Example Problems for Beams

1) Select the lightest S-shaped section for simply supported beam span 6m supporting a service
design load of 7kN/m (excluding own weight). Proportion the section of beam for flexure.
The compression flange of beam is fully supported against lateral movement  lb  0  lc  .
S-shapes are made of A-36 steel  Fy  250MPa  .
Solution
-Assuming section non-compact, allowable bending stress of trial section if compression
flange is fully braced laterally  Fbx  0.6 Fy  0.6  250  150 N mm 2
-Analysis of simply supported beam without own weight would give,
qd . l 2 7  62 qd  7 kN m  own wt.
M max    31.5 kN  m
8 8
-therefore, section-modulus of trial section required by flexure,
M max 31.5 10 6 N  mm
S x (req.)    210 10 3 mm
l 3 6 m
Fbx 150 N mm 2
-then, select the lightest S-shapes with S x  210 *103 mm 3
1st trial: S-200x27.4
 S x  236  10 3 mm 3 , wt.  27.4 kg m  27.4  9.81  268.8 N m  0.2688 kN m
b f  102mm, t f  10.8mm, t w  6.9mm & d  203mm
-Check whether section-geometry of trial section compact or not!
bf 170 102 170
   4.72   10.75 ok!
2t f Fy 2  10.8 250
d 1690 203 1690
   29.42   106.88 ok!
tw Fy 6. 9 250
-therefore, trial section is compact. Thus,
 Fbx  0.66Fy  0.66  250  165 N mm 2

-and, analysis of simply supported beam including own weight would give,
qd . l 2 7.2688  6 2
M max    32.7096 kN  m
8 8
-then, check adequacy trial section for flexure,
M a  Fbx . S x  165 N mm 2  236  103 mm 3  38.94  10 6 N  mm
 M a  38.94 kN  m  M max  32.7096 kN  m ok!
-therefore, S-200x27.4 section is selected for beam if adequate for both shear & deflection.

2) Select the lightest W-section for simply supported beam span 2.5m supporting a service
design load of 300kN/m (excluding own weight). Proportion the section of beam for flexure.
The compression flange of beam is adequately supported laterally  lb  lc  . W-sections are
made of A-50 steel  Fy  345MPa  .
Solution
-Assuming section non-compact, allowable bending stress of trial section if compression
flange is adequately braced laterally  Fbx  0.6 Fy  0.6  345  207 N mm 2
qd  300 kN m  own wt.

1
 -Analysis of simply supported beam without own weight,
qd . l 2 300  2.5 2
M max    234.375 kN  m
8 8
-therefore, section-modulus of trial section required by flexure, l  2.5 m
M max 234.375 10 N  mm
6

S x (req.)    1132.246 103 mm3

Fbx 207 N mm 2
-then, select the lightest W-section with S x  1132 .246 10 mm
3 3

1st trial: W-310x79

 S x  1160  103 mm3 , wt.  79 kg m  79  9.81  774.99 N m  0.775 kN m
b f  254mm, t f  14.6mm, t w  8.8mm & d  306mm
-Check whether section-geometry of trial section compact or not!
bf 170 254 170
   8.699   9.152 ok!
2t f Fy 2  14.6 345
d 1690 306 1690
   34.77   90.99 ok!
tw Fy 8 .8 345
-therefore, trial section is compact. Thus,
 Fbx  0.66 Fy  0.66  345  227.7 N mm 2

-and, analysis of simply supported beam including own weight would give,
qd . l 2 300.775  2.5 2
M max    234.98 kN  m
8 8
-then, check adequacy trial section for flexure,

M a  Fbx . S x  227.7 N mm 2  1160  103 mm3  264.132  106 N  mm

 M a  264.132 kN  m  M max  234.98 kN  m ok!
-therefore, W-310x79 section is selected for beam if adequate for both shear & deflection.

