Tamkang Journal of Science and Engineering, Vol. 12, No. 4, pp.

381-389 (2009) 381

Numerical Approach for Torsion Properties of

Built-Up Runway Girders
Wei T. Hsu, Dung M. Lue* and Bor T. Hsiao
Department of Civil Engineering, National Chung-Hsing University,
Taichung, Taiwan 402, R.O.C.

Abstract
It is a common practice in a crane runway girder to place a channel, open-side down, over the
top flange of a W-shape. The crane runway girder with section mentioned above called as WC
(W-shape with Channel Cap) or SC (S-shape with Channel Cap) girder by authors is an efficient and
economical one. The warping constants (Cw) of the WC/SC girders are not provided in the AISC
design manuals because the Cw calculation for a WC/SC section is not a routine process but a tedious
task.
This study summarizes the theoretical Cw formulas which are expressed in terms of
mathematical integration. The integration formulas can be written in terms of numerical expressions
by considering the fact that the section is made up of thin-walled plate elements. Since the Cw which in
terms of numerical expressions is too complicated to be completed by hand-held calculators, the Cw is
set to be calculated by computer. The accuracy of computer-assisted results is compared with the
Australian built-up sections of crane runway girder and the results are quite compatible. The calculated
values of Cw will make engineers to better evaluate the elastic critical moment (Mcr) of the girders with
WC/SC sections.

Key Words: Runway Girder, Warping Constants, WC/SC Girder

1. Introduction This study aims to manipulate theoretical formulas

The WC/SC section (refer to Figure1) resisting an
applied torsional moment is subjected to pure torsional
stresses, warping shear stresses, and warping normal
stresses. The evaluation of warping related stresses is not
an easy task for practicing engineers and the difficulty
comes from the calculation of warping constant (Cw).
The Cw values of open thin-walled section are provided
in the AISC design manuals (1989 [1], 1993 [2], 1999
[3], 2005 [4]) for some practical sections but not for
WC/SC sections. The Cw calculation of a WC/SC section
is not a routine process but is a tedious and complicated
task.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: dmlue@dragon.nchn.edu.tw
which expressed in terms of mathematical integration.
Viewing the fact that the section is made up of open
thin-walled plate elements, the integration formulas can
be written in terms of numerical expressions.
Because the warping constant Cw, which in terms of
numerical expressions, is too complicated to be com-
pleted by hand-held calculators, the Cw is set to be calcu-
lated by computer. The accuracy of computer-assisted
results are checked and identified with the Australian
built-up section of crane runway girder, which is a lip-
ped section (refer to Figure 2) closely approximates the
WC/SC section. The comparison results are quite com-
patible. The obtained Cw values will make practicing en-
gineers to calculate the elastic critical moment (Mcr) of
WC/SC girders much easier as compared with the ones
provided by the current LRFD Specification [4].
382 Wei T. Hsu et al.

Figure 1. Built-up WC and SC sections.

Figure 2. Section for Australian runway Beam.

2. Integration Formulas for Warping
Constant of WC/SC Section
According to Galambos [5] and Heins [6], the inte-
gration formulas for warping constants of open thin-
walled sections which include the WC/SC sections can
be summarized (refer to Figures 3) and are given as fol-
lows. To calculate the value of Cw, the centroid of section
and the shear center of section had to be located first.
Based on the basic mechanics, the centroid of section
C(Xc, Yc), refer to Figures 3, can be given as follows.
The centroid of section: C(Xc, Yc)
(1)
where x and y are the x and y coordinates of dA along the
section and A is the area of open thin-walled section.
According to Galambos [5], the shear center of sec-
tion S(Xs, Ys), refer to Figure 3, can be given as follows.
The shear center of section: S(Xs, Ys)
and y axes, respectively. The term w is the warping defor-
mation of any point on the middle line a distance s from
the edge o and the terms Iwx and Iwy are warping products
of inertia about x and y axes, respectively. Iwx and Iwy can
be obtained by performing the integration, some algebra
and noting that cosaij = (xj - xi) / Lij (refer to Figure 5).
The warping constant of section: Cw
(3)
where
(3.a)
(3.b)
(3.c)

(2)

(2.a)

where

(2.b)

The terms Ix and Iy are moments of inertia about the x Figure 3. Thin-walled open cross section.
 Numerical Approach for Torsion Properties of Built-Up Runway Girders 383

where Wn the normalized unit warping, ws the unit war- have Ixy = 0 and above equations of shear center can be
ping with respect to shear center, t the thickness of plate rewritten as follows.
element, rs the distance between the tangent and the
shear center, and A the area of section.
(6)
3. Numerical Formulas for Warping Constant
of WC/SC Section where

