4 - 28 BEAM AND GIRDER DESIGN FACTORED UNIFORM LOAD TABLES 4 - 29

FACTORED UNIFORM LOAD TABLES The following expression may be used for calculating the tabulated uniformly distributed
factored load Wu on a simply supported beam or girder:
General Notes
The Tables of Factored Uniform Loads for W and S shapes and channels (C and MC) Wu b Wc / L, kips
used as simple laterally supported beams give the maximum uniformly distributed
factored loads in kips. The tables are based on the flexural design strengths specified in For compact shapes, the tabulated constant is based on the yield stress Fy = 36 ksi or
50 ksi and the plastic section modulus Zx. (See Section F1.1 of the LRFD Specification.)
Section F1 of the LRFD Specification. Separate tables are presented for Fy = 36 ksi and
For noncompact sections, the tabulated constant is based on the nominal resisting moment
Fy = 50 ksi. The tabulated loads include the weight of the beam, which should be deducted
in the calculation to determine the net load that the beam will support. as determined by Equation A-F1-3. (See LRFD Specification Appendix F1.)
The tables are also applicable to laterally supported simple beams for concentrated
loading conditions. A method to determine the beam load capacity for several cases
For relatively short spans, the design strengths for beams and channels may be limited
is shown in this discussion.
by the shear strength of the web instead of the bending strength. This limit is indicated
It is assumed, in all cases, that the loads are applied normal to the X-X axis
in the tables by solid horizontal lines. Loads shown above these lines will produce the
(shown in the Tables of Properties of Shapes in Part 1 of this LRFD Manual) and
design shear strength in the beam web.
that the beam deflects vertically in the plane of bending. If the conditions of loading
involve forces outside this plane, design strengths must be determined from the
general theory of flexure and torsion. For a discussion of end and interior bearing and use of the tabulated values R1 through
r R6 and R, see Part 9 in Volume II of this LRFD Manual.

The flexural design strength of a beam is dependent upon lateral support of its compres-
sion flange in addition to its section properties. In these tables the notation Lp is used to For rolled shapes designated W, M, S, C, and MC, the maximum vertical deflection may
denote the maximum unbraced length of the compression flange, in feet, for the uniform be calculated using the formula:
moment case (Cb = 1.0) and for which the design strengths for compact symmetrical
shapes are calculated with a flexural design strength of: ML2 / C1Ix

b Mn b Mp Z F / 12
b x y where

Noncompact shapes are calculated with a flexural design strength of: M = maximum service load moment, kip-ft
L = span length, ft
Mn Mp Mp Mr
p Ix = moment of inertia, in.4
b b b
r p C1 = loading constant (see Figure 4-2)
as permitted in the LRFD Specification Appendix F1. The associated maximum unbraced = maximum vertical deflection, in.
length for bMn is tabulated as Lp. The notation Lr is the unbraced length of the
compression flange for which the flexural design strength for rolled shapes is:

b Mr S Fy
b x 10 / 12

These tables are not applicable for beams with unbraced lengths greater than Lr. For such
cases, the beam charts should be used.

For symmetrical rolled shapes designated W and S the flexural design strengths and
resultant loads are based on the assumption that the compression flanges of the beams
are laterally supported at intervals not greater than Lp.
The Uniform Load Constant bWc is obtained from the moment and stress relationship
of a simply supported, uniformly loaded beam. The relationship results in the formula:

b Wc b 2ZxFy / 3), kip-ft for compact shapes Fig. 4-2

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION

4 - 30 BEAM AND GIRDER DESIGN FACTORED UNIFORM LOAD TABLES 4 - 31

Table 4-2. Wu L 124 20

Recommended Span/Depth Ratios Service load moment = =
8 LF 8 1.4
Service Load Ratios Maximum Span/Depth Ratios
= 221 kip-ft
Dead / Total Dead / Live = 36 ksi = 50 ksi
Deflection:
0.2 0.25 20.0 14.0
0.3 0.43 22.2 16.0 ML2 221 20 2
0.94 in.
0.4 0.67 25.0 18.0 C1Ix 161 586
0.5 1.00 29.0 21.0
0.6 1.50 — 26.0 Live load deflection = 0.5 0.94 in. = 0.47 in. < (L / 360 = 20
12 / 360 = 0.66 in.) o.k.

