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Beams Eurocode 3 Steel Structures Structural Analysis How to Design Roof Purlins: A Solved Example

How to Design Roof Purlins: A Solved Example

by Ubani Obinna Ranks on October 04, 2017 in Beams, Eurocode 3, Steel Structures, Structural Analysis
 (Image Copyright belongs to Albion Sections Limited, UK)

Roof purlin needs no introduction to anyone in the construction industry. They are members used to directly support roof
sheeting materials, and could be made of timber or steel. In timber construction, purlins are nailed to the rafter or
supporting trusses, while in steel roof construction, they are welded or bolted to the rafters or trusses by the means of
cleats.

In their design life, purlins are subjected to dead load (e.g self weight of sheeting materials and accessories), live load (e
during maintenance services and repairs), and environmental loads (e.g. wind and snow load). Therefore, a purlin should
be adequately strong to withstand the loads it will encounter during its design life, and should not sag in an obvious
manner thereby giving the roof sheeting an undulating and/or unpleasant appearance. This post will be focusing on desi
of steel purlin using cold formed sections.

Arrangement of Purlins
By default, purlin sections assume the slope of the roof they are supporting. The spacing of purlins usually call for carefu
arrangement, in the sense that it should follow the nodal pattern of the supporting trusses. What I mean in this regard is
that purlins should be placed at the nodes of trusses and not on the members themselves so as not to induce secondary
bending and shear forces in the members of the truss. Furthermore, if manual analysis is employed to analyse a truss
loaded in such manner, such secondary stresses cannot be captured since we normally assume pinned connections.

Cold formed Z (Zed) and C (channel) sections are normally speci ed for purlins in steel structures (see their form in imag
below).

As compared with thicker hot rolled shapes, they normally offer the advantages of lightness, high strength and stiffness,
easy fabrication and installations, easy packaging and transportation etc. The connection of purlins can be sleeved or
butted depending on the construction method adopted.

In terms of arrangement, we can have single spans with staggered sleeved/butt arrangement, single/double span with
staggered sleeve arrangement, double span butt joint system, and single span butt joint system. The choice of the
arrangement to be adopted can depend on the supply length of the sections as readily available in the market, the need t
avoid wasteful offcuts, the loading and span of the roof, the arrangement of the rafters etc. Therefore the roof designer
must plan from start to nish. However, single and double span butt joint system are the most popular in Nigeria, due to
their simplicity, and the culture of adopting shorter roof spans in the country. However, they are less structurally e cient
than sleeved connections.

Design Example
We are to provide a suitable cold formed channel section for the purlin of the roof arrangement shown below.

Partial Factor for loads (BS EN 1990 NA 2.2.3.2 Table NA.A1.2(B))

Permanent action γG = 1.35 (unfavourable)

Variable action γG = 1.5

Combination factor for Roofs, ψ0 = 0.7

Wind loads, ψ0 = 0.5

Reduction factor ξ = 0.925

Initial Sizing of Sections

The maximum spacing of the trusses is at 3000 mm c/c
Limiting the de ection to L/200;
For continuous purlins, minimum depth of section (preliminary guide) = L/45
3000/45 = 66.667
Minimum width = 0.5L/60 = (3000/2)/60 = 25
Try C120-15 section (C – purlin) (Section picked from Albion Technical Manual, 2010).

Section Properties
In the design of purlins using EN 1993-1-3:2006, we normally utilise the effective section properties. This calculation is
actually very tedious and prone to error, hence it is very advisable to obtain information from manufacturer's details or yo
can a write a program using Microsoft Excel or MATLAB for such calculations. However, I am going to make a sample
calculation for the section that we are considering.

Thickness (tnom) = 1.5mm

Depth = 120mm;
Flange width = 50mm;
Lips/Edge Fold = 15mm;
Steel core thickness (t) = 1.5 – 0.05 = 1.45mm (Note that EN 1993-1-3:2006 recommends a thickness of 0.04mm for zinc
coated sections, but we are using 0.05mm here)

Unit weight = 2.8 kg/m2;

Web height hp = h – tnom = 120 – 1.5 = 118.5mm

Width of ange in tension = Width of ange in compression bp1 = bp2 = b – tnom = 50 – 1.5 = 48.5mm

Width of edge fold cp = C – tnom/2 = 15 – 1.5/2 = 14.25mm

Checking of geometrical proportions

b/t ≤ 60     b1/t = 48.5/1.45 = 33.448 < 60 – OK
c/t ≤ 50     c/t = 15/1.45 = 10.344 < 50 – OK
h/t ≤ 500   c/t = 120/1.45 = 82.758 < 500 – OK
0.2 ≤ c/b ≤ 0.6       c/b1 = 15/48.5 = 0.309 – OK

The effect of rounding corners due to root radius has been neglected in this design.

