CE 388 Fundamentals of Steel Design Middle East Technical University
Spring 2024 Department of Civil Engineering
Problem Set #3 — Flexural Members
1/ Compute 𝑀𝑝 for strong axis bending for each of the following cross – sections.
𝐹𝑦 = 235 MPa
a/ b/
2/ Compute 𝑀𝑦 and 𝑀𝑝 for strong axis bending for the following cross – sections.
3/ For all cases consider S275 steel.
a/ For the following built up I-shape cross-sections under strong axis bending, determine cross-
section classification (i.e., compact, non-compact slender).
Case i ii iii iv
h (mm) 1000 1000 600 600
tw (mm) 10 5 10 10
bf (mm) 300 300 500 500
tf (mm) 20 20 10 15
b/ Repeat the same problem for the weak axis bending.
CE 388 Problem Set #3 1/7
CE 388 Fundamentals of Steel Design Middle East Technical University
Spring 2024 Department of Civil Engineering
c/ Classify the following built up box shape cross-sections under strong axis bending.
Case i ii iii iv
h (mm) 1000 1000 600 600
tw (mm) 10 5 10 10
bf (mm) 300 300 500 500
tf (mm) 20 20 10 15
d/ Classify the following sections under axial compression (i.e., nonslender and slender).
4/ Compute the lightest I-shape of S355 Steel (𝐹𝑦 = 355 MPa). (Consider IPN, IPE, HEA, HEB, and HEM
Sections) (𝑤𝐷 is dead load and 𝑤𝐿 is live load) Consider LRFD and ASD separately.
Service Loads: 𝑤𝐿 = 60 kN/m, 𝑤𝐷 = 30 kN/m (includes beam self-weight)
The beam is provided with adequate lateral support so that lateral torsional buckling does not
control.
Serviceability Requirement: Service Live Load Deflection ≤ 𝐿⁄360
5/ For the beam shown below, determine the maximum value of distributed load 𝑊 calculated
according to ASD load combinations. Lateral supports are at the ends only.
S275, 𝐹𝑦 = 275 MPa, Use ASD. Do not check deflections.
CE 388 Problem Set #3 2/7
CE 388 Fundamentals of Steel Design Middle East Technical University
Spring 2024 Department of Civil Engineering
6/ Beam IPN500 S275 Steel (𝐹𝑦 = 275 MPa). Lateral supports at places marked by (X) only. Find the
maximum distributed load according to LRFD load combinations, 𝑊𝑢 , that the beam can safely
support for the following three cases. Assume 𝑊𝑢 includes beam self-weight. Assume shear and
deflections are OK.
Case a/ Case b/
Case c/
7/ The simply supported beam shown below carries loads of 270 kN and 180 kN determined
according to LRFD load combinations. Lateral supports are provided at the ends and under the 270
kN load. (No support at 180 kN load.) Choose the lightest I-Shape of S275 Steel (𝐹𝑦 = 275 MPa).
Neglect beam self-weight. Assume shear and deflections are OK. (Consider IPN, IPE, HEA, HEB, and
HEM Sections)
8/ Plot a graph showing 𝑀𝑛 vs. 𝐿𝑏 (unbraced length) for an IPN200 beam of S275 Steel (𝐹𝑦 = 275
MPa). Show 𝐿𝑏 from 0 to 7.5 m. Plot lines for 𝑐𝑏 = 1 and 𝑐𝑏 = 1.75.
9/ A doubly symmetric built-up I section of S355 steel is stiffened by attaching to its top flange a
UPN200 section of S235 steel, as shown. Note that the geometric properties for the original built-up I
section are given. Calculate the yield moment capacity (𝑀𝑦 ) and the plastic moment capacity (𝑀𝑝 )
for the final composite section.
CE 388 Problem Set #3 3/7
CE 388 Fundamentals of Steel Design Middle East Technical University
Spring 2024 Department of Civil Engineering
10/ The simply supported steel beam AB is an HE300A section of S275 steel and loaded by a point
load P at its mid-span. The beam is laterally supported at the ends and the point load location.
a/ How do you classify the given section from local buckling point of view?
b/ Calculate the allowable value 𝑃𝑎 (ASD) and the ultimate value 𝑃𝑢 (LRFD) of the given load
that the beam can carry safely. Check all strength limit states.
Use the following expression to approximately determine 𝐿𝑟 : 𝐿𝑟 = 𝜋𝑟𝑡𝑠 √𝐸⁄𝐹
𝑦
11/ In the built-up beam section shown below top flange is made from S235 steel (𝐹𝑦 = 235 MPa),
while bottom flange and web are made from S355 steel (𝐹𝑦 = 355 MPa). Calculate the strong axis
yield moment capacity (𝑀𝑦 ) and plastic moment capacity (𝑀𝑝 ) for this cross section.
