Activity 3.2.

6 Beam Design
Introduction
Beam design is based on four important considerations: bending moment, shear,
deflection, and cost. Once the design loads have been determined and the beam
has been analyzed to determine the resulting internal shear forces and bending
moments imposed, a structural engineer can select a cost-effective beam design
that will provide sufficient shear and bending strength and adequate stiffness to limit
deflection to acceptable limits.

Beam design methods are dictated by building codes and standards and require the
inclusion of a factor of safety. Therefore, the beam design selected must possess
more strength than required to resist the imposed loads.

In this activity you will design floor framing (beams and girders) for a hotel.

Equipment
Pencil
Calculator
Computer with Internet access
Website: http://www.structural-drafting-net-expert.com/
Activity 3.2.4 Beam Analysis Short Cuts (completed)
MD Solids software

Procedure
The Partial Second Floor Framing Plan for a new hotel is given below. The second
floor will be used for conference space. Design the following floor framing members
for the hotel structure.
Interior beam
Exterior beam
Girder on column line 3
Girder on column line 5

2010 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Civil Engineering and Architecture Activity 3.2.6 Beam DesignPage 1
Criteria
The following data is to be used for design of the floor framing:
Dead load = 50 psf
Assume the weight of the floor beams and girders are included in the dead
load
Floor live load = 100 psf (HotelsPublic space per IBC table 1607.1)
Fy = 50,000 psi
The floor will support a plaster ceiling
Note: E = 29,000,000 psi for structural steel

1. Complete the following for each beam and girder using the Allowable
Strength Design method. You must show all work and include proper units for full
credit.
Calculate the loading
Create a beam diagram
Calculate end reactions
Calculate the maximum moment
Calculate the required nominal moment
Calculate required plastic section modulus
Choose an efficient steel wide flange to safely carry
the load
Check shear capacity
Calculate deflection limits
Check deflection using beam formula; if necessary,
revise member choice and recalculate deflection
Choose final design; prove that the revised choice is
sufficient to carry bending moment and shear

2010 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Civil Engineering and Architecture Activity 3.2.6 Beam DesignPage 2
 2. Check calculations for each beam and girder using MD Solids. Print out
the following:
Shear and moment diagrams
Slope and deflection (in inches) diagrams

Note: Be sure to choose your final beam designation in MD Solids before

producing slope and deflection diagrams since these values are dependent upon
the section properties of the beam. Use inches for the units on the deflection
diagram.

Conclusions Questions
1. If the beam loading and beam span is different for every beam in a
building, is it reasonable and practical to choose a different beam section for
every installation? Why or why not?

2. Aside from simply pushing the wrong keys on your calculator, what is the
most likely reason for an error in calculating a required section modulus or a
deflection?

3. Which structural steel section would carry the largest bending moment, a
W12 x 22 or a W14 x 22? Why? If subjected to the same magnitude of loading
over the same span, which beam would display the largest deflection? Why?

2010 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Civil Engineering and Architecture Activity 3.2.6 Beam DesignPage 3
Interior Beam

1. Include the loading and beam diagrams.

2010 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Civil Engineering and Architecture Activity 3.2.6 Beam DesignPage 4
2. Calculate the end reaction and maximum moment.
1.) Simple Beam Concentrated Load at Center
a.) Reaction: 50 Ibs
b.) Moment: 450 ftIbs
2.) Simple Beam Uniformly Distributed Load

2010 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Civil Engineering and Architecture Activity 3.2.6 Beam DesignPage 5
 a.) Reaction: 1350 Ibs
b.) Moment: 24300 ftIbs
3.) Simple Beam Uniformly Distributed Load and
Concentrated Load at Mid-Span
a.) Reaction: 1400 Ibs
b.) Moment: 24750 ftIbs
4.) Simple Beam Two Equal Concentrated Loads
Symmetrically Placed
a.) Reaction: 100 Ibs
b.) Moment: 450 ftIbs
5.) Simple Beam Two Equal Concentrated Loads
Symmetrically Placed and Uniformly Distributed Load
a.) Reaction
i.) a.) 75 Ibs
ii.) b.) 25 Ibs
b.) Moment: 450 ftIbs
6.) Simple Beam Concentrated Loads Asymmetrically Placed
a.) Reaction
i.) a.) 75 Ibs
ii.) b.) 25 Ibs
b.) Moment: 337.5 ftIbs

3. Calculate the required nominal moment.

1.) Moment: 450 ftIbs
2.) Moment: 24300 ftIbs
3.) Moment: 24750 ftIbs
4.) Moment: 450 ftIbs
5.) Moment: 450 ftIbs
6.) Moment: 337.5 ftIbs

4. Determine the required plastic section modulus and select an efficient

wide flange.
I dont understand this. but here is my best guess. We do not have enough information
to calculate the plastic modulus.

