A Simply supported beam with a concentrated load at mid-span:

Loading Stages

L/2

L
PL/4

MOMENT Fb < Fy

1
Elastic

Fb = Fy

Elastic

Fb = Fy

3
Elastoplastic

Fb = Fy
4

Plastic
Plastic hinge

Dr. M.E. Haque, P.E. (LRFD: Bending Members) Page 1 of 12

 1 Bending Stress and Stain: ELASTIC

Strain < Yield Strain Є < Єy

NA

Stress < Yield Stress

fb < Fy fb = (M c) / I = M/S

fy fy = (M y) / I
y

Dr. M.E. Haque, P.E. (LRFD: Bending Members) Page 2 of 12

 2 Bending Stress and Stain: YIELD

Strain = Yield Strain Є = Єy

NA

Stress = Yield Stress

fb = Fy fb = (M c) / I = M/S

fy fy = (M y) / I
y

Dr. M.E. Haque, P.E. (LRFD: Bending Members) Page 3 of 12

3
Bending Stress and Stain: Elasto-Plastic
(Partially Plastic)

Strain > Yield Strain Є > Єy

NA

Stress = Yield Stress

fb = Fy

Dr. M.E. Haque, P.E. (LRFD: Bending Members) Page 4 of 12

4
Bending Stress and Stain: Plastic
(Fully Plastic)

Strain > Yield Strain Є > Єy

NA

Stress = Yield Stress

fb = Fy

Plastic N.A.

Plastic Moment: Mp = Fy Z
Where
Z = Plastic Section Modulus

Dr. M.E. Haque, P.E. (LRFD: Bending Members) Page 5 of 12

 Fb = Fy
4 C=Ac Fy

a
Plastic hinge T=At Fy

Plastic Stage
Plastic N.A.

From equilibrium of forces:

C=T
Ac Fy = At Fy
Ac = At

Plastic Moment,
Mp = Fy (Ac) a = Fy (At) a = Fy (A/2) a = Fy Z
Where
A = Total Area; Ac = Compression Area; At = Tension Area
a = distance between the centroids of the two half-areas
Z = (A/2) a = Plastic section modulus

EXAMPLE 1:

Compute the plastic moment, Mp for a W16 X 57 of A992 Steel.

Solution:
From AISC Table, for W16 X 57,

A= 16.8 in2; Zx = 105 in3

For A992 Steel, Fy = 50 ksi

Mp = Fy Z = (50)(105) = 5250 k-in = 5250/12=437.5 k-ft.

Dr. M.E. Haque, P.E. (LRFD: Bending Members) Page 6 of 12

 AISC Classification of Shapes as (1) Compact (2) Non-compact, and (3)
Slender depending on width to thickness ratios.
(See AISC Table B 4.1)

Flange Criterion:

If the flange is continuously connected to the web, and

bf E
0.38
2 tf Fy
the shape is COMPACT

The shape is NONCOMPACT

E bf E
0.38 1.0
Fy 2 tf Fy

The shape is SLENDER

bf 1.0
E

2 tf Fy

Dr. M.E. Haque, P.E. (LRFD: Bending Members) Page 7 of 12

 Web Criterion:

The shape is COMPACT

h E
3.76
tw Fy

The shape is NONCOMPACT

E h E
3.76 5.70
Fy tw Fy

The shape is SLENDER

h 5.70
E

tw Fy

NOTES:

The web criterion is met by all standard I- and C- shapes listed in the
AISC Manual, so only flange criterion needs to be checked.

Dr. M.E. Haque, P.E. (LRFD: Bending Members) Page 8 of 12

EXAMPLE 2: Check compactness for W16 X 57 A992 Steel.

A 992 Steel, Fy = 50 ksi

AISC Table W16 X 57

bf /(2tf) = 4.98;

0.38 √(29000/50) = 9.15 > 4.98, Hence, the flange is COMPACT

h/tw = d/tw = 33.0; 3.76 √(29000/50) = 90.55 > 33.0, Hence, considering web,
section is COMPACT [NOTE for all shapes in the AISC Manual, section is
compact considering web.

