NCCI: Determination of non-dimensional slenderness of I and H sections

SN002a-EN-EU

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NCCI: Determination of non-dimensional slenderness of I

and H sections

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This NCCI presents a method for determining the non-dimensional slenderness without
explicit determination of Mcr. The basic, conservative method can be refined to take
account of section geometry and bending moment distribution.

Contents
Simplified method

2.

Economy from more complexity

3.

Allowance for the effect of destabilizing loads

2
3
6

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1.

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Simplified method

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1.

16

NCCI: Determination of non-dimensional slenderness of I and H sections

SN002a-EN-EU

LT =

S 275

L iz
104

LT =

S 355

L iz
96

LT =

S420

L iz
85

LT =

L iz
78

LT =

L iz
75

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LT for different grades of steel

Table 1.1

S 460

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S 235

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For straight segments of hot-rolled doubly symmetric I and H sections with lateral restraints
to the compression flange at both ends of the segment considered and with no destabilizing
loads, the value of LT required by EN1993-1-1 6.3.2.2 or 6.3.2.3 may be conservatively
taken from Table 1.1.

i20

where

is the distance between points of restraint of the compression flange

iz

is the radius of gyration of the section about the minor axis.

i_r

am

at

NOTES

ha

Table 1.1 is derived from equation (1) taking C1 = 1,0, U = 0,9, V = 1,0 and

w = 1,0.

ns

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to

Improved economy can be gained by increasing the complexity of the slenderness calculation.
For beams designed as simply supported, there may be little gain, but for columns with
large moments, the gain may be significant.

ial
.

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ce

It is advisable to detail structures to avoid destabilising loading. This may be achieved by

detailing so that the load and the beam flange are not free to move laterally. For example,
where a floor acts as a horizontal diaphragm restraining the beam, the loading is not
destabilising.

at
er

For further information, see also:

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Economy from more

complexity

Non-uniform bending moment distribution reduces LT by

up to 40% where there is significant reversal of moment.
Section geometry reduces LT by up to 15%.
Lower yield strengths for thicker elements reduce LT by
up to 5%.

Allowance for the effects of

destabilising loads

Destabilising loads are rare but when they do exist the

bending resistance is reduced. Destabilising loads need to
be taken into account in design.

Background Theory

Derivation of above simplified equations

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Economy from more complexity

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2.

16

NCCI: Determination of non-dimensional slenderness of I and H sections

SN002a-EN-EU

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A less conservative value of LT may be obtained by taking account of bending moment

diagram, section geometry and lower yield strengths.

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There is little economy to be gained for simply supported beams by use of

1
, but in
C1

columns with negative values of (see Table 2.1) and large bending moments, the economy
may be significant.

am

1
UV z w =
UV z w
1
C1
C1

(1)

i_r

LT

i20

04

When the loading is not destabilising, LT is given by

ya

NOTE: For beams in simple construction (designed as Simple Supported beams), see
EN1993-1-8 5.1.1(2).

at

where
C1

is a parameter dependent on the shape of the bending moment diagram. Values of

to

ha

1
for some bending moment diagrams are given in Table 2.1 and Table 2.2.
C1

ed

Values for other bending moment diagrams can be obtained from [SN003].

ns

Conservatively, C1 = 1,0 (this value has been used in the simplified method above).
U

Wpl,y g
A

Iz
Iw

ial
.

U=

Li
ce

is a parameter dependent on the section geometry and is given by:

at
er

In which g allows for the curvature of the beam if it has zero vertical deflection

ed

I
before it is loaded and is given by g = 1 z or, conservatively, g = 1,0
Iy

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Conservatively, U = 0,9 (this value has been used in the simplified method above).

is a parameter related to the slenderness. Where the loading is not destabilising, it

may be taken as:
either, conservatively, = 1,0 for all sections symmetric about the major axis,
or as V =

1
1 z
4 1+

20 h tf

for doubly symmetric hot rolled I and H sections

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NCCI: Determination of non-dimensional slenderness of I and H sections

SN002a-EN-EU

1+
4

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(z )2
2E A Iw
G It Iz

11

(z )2
+
2E A Iw

G It Iz

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4 k w

If k = kw, then V =

on

V=

/2 0

The exact definition of V, where the loading is not destabilising, is:

kL
,in which
iz

is the distance between points of restraint to the compression flange

is the effective length parameter and should be taken as 1,0 unless it can be
demonstrated otherwise

04

Wpl, y

is the modulus used to calculate Mb,Rd

i_r

For Class 1 and 2 sections Wy = Wpl,y

Wy = Wel,y

ha

E
in which fy is the yield strength appropriate to the thickness of the steel.
fy

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at

For Class 3 sections

i20

Wy

Wy

am

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1,00

+0,75

0,94

+0,50

0,87

+0,25

0,81

0,00

0,75

-0,25

0,70

-0,50

0,66

-0,75

0,62

-1,00

0,63

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+1,00

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on

1
C1

/2 0

1
for end moment loading, to be used with k=1,0
C1

Values of

11

Table 2.1

16

NCCI: Determination of non-dimensional slenderness of I and H sections

SN002a-EN-EU

1
for cases with transverse loading, to be used with k=1,0
C1

ns

Values of

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Table 2.2

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-1 +1

Bending moment diagram

1
C1

0,94

0,62

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Loading and support

conditions

0.86

0,77

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NCCI: Determination of non-dimensional slenderness of I and H sections

SN002a-EN-EU

Allowance for the effect of destabilizing loads

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3.