3) A simply supported transfer-girder made of W-920x342 section supporting two concentrated

loads (due to columns of top stories supported by girder) as shown below. Determine the
maximum concentrated loads that can be carried by transfer girder if section is made of A-36
steel  Fy  250 MPa  . The compression flange of girder is laterally braced only at ends of
supports. The columns may provide some lateral restraints but will be neglected.
P? P?
Solution
own wt .

W  920 342
5m 3.5 m 5m
l  13.5 m

For W-920x342 section:

 S x  13700  103 mm 3 , wt.  342 kg m  342  9.81  3355 N m  3.355 kN m
b f  418mm, t f  32mm, t w  19.3mm & d  911mm
-Maximum moment of simply supported girder,

2
 P .l 3 .5 P wt .  l 2 P  13.5 3.5 P 3.355  13.5 2
M max         5 P  76.431 kN 
2 2 8 2 2 8
Un-braced length of compression flange of girder section  lb  13.5 m
-check adequacy of lateral bracing of compression flange of girder by comparing lb with
limiting un-braced length!
-Limiting un-braced lengths of compression flange (AISC),
0.2b f 0.2  418
l1    5.287 m
Fy 250
139b f . t f 139  418  32
l2    8.164 m
Fy . d 250  911
-therefore, lc  5.287 m & lu  8.164 m
-since lb  13.5 m  lu  8.164 m , then
Fbx  0.6 Fy  0.6  250  150 N mm 2

-allowable bending stress in such case is obtained as the larger of the following (AISC),
1.17  10 6 Cb lb 3.54  10 6 Cb
Fb1  
 lb r f  2 with
rT Fy
82700 Cb . b f . t f
and, Fb 2 
lb . d
where Cb  1.0 (simply supported beam)
bf 418
rT    120.8 mm
12 12
check
lb 13500 3.54  106 1.0 lb
  111 .75   118 .99 thus ,  118 .99
rT 120.8 250 rT
1.17  10 6  1.0
-then, Fb1   82.64 N mm 2
118.99 2
82700  1.0  418  32
and, Fb 2   89.94 N mm 2
13500  911
 Fbx  89.94 N mm 2
-Maximum allowable moment capacity of girder section,

M a  Fbx . S x  89.94 N mm 2  13700  103 mm3  1232.178  10 6 N  mm

 M a  1232.178 kN  m
-By equating maximum moment with allowable moment capacity,
M a  M max
 1232.178   5 P  76.731
-solving for P, P  231.15 kN

4) Design a main floor-beam (floor-girder) supporting two equidistance floor-joists over a span
of 12m as shown below. Each floor-joist provides lateral restraint to floor-girders and

3
transmits a load of 75kN on the floor girder. Select W-section for the floor girder; and section
are made of A-36 steel  Fy  250 MPa  .
P  75kN P  75kN
Solution
75 75 kN 75 kN 75
kN kN own wt.
2 2

4m 4m 4m
l  12 m
4m 4m 4m

Un-braced length of compression flange of girder section  lb  4 m

-let allowable bending stress of trial section is
 Fbx  0.6 Fy  0.6  250  150 N mm 2

-maximum moment of floor-girder due to concentrated loads only (excluding own weight),
P .l 75 12
M max    300 kN  m
3 3
-therefore, section-modulus of trial section required by flexure,
M max 300 106 N  mm
S x ( req.)   2
 2000  103 mm 3
Fbx 150 N mm
-then, select the lightest W-section with S x  2000 *103 mm 3
1st trial: W-530x92
 S x  2080  103 mm 3 , wt.  92 kg m  92  9.81  900 N m  0.9 kN m
b f  209mm, t f  15.6mm, t w  10.2mm & d  533mm
-check adequacy of lateral bracing of compression flange of girder by comparing lb with
limiting un-braced length! Limiting un-braced lengths of compression flange (AISC),
0.2b f 0.2  209
l1    2.644 m
Fy 250
139b f . t f 139  209 15.6
l2    3.401 m
Fy . d 250  533
-therefore, lc  2.644 m & lu  3.401 m
-since lb  4 m  lu  3.401 m , then Fbx  0.6 Fy  0.6  250  150 N mm
2