Gross section properties

Abr = t(2cp + bp1 + bp2 + hp) = 1.45[(2 × 14.25) + 48.5 + 48.5 + 118.5)] = 353.8 mm2

Position of the neutral axis with respect to the ange in compression;

Zb1 = 1.45[14.25(118.5 – 7.125) + (48.5 × 118.5) + 118.52/2 + 14.252/2] / 353.8 = 59.253mm

Effective section properties of the ange and lip in compression (clause 3.7.2)
Effective width of the compressed ange;
The stress ratio ψ = 1.0 (uniform compression)
kσ = 4 for internal compression element (clause 3.7.2 Table 3.5)

ε = √(235/fyb) = √(235/350) = 0.819

The effective width is;

beff = ρbb1 = 0.966 × 48.5 = 46.851mm

be1 = be2 = 0.5beff = 0.5 × 46.851 = 23.4255mm

Effective Width of the edge fold (lip) Clause 3.7.3.2.2 Equation 3.47
The buckling factor is;

cp ⁄ bp1 = 14.25/48.5 = 0.2938 < 0.35

So kσ = 0.5

Therefore since 1.149 < 1.0, take reduction factor as 1.0

The effective width is therefore ceff = ρcp = 1.0 × 14.25 = 14.25mm

The effective area of the edge stiffener;

As = t(be2 + ceff) = 1.45 (23.4255 + 14.25) = 54.629 mm2

We now have to use the initial effective cross-section of the stiffener to determine the reduction factor, allowing for the
effects of the continuous spring restraint.
The elastic critical buckling stress for the edge stiffener is;

Where K is the spring stiffness per unit length;

b1 is the distance of the web to the centre of the effective area of the stiffener in compression ange (upper ange);

kf = 0 for bending about the y-y axis

Therefore;

= 175882.211 × 0.00000491305 = 0.8641 N/mm

So the elastic critical buckling stress for the edge stiffener is;

σcr,s = (2√(0.8641 × 210000 × 1007.801))/(54.629 ) = 495.901 N/mm2

The relative slenderness factor for the edge stiffener;

In our own case;

χd = 1.47 – 0.723(0.840)= 0.862

As the reduction factor for buckling is less than 1.0, we can optionally iterate to re ne the value of the reduction factor fo
buckling of the stiffeners according to clause 5.5.3.2(3). But we are not iterating in this post.

Therefore;
χd = 0.862
be2 = 23.4255 mm

ceff = 14.25mm

The buckling factor kσ = 7.81 – 6.29ψ + 9.78ψ2

kσ = 7.81 – 6.29(-0.9346) + 9.78(-0.9346)2 = 22.231

 Therefore, take ρ as 1.0 since 1.137 > 1.0.

Therefore, the effective width of the zone in compression of the web is;
heff = ρhc = 1.0 × 61.252 = 61.252mm

Near the ange in compression;

he1 = 0.4heff = 0.4(61.252) = 24.5mm

he2 = 0.6heff = 0.6(61.252) = 36.7512mm

The effective width of the web is;

Near the ange in compression;
h1 = he2 = 24.5mm

Near the ange in tension;

h2 = hp – (hc – he2) = 118.5 – (61.252 – 36.7512) = 93.992mm

Effective section properties;

Aeff = 1.45 × [14.25 + 48.5 + 24.5 + 93.992 + 23.4255 + (23.4255 + 14.25) 0.862]

Aeff = 343.858 mm2

Position of the neutral axis with regard to the ange in compression;

zc = 1.45[(14.25 × 111.375) + (48.5 × 118.5) + (93.992 × 71.504) + 300.125 + 87.5199] / 343.858 = 60.903 mm

Position of the neutral axis with regard to the ange in tension;

Zt = hp – Zc

Second moment of area:

Effective section modulus;

With regard to the ange in compression;