Because the WC/SC sections are made up of open (6.a)

thin-walled plate elements (Figure 4), the computation
of the torsional section properties can be greatly simpli-
fied by the fact that between points of intersection the
unit warping properties w, ws, and Wn vary linearly (Fig-
ure 5). The theoretical integration formulas based on
Galambos [5] can be written in terms of numerical ex-
pressions and are given as follows.
The centroid of section: C(Xc, Yc)
(4)
where xi and yi are the x-coordinate and y-coordinate of
plate element i, respectively, and Ai is the area of plate
element i.
The shear center of section: S(Xs, Ys)
(6.b)
(6.c)
The unit warping property w is the unit warping with
respect to the centroid. xi and xj are the x coordinates of
the ends of the element. yi and yj are the y coordinates of
the ends of the element. wi and wj are the corresponding
values of w at the ends of element. t the thickness of plate
element, rij the distance between the tangent of element
ij and the centroid and Lij the length of element ij.
The warping constant of section:
(7)

(5)
where

where Ixy is the product of inertia. Because the built-up

(7.a)
sections of WC/SC are singly symmetrical sections, we

Figure 5. Distribution of warping deformation w on a plate

Figure 4. WC section. element.
384 Wei T. Hsu et al.

Section properties of C15 33.9 based on the AISC de-

(7.b)
sign manual.
A = 9.96 in.2, d = 15.00 in., tw = 0.400 in., bf = 3.400 in.,
(7.c) tf = 0.650 in.

The unit warping properties ws and Wn are the unit
warping with respect to the shear center and the normal-
ized unit warping, respectively. ws the unit warping with
respect to shear center. wsi and wsj are the corresponding
values of ws at the ends of element, tij is the thickness of
plate element ij, rij the distance between the tangent of el-
ement ij and the centroid and Lij the length of element ij.
4. Numerical Steps for Calculation of
Warping Constant
The numerical steps for the calculation of WC/SC
warping constant is summarized as follows.
(1) The centroid of section: C(Xc, Yc)
(1) The centroid of section : C(Xc, Yc)
The coordinates and areas for each plate element (i)
of the WC section are summarized as given in Table 1.
Substitute these values (xi, yi, and Ai included in Table 1)
into the formula of centroid (Eq. 5) and the values of Xc
and Yc can be obtained. The coordinates for the centroid
(Xc, Yc)= (7.500 in., 21.146 in.) with respect to the lower
left corner, the origin of the coordinates as shown in
Figure 4.
(2) The shear center of section: S(Xs, Ys)
The terms Ix and Iy are moments of inertia about the x
and y axes, respectively. The Ix and Iy values of the built-
up section can be calculated by using the tabulated va-
lues given in the AISC design manual and be calculated
as below.

(4) Ix = Ix(w-shape) + Iy(channel) + Aw d12 + Ac d22 = 11372 in.4

Iy = Iy(w-shape) + Ix(channel) = 583 in.4

(2) The shear center of section: S(Xs, Ys) where Aw the area of w-shape, Ac the area of channel, d1
= the distance between the y coordinate of centroid of
built-up section and the centroid of w-shape section, d2
(6)
= the distance between the y coordinate of centroid of
built-up section and the y coordinate of centroid of
(3) The warping constant of section: Cw channel.
To obtain the warping product of inertia (Iwx), the
parameters including xi, xj, wi, wj, tij, and Lij are required
(7)
and are listed in Tables 2, 3, and 4. Substitute these

5. Illustrated Example Table 1. Coordinates and areas of plate elements

element no. (i) xi (in.) yi (in.) Ai (in.2)
Proceed the steps specified in the previous section to 01 04.506 00.470 5.628
evaluate the warping constant of a built-up section made 02 07.500 17.925 21.2310
of W36 150 and C15 33.9. The built-up section is di- 03 04.506 35.580 8.023
vided into eleven plate elements and their related joint 04 01.512 35.580 0.000
numbers are given as shown in Figure 4. 05 00.756 36.050 0.605
06 00.325 34.350 1.950
Solution: unit conversion 1 in. = 2.54 cm
07 10.494 00.470 5.628
Section properties of W36 150 based on the AISC de- 08 10.494 35.580 8.023
sign manual. 09 13.488 35.580 0.000
A = 44.2 in.2, d = 35.85 in., tw = 0.625 in., bf = 11.975 in., 10 14.244 36.050 0.605
tf = 0.940 in. 11 14.675 34.350 1.950
 Numerical Approach for Torsion Properties of Built-Up Runway Girders 385