-allowable bending stress in such case is obtained as the larger of the following (AISC),
1.17  10 6 Cb lb 3.54  10 6 Cb
Fb1  
 lb r f  2 with
rT Fy
82700 Cb . b f . t f
and, Fb 2 
lb . d
where Cb  1.0 (simply supported beam)
bf 209
rT    60.4 mm
12 12

4
 check
lb 4000 3.54  106 1.0 lb
  66.23   118 .99 thus,  118 .99
rT 60.4 250 rT
1.17  10 6  1.0
-then, Fb1   82.64 N mm 2
118.99 2
82700  1.0  209  15.6
and, Fb 2   126.47 N mm 2
4000  533
 Fbx  126.47 N mm 2
-maximum moment of floor-girder due to concentrated loads and own weight,
P .l wt . l 2 75 12 0.9  12 2
M max      316.2 kN  m
3 8 3 8
-then, check adequacy trial section for flexure,

M a  Fbx . S x  126.47 N mm 2  2080  103 mm3  263.06  106 N  mm

 M a  263.06 kN  m  M max  316.2 kN  m  trial sec tion not adequate!

nd
2 trial: W-610x113
 S x  2880  103 mm 3 , wt .  113 kg m  113  9.81  1109 N m  1.109 kN m
b f  228mm, t f  17.3mm, t w  11 .2mm & d  607mm
-check adequacy of lateral bracing of compression flange of girder by comparing lb with
limiting un-braced length! Limiting un-braced lengths of compression flange (AISC),
0.2b f 0.2  228
l1    2.884 m
Fy 250
139b f . t f 139  228 17.3
l2    3.613 m
Fy . d 250  607
-therefore, lc  2.884 m & lu  3.613 m
-since lb  4 m  lu  3.613 m , then Fbx  0.6 Fy  0.6  250  150 N mm
2

-allowable bending stress in such case is obtained as the larger of the following (AISC),
1.17  10 6 Cb lb 3.54  10 6 Cb
Fb1  
 lb rf  2 with
rT Fy
82700 Cb . b f . t f
and, Fb 2 
lb . d
where Cb  1.0 (simply supported beam)
bf 228
rT    65.89 mm
12 12
check
lb 4000 3.54  10 6 1.0 lb
  60.7   118 .99 thus,  118 .99
rT 65.89 250 rT
1.17  10 6  1.0
-then, Fb1   82.64 N mm 2
118.99 2

5
 82700  1.0  228  17.3
and, Fb 2   134.35 N mm 2
4000  607
 Fbx  134.35 N mm 2
-maximum moment of floor-girder due to concentrated loads and own weight,
P .l wt.  l 2 75 12 1.109  12 2
M max      319.96 kN  m
3 8 3 8
-then, check adequacy trial section for flexure,
M a  Fbx . S x  134.35 N mm2  2880  10 3 mm3  386.928  10 6 N  mm

 M a  386.928 kN  m  M max  319.96 kN  m  trial sec tion adequate!

-therefore, W-610x113 section can be selected if adequate for both shear & deflection.

5) Select the lightest S-shapes for two-span continuous beam span 6m supporting a service
design load of 15kN/m (excluding own weight) covering the whole length of beam.
Proportion the section of beam for flexure. Only top compression flange of beam is fully
braced laterally  lb  0  lc  . Bottom compression flange of beam is braced laterally only
at interior support of beam. S-sections are made of A-36 steel  Fy  250 MPa  .
qd  15 kN m  own wt .

l  6m l  6m
Solution
-Assuming section non-compact, allowable bending stress of trial section if compression
flange is fully braced laterally  Fbx  0.6 Fy  0.6  250  150 N mm 2
-Analysis of two span continuous beam without own weight would give,
M sup .   0.125  15  6 2   67.5 kN  m
M span  0.07  15  6 2  37.969 kN  m
-let design moment of continuous beam be  M max   67.5 kN  m
-therefore, section-modulus of trial section required by flexure,
M max 67.5 10 6 N  mm
S x ( req.)   2
 450 10 3 mm 3
Fbx 150 N mm
-then, select the lightest S-shapes with S x  450 *10 3 mm 3
1st trial: S-250x52
 S x  482  103 mm3 , wt.  52 kg m  52  9.81  510.12 N m  0.51 kN m
b f  126mm, t f  12.5mm, t w  15.1mm & d  250mm
-Analysis of two span continuous beam including own weight would give,
M sup .   0.125  15.51  6 2   69.795 kN  m
_ B.M.D
M span  0.07  15.51  6 2  39.26 kN  m
+ +
1.5 m 1.5 m
4.5 m 4.5 m