Weff,y,c = Ieff,y/zc = (777557.517) / 60.903 = 12767 mm3

With regard to the ange in tension;

Weff,y,t = Ieff,y/zt = (777557.517) / 57.697 = 13476 mm3

LOAD ANALYSIS
Permanent loads
Employing long span aluminium roo ng sheet (gauge thickness = 0.55mm)

Load due to sheeting = 0.019 kN/m2

Other permanent accessories and ttings = 0.15 kN/m2

Total = 0.169 KN/m2

At a spacing of 1.2m, = 0.169 KN/m2 × 1.2m = 0.2028 KN/m

Self weight of purlin = 2.8 kg/m = 0.0275 KN/m

Total Gk = 0.2028 KN/m + 0.0275 KN/m = 0.230 KN/m

Live load

For a roof with 20° slope and no access except for normal repairs and maintenance, let us adopt a live load of 0.75 KN/m

At a spacing of 1.2m, Qk = 0.75 KN/m2 × 1.2m = 0.9 KN/m

Wind Load

Taking a dynamic wind pressure of 1.5 KN/m2

When the wind is blowing from right to left, the resultant pressure coe cient on a windward slope with positive internal
pressure is;
cpe = −0.90 upwards

Therefore the external wind pressure normal to the roof is;

pe = qpcpe = 1.5 × − 0.90 = −1.35 kN/m2

The vertical component of the wind pressure is;

pev = pecosθ = −1.35 × cos 20° = −1.268 kN/m2 acting upwards.

At a spacing of 1.2m;

Wk = −1.268 kN/m2 × 1.2m = 1.522 KN/m

STATIC SYSTEMS
We are adopting two possible systems that will offer us continuous and single span systems. The 6m span is based on
supply length.

Static Model 1
Static Model 2

Load Case 1
When Dead load and live load are acting alone;
q = 1.35Gk + 1.5Qk = 1.35(0.230) + 1.5(0.9) = 1.6605 KN/m

Model 1
 

Model 2

Load Case 2
When Dead load, live load and wind load are acting alone;
q = 1.35Gk + 1.5Qk + 0.9Wk
Where the live load is the leading variable action
q = 1.35(0.230) + 1.5(0.9) – 0.9 (1.522) = 0.2907 KN/m
Model 1

Model 2

 Load Case 3
When Dead load and wind load are acting alone;
q = 1.0Gk - 1.5Wk
Where dead load is favourable
q = 1.0(0.230) - 1.5(1.522) = -2.053 KN/m

 Model 1

 Model 2
Maximum span design moment MEd = 2.31 KNm

Maximum shear force VEd = 3.85 KN

Veri cation of Bending

Design moment resistance
MC,Rd = Weff,y.Fy / γm0 [Clause 6.1.4.1(1) of EN 1993-1-3:2006]

From our calculations;

Weff,y = min(Weff,y,c , Weff,y,t)  = 12767 mm3

Therefore;

MC,Rd = Weff,y.Fy/γm0 = [(12767 mm3) × (350) × 10-6] / 1.0 = 4.46845 KNm

Check of span and single support;

MEd/MC,Rd = 2.31/4.46845 = 0.5169 < 1.0 OK!

Check of shear resistance at ULS

 The design shear resistance is given by;

Vb,Rd = (hw/sinφ.t.fbv) / γM0 (Clause 6.1.5)

The shear buckling strength (fbv) which is based on the relative web slenderness can be obtained from the table below

(Table 6.1 of EN 1993-1-3).

Where λw ̅    is the relative slenderness for webs without longitudinal stiffeners.

Since 1.154  < 0.83 but less than 1.40;

fbv = 0.48fyb = 0.48 × 350 = 168 N/mm2

Vb,Rd = [(118.5 / sin90°) × 1.45 × 168] / 1.0 = 28866.6 N = 28.867 KN

Check for shear (using maximum shear force);

VEd / Vb,Rd = (3.85)/(28.867) = 0.1333 < 1.0 Shear is ok

De ection Check
Maximum de ection under SLS (1.0gk + 1.0qk) = 0.07mm
Limiting de ection = L/200 = 3000/200 = 15 mm
Since 0.07 < 15mm, de ection is OK!

Therefore, the channel Z120-15 section is adequate for the applied load.
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UBANI OBINNA RANKS Author OCTOBER 5, 2017 AT 10:31 PM

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