Western Philippines University

College of Engineering and Technology

Civil Engineering Department

STRUCTURAL STEEL DESIGN

By Dr. Cesario A. Bacosa , Jr.
( Geotechnical and Structural Engineer)
Module 8. . OTHER DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR BEAMS ( Shear).
Generally shear is not a problem in steel beams because the webs of rolled shapes are capable of
resisting large shearing stresses. However, some situations arise where shear might be excessive. These are as
follows:
1. When large concentrated loads are placed near the beam supports, as in planted columns.
2. At the junction where the beam is framed rigidly into the supporting column.
3. Where beams are deeply notched or coped at the supports.
4. Very heavily loaded short beams.
5. When section has very thin webs as in plate girders or light gage cold formed members.
The horizontal shear stress formula derived in mechanics of materials is:
VQ
fv
Q A' y '
Ib
where:
fv = horizontal shear stress at layer, MPa
V = vertical shear at section under investigation, N
I = moment of inertia about the neutral axis of cross-section, mm4
b = width at the layer where shear stress is computed, mm
A = area above or below the layer where shear stress is computed, mm 2
y ' = centroidal distance from neutral axis to A, mm
Q = statical moment of the area above or below the layer under consideration
with respect to the neutral axis, mm3
NSCP Specifications
506.5.1 For h / tw 998 / Fy , the allowable shear stress on the overall depth times the web thickness is:

Fv 0.40Fy
bf

Illustration:

tf
d

fv

(506-15)

tw

V
Fv 0.40 Fy
dt w

where:
fv = average shear stress, MPa
Fv = allowable shear stress, MPa
Fy = yield strength of steel, MPa
V = shear force at section, N
d = overall depth of section, mm
tw = web thickness,

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Problem 601. A W610x113 (Fy = 250 MPa) has a maximum external shear of 280 kN. 1) Compute the maximum
theoretical shearing stress in the section, 2) Determine the adequacy in shear using NSCP specifications, 3)
Draw the variation in shear in the cross-section, 4) Find the percentage shear force carried by the web alone.
Solution:

Section Properties:

1) Maximum theoretical shearing stress:

1.1) Evaluate statical moment of area, Q
a1 228(17.3) 3944 mm2

A = 14400 mm2
d = 608 mm

a2 11.2(286.7) 3211 mm2

Q ay : Q 3944(296.35) 3211(143.35) 1625281mm3

1.2) Use horizontal shear stress formula
b tw 11.2 mm
fv

bf = 228 mm

VQ 280(1625281)103

46.44 MPa
Ib
875x106 (11.2)

2) Average shearing stress using NSCP specifications

2.1) Check limitations: [NSCP 506.5.1]

h 573.4
998
998
51.2

63.1 OK

250
tw 11.2
Fy

2.2) Average shear stress

V
280 x106
fv

41.12 MPa
dtw 608(11.2)
2.3) Allowable shear stress: [NSCP 506.5.1]
Fv 0.40Fy 0.40(250) 100 MPa > 41.12 MPa OK
3) Variation in shear
3.1) At inside of flange:
Q 3944(296.35) 1164979 mm3
b b f 228 mm

228 mm
17.
3
295.35

286.7
143.35
N.A.

608 mm

1.64

33.28

VQ 280(1164979)103

1.64 MPa
Ib
875x106 (228)
3.2) At top of web:
Q 3944(296.35) 1164979 mm3
b tw 11.2 mm
fv

fv

VQ 280(1164979)103

33.28 MPa
Ib
875x106 (11.2)

46.44 MPa

1.64 33.28

4) Shear force carried in web alone

4.1) average shearing stress in the web
2
f v , ave 33.28 46.44 33.28 42.05 MPa
3
4.2) Shear force carried by the web
Vweb fv, ave Aweb 42.05(11.2)(573.4) 270 kN
270
%Vweb
100 96.4%
280

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