3/27/2013

DESIGN OF BEAM-COLUMN

By.Ir.Sugeng P Budio,MSc 1

Because of the many variables in the interaction formulas,

the design of beam-columns is essentially a trial-and-error
process. A trial shape is selected and then reviewed for
satisfaction of the governing interaction formula.
Obviously, the closer the trial shapes to the final selection,
the better. A very efficient procedure for choosing a trial
shape, originally developed for allowable stress design, has
been adapted for LRFD and is given in Part 2 of the Manual,
“Column Design”. The essence of this method is to convert
the bending moments to equivalent axial loads, and a
shape that will support must then be investigated with AISC
Equation. The total effective axial load is given by :

By.Ir.Sugeng P Budio,MSc 2

1
 3/27/2013

Pueff = Pu + Muxm + MuymU

Pu = actual factored axial load (kips)

Mux = factored moment about the x-axis (ft-kips)
Muy = factored moment about the y-axis (ft-kips)
m = a tabulated constant
U = a tabulated constant

The basis of this procedure can be examined by

rewriting Equation as follows. First, multiply both sides
by cPn :

By.Ir.Sugeng P Budio,MSc 3

� c Pn M ux � c Pn M uy
Pu � � � � c Pn
or � b M nx � b M ny

Pu + (Mux x constant) + (Muy x constant) ≤ �cPn

The right side of this inequality is the design of a member

under consideration, and the left side can be thought of as the
applied factored load to be resisted. Each of three terms on the
left must have units of force, so the constant “convert” the
bending moments Mux and Muy to axial load components.
Average values of the constant m have been computed for
different groups of W- and S- shapes and are given in Table B
in Part 2 of the manual. Values of U are given in the Column
Load Tables for each shape listed therein. To select trial shape
for a member with axial load and bending abouth both axes,
proceed as follows :
By.Ir.Sugeng P Budio,MSc 4

2
 3/27/2013

1. Select a trial value of m based on the effective length

KL. Let U = 2
2. Compute an effective axial compressive load :
Pueff = Pu + Muxm + MuymU
Use this load to select a shape from the Column Load
tables.
3. Use the value of U given in the Column Load Tables
and an improved value of m from Table B to compute
an improved value of Pueff. Select another shape.
4. Repeat until there is no change in Pueff
Note that the tabular values of m are for Cm = 0.85.
For other values of Cm, multiply m by Cm/0.85. after
trial shape has been selected, it must be checked
againts the appropriate interaction formula.
By.Ir.Sugeng P Budio,MSc 5

A certain structural member in a braced frame must

support a factored axial compressive load of 150 kips
and factored end moments of 75-ft-kips about the
strong axis and 30 ft-kips about the weak axis. Both of
these moments occur at one end; the other end is
pinned. The effective length with respect to each axis is
15 feet. There are no transverse loads on the member.
Use A36 steel and select the lightest W-shape.

By.Ir.Sugeng P Budio,MSc 6

3
 3/27/2013

The amplification factor B1 can be estimeted as 1.0

purposes of making a trial selection. For each of the
two axes,

Mux = B1Mntx ≈ 1.0(75) = 75 ft-kips

Muy = B1Mnty ≈ 1.0(30) = 30 ft-kips

From Table B, Part 2 of the Manual, m =2.6 for Cm = 0.85.

For this member,

Cm = 0.6 – 0.4(M1/M2) = 0.6 – 0.4(0/M2) = 0.6 (for both axes)

By.Ir.Sugeng P Budio,MSc 7

Use m = 2.6(0.6/0.85) = 1.835 and initial value of U = 2.0

Pueff = Pu + Muxm + MuymU = 150+75(1.835)+30(1.835)(2) = 398

Begin with the smaller shapes in the

Column Load Tables,

Try W8x67 ( cPn = 412 kips, U = 2.03)

m = 3.25(0.6/0.85) = 2.294
Pueff = 150 + 75(2.294) + 30(2.294)(2.03) = 461 kips

This value is slightly larger than the design strength of

412 kips, so another shape must be tried.

By.Ir.Sugeng P Budio,MSc 8

4
 3/27/2013

Try W10x68 ( cPn = 475 kips, U = 2.01)

m = 2.95(0.6/0.85) =2.082
Pueff = 150 + 75(2.082)+30(2.082)(2.01)
= 432 kips < 475 kips (OK)

The W10x68 is therefore a potential trial shape.