2010 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Civil Engineering and Architecture Activity 3.2.6 Beam DesignPage 6
w24x335. Flange: 13.52x13.5 inches (width) and 2.48x2.5 (thickness).
5. Check the shear strength.
We do not know how thick the beam is so we can not calculte the area needed to
calculate the shear strength. But the force is 150Ibs, and the length is 18ft.
6. Calculate deflection limits.
We are not given what I is, so I am using 1.44 from memory.
1.) 2.91x10^-4 psi
2.) .0049 psi
3.) .0052 psi
4.) 4.0005x10^-4 psi
5.) .00547 psi
6.) .00547 psi
7. Calculate actual deflections.
No new deflection formulas except for #5 and #6
7.) 1.) 2.91x10^-4 psi
8.) 2.) .0049 psi
9.) 3.) .0052 psi
10.) 4.) 4.0005x10^-4 psi
11.) 5.) 6.874 psi
12.) 6.) 6.874 psi

8. Select a final design.

2010 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Civil Engineering and Architecture Activity 3.2.6 Beam DesignPage 7
Exterior Beam
The dimensions are the same, so the calculations will be the same.
9. Include the loading and beam diagrams.

2010 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Civil Engineering and Architecture Activity 3.2.6 Beam DesignPage 8
 2010 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Civil Engineering and Architecture Activity 3.2.6 Beam DesignPage 9
10. Calculate the end reaction and maximum moment.
7.) Simple Beam Concentrated Load at Center
a.) Reaction: 50 Ibs
b.) Moment: 450 ftIbs
8.) Simple Beam Uniformly Distributed Load
a.) Reaction: 1350 Ibs
b.) Moment: 24300 ftIbs
9.) Simple Beam Uniformly Distributed Load and
Concentrated Load at Mid-Span
a.) Reaction: 1400 Ibs
b.) Moment: 24750 ftIbs
10.) Simple Beam Two Equal Concentrated Loads
Symmetrically Placed
a.) Reaction: 100 Ibs
b.) Moment: 450 ftIbs
11.) Simple Beam Two Equal Concentrated Loads
Symmetrically Placed and Uniformly Distributed Load
a.) Reaction
i.) a.) 75 Ibs
ii.) b.) 25 Ibs
b.) Moment: 450 ftIbs
12.) Simple Beam Concentrated Loads Asymmetrically
Placed
a.) Reaction
i.) a.) 75 Ibs
ii.) b.) 25 Ibs
b.) Moment: 337.5 ftIbs

11. Calculate the required nominal moment.

7.) Moment: 450 ftIbs
8.) Moment: 24300 ftIbs
9.) Moment: 24750 ftIbs

2010 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Civil Engineering and Architecture Activity 3.2.6 Beam DesignPage 10
 10.) Moment: 450 ftIbs
11.) Moment: 450 ftIbs
12.) Moment: 337.5 ftIbs

12. Determine the required plastic section modulus and select an efficient
wide flange.
I dont understand this. but here is my best guess. We do not have enough information
to calculate the plastic modulus.

w24x334. Flange: 13.52x13.5 inches (width) and 2.48x2.5 (thickness).

13. Check the shear strength.
We do not know how thick the beam is so we can not calculte the area needed to
calculate the shear strength. But the force is 150Ibs, and the length is 18ft.
14. Calculate deflection limits.
We are not given what I is, so I am using 1.44 from memory.
13.) 2.91x10^-4 psi
14.) .0049 psi
15.) .0052 psi
16.) 4.0005x10^-4 psi
17.) .00547 psi
18.) .00547 psi
15. Calculate actual deflections.
No new deflection formulas except for #5 and #6
19.) 1.) 2.91x10^-4 psi
20.) 2.) .0049 psi
21.) 3.) .0052 psi

2010 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Civil Engineering and Architecture Activity 3.2.6 Beam DesignPage 11
 22.) 4.) 4.0005x10^-4 psi
23.) 5.) 6.874 psi
24.) 6.) 6.874 psi

16. Select a final design.

1.

Girder on Column Line 3

1. Include the loading and beam diagrams.

2010 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Civil Engineering and Architecture Activity 3.2.6 Beam DesignPage 12
 2010 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Civil Engineering and Architecture Activity 3.2.6 Beam DesignPage 13
2. Calculate the end reaction and maximum moment.
Simple Beam Concentrated Load at Center
c.) Reaction: 50 Ibs
d.) Moment: 166.67 ftIbs
13.) Simple Beam Uniformly Distributed Load
a.) Reaction: 500 Ibs
b.) Moment: 833.33 ftIbs
14.) Simple Beam Uniformly Distributed Load and
Concentrated Load at Mid-Span
a.) Reaction: 550 Ibs
b.) Moment: 1000 ftIbs
15.) Simple Beam Two Equal Concentrated Loads
Symmetrically Placed
a.) Reaction: 100 Ibs
b.) Moment: 166.67 ftIbs
16.) Simple Beam Two Equal Concentrated Loads
Symmetrically Placed and Uniformly Distributed Load
a.) Reaction

