Western Philippines University

College of Engineering and Technology

Civil Engineering Department

STRUCTURAL STEEL DESIGN

By Dr. Cesario A. Bacosa , Jr.
( Geotechnical and Structural Engineer)
6.1

Module 13. Torsion

in beam (Approximate Analysis)

Torsion occurs when the line of action of a load does not pass through the shear center of the beam. In a
member having a noncircular cross section the individual cross sections along the member will not only rotate but
also will deform in a non-uniform manner in the longitudinal plane i.e., plane sections before twisting do not remain
plane after twisting. This deformation is called warping. An approximate analysis of the stresses caused by torsion is
illustrated below.

H
H

y
H/2

H/2

The vertical eccentric load is is replaced by an equivalent load acting through the shear center plus
horizontal forces acting on the flanges. The horizontal force acting on each flange is computed by
Pe
H
or
(6.6a)
Hy Pe
y
The lateral bending stresses in the flange is computed by
M flange (b f / 2)
fb
( I y / 2)

(6.6b)

and the lateral shear stresses can be calculated with

VQ
fv
I yt

(6.6c)

This procedure will give calculated bending stresses which are on the conservative side but the shearing stresses
obtained are on the small side. As a result, if torsion is very large, a more exact analysis should be used.
Problem 609. Investigate the adequacy of a W310x107 (Fy = 248 MPa) to carry the eccentric load shown. The flanges
are restrained from warping at the ends only. Neglect beam weight.

75 mm

80 kN
3.00 m

3.00 m

80 kN

Section properties:
d = 311 mm
bf = 306 mm
tf = 17.0 mm

Solution:
1) Section classification, compactness, lateral support
1.1) Verify if section is a beam or plate girder [NSCP 506.1.1]
h 277

25.4 162 (Table 5)

t w 10.9
Therefore, the section is classified as a beam.
1.2) Check compactness:
Flange compactness: Table 502-1 item (1) and Table 5
bf
306

9.0 10.8 , flange is compact.

2t f 2(17.0)
Check web compactness: Table 502-1 item (10) and Table 5
d 311

28.5 106.7 , web is compact.

t w 10.9
Therefore the section is a compact section.
1.3) Check adequacy of lateral support [NSCP 506.2.1.1]
200b f 200(306)

3886 mm
Fy
248
137900
137900

9300 mm
(d / Af ) Fy 311

248
17.0(306)
since (Lb 6.00) ( Lc 3.886) , laterally unsupported

2) Bending stress about x-axis

2.1) Bending moment
PL 80(6)
Mx

120 kN-m
4
4
2.2) Bending stress
M
120 x106
fbx x
75.5 MPa
S x 1590 x103
3) Lateral bending stress due to torsion
3.1) Horizontal force in each flange
Pe 80(75)
H

20.4 kN
y
294
3.2) Lateral moment acting on one flange
HL 20.4(6)
My

30.6 kN-m
4
4
3.3) Lateral bending stress
My
30.6 x106
fby

115.2 MPa
(S y / 2) (531x103 / 2)

4) Allowable bending stresses

4.1) With respect to the x-axis
1
1
At Af Aw 306(17.0) (277)(10.9) 5705 mm2
6
6
1
1
6
I f I y 81.2 x10 40.6 x106 mm4
2
2

rt

If
At

40.6 x106
84.4 mm
5705

L 6000

71.1
rt 84.4

simply supported, Cb = 1.0

Referring to Table 5,

119 Cb 119 1.0 119.0 71.1

rt

53 Cb 53 1.0 53.0 71.1

r
t

2
248(71.1)2
Use (506-6): Fb
248 0.60(248)
3
3 10550 x10 (1.0)
Fb 163.63 MPa 148.80 MPa
82740Cb 82740(1.0)

230.66 MPa < 148.8 MPa

( Ld / Af ) 6000(311)
17.0(306)
use the larger value from (506-6) and (506-8), thus Fbx 148.8 MPa
Check also (506.8): Fb

4.2) With respect to y-axis

Fby 0.75Fy 0.75(248) 186 MPa
5) Apply the interaction equation
fbx fby
75.5 115.2

1.13 1.0
Fbx Fby 148.8 186
Therefore, the section is unsatisfactory.