Table 2. Joint coordinates, lengths, and thicknesses of plate element

element no. joint no. xi / xj (in.) yi / yj (in.) Lij (in.) tij (in.)
01 1(i) -5.988- -20.676- 05.988 0.940
2(j) 0.000 -20.676-
02 2(i) 0.000 -20.676- 35.110 0.625
3(j) 0.000 14.434
03 3(i) 0.000 14.434 05.988 1.340
4(j) -5.988- 14.434
04 4(i) -5.988- -14.434- 00.470 0.000
5(j) -5.988- 14.904
05 5(i) -5.988- 14.904 01.188 0.400
6(j) -7.175- 14.904
06 6(i) -7.175- 14.904 03.200 0.650
7(j) -7.175- 11.704
07 8(i) 5.988 -20.676- 05.988 0.940
2(j) 0.000 -20.676-
08 9(i) 5.988 14.434 05.988 1.340
3(j) 0.000 14.434
09 10(i) 5.988 14.904 00.470 0.000
9(j) 5.988 14.434
10 11(i) 7.175 14.904 01.188 0.400
10(j) 5.988 14.904
11 12(i) 7.175 11.704 03.200 0.650
11(j) 7.175 14.904

Table 3. Unit wrappings wi and wj

element no. rij (in.) Lij (in.) wij (in.2) joint no. wi (in.2) wj (in.2)
1(i) 0.000
01 20.676 5.988 123.800
2(j) 123.800
2(i) 123.800
02 0.000 35.1100 0.000
3(j) 123.800
3(i) 123.800
03 14.434 5.988 86.421
4(j) 210.221
4(i) 210.221
04 -5.988 0.470 -2.814
5(j) 207.407
5(i) 207.407
05 14.907 1.188 17.698
6(j) 225.105
6(i) 225.105
06 7.175 3.200 22.960
7(j) 248.065
8(i) 247.600
07 -20.676 5.988 -123.80
2(j) 123.800
9(i) 37.378
08 14.434 5.988 86.421
3(j) 123.800
10(i) 40.192
09 -5.988 0.470 -2.814
9(j) 037.378
11(i) 22.494
10 14.904 1.188 17.698
10(j) 040.192
12(i) -0.465
11 7.175 3.200 22.960
11(j) 022.494
386 Wei T. Hsu et al.

Table 4. Calculation for warping product of inertia (Iwx)

1 1
element no. wi xi wj xj tij Lij ( + ) wi xj wj xi ( + )
3 6
01 0 0 5.629 0 0 0-741.31 -695.47
02 0 0 21.9440 0 0 0 0
03 0 -1258.8 8.024 -3366.87 0-741.31 0 -991.38
04 -1258.8 -1241.9 0 0 -1258.80 -1241.95 0
05 -1241.9 -1615.1 0.475 0-452.36 -1488.15 -1347.93 -224.52
06 -1615.1 -1779.9 2.080 -2353.87 -1615.13 -1779.87 -1176.93-
07 -1482.6 0 5.629 -2781.85 0 -0741.31 -695.47
08 -0223.8 0 8.024 -0598.59 0 -0741.31 -991.38
09 -0240.6 -0223.8 0 0 -0240.67 -0233.82 0
10 -0161.4 -0240.6 0.475 -0063.65 -0134.70 -0288.38 -033.49
11 000-3.3 -0161.4 2.080 -0109.62 000-3.33 -0161.40 -054.80
S -2619.39 -1313.16-
Iwx = + = -3932.55 in.5

parameters (xi, xj, wi, wj, tij, and Lij) into the given for-
mulae (Equations 6, 6.a, 6.b, and 6.c) and the value of Iwx
can be obtained. The shear center of section is then deter-
mined by using Eq. (6) and
Ys = -Iwx / Iy = 3932.55 / 583.13 = 6.744 in.
Therefore, the shear center is S (Xs, Ys) = (0 in., 6.74 in.)
or S (Xs, Ys) = (7.50 in., 27.89 in.) with respect to left
lower corner as shown in Figure 4.
(3) The warping constant of section: (Cw)
The required parameters including wsi, wsj, Wni, Wnj,
tij, and Lij are listed in Tables 5, 6, 7, and 8. Substitute
these values (wsi, wsj, Wni, Wnj, tij, Lij and refer to Figure 4)

