University of technology civil engineering

Steel beam-column members in

unbraced frames

)‫العارضة‬-‫األعضاء احلديدة (العمود‬

‫يف اهلياكل الغري مقيدة‬

Muhammed abdulhussein kadhim

Structure brunch
4th stage

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 Contents

title Page

1-1 INTRODUCTION 1

1-2 MEMBERS IN UNBRACED FRAMES 2

1-3 Example 6

References 16

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1-1 INTRODUCTION:

Unbraced frames in the form of portal frames is the most common form
of construction for industrial buildings, distinguished by its simplicity,
clean lines, and economy. The frames can provide large column free
areas, offering maximum adaptability of the space inside the building.
Such large span buildings require less foundation, and eliminate internal
columns, valley gutters, and internal drainage. Portal frame buildings
offer many advantages such as more effective use of steel than in simple
beams, easy extension at any time in the future, and ability to support
heavy concentrated loads. The disadvantages include relatively high
material unit cost and susceptibility to differential settlement and
temperature stresses. In addition, these frames produce horizontal
reaction on the foundation, which may be resisted by providing a long
tie beam or by designing the foundation for this horizontal reaction.
Basically, a portal frame is a rigid jointed plane frame made from hot-
rolled or cold-rolled sections, supporting the roofing and side cladding
via hot-rolled or cold-formed purlins and sheeting rails.
The typical span of portal frames is in the range of( 30-40) m, though
they have been used in (15-80) m, spans The bay spacing of portal frame
may vary from (4.5 to 10) m (typical bay spacing is 6 m). The eave height
in a normal industrial building is about 4.5 m to 6.0 m (which
corresponds to the maximum height of one level of sprinklers for fire
protection). Recent portal frames have a roof slope between 6" and 12",
mainly chosen because of the smaller volume of air involved in heating
the building. But in such cases, frame horizontal deflections must be
carefully checked and proper foundations should be provided to take
care of the large horizontal thrust. Although the steel weight in braced
frame buildings is often less than that for a comparable portal frame
building, the overall cost is generally higher because of the greater
amount of lab our involved in fabrication. The portal frame systems, are
often designed, prefabricated, supplied, and erected at site by firms in
USA and are called pre-engineered buildings or metal building
systems(1).

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1-2 MEMBERS IN UNBRACED FRAMES:

In a beam–column whose ends are free to translate, the maximum

primary moment resulting from the side sway is almost always at one
end. As was illustrated in Figure 6.5, the maximum secondary moment
from the side sway is always at the end. As a consequence of this
condition, the maximum primary and secondary moments are usually
additive and there is no need for the factor Cm; in effect, Cm = 1.0. Even
when there is a reduction, it will be slight and can be neglected.
Consider the beam–column shown in Figure (1). Here the equal end
moments are caused by the side sway (from the horizontal load). The
axial load, which partly results from loads not causing the Side sway, is
carried along and amplifies the end moment. The amplification factor for
the side sway moments, B2, is given by
1
B2 = 𝛼𝑃𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦 ≥1 (AISC Equation A-8-6)
1−
𝑃𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦

where
𝛼 = 1.00 for LRFD
𝛼 = 1.60 for ASD
P story = sum of required load capacities for all columns in the story
under
consideration (factored for LRFD, unfactored for ASD)
Pe story = total elastic buckling strength of the story under consideration

Figure (1)
Figure (1)
3

Figure (1)
Figure (1)
This story buckling strength may be obtained by a side sway buckling
analysis or as

HL
Pe story = RM (AISC Equation A-8-7)
δ𝐻

Where
𝑃𝑚𝑓
RM =1-0.15 (AISC Equation A-8-7)
𝑃𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦

Pmf = sum of vertical loads in all columns in the story that are part of
moment frames
L = story height
H= interstory drift = drift (sidesway displacement) of the story under
consideration
H = story shear = sum of all horizontal forces causing H

