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Omega-2 Factor for Laterally Unsupported Beam Design in STAAD Dongxiao Wu P. Eng.

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1.0 Introduction

2
factor in CSA S16-09 or C
b
factor in AISC is the bending coefficient to account for the non-uniform moment distribution
along the beam unsupported length. The elastic LTB capacity M
u
is derived based on the assumption that the moment is
constant over the full unbraced length without moment gradient (
2
=1.0) , which is the worst case. In the reality beam
moment distribution is mainly in gradient format and it will be beneficial to calculate the
2
value to get a larger M
u
and
unsupported beam flexural resistance M
r
. With the aide of computer program like STAAD it is possible to calculate each
beams
2
factor under many different load cases programmatically and easily.



Figure 1. CSA S16-09 Clause 13.6
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2.0 How STAAD Works Out
2
Factor

In STAAD set the design parameter CB=0 to direct STAAD to calculate
2
programmatically. If CB value is not defined,

2
=1.0 will be used for code check, which is over conservative for most cases.



Below are some examples to verify STAADs calculation of
2
factor.
To calculate of
2
factor manually

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Omega-2 Factor for Laterally Unsupported Beam Design in STAAD Dongxiao Wu P. Eng.

2012-03-23 Rev 0.0 Page 3 of 7


Where

< 0 > 0



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Exampl-01.std
Point load at the center of beam
Single curvature = -7.5 / 7.5 = -1.0

2
=1.75 -1.05 + 0.3 = 1.0



STAAD Output


Exampl-02.std
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Omega-2 Factor for Laterally Unsupported Beam Design in STAAD Dongxiao Wu P. Eng.

2012-03-23 Rev 0.0 Page 4 of 7

Point load at 2m off center of beam
Single curvature = -1.39 / 6.94 = -0.20

2
=1.75 -1.05x0.20 + 0.3x0.20
2
= 1.552







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STAAD Output


3.0 STAAD May Use Inaccurate
2
Factor and Yield Unsafe Code Check Result

STAAD calculated
2
value may not be correct if there is intermediate brace point and the beam is not broken at brace point.
Take a look at Example-03.std

Exampl-03.std
Point load at 2m off center of beam and this point load location is laterally braced.
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Segment AB
Single curvature = -14.06 / 16.87 = -0.833

2
=1.75 -1.05x0.833 + 0.3x0.833
2
= 1.084


Segment BC
Double curvature = 14.06 / 50.0 = 0.281

2
=1.75 +1.05x0.281 + 0.3x0.281
2
= 2.07

STAAD only considers segment AC, without knowing the brace point B, even though you define the UNT=UNB=5.0,
calculates
2
value using both end moment and output
2
=2.14, which is larger than the two segment AB
2
=1.08, and BC

2
=2.07.
The beam utilization ratio = 0.447
Double curvature = 16.87 / 50.0 = 0.337

2
=1.75 +1.05x0.337 + 0.3x0.337
2
= 2.14



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Omega-2 Factor for Laterally Unsupported Beam Design in STAAD Dongxiao Wu P. Eng.

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Exampl-04.std

In this example everything is the same as Example-03.std, except that we break the node at brace point.
We get STAAD output
2
= 1.08 (segment AB) and
2
= 2.07 (segment BC), respectively, which is the same as what we
calculate manually in Example-03.std.
The beam utilization ratio = 0.452


Compare Example-03 and Example-04, we find that to set Cb=0 and force STAAD to calculate
2
may yield unsafe code
check result, for cases such as when there are intermediate brace points.

4.0 Some Notes on
2
Factor
1. When bending moment at any point within the unbraced segment is greater than the larger end moment at the ends of
the segment, for example, both ends are pinned and have 0 moment,
2
=1.0
2. For cantilever or overhang where the free end is unbraced,
2
shall be taken as 1.0.
3. In STAAD to set Cb=0 and force STAAD to calculate
2
may yield unsafe code check result, for cases such as when
there are intermediate brace points.
4. In all situations it is conservative to use
2
=1.0
5.
2
is always greater than or equal to 1.0
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