2010 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Civil Engineering and Architecture Activity 3.2.6 Beam DesignPage 14
 i.) a.) 75 Ibs
ii.) b.) 25 Ibs
b.) Moment: 125 ftIbs
17.) Simple Beam Concentrated Loads Asymmetrically
Placed
a.) Reaction
i.) a.) 75 Ibs
ii.) b.) 25 Ibs
b.) Moment: 125 ftIbs
3. Calculate the required nominal moment.
1.) 166.67 ftIbs
2.) 833.33 ftIbs
3.) 1000 ftIbs
4.) 166.67 ftIbs
5.) 125 ftIbs
6.) 125 ftIbs
4. Determine the required plastic section modulus and select an efficient
wide flange.
Again we do not have enough information to calculate the section modulus. But here is
my best geus.

W8x10: Flange: 3.94x4 (width) .205x(3/16) thickness.

5. Check the shear strength.
We do not know the width or depth and therefore cannot calculate the area needed to
calculate the shear strength.
6. Calculate deflection limits.
1.) 1.478x10^-5 psi
2.) 9.239x10^-5 psi
3.) 1.072x10^-4 psi
4.) 2.032x10^-5 psi
5.) 1.692x10^-4 psi
6.) 1.692x10^-4 psi

2010 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Civil Engineering and Architecture Activity 3.2.6 Beam DesignPage 15
 7. Calculate actual deflections.
Please note that there are no new deflection formulas except for #5 and #6
7.) 1.478x10^-5 psi
8.) 9.239x10^-5 psi
9.) 1.072x10^-4 psi
10.) 2.032x10^-5 psi
11.) 2.546 psi
12.) 2.546 psi
8. Select a final design.

Girder on Column Line 5

1. Include the loading and beam diagrams.

2010 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Civil Engineering and Architecture Activity 3.2.6 Beam DesignPage 16
 2010 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Civil Engineering and Architecture Activity 3.2.6 Beam DesignPage 17
9. Calculate the end reaction and maximum moment.
Simple Beam Concentrated Load at Center
c.) Reaction: 50 Ibs
d.) Moment: 166.67 ftIbs
18.) Simple Beam Uniformly Distributed Load
a.) Reaction: 500 Ibs
b.) Moment: 833.33 ftIbs
19.) Simple Beam Uniformly Distributed Load and
Concentrated Load at Mid-Span
a.) Reaction: 550 Ibs
b.) Moment: 1000 ftIbs
20.) Simple Beam Two Equal Concentrated Loads
Symmetrically Placed
a.) Reaction: 100 Ibs
b.) Moment: 166.67 ftIbs
21.) Simple Beam Two Equal Concentrated Loads
Symmetrically Placed and Uniformly Distributed Load
a.) Reaction

2010 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Civil Engineering and Architecture Activity 3.2.6 Beam DesignPage 18
 i.) a.) 75 Ibs
ii.) b.) 25 Ibs
b.) Moment: 125 ftIbs
22.) Simple Beam Concentrated Loads Asymmetrically
Placed
a.) Reaction
i.) a.) 75 Ibs
ii.) b.) 25 Ibs
b.) Moment: 125 ftIbs
10. Calculate the required nominal moment.
7.) 166.67 ftIbs
8.) 833.33 ftIbs
9.) 1000 ftIbs
10.) 166.67 ftIbs
11.) 125 ftIbs
12.) 125 ftIbs
11. Determine the required plastic section modulus and select an efficient
wide flange.
Again we do not have enough information to calculate the section modulus. But here is
my best geus.

W8x10: Flange: 3.94x4 (width) .205x(3/16) thickness.

12. Check the shear strength.
We do not know the width or depth and therefore cannot calculate the area needed to
calculate the shear strength.
13. Calculate deflection limits.
13.) 1.478x10^-5 psi
14.) 9.239x10^-5 psi
15.) 1.072x10^-4 psi
16.) 2.032x10^-5 psi
17.) 1.692x10^-4 psi
18.) 1.692x10^-4 psi
14. Calculate actual deflections.

2010 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Civil Engineering and Architecture Activity 3.2.6 Beam DesignPage 19
Please note that there are no new deflection formulas except for #5 and #6
19.) 1.478x10^-5 psi
20.) 9.239x10^-5 psi
21.) 1.072x10^-4 psi
22.) 2.032x10^-5 psi
23.) 2.546 psi
24.) 2.546 psi
15. Select a final design.

2010 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Civil Engineering and Architecture Activity 3.2.6 Beam DesignPage 20