Note that, if there are no moment frames in the story, Pmf = 0 and
RM = 1.0. If all of the columns in the story are members of moment
frames, then Pmf = Pstory and RM = 0.85. The rationale for using the
total story load and strength is that B2 applies to unbraced frames, and
if sidesway is going to occur, all columns in the story must sway
simultaneously. In most cases, the structure will be made up of plane
frames, so Pstory and Pestory are for the columns within a story of the
frame, and the lateral loads H are the lateral loads acting on the frame at
and above the story. With δH caused by H, the ratio H/ δH can be based
on either factored or unfactored loads.
In situations where Mnt and Mℓt act at two different points on the
member, as in Figure (2), AISC Equation A-8-1 will produce conservative
results. Figure (3) further illustrates the superposition concept. Figure (3)
a shows an unbraced frame subject to both gravity and lateral loads. The
moment Mnt in member AB is computed by using only the gravity loads.
Because of symmetry, no bracing is needed to prevent sidesway from
these loads. This moment is amplified with the factor B1 to account for
the Pδ effect. Mℓt, the moment corresponding to the sway (caused by
the horizontal load H), will be amplified by B2 to account for the Pδ
effect.
In Figure (3) b, the unbraced frame supports only a vertical load.
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Figure (2) (2)

Figure (3) (2)

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Because of the unsymmetrical placement of this load, there will be a
small amount of sidesway. The moment Mnt is computed by considering
the frame to be braced—in this case, by a fictitious horizontal support
and corresponding reaction called an artificial joint restraint (AJR). To
compute the sidesway moment, the fictitious support is removed, and a
force equal to the artificial joint restraint, but opposite in direction, is
applied to the frame. In cases such as this one, the secondary moment
Pδ will be very small, and Mℓt can usually be neglected.
If both lateral loads and unsymmetrical gravity loads are present, the
AJR force should be added to the actual lateral loads when Mℓt is
computed. As an alternative to this approach, two structural analyses
can be performed.
(Gaylord et al., 1992). In the first, the frame is assumed to be braced
against sidesway. The resulting moments are the Mnt moments. A
second analysis is performed in which the frame is assumed to be
unbraced. The results of the first analysis are subtracted from the
second analysis to obtain the Mℓt moments(2).

1-3 Example:

A W12 × 65 of A992 steel, 15 feet long, is to be investigated for use as a

column in an unbraced frame. The axial load and end moments obtained
from a first-order analysis of the gravity loads (dead load and live load)
are shown in Figure 6.17a. The frame is symmetrical, and the gravity
loads are symmetrically placed. Figure 6.17b shows the wind load
moments obtained from a first-order analysis. Both analyses were
performed with reduced stiffnesses of all members. All bending
moments are about the strong axis. If the moment amplification method
is used, then we can consider this to be the direct analysis method, and
the effective length factor Kᵪ can be taken as 1.0. Use Ky = 1.0.
Determine whether this member is in compliance with the AISC
Specification(2).

Solution:

 LRFD

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All the load combinations given in(ASCE 7)involve dead load, and
except for the first one, all combinations also involve either live load or
wind load or both. If load types not present in this example (E, Lr, S, and
R) are omitted, the load combinations can be summarized as:

Combination 1: 1.4D
Combination 2: 1.2D + 1.6L
Combination 3: 1.2D + (0.5L or 0.5W)
Combination 4: 1.2D + 1.0W + 0.5L
Combination 5: 1.2D + 0.5L
Combination 6: 0.9D ± 1.0W
The dead load is less than eight times the live load, so combination (1)
can be ruled out. Load combination (4) will be more critical than (3), so
combination (3) can be eliminated.

Combination (5) can be eliminated because it will be less critical than (2).
Finally, combination (6) should be investigated for an overturning effect.

The combinations to be investigated are therefore

Combination 2: 1.2D + 1.6L
Combination 4: 1.2D + 1.0W + 0.5L
Combination 6: 0.9D ± 1.0W

Combination (6) will be investigated first. We will consider compression

to be positive.

