BEAMS

• Horizontal member seen in a structure spanning columns

• Support loads which are resisted by bending and shear
• Support floors, roof sheeting as purlins, side cladding.
• Floor Beams – major beam supporting the secondary beam or joists
• Girder – floor beam in buildings
• Lintel – beam used to carry wall load over openings, i.e doors, windows, etc.
• Purlin – roof beam supported by roof trusses
• Rafter – roof beam supported by purlins
• Spandrel beam – beam at outer most wall of buildings, which carry part of floor load
and exterior walls
• Stringer beam – longitudinal beam used in bridge floors and supported by floor beams
 COMMONLY USED TYPE BEAM SECTIONS

• Universal beams ( rolled sections ) : this materials is concentrated in the flanges and very
efficient in uniaxial bending.
• Compound beam: universal beam strengthened by flange plates. Resist bending in vertical
as well as horizontal direction.
• Composite beam: Universal beam with roof slab which gives continuous lateral support.
The concrete floor provides the necessary lateral support to the compression flange to
prevent lateral buckling.
• Castellated beam: made by applying a special technique to wide flange I-beam. This
technique consists of making a cut in the web of a wide flange beam in a corrugated
pattern.
 Classification of Beam Section

• Bending stress of a beam depends on how well the section performs in bending
• Thin projecting flange of an I-beam is likely to buckle prematurely
• Web of an I-section can buckle under compressive stress due to bending and shear
• In order to prevent such local buckling it is necessary to limit outstand thickness ratios of
flanges and depth/thickness ratios or web.
• When design is made using elastic analysis the member should be able to reach yield
stress under compression without buckling.

Possible Beam
Failures
 LATERALLY SUPPORTED BEAMS

• A beam may be assumed to be adequately supported at the supports

provided the compression flange has full lateral restraint and nominal
torsional restraint at support supplied by web cleats, partial depth of
plates etc.
 EQUATIONS

200bf 138000Af
Lc is the minimum of and
Fy dFy
200bf 138000Af
Lu is the maximum of and
Fy dFy

Where:
𝑏 is the base of the compression flange
𝑑 is the depth of the section
𝐴𝑓 id the area of the compression flange
𝐹𝑦 is the yield strength of the steel

CASE 1 – LATERALLY
SUPPORTED BEAMS (L<Lc)

To compute the allowable bending stress Fb

a) Compact Section
Use 𝐹𝑏 = 0.66 𝐹𝑦 (bending about the strong axis)
𝐹𝑏 = 0.75 𝐹𝑦 (bending about the weak axis)

bf
1) Fy  170
2t f

d
2) Fy  1680
tw
 CASE 1 – LATERALLY
SUPPORTED BEAMS (L<Lc)

To compute the allowable bending stress Fb

a) Semi-Compact Section use:

  bf  
Fb  Fy 0.79  0.00076  Fy 
  2t f  
 
bf
1) 170  Fy  250
2t f

d
2) Fy  1680
tw

CASE 1 – LATERALLY
SUPPORTED BEAMS (L<Lc)

To compute the allowable bending stress Fb

a) Non-Compact Section:
𝑈𝑠𝑒 𝐹𝑏 = 0.60 𝐹𝑦
 Example:

1. Compute the resisting moment of a Section Properties:

W310 x 97 with W310 x 97
a) Fy = 248 MPa b) Fy = 345 MPa A = 12300 mm2 Ix = 2.22 x 108 mm4
Assume the section has full lateral d = 308 mm Sx = 1.44 x 106 mm3
support for its compression flange.
tw = 9.91 mm rx = 134 mm
bf = 305 mm ry = 77mm
tf = 15.4 mm Sy = 4.78 x 105 mm3
Iy = 7.29 x 109 mm4

CASE 2 – LATERALLY
UNSUPPORTED BEAMS (L>Lc)

To compute the allowable bending stress Fb

a) When: 703000Cb L 3520000Cb

 
Fy rt Fy

Use:  L 
2

 Fy   
2  rt   Fy 83x103 Cb A f
Fb    Fb 
3 10.55 x106 Cb  Ld
 
 
Use the greater value but shall not be greater
than 0.60Fy
 CASE 2 – LATERALLY
UNSUPPORTED BEAMS (L>Lc)

