1.

Example: PEB Roof Purlin Design (AISI Standard)

This example covers a typical intermediate roof purlin for a warehouse, designed using a Z-
section.
1. Design Data and Inputs

 Building Type: Pre-Engineered Building (PEB)

 Purlin Span (𝐿): 25 feet (25 ft)
 Spacing of Purlins (𝑆): 5 feet on centre (5 ft o.c.)
 Roof Slope: 1:10 (approx. 5.7 degrees)
 Yield Strength (𝐹𝑦): 55 ksi (Standard for high-strength cold-formed steel)
 Dead Load (Roofing + Insulation): 3 psf (pounds per square foot)
 Live Load: 20 psf (or as per local code)
 Wind Load (Suction): -25 psf (Uplift)

2. Load Calculations (Linear Load)

 Dead Load on Purlin (𝟂𝐷): 3 psf×5 ft=15 lb/ft3 psf

 Live Load on Purlin (𝑤𝐿): 20 psf×5 ft=100 lb/ft20 psf
 Wind Uplift (𝑊𝑤): -25 psf×5 ft=-125 lb/ft

3. Critical Load Combinations (ASCE 7 / AISI)

1. Gravity: 1.2D+1.6L1

Wgravity=1.2(15) +1.6(100) =18+160=178 lb/ft

2. Uplift: 0.9𝐷+1.0𝑊

𝑊𝑢𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑡=0.9(15) +1.0(−125) =13.5−125=−111.5 lb/ft (Net Uplift)

4. Selection of Section

A 8-inch deep Z-section with a thickness of 0.085 inches is commonly used for this span.

 Section Designation: 8ZS2.25x085 (8" deep, Z-section, 2.25" flange, 0.085"

thickness)
 Section Properties (approximate):

𝐼𝑥 (Moment of inertia): ≈ 11.1 in⁴

𝑆𝑥 (Section modulus): ≈ 2.77 in³

Weight: ≈ 4 lb/ft

5. Analysis of Bending and Deflection

Bending Moment (Gravity): Assuming continuous over 3+ spans, 𝑀=𝑊𝐿²/10 or

𝑊𝐿²/12

 𝑀𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦=178 lb/ft×(25 ft) ²/10=11,125 lb-ft=133.5 kip-in

 Deflection Check (Live Load):

Δ𝐿𝐿=5𝑤𝐿⁴/ 384𝐸𝐼

Δ𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤=𝐿/180or 𝐿/240. For 25 ft=300 inches, 𝐿/180=1.66 inches.

6. Key Design Considerations for PEB Purlins

 Sag Rods/Bracing: Because the roof is sloped, loads acting normal to the slope cause
bending in both axes. Sag rods are essential to reduce the span in the weak axis (𝑦-
axis) and prevent twisting.
 Lapping: Overlapping Z-purlins at the rafter supports significantly increases capacity
and reduces deflection.
 Shear/Web Crippling: At supports, check for combined shear and bending, and web
crippling at purlin-to-rafter connections.

Standard American PEB Purlin Sizes

 Z-Sections: 8", 9", or 10" depths.

 Thickness (Gauge): 14 gauge (0.075"), 13 gauge (0.085"), 12 gauge (0.105").
 Typical Spacing: 4 ft to 6 ft on centre.

Note: For actual construction, always consult a licensed engineer and follow the specific
manufacturer's load tables based on AISC/AISI standards.
 3. Example To finalize your design for the
144' x 50' PEB, here are the assumed mechanical and material properties required by
AISC 360 and AISI S100 to make the previous calculations valid.
1. Material Property Assumptions (Standard PEB Grades)
Yield Strength Modulus of Elasticity
Component Material Standard
(𝐹𝑦) (𝐸)
Cold-Formed ASTM A1011 SS Gr.
55 ksi 29,500 ksi
(Purlin/Girts) 55
ASTM A992 (Wide
Hot-Rolled (Col/Rafter) 50 ksi 29,000 ksi
Flange)
Plates (Base/Splice) ASTM A36 36 ksi 29,000 ksi
High-Strength Bolts ASTM F3125 (A325) 120 ksi (Tensile) -

2. Assumed Section Properties (Geometric Values)

These values are "looked up" from the AISC Steel Construction Manual and AISI Design
Manual.
A. Purlin: 8ZS2.5x105 (12 Gauge Z-Section)

 Weight: 5.03 lbs/ft

 Effective Section Modulus (𝑆𝑒): 3.60 in³ (Used for bending strength)
 Moment of Inertia (𝐼𝑥): 14.80 in⁴ (Used for deflection Δ)

B. Column: W10 x 33 (Wide Flange)

Radius of Gyration (𝑟𝑦): 1.94 in (Used for slenderness 𝐾𝐿/𝑟)

 Area (𝐴): 9.71 in²

 Flange Width (𝑏𝑓): 7.96 in

C. Rafter: W16 x 40 (Wide Flange)

 Plastic Section Modulus (𝑍𝑥): 73.0 in³ (Used for plastic moment 𝜙𝑀𝑝)
 Moment of Inertia (𝐼𝑥): 518 in⁴

3. Calculation of Assumed Strength Values

A. Bolt Shear Strength (A325 3/4" Bolts)

 Formula: 𝜙𝑅𝑛=𝜙 (0.563⋅𝐹𝑢⋅𝐴𝑏 )(Threaded N-type)

 Calculation: 0.75⋅ (0.563⋅120 ksi⋅0.441 in2)
 Assumed Capacity: 22.4 kips per bolt in single shear.

