CE322-18 PRINCIPLES OF STEEL DESIGN – PRACTICE PROBLEM CHAPTER 4

INSTRUCTIONS:

Use five (5) decimal places for your calculations but record your final answer/s in two (2)
decimal places. Each problem should be written on a new sheet of paper.
Problem No. 1
Design the top chord members, Groups E, F and G, using W12 sections, A36 steel and LRFD.
Assume k = 0.9 and all joints are adequately laterally supported. P u = 270 kN. DCR should be
limited within range 0.85-0.99.
Tip: Create a simple spreadsheet for iteration to save time in design.

12@3m = 36m

E F G F E
4m D D

A B C C B A

Pu Pu Pu Pu Pu

a) Enumerate the internal forces in kN of member E, F and G. (Ans. 1012.5kN, 1620kN,

Problem No. 2

A built-up section was made using PL414x10mm plates (A50 steel) as shown in the figure
below. It is pinned at both ends with additional support against weak axis at middle point.

PL414x10
W16x67
L

Section
x-axis y-axis
Elevation

a) Calculate moment of inertia at both axes in mm4. (Ans. 456.21662x106,

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Problem No. 3
The truss shown below was built using W14x53 steel with a service load P=250 kN applied at
joint A. Assume k = 0.85 and use ASD and A36. Ignore weights of truss members.

E P

5m
3m
D C
B

3m 3m 3m

a) Calculate the internal forces of all compressive members in kN. (Ans. AB=265.17,
BC=CD=300kN, BE=72.89kN)
b) Find the allowable compressive strength in kN for members under compression. (Ans.
BE=868.24kN, BC=CD=1,294.41kN, AB=1,121.08kN)
c) Determine the adequacy (D/C ratio) of all compressive member/s in the truss shown.
(Ans. BE=0.08, BC=CD=0.23, AB=0.24)

Problem No. 4
Using A36 steel, determine the safe load Pu based on the capacity of the bottom strut with a
cross section as shown. Use LRFD. Let k = 1.0. Ignore self-weight of members.

y Properties of a single
C9x20 C9x20:
A = 3,787 mm2
d = 228.6 mm
x 3m bf = 67.3 mm
tw = 11.4 mm
tf = 10.5 mm
x-bar = 14.81 mm
4m Ix = 25,348x103 mm4
strut
90m Pu Iy = 1,003x103 mm4
m

a) Calculate the value of Ix and Iy in mm4. (Ans. Ix = 50.696x106 mm4, Iy = 29.099982x106 mm4)
b) What is the governing slenderness ratio? (Ans. 64.53)
c) Compute the design compressive strength in kN of the bottom strut. (Ans. 1,358.04kN)
d) Determine the safe load Pu in kN. (Ans. 1,018.53)

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Problem No. 5
The beam ABC shown is simply supported at B and C. Assume that the steel (W10x33) column
BD is hinge at B and fixed at D. Let L1 = 3m, L2 = 9m and L3 = 4m. Ignore self-weight of
members. Use A50 steel and LRFD.
Applied loads in beam AC:
Service DL = 32.5kN/m
Service LL = 87kN/m

L1 L2 Properties of a single
W10x33:
wu A = 6,365 mm2
d = 247.1 mm
A B C bf = 202.2 mm
tw = 7.4 mm
tf = 11.0 mm
L3 Ix = 71,176x103 mm4
Iy = 15,234x103 mm4
rx = 106.43 mm
D ry = 49.28 mm

a) Determine the maximum factored axial load in column BD in kN. (Ans. 1,425.6kN)
b) What is the governing slenderness ratio? (Ans. 56.82)
c) Compute the design compressive strength in kN. (Ans. 1,560.61)
d) What is the DCR value? (Ans.0.91)

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