To compute the allowable bending stress Fb

a) When: L 3520000Cb

rt Fy

Use:
1170 x103 Cb 83 x103 Cb A f
Fb  2
Fb 
L Ld
 
 rt 
Use the greater value but shall not be greater
than 0.60Fy

CASE 2 – LATERALLY
UNSUPPORTED BEAMS (L>Lc)
Where:

𝐶𝑏 = 1.75 + 1.05(𝑀1/𝑀2) + 0.3(𝑀1/𝑀2)2 ≤ 2.3

Where M1 is the smaller and M2 the larger bending moment at the ends of the
unbraced length, taken about the strong axis of the member.
M1/M2 is positive when moments are of the same sign or bending in double curvature.
M1/M2 is negative moments are of the opposite sign or bending in single curvature.
Cb = 1 for simple and cantilever beam
 CASE 2 – LATERALLY
UNSUPPORTED BEAMS (L>Lc)
to determine rt

At = area of the compression

flange + one third of the area of
the compression web

(d  2t f )
At  b f t f  tw
6
t f (b f ) 3 1 d  2t f It
It   ( )(t w ) 3 rt 
12 12 6 At

Example:

A simply supported beam having a span of 12m carries a concentrated load P acting on
the plane of the web. The beam is a wide flange section W14 x 90, the properties of
which are:

Ix = 415815 x 103 mm4 Wt = 134.5 kg/m

d = 356.1 mm Fy = 248 MPa
tw = 11.2 mm
bf = 368.8 mm
tf = 18 mm

If the member is restrained against lateral buckling only at the supports, find the
maximum P that it can carry at its midspan.
 Solution:
200b f 200(368.80)
LC    4683.76mm  L
Fy 248
138000 A f 138000(368.8)(18)
Lu    10373.35mm  L
dFy 356.1( 248)

( d  2t f ) [356.1  2(18)]
At  b f t f  t w  368.8(18)  (11.2)  7235.92 mm 2
6 6

t f (b f ) 3 1 d  2t f 18(368) 3 1[356.1  2(18)]

It   ( )(t w ) 3   (11.2) 3
12 12 6 12 12(6)
I t  75.24 x (10) 6 mm 4

I 75.24(10) 6 L 12000
rt    101.97 mm   117.68
A 7235.92 rt 101.97

Solution:
703000 Cb 703000 (1) 3520000 C b 3520000(1)
  53 .34   119 .14
Fy 248 Fy 248

703000 Cb L 3520000 C b
53 .34  117 .68  119 .14   
Fy rt Fy

 L
2

 F y   
2  rt    2 248 (117 .68 ) 2 
Fb    Fy     248  84 .6 MPa
3 10 .55 x10 C b 
6 6
 3 10 .55 x (10 ) (1) 
 
 

83 x10 3 C b A f 83 (10 ) 3 (1) 368 . 8 (18 )

Fb    128 .94 MPa
Ld 12000 (356 .1)
Fb  0 .6 F y  0 .6 ( 248 )  148 .8 MPa

Use : Fb  128 .94 MPa

 Solution:

Ix = 415815 x 103 mm4

d = 356.1 mm
c =356.1/2=178.05mm

Mc Ix 415815 ( 10 )3
Fb  M  Fb  128 .94  301.12 kN  m
Ix c 178 .05( 10 )6
PL P( 12 )
M   301.12   P  100 .37 kN
4 4

Example:

A steel beam having a simple span of 8m is subjected to a moment M at the left end (clockwise) and
25% of M at the right end (counter clockwise). It has no lateral support and the section has the following
properties:
Properties of wide flange:

bf = 210 mm rt =53 mm
d = 533 mm Sx = 2.06 x 106 mm3
tf = 16 mm Fy = 248 MPa

• Find the maximum slenderness ratio.

• Determine the allowable bending stress ucing NSCP specification..
• Compute the moment capacity
 Example:

A concentrated load P is acting at the center of the beam having a simple span of 9 m. The beam is
made up of wide flange with a yield strength of 345 MPa. The beam has lateral supports with spacing of
3m. Neglect the weight of the beam.