B. Concrete Bearing Strength (

𝑓′𝑐=3000
f′c=3000f prime c equals 3000

psi)

 Formula: 𝜙𝑃𝑝=𝜙(0.85⋅𝑓′𝑐⋅𝐴1)
  Calculation: 0.65⋅(0.85⋅3 ksi⋅144 in2)
 Assumed Capacity: 238.6 kips (Total foundation capacity).

C. Purlin Moment Capacity (AISI S100)

 Formula: 𝜙𝑀𝑛=0.9⋅𝐹𝑦⋅𝑆𝑒
 Calculation: 0.9⋅55 ksi⋅3.60 in3=𝟏𝟕𝟖.𝟐 kip-in
 Compare to Demand: Your calculated demand

𝑀𝑢=𝟏𝟑𝟑.𝟓 kip-in

 Result: The assumption of a 12ga section provides a 33% safety margin.

4. Summary of System Logic

1. Gravity Path: Roof Loads → Purlins → Rafters →Columns →Base

Plates→Foundation.
2. Lateral Path: Wind on Walls →Girts→Columns →X-Bracing
(Assumed)→Foundation.

For official submittals, you can reference the Metal Building Systems Manual (MBMA) for
standard design practices and load combinations.
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1. Material Property Assumptions (Standard PEB Grades) Component Material
StandardYield Strength (\(F_{y}\))Modulus of Elasticity (\(E\))Cold-Formed
(Purlin/Girts)ASTM A1011 SS Gr. 5555 ksi29,500 ksiHot-Rolled (Col/Rafter)ASTM A992
(Wide Flange)50 ksi29,000 ksiPlates (Base/Splice)ASTM A3636 ksi29,000 ksiHigh-Strength
BoltsASTM F3125 (A325)120 ksi (Tensile)-
Based on your material parameters and the building specifications (
144' x 50' with 25' bays), here are the recalculated structural designs. These follow AISC
360-16 for hot-rolled steel and AISI S100-16 for cold-formed steel using the LRFD (Load
and Resistance Factor Design) method.

1. Secondary Members: Cold-Formed Purlins & Girts

 Member: 8ZS2.5x105 (8" Deep Z-Section, 12 Gauge).

o 𝑤𝑢=(1.2×Dead)+(1.6×Live)×Spacing
 Formulas:

o 𝑀𝑢=𝑤𝑢⋅𝐿210(Continuous span approximation)

o 𝜙𝑀𝑛=0.90⋅𝑆𝑒⋅𝐹𝑦
 Calculations:

1. 𝑤𝑢=(1.2×3 psf+1.6×20 psf)×5′=𝟏𝟕𝟖 plf

 𝑀𝑢=178⋅25210=11,125 lb-ft→𝟏𝟑𝟑.𝟓 kip-in
𝜙𝑀𝑛=0.90⋅3.60 in3⋅55 ksi=𝟏𝟕𝟖.𝟐 kip-in
2.
3.
 Answer: Safe (Capacity 178.2 > Demand 133.5).

2. Primary Member: Hot-Rolled Column

 Member: W10 x 33 (𝐴=9.71 in2,𝑟𝑦=1.94 in).

o 𝑃𝑢=𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎⋅(Trib Area)
 Formulas:

o Slenderness=𝐾⋅𝐿𝑟
 Calculations:

1. 𝑃𝑢=35.6 psf×(25′×25′)=𝟐𝟐.𝟐𝟓 kips

2. Slenderness=1.0×(20′×12)1.94=𝟏𝟐𝟑.𝟕
 Answer: Safe (Axial load is very low for this section; slenderness is within the < 200
limit).

3. Primary Member: Hot-Rolled Rafter

 Member: W16 x 40 (𝑍𝑥=73 in3).

o 𝑤𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑚𝑒=𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎⋅Bay Spacing
 Formulas:

o 𝑀𝑢=𝑤𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑚𝑒⋅Span28
o 𝜙𝑀𝑛=0.90⋅𝐹𝑦⋅𝑍𝑥
 Calculations:

1. 𝑤𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑚𝑒=35.6 psf×25′=𝟖𝟗𝟎 plf

2. 𝑀𝑢=0.890⋅5028=278.1 kip-ft→𝟑,𝟑𝟑𝟕.𝟓 kip-in

3. 𝜙𝑀𝑛=0.90⋅50 ksi⋅73 in3=𝟑,𝟐𝟖𝟓 kip-in

 Answer: Safe (Within 2% margin; in practice, frame continuity at the knee reduces
the center moment).

4. Connections (Base Plate & Bolts)

  Components: 12"x12"x3/4" Plate (A36) and 3/4" A325 Bolts.
 Formulas:

o 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑞=𝑃𝑢0.65⋅0.85⋅𝑓′𝑐

o 𝜙𝑅𝑛(Bolt Shear)=0.75⋅𝐹𝑛𝑣⋅𝐴𝑏
 Calculations:

1. 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑞=22.250.65⋅0.85⋅3=𝟏𝟑.𝟒 in𝟐 (Actual area provided: 144 in²)

2. 𝜙𝑅𝑛=0.75⋅54 ksi⋅0.441 in2=𝟏𝟕.𝟖 kips per bolt

 Answer: Safe (Use 4 bolts for the base plate and 8 bolts for the eave connection).

Summary of Assumed Values Used:

Concrete: 𝑓′𝑐=3,000 psi for footing bearing.

 Steel E: 29,000 ksi (Hot-Rolled) / 29,500 ksi (Cold-Formed).

Bolts: 𝐹𝑛𝑣=54 ksi (Nominal shear strength for A325-N).



Deflection Limit: 𝐿/180 for roof live load.