-therefore, design moment of continuous beam (AISC) is larger of the following

0.9   ve M max   0.9  69.795  62.816 kN  m
or (ve M max )  0.1   ve M avg   39.26  0.1  69.795  46.24 kN  m

6
 -therefore, design moment of continuous beam = 62.816kN-m
-and, un-braced length of bottom compression flange of girder section (length between
inflection point and interior support)  lb  1.5 m
-check adequacy of lateral bracing of compression flange of beam by comparing lb with
limiting un-braced length!
-Limiting un-braced lengths of compression flange (AISC),
0.2b f 0.2 126
l1    1.59 m
Fy 250
139b f . t f 139 126 12.5
l2    3.5 m
Fy . d 250  250
-therefore, lc  1.59 m & lu  3.5 m
-since lb  1.5 m  lc  1.59 m , thus Fbx depends on section geometry!
-Check whether section-geometry of trial section compact or not!
bf 170 126 170
   5.04   10.75 ok!
2t f Fy 2  12.5 250
d 1690 250 1690
   16.56   106.88 ok!
tw Fy 15.1 250
-therefore, trial section is compact. Thus,
 Fbx  0.66Fy  0.66  250  165 N mm 2
-then, check adequacy trial section for flexure,
M a  Fbx . S x  165 N mm 2  480 * 103 mm3  79.2  106 N  mm
 M a  79.2 kN  m  M max  62.816 kN  m ok!
-therefore, S-250x52 section is selected for beam if adequate for both shear & deflection.

6) Select the lightest W-section for simply supported floor beam to support a service live load of
22kN/m and a service dead load of 10kN/m (excluding own weight) on span of 12m.
Proportion the section of beam for deflection. The beam is supporting partition-wall. Check
adequacy a section selected for deflection also for flexure. The compression flange of beam is
adequately supported laterally  lb  lc  . W-sections are made of A-50 steel
 Fy  345MPa  .
Solution
-limiting deflection of beam due to live-load to  allow  l 360 , DL  10 kN m
5 q( LL) . l 4
l LL  22 kN m & own wt.
 max  
384 E . I x 360
1800 q( LL) . l 3
 I x (req )  l  12 m
384 E
1800  22  12000 3

-substituting, I x ( req )   891  10 6 mm 4

384  200000
-then, select W-section with I x  89110 mm
6 4

1st trial: W-530x167

7
  I x  1090  106 , S x  4090  103 mm 3 , wt.  167 kg m  167  9.81  1638.27 N m  1.64 k
b f  330mm, t f  22mm, t w  13.4mm & d  533mm
-check adequacy of trial section for deflection due to both dead and live load,
qd  11 .64  22  33.64kN / m ,
5 qd . l 4 l 12000
 max     50 mm
384 E . I x 240 240
5  33.64 120004 l 12000
  max   41.66 mm    50 mm ok!
384  200000  1090  10 6
240 240
-maximum moment of simply supported beam including own weight would give,
q .l 2 33.64 12 2
M max  d   605.52 kN  m
8 8
-Check whether section-geometry of trial section compact or not!
bf 170 330 170
   7.5   9.15 ok!
2t f Fy 2  22 345
d 1690 533 1690
   39.78   90.987 ok!
tw Fy 13.4 345
-therefore, trial section is compact. Thus,
 Fbx  0.66 Fy  0.66  345  227.7 N mm 2
-then, check adequacy trial section for flexure also,

M a  Fbx . S x  227.7 N mm 2  4090  103 mm 3  931.293 106 N  mm

 M a  931.293 kN  m  M max  605.52 kN  m ok!
-therefore, W-530x167 section can be selected for beam

7) Determine span length and uniform service design load for simply supported beam made of
W-610x149 section if the design of beam section controlled by both flexure and shear.
Assume compression flange of beam fully braced laterally (lb  0) .
Section is made of A-36 steel  Fy  250MPa  .
qd ?