Properties of wide flange:

d = 350 mm tw = 12 mm
bf = 360 mm Sx = 2340 x 103 mm3
tf = 18 mm

• What is the maximum unbraced length of the beam to consider it as laterally supported beam?
• Determine the allowable bending stress using NSCP specification.
 SHEAR STRESS FOR BEAMS

The allowable shear stress for rolled and The shear stress distribution across any
fabricated shapes may be taken as section subjected to bending can be
computed using the equation
𝑭𝒗 = 𝟎. 𝟒𝑭𝒚
VQ
The effective area in resisting shear is taken as fv 
the overall depth times the web thickness Ib
𝑨𝒗 = 𝒅 𝒕𝒘 Shear flow formula :
Therefore,
VQ
V fv 
fv   Fv I
d  tw
 BASIC FORMULAS USED IN
STEEL DESIGN
Allowable Stress Design (ASD)
Note:
Average web Shear formula: Radius of Gyration
If not given:
𝑉 𝐼
𝐹𝑣 = 𝑅 =
𝑑 𝑡𝑤 𝐴 Fb = 0.60 Fy
Varignon’s Theorem Fv = 0.40 Fy
General Shear Stress Formula:
Fy = 248 Mpa for A36 steel
𝑉𝑄
𝐹𝑣 = 𝐴 𝑌 = 𝐴 𝑦 Fu = 400 Mpa for A36 steel
𝐼𝑏 Es = 200000MPa
Shear flow formula Moment of Inertia (transfer formula)
𝑉𝑄
𝑄 = 𝐼 . . = 𝐼 . . + 𝐴𝑑
𝐼

Bolt Spacing:
𝑅𝐼
𝑆 =
𝑉𝑄
where:
R = Fv bolts x Area x no. of bolts
 Example:

Compute the shear capacity of a wide flange Given :

section having a flange thickness of 10 mm,
bf  200 mm, t f  10 mm , t w  20 mm, d  300 mm
flange width of 200 mm, and web thickness of
20 mm. Distance from top to bottom of the Fy  300 MPa
flange is 300 mm. Fy = 300 MPa

Solution:

V V V
FV   0.4 Fy   0.4(300) 
d  tw dt w 300( 20)

V  720000N  720kN
 Example:

W 24 x 94 beam is subjected to a shear force of 900 kN.

Properties of W Section:
A = 17870 mm2 d = 616.97 mm
tw= 13.11 mm bf = 230.15 mm
tf = 22.15 mm Ix = 1119.7x106 mm4

a) Compute the shear stress at junction of flange and web.

b) Compute the shear stress at neutral axis.
c) Compute the shear force carried by the flange.
d) Compute the shear force carried by the web.
e) Compute the average shear stress on web.

Properties of W Section:
Solution:
A = 17870 mm2 d = 616.97 mm
tw= 13.11 mm bf = 230.15 mm
tf = 22.15 mm Ix = 1119.7x106 mm4

a) Shear stress at junction of flange and web:

𝑉𝑄
𝑓 =
𝐼𝑏

𝑄 = 230.15 (22.15)(297.41)
𝑄 = 1.52 𝑥 10 𝑚𝑚

𝑏 = 230.15 𝑚𝑚 𝑏 = 13.11 𝑚𝑚
𝑉𝑄 900,000(1.52𝑥10 ) 𝑉𝑄 900,000(1.52𝑥10 )
𝑓 = = = 5.31 𝑀𝑃𝑎 𝑓 = = = 93.19 𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐼𝑏 1119.7𝑥10 (230.15) 𝐼𝑏 1119.7𝑥10 (13.11)
Properties of W Section:
Solution:
A = 17870 mm2 d = 616.97 mm
tw= 13.11 mm bf = 230.15 mm
tf = 22.15 mm Ix = 1119.7x106 mm4

b) Shear stress at neutral axis:

𝑉𝑄
𝑓 =
𝐼𝑏

𝑄 = 230.15 22.15 297.41 + 286.335 13.11 152.1675

𝑄 = 2.05 𝑥 10 𝑚𝑚

𝑉𝑄 900,000(2.05𝑥10 )
𝑓 = = = 125.69 𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐼𝑏 1119.7𝑥10 (13.11)

Properties of W Section:
Solution:
A = 17870 mm2 d = 616.97 mm
tw= 13.11 mm bf = 230.15 mm
tf = 22.15 mm Ix = 1119.7x106 mm4

c) Shear force carried by flanges: (two flanges)

𝐹(2)
𝑓 = −≫ 𝐹 = 𝐹𝑣 𝐴 = 5.31 230.15 22.15 = 27069𝑁
𝐴(2)

d) Shear force carried by the web:

𝐹 = 900000 − 27069 = 872931 𝑁

e) Average shear stress on web:

𝑉 900000
𝑓 = = = 111.27 𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝑑 𝑡 616.97(13.11)
 Example:

A wide flange and a channel has the following properties.