Check the W12s and W14s for other possibilities.

By.Ir.Sugeng P Budio,MSc 9

Try W12x58 ( cPn = 397 kips, U = 1.73).

m = 2.4(0.6/0.85) = 1.694
Pueff = 150 + 75(1.694) + 30(1.694)(1.73)
= 365 kips < 397 kips (OK)
A W12x58 is therefore a potential trial shape. The
lightest W14 with a chance of working is a W14x61, and
it is heavier than the W12x58.

Use a W12x58 as a trial shape.

Pu 150
� � 0.3778 � 0.2
� c Pn 397
� use AISC Equation
By.Ir.Sugeng P Budio,MSc 10

5
 3/27/2013

Bending about the x-axis :

K x L 15(12)
� � 34.09
rx 5.28
� 2 EAg � 2 (29,000)(17.0)
Pe1 � � � 4187kips
( KL / r ) 2 (34.09) 2
Cm 0.6
B1 � � � 0.622 � 1
1 � Pu / Pe1 1 � (150 / 4187)
� use B1 � 1.0
M ux � B1M ntx � 1.0(75) � 75 ft � kips

Design strength : From the Beam Design curves, for

Cb = 1 and Lb = 15 ft, bMn = 222 ft-kips. The
moment gradient for this beam-column is the same
as for the one in Example and shown in Figure 6.13
(W.T. Segui);therefore, Cb = 1.67
By.Ir.Sugeng P Budio,MSc 11

For Cb = 1.67, the design strength is

Cb x 222 = 1.67(222) = 371 ft-kips

This greater than bMp = 233 ft-kips,

Use bMn = 233 ft-kips
Bending about the y-axis :

K yL 15(12)
� � 71.71
ry 2.51
� 2 EAg � 2 (29,000)(17.0)
Pe1 � � � 946.2kips
( KL / r ) 2 (71.71) 2
Cm 0.6
B1 � � � 0.713 � 1.0
Pu 1 � 150 / 946.2
1�
Pe1
Use B1 � 1.0
M uy � B1M nty � 1.0(30) � 30 ft � kips

By.Ir.Sugeng P Budio,MSc 12

6
 3/27/2013

A W12x58 is compact for any value of Pu (there is no

footnote in the Column Load Table), so the design
strength is

bMny = bMpy = bZyFy = 0.90(32.5)(36) = 1053 in.-kips

= 87.75 ft-kips
But Zy/Sy = 32.5/21.4 = 1.52 > 1.5 , which means that bMny
should be taken as

b(1.5My) = b(1.5FySy) = 0.90(1.5)(36)(21.4) = 1040 in.-kips

= 86.67 ft-kips

Pu 8 � M ux M uy �
� � 0.3778 � 8 �� 75 � 30 ��
� � �
�
� c Pn 9 � � b M nx � b M ny � 9 � 233 86.67 � AISC Equation
�
� 0.972 � 1.0 (OK)

Answer : Use a W12x58

By.Ir.Sugeng P Budio,MSc 13

By.Ir.Sugeng P Budio,MSc 14

7
 3/27/2013

Although the method just presented for selecting a

trial shape converges quickly, a somewhat simpler
approach is suggested by Yura. The Equivalent axial
load to be used is given by
2 M x 7.5M y
Pequiv � P � �
d b

P = factored axial load

Mx = factored moment about x –axis
My = factored moment about y-axis
D = beam depth
B = beam width

All terms in Equation must have consistent units.

By.Ir.Sugeng P Budio,MSc 15

Use Yura’s method to select a W12 shape

for the beam-column of Example

By.Ir.Sugeng P Budio,MSc 16

8
 3/27/2013

From Equation,the equivalent axial load is

2M x 7.5M y 2(75 x12) 7.5(30 x12)

Pequiv � P � � � 150 � � � 525kips
d b 12 12

where the width b is assumed to be 12 inches. From

the Column Load tables, try W12x72 ( cPn=537 kips)

Since the flange width is 12 inches as assumed, no

iteration is required. For this particular problem,
Yura’s method produces a more conservative trial
shape than the Manual method,although this may not
always be true.
By.Ir.Sugeng P Budio,MSc 17

9
���������������������������������������������������������������������������
���������������������������������������������������������������������������������
�����������������������������������������������������