12/ For the simply supported HEA260 beam shown below, find the maximum factored load, 𝑃𝑢 ,
that the beam can safely support according to AISC360-16 provisions, LRFD approach. The section is
made of S235 steel with 𝐹𝑦 = 235 MPa. Neglect the beam self-weight. Assume the serviceability
design is OK. Check all other possible limit states.
CE 388 Problem Set #3 4/7
CE 388 Fundamentals of Steel Design Middle East Technical University
Spring 2024 Department of Civil Engineering
13/ Determine the lightest HEM section of S355 steel (𝐹𝑦 = 355 MPa) for the beam shown below
according to AISC 360-16 provisions for LRFD. Consider all limit states except local buckling. The
beam is subjected to a distributed load of 𝑤𝐷𝐿 = 50 kN/m dead load and a point load of 𝑃𝐿𝐿 = 100 kN
live load (ignore self-weight of the section). Use the load combination: 1.2𝐷 + 1.6𝐿. Lateral supports
are provided at points A, B, C and D.
Take 𝐿𝑟 = 300𝑟𝑦
Live load deflection is limited to 𝐿⁄360
3
𝛥𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑃𝐿 ⁄48𝐸𝐼
14/ Calculate the strong-axis plastic moment capacity 𝑀𝑝 of the built-up section made up of a
channel section and two L80x80x10 angle sections (all are of S275 steel: 𝐹𝑦 = 275 MPa and 𝐹𝑢 = 430
MPa) given that the strong-axis moment of inertia Ix of the channel section is 6.7x107 mm4 and the
shape factor for the channel section is 1.25.
15/ For the two-span beam given below, determine the maximum allowable value of load 𝑃 such
that the member will be safe. The member has HE240A cross section of S275 Steel (𝐹𝑦 = 275 MPa, 𝐹𝑢
= 430 MPa). Use ASD. Consider all applicable strength limit states.
CE 388 Problem Set #3 5/7
CE 388 Fundamentals of Steel Design Middle East Technical University
Spring 2024 Department of Civil Engineering
16/ For the beam shown below, determine the lightest HEA section of S355 steel. Lateral supports
are provided along the member at every 2 m. Serviceability criteria requires a live load deflection
limit of 𝐿⁄500. Use ASD. Ignore self-weight of the beam. Consider all applicable limit states except
3
for local buckling. (𝛥𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑃𝐿 ⁄48𝐸𝐼 )
17/ For a built-up I section of S400 steel (𝐹𝑦 = 400MPa) bending about its strong axis;
a/ Calculate the nominal yield moment (𝑀𝑦 ) and the fully plastic moment (𝑀𝑝 ) capacities.
b/ If it is subjected to an axial tensile load of 420 kN acting at the centroid of the top flange;
(i) Calculate 𝑀𝑦 for positive moment creating compression on top flange?
(ii) Calculate 𝑀𝑦 for negative moment creating tension on top flange?
CE 388 Problem Set #3 6/7
CE 388 Fundamentals of Steel Design Middle East Technical University
Spring 2024 Department of Civil Engineering
18/ Calculate the strong-axis plastic moment capacity Mp of the built-up section made up of an
S355 grade (Fy = 355 MPa, Fu = 510 MPa) doubly symmetric I -shaped section, with the dimensions
indicated on the figure below, and an S235 grade (Fy = 235 MPa, Fu = 360 MPa) channel section, UPN
300.
19/ Find the lightest HEB section of S355 steel (Fy = 355 MPa, Fu = 510 MPa) for the laterally
supported propped cantilever beam shown below according to AISC 360-16 provisions. The beam is
subjected to a distributed service dead load (wDL) of 12 kN/m and a distributed service live load
(wLL) of 31 kN/m. The dead load includes self-weight of the beam. Use the LRFD load combination:
1.2D + 1.6L. Δmax = wL4/185EI. Serviceability requirement: service live load deflection ΔLL ≤ L/600.
Note that the vertical support reaction at point A is 3wL/8.
20/ Investigate the acceptability of HEM800 section of S355 steel (Fy = 355 MPa, Fu = 510 MPa) for
the simply supported beam below according to AISC 360-16 provisions for LRFD. Consider all limit
states. The point load P is 300 kN dead load (DL) and 700 kN live load (LL) (ignore the self-weight of
the section). Use the LRFD load combination: 1.2D + 1.6L. Lateral supports are provided at point B
and supports A and C. Δmax = PL3/48EI. Serviceability requirement: ΔLL ≤ L/360.
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