Wide Flange: Channel:
A = 18,400mm2 A = 6430mm2
d = 470mm Ix = 131x106mm4
Ix = 726x106mm4 Iy = 3.4x106mm4
Iy = 93.6x106mm4 x = 20mm
tw = 12mm tw = 10mm
Fv bolt = 100 MPa Fb channel = 118 MPa
Diameter of bolt = 16mm Fb WF = 138 MPa

•Find the moment of Inertia

•Determine the moment capacity of the section
•Determine the safe uniform load that the beam could carry over a 9m simple span.
•Determine the radius of gyration of the built up section in the axis parallel to the plane of the web of the flange
•Determine the spacing of bolts
 Solution:
Wide Flange: Channel:
A = 18,400mm2 A = 6430mm2
d = 470mm Ix = 131x106mm4
Ix = 726x106mm4 Iy = 3.4x106mm4
Iy = 93.6x106mm4 x = 20mm
tw = 12mm tw = 10mm
Fv bolt = 100 MPa Fb channel = 118 MPa
Diameter of bolt = 16mm Fb WF = 138 MPa

a) Moment Of Inertia

Locate the 𝑁. 𝐴. using Varignon’s Theorem:

18400(235) + 6430(460) = (18400 + 6430)𝑦

𝑦 = 293.27 𝑚𝑚

Use the transfer formula:

I . . =I + Ad → add the moment of Inertia of the wide flange and the channel.
I . . = I + Ad + I + Ad
= 726x10 + 18400 293.27 − 235 + 3.4x10 + 6430 460 − 293.27
I . . = 970.62x10 mm

Solution:
Wide Flange: Channel:
A = 18,400mm2 A = 6430mm2
d = 470mm Ix = 131x106mm4
Ix = 726x106mm4 Iy = 3.4x106mm4
Iy = 93.6x106mm4 x = 20mm
tw = 12mm tw = 10mm
Fv bolt = 100 MPa Fb channel = 118 MPa
Diameter of bolt = 16mm Fb WF = 138 MPa

b) Moment Capacity of the Section

𝑓𝑏 = 𝑀𝑐 𝐼

For Wide Flange:

𝑀𝑐 𝑀 293.27
𝑓𝑏 = → 138 = → 𝑀 = 456.73𝑥10 𝑁 𝑚𝑚 = 456.73𝑘𝑁 𝑚
𝐼 970.62𝑥10

For Channel:

𝑀𝑐 𝑀 470 + 10 − 293.27
𝑓𝑏 = → 118 = → 𝑀 = 613.36𝑥10 𝑁 𝑚𝑚 = 613.36𝑘𝑁 𝑚
𝐼 970.62𝑥10
𝑆𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑚𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡
 Solution:
Wide Flange: Channel:
A = 18,400mm2 A = 6430mm2
d = 470mm Ix = 131x106mm4
Ix = 726x106mm4 Iy = 3.4x106mm4
Iy = 93.6x106mm4 x = 20mm
tw = 12mm tw = 10mm
Fv bolt = 100 MPa Fb channel = 118 MPa
Diameter of bolt = 16mm Fb WF = 138 MPa

c) Safe Uniform Load

𝑀 = 456.73𝑘𝑁 𝑚

𝑤𝐿 𝑤 9
𝑀 = → 456.73 = → 𝑤 = 45.11 𝑘 𝑁 ⁄𝑚
8 8

d) Radius of gyration

𝐼 𝐼 . . = 93.6𝑥10 + 121𝑥10 𝐼 224.6𝑥10

𝑟 = 𝑟 = = = 95.11𝑚𝑚
𝐴 = 224.6𝑥10 𝑚𝑚 𝐴 18400 + 6430

𝐼 𝐼 970.62x10
𝑟 = 𝐼 . . = 970.62x10 mm 𝑟 = = = 197.713𝑚𝑚
𝐴 𝐴 18400 + 6430

Wide Flange: Channel:

A = 18,400mm2
d = 470mm
A = 6430mm2
Ix = 131x106mm4
Solution:
Ix = 726x106mm4 Iy = 3.4x106mm4
Iy = 93.6x106mm4 x = 20mm
tw = 12mm tw = 10mm
Fv bolt = 100 MPa Fb channel = 118 MPa
Diameter of bolt = 16mm Fb WF = 138 MPa

e) Spacing of Bolts
𝑅𝐼
𝑠=
𝑉𝑄

For Shear capacity:

𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 = =
.
→ 𝑉 = 202995𝑁 For𝑄, consider the highlighted area:

𝑄 = 𝐴𝑦 = 6430 460 − 293.27

Force carried by the bolt: = 1072073.9𝑚𝑚

𝑃 𝑅
𝑓𝑣 = → 100 = = 40212.39𝑁
𝐴 𝜋 16 𝑅𝐼 40212.39(970.62 𝑥10 )
(2 𝑠= = = 179.35𝑚𝑚
4 𝑉𝑄 202995(1072073.9)
 Example:

A steel beam is made up of a wide flange section whose total depth is

600mm, width of the flange is 300mm and has a flange thickness of
20mm. Its web thickness is 10mm and has a simple span of 9m. A 40
kN/m uniform load is loaded throughout its span and 200kN load acting
at midspan. Fb = 0.60Fy.

•Determine the required section modulus without exceeding the

allowable bending stress.
•Determine the Section Modulus of the section.
•Determine the width of the top and bottom reinforcing plates 12mm
thick if necessary.
•Determine the length of the top and bottom reinforcing plates if
necessary.

Solution:
LOADS: Dimensions:
w = 40kN/m d = 300 mm
P =200kN @midspan bf = 300 mm
tf = 20 mm
L = 9m tw = 10 mm
Fb = 0.60 Fy

𝑀
a) Req’d Section Modulus 𝐹𝑏 =
𝑆𝑥
𝑤𝐿 𝑃𝐿
𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 = + 𝐼
8 4 b) Section Modulus: 𝑆𝑥 =
=
40(9)
+
200 9 𝑐
8 4
𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 855 𝑘𝑁 𝑚
300 600 145 560
𝐼 . . = − 2 = 1.16𝑥10 𝑚𝑚
12 12
𝐹𝑏 = 0.60 (𝐹𝑦) = 0.6(248) = 148.8 𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐼 1.16𝑥10
𝑆𝑥 = = = 3866666.67𝑚𝑚 < 𝑆
𝑐 300
𝐹𝑏 = → 148.8 =

→ 𝑆 = 5745967.74 𝑚𝑚
𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒, 𝑎𝑑𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑𝑒𝑑
 Solution:
LOADS: Dimensions:
w = 40kN/m d = 300 mm
P =200kN @midspan bf = 300 mm
tf = 20 mm
L = 9m tw = 10 mm
Fb = 0.60 Fy

c) width of the top and bottom reinforcing plates

12mm thick if necessary

Use the corresponding moment of inertia with the reinforcing plates

𝐼 . . = 𝐼𝑥 + 𝐼 + 𝐴𝑑
𝑏(12)
𝐼 . . = 1.16𝑥10 + + (𝑏)(12)(306) 2
12

Substitute the required section modulus:

𝐼
𝑆𝑥 = 5745967.74 = → 𝐼 = 5745967.74(𝑐)
𝑐
𝑏 12
𝐼 . . = 5745967.74 312 = 1.16𝑥10 + + 𝑏 12 306 2
12
𝑏 = 281.52𝑚𝑚

Solution:
LOADS: Dimensions:
w = 40kN/m d = 300 mm
P =200kN @midspan bf = 300 mm
tf = 20 mm
L = 9m tw = 10 mm
Fb = 0.60 Fy

d) length of the top and bottom reinforcing plates

∑𝐹𝑣 = 0
2𝑅 − 200 − 40 9 = 0
𝑅 = 280 𝑘𝑁

Moment Capacity of the Beam alone:

𝑆𝑥 = 3866666.67𝑚𝑚
𝑀 𝑀
𝐹𝑏 = → 148.8 =
𝑆𝑥 3866666.67
𝑀 = 575.36𝑘𝑁 𝑚

Moment Equation:

𝑀 = 280𝑥 − 40𝑥 → 573.36 = 280𝑥 − 20𝑥 → 𝑥 = 2.5𝑚

𝐿 = 9 − 2(𝑥) = 9 − 2(2.5) = 4𝑚
 WEB YEILDING

Local web yielding occurs when a concentrated load is applied normal to one flange and symmetric to the
web. Such concentrated load may occur at a reaction point or a column or beam framing into a supporting
girder. The NSCP code requires that the compressive stress at the web toe of the fillet, resulting from
concentrated loads or end reactions not supported by bearing stiffeners, shall not exceed 0.66y; otherwise
bearing stiffeners shall be provided

For interior loads applied at a

distance x greater th an d from
the end of the member
R
 0 . 66 Fy
t w (N  5 k)
For end reactions
R
 0 . 66 Fy
t w (N  2 . 5 k)
 WEB CRIPPLING

Web crippling is buckling of the web caused by the compressive force

delivered through the flange.

The NSCP specifies that bearing stiffeners shall be provided in the

webs of members under concentrated loads, when the compressive
force exceeds the following limits:

When the concentrated load is an interior load or is applied at a distance not less than d/2 from the end of the
member, the nominal strength for web crippling is
N t F t
R  177.2(tw ) 2{1  3( )( w )1.5} yw f
d tf tw

When the concentrated load is applied at or near the support (no greater than half the beam depth from the end),
the nominal strength is
N t F t
R  89.3(tw )2{1  3( )( w )1.5} yw f
d tf tw

Where:

𝑅 = concentrated load or reaction, N

𝑡𝑤 = thickness of web, mm
𝑁 = length of bearing (not less than k for end reactions), mm
𝑡𝑓 = flange thickness (mm)
𝐹𝑦𝑤 = yield stress of the web (MPa)
𝑑 = depth of the member (mm)
 Example:

The beam shown is made up of W840 x 193 (Fy = 248 MPa) and is 8m long. The bearing length at the
support is100mm and at the concentrated load is 120mm. A load P acting in the plane of the web is
acting at the midspan.tw = 14.7mm,tf= 21.7 mm , d = 840.5 and k = 42.2 mm.

Neglecting the weight of the beam determine the following:

a) maximum value of P so that the member is safe against web yielding

b) maximum value of P so that the member is safe against web crippling
c) maximum value of P the member could carry P

Solution:

a) maximum value of P so that the Concentrated Load

member is safe against web yielding R
 0.66 Fy 
P
 0.66(248)
t w (N  5k) 14.7[120  5(42.2)]
P  796417.78 N

b) maximum value of P so that the N t w 1.5 Fywt f

R  177.2(t w ) 2 {1  3( )( ) }
member is safe against web crippling d tf tw
120 14.7 1.5 248(21.7)
P  177.2(14.7) 2 [1  3( )( ) ]
840.5 21.7 14.7
P  907611.26 N

c) maximum value of P the member

could carry P Use the smaller value of P:
𝑃 = 796417.78𝑁
 Example:

A W30 x 99 beam carries a concentrated load of 890 kN at its mid-span. Using A36 steel with Fy = 248MPa.

Properties of W 30 x 99
A = 18774 mm2 bf = 265.63 mm d = 752.86 mm
tf = 17.02 mm tw = 13.26 mm k = 36.51 mm.

Neglecting the weight of the beam determine the following:

i. Compute the minimum bearing length 𝑁 at the end reactions in order to prevent web yielding.
ii. Compute the minimum bearing length 𝑁 over which the concentrated load must be distributed to
prevent web yielding.
iii. Compute the minimum bearing length 𝑁 at the end reactions in order to prevent web crippling.
iv. Compute the minimum bearing length 𝑁 over which the concentrated load must be distributed to
prevent web crippling.

Solution:

a) Minimum bearing length N at the end reactions in order to prevent web yielding.

R  (890 ) / 2  445 kN  reaction

R R 44500
fp   0.66 Fy   0.66 ( 248 ) 
AP t w ( N  2.5k ) 13 .26[ N  2.5(37 .51)]
 N  113 .76 mm say N  150 mm

b) Minimum bearing length N at the end reactions in order to prevent web yielding over which the
concentrated load must be distributed to prevent web yielding.