Beams with destabilizing loads

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3.1

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The effect of a destabilising load may be taken into account by increasing the value of the
non-dimensional slenderness.

ya

A beam with the load acting at a distance above the shear centre of the section is shown in
Figure 3.1b. If both the load and the beam are free to move laterally, such a load is described
as a destabilising load. The destabilising effect arises because when the beam buckles,
deflecting laterally and twisting, the line of action of the load remains vertical but moves
relative to the shear centre of the section. The load therefore applies an additional torque,

i20

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to

b) Load acting at top flange

(destabilising load)

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ns

a) Load acting through

shear centre

Figure 3.1

An example of a destabilising load

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increasing the effect of lateral torsional buckling.

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Slenderness with destabilising loads

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3.2

16

NCCI: Determination of non-dimensional slenderness of I and H sections

SN002a-EN-EU

1
UVD z w
C1

w =

11

UVD z
1
C1

1
2

)2

0, 25

ya

(z )2 + C z
+
2 g
2E A Iw

G It Iz

Iz
Iw

k
k w

04

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where
V

(2)

on

LT

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Where the loading is destabilising, LT is given by

i_r

at

am

i20

For doubly symmetric hot rolled I and H sections, V may be taken conservatively as:
1
=
V
2
I
1 z
4 1+

+ C 2 z g 2 z
Iw
20 h t f
is a parameter dependent on the shape of the bending moment diagram. Values of C2
are given in SN003.

zg

is the height of the destabilising load above the shear centre

0,5

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Iz
1 V 2 C 2 z g

Iw

ed

ns

to

ha

C2

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NCCI: Determination of non-dimensional slenderness of I and H sections

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Annex A Background Theory

on

11

The theoretical consistency between the simplified method and the explicit method using Mcr
for calculating values of LT is demonstrated below.

kw

I w (kL )2 GI t

+ 2
+ (C2 z g ) C2 z g
EI z

Iz

ya

2 EI z
M cr = C1
(kL)2 g

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The elastic critical buckling moment may be written:

where g is the correction factor for the increase in critical buckling moment caused by

am

i20

04

I
increased curvature, which may be taken as g = 1 z , or conservatively as g =1,0.
Iy

Wy f y
M cr

ha

I w (kL )2 GI t

+ 2
+ C2 zg
EI z
Iz
2

to

kw

ed

2 EI z
C1
(kL )2 g

Wy f y

ns

at

i_r

EN 1993-1-1 defines the non-dimensional slenderness as LT =

at
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ial
.

Li
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1 W y g (kL )2 1
=
C1 A I z 2 E

A fy Iw

Iz

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1 W y g (kL )2 1
=
C1 A (iz )2 2 E
fy

defining 1 =

k w

C2 zg

(kL )2 GI t I z + C z
+
2 g
I z A 2 E I w

A
2

)2

1
1
Iw
2
k (kL )2 G I t I z
+
+ C2 zg
I z
2 2 AI
k

E
(
)
i
w
w

Iz
C2 zg
Iw

I z
I
C2 zg z
Iw
Iw

kL
E
and z =
iz
fy

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( z ) + C z
+
2 g
2
E A Iw

G It Iz

)2 II z

I z ( z )2
1
2
I w ( 1 ) 1
Iz

V 2 C2 zg I
w

am

Iz
Iw

ed

to

Wpl, y

Wpl, y g

at

and U =

ha

Wy

ya

at
er

1 V 2C 2 z g I z

Iw

ed

defining D =

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.

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ns

2
V2
1
2 ( z )
WU
=
C1
(1 )2 1 V 2C z I z
2 g

Iw

ht

( )2
1
WU 2 z 2 V 2 D 2
C1
(1 )

yr
ig

LT =

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p

C2 zg

04

(z )2 + C z
+
2 g
2E A Iw

G It Iz

1 Wy Wpl, y g
C1 Wpl.y A

defining w =

LT =

)2 II z

Iz

Iw

i20

kw

LT

11

kw

defining V =

LT =

on

Iz
(z )2 1 2
Iw
(1 )

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1 Wy g
C1 A

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NCCI: Determination of non-dimensional slenderness of I and H sections

SN002a-EN-EU

UVD z
1
C1

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NCCI: Determination of non-dimensional slenderness of I and H sections

SN002a-EN-EU

(z )2
2E A Iw
G It Iz

1+
4

(z )2
2E A Iw
G It Iz

04

i20

h
For hot-rolled I-sections,
20
G It Iz
tf

2E A Iw

ya

1+

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m

V=

on

11

V may be simplified as follows. Where k = kw and the load is applied through the shear centre
of the section, V reduces to

i_r

am

Therefore, for hot-rolled I-sections, and where the loads are not destabilising, V may be
taken as:

ha

1 z

20 h tf

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to

4 1+

at

V=

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NCCI: Determination of non-dimensional slenderness of I and H sections

SN002a-EN-EU

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Quality Record
RESOURCE TITLE

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NCCI: Determination of non-dimensional slenderness of I and H

sections

on

Reference(s)

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENT
Company

Created by

James Lim

The Steel Construction

Institute

Technical content checked by

Charles King

The Steel Construction

Institute

Editorial content checked by

D C Iles

SCI

1. UK

G W Owens

2. France

A Bureau

3. Sweden

A Olsson

4. Germany

C Mueller

5. Spain

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Technical content endorsed by the

following STEEL Partners:

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1/3/05

G W Owens

SCI

21/04/06

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Resource approved by Technical

Coordinator
TRANSLATED DOCUMENT

Date

04

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Name

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This Translation made and checked by:

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Translated resource approved by:

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