W  610 149
Solution l ?
-For W-610x149 section:
 S x  4100  103 mm3 , b f  305mm, t f  19.7mm, t w  11 .9mm & d  610mm
-Check whether section-geometry given section compact or not!
bf 170 305 170
   7.741   10.75 ok!
2t f Fy 2  19.7 250

8
 d 1690 610 1690
   51.26   106.88 ok!
tw Fy 11 .9 250

-therefore, the section is compact. Thus,  Fbx  0.66 Fy & Fs  0.4 Fy

-if section of beam is controlled by both flexure and shear,

M max qd . l 2
f bx    Fbx  0.66 Fy  0.66  250  165 N mm 2 (1)
Sx 8  4100  10 3

and,
V qd . l
f s  max   Fs  0.4 Fy  0.4  250  100 N mm 2 ( 2)
d . tw 2  610  11 .9
-solving simultaneously Eq(1) & Eq(2),
q d  389.45 N / mm  389.45 kN / m &
l  3727.8 mm  3.7278 m

8) Determine the size of bearing-plates required at supports of simply supported beam if section
of beam made of W-200x36. End-reaction of beam is about 130kN. The beam is supported on
wall made of concrete with 28 days cylinder strength, f c1  20 MPa . Section is made of A-
36 steel  Fy  250 MPa  .
Solution
i) Required length of bearing plate
-For W-200x36 section:  t w  6.2 mm & k  25 mm
-therefore, required length of bearing-plate for end-reaction is,
 R 
N (req .)    k where Fp  0.75Fy
 Fp . t w 
 130  103 
 N ( req.)    25  86.8 mm --take  N  90 mm
 (0.75  250)  6.2 
ii) Required width of bearing plate
-It is determined by limiting bearing stress between the bearing-plate and concrete wall to the
allowable bearing capacity of concrete.
-Allowable bearing capacity of concrete (AISC-specification) is,
 Fpc  0.35 f c1  0.35  20  7 N mm 2
R
fp   F pc  7 N mm 2
N .B
R 130  10 3
 B(req.)    206.3 mm --take  B  210 mm
N . Fpc 90  7
iii) Required thickness of bearing plate
-It is determined by limiting bending stress at critical section of bearing-plate due to contact
pressure to the allowable bending stress of steel plate.
-actual contact pressure between plate and concrete wall is,
R 130  10 3
q    6.878 N mm 2
B.N 210  90
-Allowable bending stress of steel plate (AISC-specification) is,  Fb  0.75 Fy
-critical section of bearing plate for bending is at end of the fillet between web and flange of
beam section. Therefore, bending moment at critical section,

9
 2
q. N  B t  6.878  90
M    w  k1    76.9 2  1.830  106 N  mm
2 2 2  2
M M 1.83  10 6
-then, from f   F  S    9.76  10 3 mm 3
0.75  250
b b x
Sx Fb
2
N . tp 6S x 6  9.76  103
-For plate, S x   tp    25.5mm
6 N 90
-take  t p  26 mm
-therefore, bearing plate with dimension 90mm x 210mm x 26 is to be used

9) Design the cover-plate for W-920x342 section made of A-36 steel  Fy  250 MPa  to
support a service design moment of 3630kN-m. Assume full lateral bracing for compression
flange. Assume bolt connections are used to connect cover-plates to flanges of W-section.
Solution
-For W-920x342 section:
 S x  13700  103 mm3 & d  911mm
-assuming section-geometry non-compact, allowable bending stress
 Fbx  0.6 Fy  0.6  250 N mm 2  150 N mm 2
-then, allowable moment capacity of W-section alone
M a  Fbx . S x  150  13700 103  2055  106 N  mm
 M a  2055 kN  m  3630 kN  m  W-section alone is not adequate!
-to increase capacity of W-section, cover-plates are required to be connected to the flange of
W-section. Thus, the required section modulus of compound beam section, proportioning
section of beam as W-section with cover-plates,
M 3630 10 6
S x ( req.)    24200 103 mm3
Fbx 150
-then, the required area of cover-plates allowing 20% increase for bolts holes