Table 5. Unit wrappings wsi and wsj

element no. rsij (in) Lij (in) rsij Lij (in2) joint i, j wsi wsj
1(i) 000.000
01 27.4200 5.988 164.179
2(j) 164.179
2(i) 164.179
02 0.000 35.1100 0.000
3(j) 164.179
3(i) 164.179
03 7.690 5.988 46.042
4(j) 210.221
4(i) 210.221
04 -5.988- 0.470 -2.814
5(j) 207.407
5(i) 207.407
05 8.160 1.188 9.690
6(j) 217.097
6(i) 217.097
06 7.175 3.200 22.960
7(j) 240.057
8(i) 328.357
07 -27.420-0 5.988 -164.179
2(j) 164.179
9(i) 118.136
08 7.690 5.988 46.042
3(j) 164.179
10(i) 120.950
09 -5.988- 0.470 -2.814
9(j) 118.136
11(i) 111.261
10 8.160 1.188 9.690
10(j) 120.950
12(i) 088.301
11 7.175 3.200 22.960
11(j) 111.261
 Numerical Approach for Torsion Properties of Built-Up Runway Girders 387

Table 6. Values of Wni + wsi or Wnj + wsj

element no. tij (in.) Lij (in.) joint i, j wsi wsj tij Lij A (in.2) (CV)i* (in.2)
1(i) 000.000
01 0.940 5.988 5.629 54.357 0924.164
2(j) 164.179
2(i) 164.179
02 0.625 35.1100 21.9440 54.357 7205.488
3(j) 164.179
3(i) 164.179
03 1.340 5.988 8.024 54.357 3004.185
4(j) 210.221
4(i) 210.221
04 0.000 0.470 0 54.357 0
5(j) 207.407
5(i) 207.407
05 0.400 1.188 0.475 54.357 0201.639
6(j) 217.097
6(i) 217.097
06 0.650 3.200 2.080 54.357 950.88
7(j) 240.057
8(i) 328.357
07 0.940 5.988 5.629 54.357 2772.485
2(j) 164.179
9(i) 118.136
08 1.340 5.988 8.024 54.357 2265.295
3(j) 164.179
10(i) 120.950
09 0.000 0.470 0 54.357 0
9(j) 118.136
11(i) 111.261
10 0.400 1.188 0.475 54.357 0110.300
10(j) 120.950
12(i) 088.301
11 0.650 3.200 2.080 54.357 0415.087
11(j) 111.261
S (CV)i 17849.52 in 2

(CV )i = Wni + wsi = Wnj + wsj (refer to Eqs. 7.a and 7.b) ;
n
1 1 n
CV =
2A 1
( wsi + wsj ) tij Lij = (CV )i = 164.179 in.2
2A 1

Table 7. Values of Wni and Wnj

element no. joint i, j wsi wsj CV (in.2) Wni Wnj
1(i) 000.000 -164.179
01 164.179
2(j) 164.179 0
2(i) 164.179 0
02 164.179
3(j) 164.179 0
3(i) 164.179 0
03 164.179
4(j) 210.221 -46.042
4(i) 210.221 0-46.042
04 164.179
5(j) 207.407 -43.228
5(i) 207.407 0-43.228
05 164.179
6(j) 217.097 -52.918
6(i) 217.097 0-52.918
06 164.179
7(j) 240.057 -75.878
8(i) 328.357 -164.179
07 164.179
2(j) 164.179 0
9(i) 118.136 -046.042
08 164.179
3(j) 164.179 0
10(i) 120.950 -043.228
09 164.179
9(j) 118.136 -46.045
11(i) 111.261 -052.918
10 164.179
10(j) 120.950 -43.228
12(i) 088.301 -075.878
11 164.179
11(j) 111.261 -52.918
388 Wei T. Hsu et al.

