SERVICEABILITY REQUIREMENTS

AISC Chapter L

AISC provides limited guidance (see attached pages from the specification)

DEFLECTIONS

AISC Deflections... under appropriate service load combinations

shall not impair the serviceability of the structure

For beams:

)max = elastic deflection computed under service loads

)o = allowable deflection; depends on type of element supported by the
beam
= L/360 to L/400 are common values

Current practice:

camber beams for dead load deflections

check additional deflections due to live load only
 16.1163

CHAPTER L
DESIGN FOR SERVICEABILITY

This chapter addresses serviceability design requirements.

The chapter is organized as follows:

L1. General Provisions
L2. Camber
L3. Deflections
L4. Drift
L5. Vibration
L6. Wind-Induced Motion
L7. Expansion and Contraction
L8. Connection Slip

L1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Serviceability is a state in which the function of a building, its appearance, main-
tainability, durability and comfort of its occupants are preserved under normal usage.
Limiting values of structural behavior for serviceability (such as maximum deflec-
tions and accelerations) shall be chosen with due regard to the intended function of
the structure. Serviceability shall be evaluated using appropriate load combinations
for the serviceability limit states identified.

User Note: Serviceability limit states, service loads, and appropriate load combi-
nations for serviceability requirements can be found in ASCE/SEI 7, Appendix C
and Commentary to Appendix C. The performance requirements for serviceabil-
ity in this chapter are consistent with those requirements. Service loads, as
stipulated herein, are those that act on the structure at an arbitrary point in time
and are not usually taken as the nominal loads.

L2. CAMBER
Where camber is used to achieve proper position and location of the structure, the
magnitude, direction and location of camber shall be specified in the structural
drawings.

L3. DEFLECTIONS
Deflections in structural members and structural systems under appropriate service
load combinations shall not impair the serviceability of the structure.

Specification for Structural Steel Buildings, June 22, 2010

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION
16.1164 DEFLECTIONS [Sect. L3.

User Note: Conditions to be considered include levelness of floors, alignment of

structural members, integrity of building finishes, and other factors that affect the
normal usage and function of the structure. For composite members, the addi-
tional deflections due to the shrinkage and creep of the concrete should be
considered.

L4. DRIFT
Drift of a structure shall be evaluated under service loads to provide for serviceabil-
ity of the structure, including the integrity of interior partitions and exterior cladding.
Drift under strength load combinations shall not cause collision with adjacent struc-
tures or exceed the limiting values of such drifts that may be specified by the
applicable building code.

L5. VIBRATION
The effect of vibration on the comfort of the occupants and the function of the struc-
ture shall be considered. The sources of vibration to be considered include pedestrian
loading, vibrating machinery and others identified for the structure.

L6. WIND-INDUCED MOTION

The effect of wind-induced motion of buildings on the comfort of occupants shall be
considered.

L7. EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION

The effects of thermal expansion and contraction of a building shall be considered.
Damage to building cladding can cause water penetration and may lead to corrosion.

L8. CONNECTION SLIP

The effects of connection slip shall be included in the design where slip at bolted
connections may cause deformations that impair the serviceability of the structure.
Where appropriate, the connection shall be designed to preclude slip.

User Note: For the design of slip-critical connections, see Sections J3.8 and J3.9.
For more information on connection slip, refer to the RCSC Specification for
Structural Joints Using High-Strength Bolts.

Specification for Structural Steel Buildings, June 22, 2010

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION
 CAMBERING OF BEAMS
DEFINITION:

An upward deflection (usually provided during fabrication) to compensate for

part of the total downward deflection anticipated for the beam.

Camber in a beam can be designed to compensate for either:

A certain percentage of the dead load deflection

The full dead load deflection
The full dead load deflection as well as a percentage of the live load
deflection

In practice, camber is usually designed to compensate for the dead loads. In such
a case, the beam should approximately deflect to a straight line under dead loads.
NOTES:

Cold cambering is a common method used in the shop to camber

beams.

The amount of cambering will depend on the beam size and yield
strength. Common values are to 1-1/2 for spans up to about 40 ft.
Larger values may be difficult to achieve without damaging (local
buckling) the beam (consult with the fabricator).