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For a wind direction that produces uplift
0.9D – 1.0W = 0.9(85) – 1.0(56) = 20.5 kips
The positive result means that the net load is compressive, and we need
not consider this load combination further. Figure below shows the axial
loads and bending v moments calculated for combinations (2) and (4).

From the column load tables, with KL = 1.0(15) = 15 ft ,фcPn = 662 kips.

Load Combination 2: Pnt = 454 kips, Mnt = 104.8 ft-kips, and Mℓt = 0
(because of symmetry, there are no sidesway moments). The bending
factor is

𝑀1 90
Cm =0.6 - 0.4( ) = 0.6 - 0.4 ( ) =0.2565
𝑀2 104.8

For the axis of bending

𝜋2 𝐸𝐼 𝜋2 𝐸𝐼𝑥
Pe1 = =
(𝐾1 𝐿)2 (𝐾𝑥 𝐿)2

The modified stiffness is

𝐸𝐼𝑥 = 0.8τb 𝐸𝐼𝑥 = 0.8(1.0) 𝐸𝐼𝑥 = 0.8 𝐸𝐼𝑥

Therefore

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 𝜋2 𝐸𝐼𝑥 𝜋2 (0.8𝐸𝐼𝑥 ) 𝜋2 (0.829000533)
Pe1 = = = = 3767 kips.
(𝐾𝑥 𝐿)2 (𝐾𝑥 𝐿)2 (1.0∗15∗12)2

The amplification factor for nonsway moments is

Mr = Mu= B Mnt+ B Mℓt =1.0(104.8) + 0 = 104.8 ft-kips

The required axial compressive strength is

Pr = Pu = Pnt + B2Pℓt = 454 + 0 = 454 kips

From the beam design charts, with Lb = 15 feet

ФbMn = 340 ft-kips (for Cb = 1.0)
ФbMp = 356 ft-kips

For Cb = 2.24,
ФbMn = 2.24(340) > ФbMp = 356 kips ∴ Use ФbMn = 356 ft-kips.

Determine the appropriate interaction equation:

Load Combination 4:Pnt= 212 kips, Mnt = 47.6 kips, Pℓt = 56 kips, and

Mℓt = 132 ft_kips. For the braced condition, B2 = 0 and

Pr=Pu =Pnt+B2 Pℓt =212+0=212Kips.

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 𝑀1 40.5
Cm =0.6-0.4( ) =0.6 – 0.4( )=0.2597
𝑀2 47.6

Pe1 =3767 kips. (Pe1 is independent of the loading condition)

Cm Cm
B1 = Pr = Pnt+Pℓt
1−(𝛼𝑃𝑒1) 1−(𝛼 𝑃𝑒1 )

0.2597
B1= 212+58 =0.280 > 1.0 use B1 =1.0
1−( 3767 )

For the unbraced condition, the amplification factor for sidesway, B2,
must be computed. This requires a knowledge of the properties of all the
columns in the story, as well as H and δH, so that Pstory and Pe story can
be computed. Since these quantities are not available in this example,
we will assume that the ratio of Pstory to Pe story is the same as the ratio for
the column under consideration. That is, Pe story is the same as the ratio
for the column under consideration. That is,
𝑃𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑃𝑢 212+56 268
= = =
𝑃𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑃𝑒 1 3767 3767

Then from AISC Equation A-8-6

1 1
B2 = 𝑃𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦 = 268t = 1.077
1−(𝛼𝑃𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦) 1−(3767)

The amplified axial load is

Pr=Pu =Pnt+B2 Pℓt = 212 + 1.077(56) = 272.3 kips
The total amplified moment is
Mr = Mu = B1Mnt + B2 Mℓt = 1.0(47.6) + 1.077(132) = 189.8 ft-kips
Although the moments Mnt and Mℓt are different, they are distributed
similarly, and Cb will be roughly the same; at any rate, they are large
enough that ФbMp = 356 ft-kips will be the design strength regardless of
which moment is considered.
𝑃𝑢 272.3
= =0.4113 < 0.2 Use Equation 6.3 (AISC Equation H1-1a)
𝑃𝑛 662