( S x  S xi ) (24200  13700) 103

A p  1.2   1.2   13830.9 mm 2
d 911
-width of cover-plate assuming 25mm plate thickness,
Ap 13830.9
bp    553.2 mm
tp 25
-therefore, use 25mm x 560mm cover-plates connected by bolts at top and bottom

10) Design a welded plate-girder to carry a service design load of 100kN/m (excluding own
weight of beam) on simply supported beam of 24m span. Plates used to make plate-girder are
made of A-36 steel  Fy  250 MPa  . q  100 kN m  self wt.
d

l  24 m

Solution
-Assume self weight = 5% of super-imposed service design load = 0.05x100 = 5kN/m

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-therefore, total service design load,  qd  100  5  105 kN m
-and, maximum moment and maximum shear force of simply supported beam are,
q .l 2 105  24 2
M max  d   7560 kN  m
8 8
q .l 105  24
Vmax  d   1260 kN
2 2
-Assuming the plate-girder is laterally supported throughout, allowable bending stress
 Fb  0.6 Fy  0.6 * 250 N mm 2  150 N mm 2
-initial depth of plate-girder,
M 7560  106
d  5 3  5 3  1846.9 mm --take
Fb 150
 d  1850 mm
-and, assuming flange plate thickness, t f  40 mm , depth of web plate, h
h  d  2t f  1850  2  40  1770 mm
-For no reduction in flange bending stress
h 2000 2000
   163.3
tw Fb 150
h 1770
 tw    10.8 mm  t w (min)  8 mm -- try
163.3 163.3
 t w  15 mm
-check thickness of web-plate for web-local buckling! 40 mm
h 97100 97100
   321.88
tw Fy ( Fy  114) 250 ( 250  114)
1850 mm
1770
  118  321.88 0k! 1770 mm
15 15 mm
-preliminary proportioning of flange-plate,
M A
Af  1  w where Aw  h . t w 610 mm
Fb . h 6
7560106 1770 15 Trial plate  girder
 Af    24049.6 mm 2
150 1770 6
-width of flange-plate, using thickness of flange-plate, t f  40mm
Af 24049.6
bf    601.2 mm -- take
tf 40
 b f  610 mm
-by considering the trial plate-girder section shown above, check its adequacy!
610 18503 (610  15) 17703
Ix    46.906 109 mm 4
12 12
Ix 46.906 10 9
Sx    50.709 10 6 mm 3
cy (1850 / 2)
-check trial plate-girder section for flexure,

11
 M max 7560 10 6
fb   6
 149 N mm 2  Fb  150 N mm 2
Sx 50.709 10
--ok!
-check trial plate-girder section for shear,
V 1260 103
f s  max   47.46 N mm 2  Fs  100 N mm 2
h . tw 177015
--ok!
-check trial plate-girder section for deflection,

5 qd . l 4 5 105 240004 24000

 max   9
 48.35 mm   allow   100 mm
384 E . I x 384  200000 46.906  10 240
--ok!
-therefore, trial section of plate-girder may be used for beam!

