2/6/2018 Deflection Limit State

A Beginner's Guide to the Steel Construction Manual, 14th ed.

Chapter 8 - Bending Members

© 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011 T. Bartlett Quimby
Introduction
Section 8.4.2
Flexure

Flexural Limit
Deflection Limit State
State Behavior Last Revised: 07/30/2011
Determining
Applicable Limit In the absence of more specific criteria, criteria for structures with brittle
States finishes (as found in code documents for years) is frequently used. This
Flexural Yielding simplistic criteria puts a limit of the span divided by 360 on the incremental
Limit State deflection due to live (or transient) load only and a limit of the span divided
Lateral Torsional by 240 on deflection under total load. These limit states are mathematic
Buckling Limit expressed as:
State
Flange Local
DLL < L/360
Buckling Limit
State DTL < L/240

These limits were originally developed for members with "brittle" finishes,
Shear such as plaster. Plaster is not commonly used as a finishing material
anymore. The goal of the limits was to minimize the possibility of damage to
Shear Behavior the finish and provide reasonable comfort for the building occupants. The
Shear Strength criteria has persisted in practice.
Limit State
Other criteria has been used that more explicitly addresses the use of the
Deflection beam under consideration. For example, the Timber Construction Manual
[ref. 12], page 66 suggests the values given in Table 8.4.2.1 and 8.4.2.2.
Deflection Other references give different, but similar, criteria.
Behavior
Table 8.4.2.1
Deflection Limit
State
AITC Recommended Deflection Limits
Used with Permission

Misc. Limit States Applied Load Applied Load +

Use Classification
Only Dead Load
Web Local Roof Beams
Yielding
- Industrial L/180 L/120
Web Crippling
- Commercial and institutional
- Without plaster ceiling L/240 L/180
Beam Design
- With plaster ceiling L/360 L/240
Selecting Sections Floor Beams
Cover Plates
- Ordinary usage a L/360 L/240
Transverse
Stiffeners for Highway bridge stringers L/200 to L/300
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Shear Railway bridge stringers L/300 to L/400

Bearing Plates aOrdinary usage classification for floors is intended for construction in which walking
Transverse comfort and minimized plaster cracking are the main considerations. These
Stiffeners for recommended deflection limits may not eliminate all objections to vibrations such as
Concentrated in long spans approaching the maximum limits or for some office and institutional
Loads applications where increased floor stiffness is desired. For these usages, the
Continuous deflections limits of table 8.4.2.2 have been found to provide additional stiffness.
Beams
Table 8.4.2.2
AITC Deflection Limits for Uses Where
Chapter Summary Increased Floor Stiffness is Desired
Used with Permission

Applied Load Applied Load +

Example Problems Use Classification
Only Dead Load a
Floor Beams
Homework - Commercial, Office & Institutional
Problems
- Floor Joists, spans to 26 ft b
References - LL < 60 psf L/480 L/360
- 60 psf < LL < 80 psf L/480 L/360
- LL > 80 psf L/420 L/300
Report Errors or
Make Suggestions - Girders, spans to 36 ft b
- LL < 60 psf L/480 L/360
Purchase Hard Copy - 60 psf < LL < 80 psf L/420 L/300
- LL > 80 psf L/360 L/240
Make Donation aThe AITC includes a modifier on DL depending on whether or not the timber is
seasoned.
bFor girder spans greater than 36 ft and joist spans greater than 26 ft, special
design considerations may be required such as more restrictive deflection limits and
vibration considerations that include the total mass of the floor.

The span length, L, in the limit equations above is taken as the distance
between center of supports. For cantilever beams, a value equal to twice the
actual cantilever length is generally used for the L in determining the
deflection limits.

Ponding

In roof systems that are Figure 8.4.2.1

essentially flat, provisions must Frozen Scupper
be made to support ponding
water. Ponding is a progressive
event. The more water on the
roof, the more deflection you get,
which means that even more
water can be retained, which
leads to more deflection, etc... If

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the beam is stiff enough, then

ponding can be minimized.

The best solution to the ponding

problem is architectural. It is
strongly recommended that
sufficient slope be given to roof
systems (a minimum of 1/4" per
foot) to prevent ponding.
Appropriate drainage must also
be provided.

Roofs in cold regions that use

scuppers to drain a roof located
behind a parapet may become
plugged with ice, resulting in
unintentional ponding, leading to
disastrous results. Figure 8.4.2.1
shows such a frozen scupper.
Scuppers must also be made
large enough to allow water to
escape during a deluge and to
minimize blockage by debris.

Tolerances of Attached Elements or Non-Structural Elements Below

Often times, non-structural elements have specific deflection tolerances that

are more restrictive than the general criteria given above. These tolerances
generally are expressed in terms as a maximum deflection value and must be
considered in design.

For example, a floor girder spanning 36 ft may deflect up to 1.2 inches under
a live load only deflection limit of L/360. Any non-structural partition under
the beam must be able to accommodate this deflection. However, if it
cannot, then the amount of live load deflection that can be accommodated
becomes the new deflection criteria for this beam.

Vibrations

Certain vibrations have been found to be objectionable in most occupancy

classifications. Vibrations are often lumped together with deflection since
both are stiffness related. Vibrations are a function of stiffness and mass.
The frequency of the vibrations is of more concern than the amplitude. The
treatment of vibrations is beyond the current scope of this text.

Selection of Criteria

The choice of deflection criteria is a project dependent. Other criteria may be

encountered that have been developed for special structures and/or
situations. These may be considered as needed.

For the problems in this text, the equations listed at the start of this section
will be used unless otherwise specified.
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