𝑃𝑢 8 𝑀𝑢𝑥 𝑀𝑢𝑦 8 189.8

+ ( + ) = 0.4113+ ( ) = 0.885 < 1.0 OK
𝑃𝑛 9 𝑀𝑛𝑥 𝑀𝑛𝑦 9 356

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 ASD

The ASD load combinations from ASCE 7 can be reduced to the following
possibilities after the elimination of all loads other than dead, live, and
wind:

Load combination 2: D+L

Load combination 5: D ± 0.6W
Load combination 6(a): D + 0.75L + 0.75(0.6W)
Load combination 7: 0.6D ± 0.6W

Combination 7, which is a check for a change in load direction or

overturning, will be investigated first. We will consider compression to
be positive. For a wind direction that would produce uplift,

0.6D – 0.6W = 0.6(85) – 0.6(56) = 17.4 kips

The positive result means that the net load is compressive, and we need
not consider this load combination further.

Load Combination 2: Pa = 305 kips, Mnt = 70 ft-kips, and Mlt = 0

(because of symmetry, there are no sidesway moments). The bending
factor is

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The modified stiffness is

Therefor

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 𝑀𝑝 𝑀𝑛
But =237 ft-Kips > 5030 ft-Kips Use = 237 ft-Kips
Ω𝑏 Ω𝑏

Compute the axial compressive strength:

Ky L =15ft
𝐾𝑥 𝐿 1.2(15)
= =10.29 ft >15 ft Use KL = 15 ft
𝑟𝑥/𝑟𝑦 1.75

This Figure shows the bending

moment diagram (absolute values
shown) for the gravity-load moments
to be used in the computation of Cb

Load Combination 5: Pnt = 85 kips, Mnt = 18 ft-kips, Pℓt = 33.6 kips, and
Mℓt = 79.2 ft-kips. For the braced condition, the bending factor is

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For the unbraced condition, the amplification factor for sidesway, B2,
must be computed. This requires a knowledge of the properties of all
columns in the story, as well as H and δH, so that Pstory and Pe story can
be computed. Since these quantities are not available in this example,
we will assume that the ratio of Pstory to Pe story is the same as the ratio for
the column under consideration. That is,

Load Combination 6a: Pnt = 250 kips, Mnt = 57 ft-kips, Pℓt = 25.2 kips, and
Mℓt =59.4 ft-kips. For the braced condition, the bending factor is

𝑀1 48.75
Cm =0.6-0.4( ) =0.6 – 0.4( )=0.2579
𝑀2 57

Pe1 =3767 kips. (Pe1 is independent of the loading condition)

Pr=Pa =Pnt=250 Kips

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 1 Cm
B1 = 𝑃𝑟 = Pnt+Pℓt
1−(𝛼𝑃𝑒1) 1−(𝛼 𝑃𝑒1 )

0.2597
B1= (212+58) =0.292 > 1.0 use B1 =1.0
1−(1.6 )
3767

For the unbraced condition

𝑃𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑃𝑢 250+25.2 275.2

= = =
𝑃𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑃𝑒 1 3767 3767

1 1
B2 = 𝑃𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦 = 275.2 = 1.132
1−(𝛼𝑃𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦) 1−( 1.60 3767 )

The amplified axial load is

Pr=Pu =Pnt+B2 Pℓt = 250 + 1.132 (25.2) = 278.5 kips
The total amplified moment is
Mr = Mu = B1Mnt + B2 Mℓt = 1.0(57) + 1.132 (59.4) = 124.2 ft-kips

As before, use Mn/Ωb = Mp/Ωb = 237 ft-kips

The Answer:

Load combination 6a controls, and the member does not satisfy the AISC
Specification requirements.

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References:

(1) Steel Structures Design and Practice by N. SUBRAMANIAN

Published in by Oxford University Press / First published 2010
Page(626).

(2) Steel Design by William T. Segui

Publisher, Global Engineering / Fifth Edition 2013
Page (327),(330)

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