Table 8. Calculation for warping constant of built-up WC section

element no. tij Lij joint i, j Wni Wnj Wni2 Wni Wnj Wnj2 C(w)i
1(i) -164.179
01 5.629 26954.70 0 0 50576
2(j) 0
2(i) 0
02 21.9440 0 0 0 0
3(j) 0
3(i) 0
03 8.024 0 0 2119.9 5670
4(j) -46.042
4(i) 0-46.042
04 0 2119.9 1990.3 1868.7 0
5(j) -43.228
5(i) 0-43.228
05 0.475 1868.7 2287.5 2800.3 1101
6(j) -52.918
6(i) 0-52.918
06 2.080 2800.3 4015.3 5757.5 8717
7(j) -75.878
8(i) -164.179
07 5.629 26954.70 0 0 505760
2(j) 0
9(i) 0-46.042
08 8.024 2119.9 0 0 5670
3(j) 0
10(i) 0-43.228
09 0 1868.7 1990.4 2120.1 0
9(j) -46.045
11(i) 0-52.918
10 0.475 2800.3 2287.5 1868.7 1101
10(j) -43.228
12(i) 0-75.878
11 2.080 5757.5 4015.3 2800.3 8717
11(j) -52.918
Warping Constant (Cw) = 132128 in.6

into the formula of warping constant (Eqs. 7, 7.a, 7.b, Te = Ac / d c (8.b)

and 7.c) and
where Iyt the moment of inertia of top flange about
y-axis, Iyb the moment of inertia of bottom flange about
y-axis, D the depth of the beam, Te the effective thick-
ness of top flange, Tb the thickness of bottom flange, Ac
Therefore, the warping constant of the built-up sec-
the area of channel, and dc the depth of channel.
tion equal to 132128 in.6.
The Cw value for the Australian Built-up Section of
Crane Runway beam is calculated by using the above
6. Warping Constant of Australian Crane
formula (Equation 8) is given as follows.
Runway Girder
Iyt = S Ai xi2 + S Iyy
The following equation for warping constant is pro- = 2(15 1.6)(20.8)2 + 2 (1/12) 15 1.63
vided by the Australian Institute of Steel Construction + (1/12) 2 403 = 31.443 103 cm4
[7] for the calculation of rolled crane runway beam. (re-
fer to Figure 2) Iyb = 1.6 (30)3 / 12 = 3.6 103 cm4

Ac = 40 2 + 2 15 1.6 = 128 cm2

(8)

Te = Ac / dc = 128 / 43.2 = 2.96 cm

where
h = D - (Te + Tb) / 2 = 120 - (2.96 + 1.6) / 2
h = D - (Te + Tb) / 2 (8.a) = 117.72 cm
 Numerical Approach for Torsion Properties of Built-Up Runway Girders
Cw = (h2 Iyt Iyb) / (Iyt + Iyb) = (117.722 31.443
103 36.0 102) / (31.443 103 + 3.6 103)
= 44763672 cm6
The Cw value evaluated using the proposed steps speci-
fied in this study is equal to 132128 in.6 = 46366900
cm6. The difference is 3.45% and its calculation is gi-
ven by (44763672 - 46366900) / 46366900 = -3.45%.
It can be concluded that the accuracy of the evalu-
ated Cw is quite compatible. with the Australian rolled
section of crane runway girder.
7. Conclusion
This research summarizes the integration formulas
and the formulas in terms of numerical expressions for
crane runway girders made of WC or SC sections.
1. This research gives all warping constant values of
listed sections in the AISC design manuals (ASD and
LRFD). The warping constants evaluated using the pro-
posed steps in this study.
2. The accuracy of computer-assisted results is com-
pared with the Australian built-up section of crane
runway girder and the result is quite compatible.
3. This research provides a better evaluation for the WC
or SC sections when involve the warping constants of
section.
389
References
[1] AISC, Allowable Stress Design Manual of Steel Con-
struction, 9th Edition, American Institute of Steel Con-
struction, Chicago, Illinois (1989).
[2] AISC, Load and Resistance Factor Design Manual of
Steel Construction, 2nd Edition, American Institute
Steel Construction, Chicago, Illinois (1993).
[3] AISC, Load and Resistance Factor Design Specifica-
tion for Structural Steel Buildings, 3rd Edition, Ameri-
can Institute of Steel Construction, Inc., Chicago, Illi-
nois (1999).
[4] AISC, Design Specification for Structural Steel Build-
ings, 13th edition, American Institute of Steel Const-
ruction, Inc., Chicago, Illinois (2005).
[5] Galambos, T. V., Structural Members and Frames,
Prentice-Hall Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ, pp. 27-53
(1968).
[6] Heins, C. P., Bending and Torsional Design in Struc-
tural Members, D. C. Heath Co., pp. 5-80 (1969).
[7] AISC, Crane Runway Girders, Australian Institute of
Steel Construction, Milsons Point, NSW, Australia,
pp. 45-47 (1983).
Manuscript Received: Jul. 3, 2008
Accepted: Mar. 5, 2009