Strength by LSM = (129.1/112)*Strength by WSM

= 1.15 * Strength by WSM
52
 STRENGTH OF 50X50X6 (DL+LL)
 Limit State Method (Bolted with 5-12ϕ Bolts) (IS: 800 [LSM])

 Strength as governed by yielding of gross section (Clause 6.2)

Tdg=Ag.fy/mo= 568x250/(1.10x1000) =129.1 kN

 Strength as governed by tearing at net section (Clause 6.3.3)

Tdn = 0.9Anc fu / m1+  Ago fy / mo
 = 1.4 – 0.076 (w/t) (fy/fu) (bs/Lc )
= 1.4 – 0.076x(50/6)x(250/410)x(72/120) = 1.168
 410 250 
Tdn =  0.9 x 203 x  1.168 x 284 x  / 1000
 1.25 1.10 
 135.3 kN
53
 STRENGTH OF 50X50X6 (DL+LL)
Limit State Method (Bolted with 5-12ϕ Bolts) (IS: 800 [LSM])
 Strength as governed by block shear failure (Clause 6.4)

 (case – 1)

Tdb  ( Avg f y / 3 mo  0.9 f u Atn /  m1 )

Tdb  ( 145 x6 x250 /[ 3 x1.10 ]  0.9 x410 x[ 22  13.5 / 2 ] x6 / 1.25 ) / 1000
=141.2 kN
 (case – 2)
Tdb  ( 0.9 f u Avn / 3 m1  f y Atg /  mo
Tdb  ( 0.9 x410 x[ 145  4.5 x13.5 ] x6 / 3 x1.25  250 x22 x6 / 1.10 ) / 1000
 116.2kN
Therefore, Design Strength of Section = 116.2 kN
Strength by LSM = (116.2/89.25)*Strength by WSM
= 1.303* Strength by WSM
54
 Strength of 90x90x8 (DL+LL+WL)
Working Stress Method
Ag = 13.79 cm2
 WSM (Welded) (Clause: 4.2.1 of Page –37 0f IS: 800 –1984)

An=A1+A2.k =1.75 x 13.79/2 = 12.066 cm2

Strength of section = 1.33x150x1206.6/1000 = 240.72 kN
Ultimate Load =1.2 * 240.72 = 288.86 kN

 WSM (Connected with 6 nos. 16 mm bolts)

A1 =13.79/2 - 1.75x0.8 = 5.495cm2; A2 = 13.79/2=6.895cm2
Td = (6.895 + 0.705*5.495)*150*1.33 / 10 = 214.84 kN
Ultimate Load =1.2 * 214.84 = 257.81 kN

55
 Strength of 90x90x8 (DL+LL+WL)
Limit State Method (Welded) (IS: 800 [LSM])

 Strength as governed by yielding of gross section

Tdg = Ag.fy/γmo = 1379x250/(1.10x1000) = 313.4 kN

 Strength as governed by tearing at net section

Tdn = 0.9Anc fu / m1 +  Ago fy / mo.
β = 1.4 – 0.076 (w/t) (fy/fu) (bs/Lc )
= 1.4 – 0.076 x (90/8) x (250/410) x (90/200) = 1.165

Tdn =  0.9 x
1379 410 1379 250 
x  1.165x x  / 1000  386.16 kN
 2 1.25 2 1.10 
Therefore, design strength is Tdn = 313.4 kN

Strength by LSM = (313.4/288.86)*Strength by WSM

= 1.08 * Strength by WSM 56
 Strength of 90x90x8 (DL+LL+WL)

Limit State Method (Bolted with 6-16 ϕ Bolts) (IS: 800 [LSM])

 Strength as governed by yielding of gross section (Clause 6.2)

Tdg=Ag.fy/mo= = 1379x250/(1.10x1000) = 313.4 kN

 Strength as governed by tearing at net section (Clause 6.3.3)

Tdn = 0.9Anc fu / m1+  Ago fy / mo
 = 1.4 – 0.076 (w/t) (fy/fu) (bs/Lc )
= 1.4 – 0.076 x (90/8) x (250/410) x (132/200) = 1.056
 410 250 
Tdn = 0 .9 x 549. 5 x  1 .056 x689. 5 x  / 1000
 1.25 1.10 
 327.67 kN
57
 STRENGTH OF 90X90X8 (DL+LL+WL)
Limit State Method (Bolted with 6-16 ϕ Bolts) (IS: 800 [LSM])
 Strength as governed by block shear failure (Clause 6.4)

 (case – 1)
Tdb  ( Avg f y / 3 mo  0.9 f u Atn /  m1 )
Tdb  (225x8x250 /[ 3x1.10]  0.9x410x[40  17.5 / 2]x8 / 1.25) / 1000
=310.0 kN
 (case – 2)
Tdb  ( 0.9 f u Avn / 3 m1  f y Atg /  mo
Tdb  (0.9x410x[225  5.5x17.5]x8 / 3x1.25  250x40x8 / 1.10) / 1000
 248.3kN
Therefore, Design Strength of Section = 248.3 kN
Strength by LSM = (248.3/257.84)*Strength by WSM
= 0.96* Strength by WSM
58
THANK YOU

59