Therefore, W16 X 57 is COMPACT.

Dr. M.E. Haque, P.E. (LRFD: Bending Members) Page 9 of 12

 LRFD: Bending Member

Mu ≤ φ Mn
Where
Φ = Resistance factor = 0.90 (LRFD)
Mu = Factored Moment
φ Mn = Design Moment Strength

LATERALLY SUPPORTED COMPACT

BEAMS

Mn = Mp
Where
Mp = Fy Z <= 1.5 My

The limit of 1.5 My is to prevent excessive

working load deformations, and is satisfied when
Fy Z <= 1.5 Fy S

or Z/S <=1.5

NOTE:
For C-, I and H shapes bent about the strong axis (x-x), Z/S
will always be <= 1.5.
For I and H shapes bent about the weak axis (y-y), Z/S will
never be <= 1.5.

Dr. M.E. Haque, P.E. (LRFD: Bending Members) Page 10 of 12

EXAMPLE 3: The beam shown in figure is a W16 X 57 of A992 steel. It supports
a reinforced concrete slab that provides a continuous lateral support of the
compression flange. Is the beam adequate?

Service DL= 450 lb/ft

LL = 550 lb/ft

30 ft

SOLUTION:

Wu = 1.2(0.45 + 0.057) + 1.6(0.55) = 1.4884 k/ft

Mu = wu L2/8 1.4884 (30)2 / 8 = 167.445 k-ft.

Check compactness for W16 X 57 A992 Steel.

A 992 Steel, Fy = 50 ksi

AISC Table W16 X 57

bf /(2tf) = 4.98;

0.38 SQRT( 29000/50) = 9.15 > 4.98 Hence, the flange is COMPACT

h/tw = d/tw = 33.0; 3.76 SQRT(29000/50) = 90.55 > 33.0, Hence, considering
web, section is COMPACT [NOTE for all shapes in the AISC Manual, section is
compact considering web.

Therefore, W16 X 57 is COMPACT.

Because the beam is compact and laterally supported,

Mn = Mp = FyZx = 50(105) = 5250 k-in/12 = 437.5 k-ft.

Check for Mp <= My

Zx /Sx = 105/92.2 = 1.1388 < 1.5 OK

Φ Mn = 0.9 (437.5 ) = 393.75 k-ft > 167.445 k-ft OK

The design moment is greater than the factored load moment. So W16 X 57 IS
ADEQUATE

Dr. M.E. Haque, P.E. (LRFD: Bending Members) Page 11 of 12

 EXAMPLE 4: Select the least-weight wide-flange A992 steel beam section. It
supports a reinforced concrete slab that provides a continuous lateral support of
the compression flange.
Service DL= 450 lb/ft
LL = 550 lb/ft

30 ft

SOLUTION:

Since, at this point beam W section’s weight is unknown, calculate Mu without the
beam self weight

Wu = 1.2(0.45) + 1.6(0.55) = 1.42 k/ft

Mu = wu L2/8 = 1.42 (30)2 / 8 = 159.75 k-ft.

Mn = Mp = Fy Z

φMn = φ Fy Z

Considering Mu

Z req = Mu /( φ Fy) = 159.75 (k-ft) X12/ (0.9 x 50) = 42.6 in3

From AISC Table, W 12 X 30, Zx= 43.1

Check: φMn = φ Fy Z = 0.9(50)(43.1) = 1939.5 k-in = 161.625 k-ft

Wu = 1.42 + 1.2(0.03)= 1.456 k/ft

Mu = 1.456 (30)2 /8 = 163.8 k-ft > 161.625 NG

Select W12 X 35, Zx=51.2

Check: φMn = φ Fy Z = 0.9(50)(51.2) = 2304 k-in = 192 k-ft

Wu = 1.42 + 1.2(0.035)= 1.462 k/ft

Mu = 1.462 (30)2 /8 = 164.475 k-ft < 192 OK

ANSWER: W 12 X 35

Dr. M.E. Haque, P.E. (LRFD: Bending Members) Page 12 of 12