11) Select the lightest W-section for beam subjected to bi-axial bending, M x  80 kN  m &
M y  34 kN  m . Assume compression flange of beam is adequately braced laterally so
that the allowable combined bending stress is taken as 0.6 Fy . W-sections are made of A-
50 steel  Fy  345MPa  .
Solution
-combined allowable bending stress
2 2
 Fb  0.6 Fy  0.6  345 N mm  207 N mm
-section modulus required about x-axis (assuming the load passing through centroid),
Mx My  Sx 
S x ( req.)    
Fb Fb  Sy 
 
80 10 6 34 10 6  Sx 
 S x ( req.)    
207 207  Sy 
 
S 
 S x ( req.)  389.473 10 3  164.25   x  --(*)
 Sy 
 
1sttrial: W-310x60
 S x  851103 mm3 & S y  181103 mm3
-then, required section modulus using Eq.(*),
 851 
S x ( req .)  389.473 103  164.25     1158 .7 103 mm 3  S x (trial )  851103 mm3
 181 

-therefore, 1sttrial section is not adequate!

2ndtrial: W-310x79
 S x  1160 103 mm 3 & S y  315 103 mm 3
-then, required section modulus using Eq.(*),
 1160 
S x ( req.)  389.473103  164.25     991.33 103 mm3  S x (trial)  1160 103 mm3
 315 
--ok!
-therefore, W-310x79 section can be selected for the beam.

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12) Select the lightest channel section for roof-purlin subjected to bi-axial bending,
M x  44.5 kN  m & M y  1.75 kN  m . Assume the load on purlin is not passing
through the centroid. Assume compression flange of beam is adequately braced laterally so
that the allowable combined bending stress is taken as 0.6 Fy . Channels are made of A-36
steel  Fy  250 MPa  .
Solution
-combined allowable bending stress
 Fb  0.6 Fy  0.6  250 N mm 2  150 N mm 2
-section modulus required about x-axis (if load is not passing through centroid),
Mx 2M y  Sx 
S x (req.)    
Fb Fb  Sy 
 
44.5 10 6 2 1.75 10 6  Sx 
 S x ( req .)    
150 150  Sy 
 
S 
 S x ( req.)  296.667 103  23.333   x  --(*)
 Sy 
 
1sttrial: C-310x45
 S x  442 103 mm3 & S y  53.1103 mm 3
-then, required section modulus using Eq.(*),
 442 
S x ( req.)  296.667 103  23.333    490.89 103 mm3  S x (trial)  442 103 mm3
 53.1 

-therefore, 1sttrial section is not adequate!

2ndtrial: C-380x50.4
 S x  688 103 mm 3 & S y  78.4 103 mm 3
-then, required section modulus using Eq.(*),
 688 
S x ( req.)  296.667 103  23.333    501.42 103 mm3  S x (trial)  688 103 mm3
 78.4 
--ok!
-therefore, C-380x50.4 section can be selected for the beam.

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 Exercise Problems
1) Determine the maximum service uniform live load that can be carried by simply supported
beam of span 9m in addition to service dead load of 14.6kN/m (including own weight) if
beam is made of rolled section as shown below. Compression flange of beam is only braced
laterally at the end supports. Section of beam is made of A-36 steel  Fy  250 MPa  .
300mm
25mm
400mm

350mm
25mm
25mm

150mm
2) A floor system made of reinforced concrete supported by the arrangement of beams and
girders as shown below are to be used for a small industrial building. Design the section of
beams and girders assuming they are simply supported. Use W-sections for both beams and
girders. W-sections are made of A-50 steel  Fy  345MPa  . Assume full lateral bracing
for compression flange of floor-beams whereas compression flanges of floor-girders are
braced laterally at intersection of beams and girders. Thickness of concrete floor-slab is
150mm.
Use the following miscellaneous data:
-Floor live load = 5kN/m2
-Weight of floor finish= 0.75kN/m2
-Unit weight of concrete weight = 24kN/m3
Note: Floor continuous on all sides.

column girder

11 .5 m
beam
beam

girder

14

3 @ 4.5m  13.5 m
3) A W-760x256 made of A-50 steel  Fy  345MPa  has bean specified for use on certain
civil engineering project. By mistake a W-760x161 made A-36 steel  Fy  250 MPa  was
shipped to the field. This beam must be erected today. Assuming that 25mm thick plates made
of A-36 steel are obtainable immediately, select cover-plate to be welded to the flange to
obtain the necessary section. Assume full lateral bracing is supplied for compression flange.

15