R  890 kN  load
R R 89000
fp   0.66 Fy   0.66( 248) 
AP t w ( N  5k ) 13.26[ N  5(37.51)]
 N  227 .51mm say N  250 mm
 Solution:

R  (890) / 2  445kN  reaction

c) Minimum bearing length N at the
end reactions in order to prevent web N t F t
R  89.3(tw ) 2{1  3( )( w )1.5} yw f
crippling. d tf tw
 N 13.26 1.5  248(17.02)
445000  89.3(13.26) 2 1  3( )( )
 752.86 17.02  13.26
 N  214.78mm say N  250mm

R  890kN  load
b) Minimum bearing length N
over which the concentrated load must N t w 1.5 Fywt f
R  89.3(t w ) 2{1  3( )( ) }
be distributed to prevent web crippling. d tf tw
 N 13.26 1.5  248(17.02)
890000  177.2(13.26) 2 1  3( )( )
 752.86 17.02  13.26
 N  219.36mm say N  250mm

BEAM BEARING PLATE

When the ends of beams are supported by direct bearing on concrete or other
masonry construction it is frequently necessary to distribute the beam reactions
over the masonry by means of beam bearing plates. The reaction is assumed to
be spread uniformly through the bearing plate to the masonry and the masonry
is assumed to push up against the plate with a uniform pressure equal to 𝑓𝑝.

MASONRY BEARING

In the absence of Code regulations the following stresses apply:

On sandstone and limestone 𝐹𝑝 = 2.76 𝑀𝑃𝑎

On brick in cement 𝐹𝑝 = 1.72 𝑀𝑃𝑎
On the full area of a concrete support 𝐹𝑝 = 0.35𝑓𝑐’

On less than the full area of a concrete support 𝐹𝑝 = 0.35𝑓𝑐 ≤ 0.70 𝐹𝑐′

Where:
𝑓𝑐’ = specified compressive strength of concrete, MPa
𝐴 = bearing area, mm2
𝐴 = full cross-sectional area of concrete support, mm2
 BEAM BEARING PLATE

Bearing Plate Dimension

R
Fp 
BN

Where:

𝐹𝑝 = allowable bearing stress at the support (MPa)

𝑅 = support reaction (N)
𝐵 = width of the bearing platE
𝑁 = length of the bearing plate which must be checked for web
crippling and web yeilding

BEAM BEARING PLATE

Bearing Plate thickness

fp
t  2n
Fy

Where:

𝑓𝑝 = actual bearing stress

𝐹𝑦 = yield stress of the bearing plate
𝑛 = 𝐵/2 – 𝑘
𝑘 is the same as in web yielding
Allowable bending stress in the plate
𝐹𝑏 = 0.75𝐹𝑦
 Example:

A W30 x 99 beam carries a concentrated load of 890 kN at its mid-span. Using A36 steel with
Fy = 248MPa. As shown in the figure, a W section is to be supported at the end by a masonry
wall which has an allowable bearing strength of 1.72 MPa.

If Fy = 248 MPa, bf = 190.88 mm, k = 37.5 mm,

tw = 12.38 mm, d=456 mm,

Determine the following:

a) The required dimension of the bearing plate if the ratio of the
length of bearing plate to its width is approximately 2/3.
b) The required thickness of the bearing plate

Solution:

a) The required dimension of the

bearing plate if the ratio of the length of
,
bearing plate to its width is
approximately 2/3.
wL 35(9)
Check for web yielding : R   157.5kN  reaction
2 2
R R
 0.66( Fy )   0.66(248)
t w ( N  2.5k ) 12.38[370  2.5(37.5)]

R  939723 N  939.72kN  157.5kN o.k

Solve for dimension : 2

B (370)  246.67 say 250 mm
R R R 2 3
FP   A   BN  since B  N
A FP FP 3

2 R 2 2 157.5(1000)
 NN   N  N  370mm
3 FP 3 1.72 try 250 mm x 370 mm bearing plate
 Solution:

fp
a) Thickness of the bearing plate. t  2n
Fy
,

Actual Bearing stress solve for the thickness :

R 157.5(1000)
fp    1.7 MPa fp
BN 250(370) t  2n
Fy
B 250
n  k   37.5  87.5mm
2 2 1 .7
t  2(87.5)  14.49 mm say 16 mm
248

Use 250 mm x 370 mm x 16 mm plate