Deflection can be controlled by limiting the span-depth ratio of a simply supported,
uniformly loaded beam as shown in Table 4-2. A live-load deflection limit of L / 360 is
assumed; i.e.,
Span Length
LL
360
For large span/depth ratios, vibration may also be a consideration.
Use of Tables
Maximum factored uniform loads are tabulated for steels of Fy = 36 ksi and Fy = 50 ksi.
They are based on the design flexural strength determined from the LRFD Specification:
Equation F1-1 (in Section F1.1) for compact members, and Equation A-F1-3 (in Appen-
dix F1) for noncompact members. The beams must be braced adequately and have an
axis of symmetry in the plane of loading. Factored loads may be read directly from the
tables when the distance between points of lateral support of the compression flange Lb
does not exceed Lp (tabulated earlier in the Load Factor Design Selection Table for
beams).
Loads above the heavy horizontal lines in the tables are governed by the design shear
strength, determined from Section F2 of the LRFD Specification.
EXAMPLE 4-4
A W16 45 floor beam of Fy = 50 ksi steel spans 20 feet. Determine the
maximum uniform load, end reaction, and total service load deflection.
The live load equals the dead load.
EXAMPLE 4-5
A W10 45 beam of Fy = 50 ksi steel spans 6 feet. Determine the
maximum load and corresponding end reaction.
Enter the Factored Uniform Loads Table for Fy = 50 ksi and note that:
Maximum factored uniform load = Wu
= 191 kips, or 191/6 = 31.8 kips/ft
As Wu appears above the horizontal line, it is limited by shear in the
web.
Factored end reaction = Wu / 2 = 191 / 2 = 96 kips
EXAMPLE 4-6
Using Fy = 50 ksi steel, select an 18-in. deep beam to span 30 feet and
support two equal concentrated loads at the one-third and two-thirds
points of the span. The service load intensities are 10 kips dead load
and 24 kips live load. The beam is supported laterally at the points of
load application and the ends. Determine the beam size and service
live load deflection.
Refer to the Table of Concentrated Load Equivalents on page 4-189
and note that:
Equivalent uniform load = 2.67Pu

Based on Section A4 of the LRFD Specification, the governing load 1. Required factored uniform load:
combination for a floor beam is 1.2 (dead load) + 1.6 (live load). As Wu = 2.67Pu = 2.67[1.2(10) + 1.6(24)]
the two loads are equal, = 2.67(50.4)
factored load = 1.4 (total load) = 135 kips
Enter the Factored Uniform Loads Table for Fy = 50 ksi and note that: 2. Enter the Factored Uniform Loads Table for Fy = 50 ksi and Wu
135 kips
Maximum factored uniform load = Wu
= 124 kips, or 124/20 = 6.2 kips/ft For W18 71: Wu = 145 kips > 135 kips; however, Lb = 10 ft > Lp =
Factored end reaction = Wu / 2 = 124 / 2 = 61.8 kips 6.0 ft.

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION

4 - 32 BEAM AND GIRDER DESIGN FACTORED UNIFORM LOAD TABLES 4 - 33

For W18 76: Wu = 163 kips > 135 kips; however, Lb = 10 ft > Lp = Reference Notes on Tables
9.2 ft. 1. Maximum factored uniform loads, in kips, are given for beams with adequate lateral
support; i.e., Lb Lp for Cb = 1.0, Lb Lm for Cb > 1.0.
3. Since Lp Lb Lr, use the Load Factor Design Selection Table. 2. Loads below the heavy horizontal line are limited by design flexural strength, while
b Mn C b[ b M p BF Lb Lp ] loads above the line are limited by design shear strength.
3. Factored loads are given for span lengths up to the smaller of L / d = 30 or 72 ft.
For the central third of the span (uniform moment), Cb = 1.0. 4. The end bearing values at the bottom of the tables are for use in solving LRFD
Required flexural strength: Mu Pu L / 3 = 50.4(30 / 3) = 504 kip-ft Specification Equations K1-3, K1-5a, and K1-5b. They are defined as follows:

4. Try W18 71: R1 2.5kFy tw kips

R2 Fy tw kips/in.
b Mn = 1.0[544 13.8(10 6)]
= 489 kip-ft < 504 kip-ft req’d. n.g. Equation K1-3 becomes Rn R1 N R2

5. Try W18 76: Fy tf

R
r 3 r 68t2w kips
b Mn = 1.0[611 11.1(10 9.2)] tw
= 602 kip-ft > 504 kip-ft req’d. o.k. 1.5

3 tw Fy tf
Use W18 76 R
r 4 r 68t2w kips/in.
d tf tw
6. Determine service live load deflection:
Equation K1-5a becomes rRn rR3 N rR4
MLL PLL / Pu Mu = (24 / 50.4)504 = 240 kip-ft 1.5

MLLL2 240 30 2 tw Fy tf
Maximum (at midspan) = = = 1.03 in. R
r 5 r 68t2w 1 0.2 kips
C 1 Ix 158 1,330 tf tw
1.5

2 4 tw Fy tf
EXAMPLE 4-7 R
r 6 r 68t w kips/in.
d tf tw
A W24 55 of 50 ksi steel spans 20 feet and is braced at 4-ft intervals. Equation K1-5b becomes rRn N rR6
rR5
Determine the maximum factored load and end reaction.
where = 1.00, r = 0.75, N = length of bearing (in.), and the other terms as defined
1. Enter the Factored Uniform Load Table for Fy = 50 ksi and note that:
in the LRFD Specification, Section K1.
Maximum factored uniform load = Wu = 201 kips, or 201 / 20 = R N 31 4 is defined as the design bearing strength for N = 31 4-in.
10.1 kips/ft
For N / d 0.2,
This is true for Lb Lp : 4.0 ft < 4.7 ft o.k. R is the minimum of
2. End reaction = R = Wu / 2 = 201 / 2 = 101 kips R1 N R 2
rR3 N rR4
For N / d 0.2,
R is the minimum of
R1 N R 2
rR5 N rR6
For a complete explanation of end and interior bearing and use of the tabulated values,
see Part 9 in Volume II of this LRFD Manual.
5. The other terms at the bottom of the tables are:
Zx = plastic section modulus for major axis bending, in.3

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION

4 - 34 BEAM AND GIRDER DESIGN

V = design shear strength, kips

v n

bWc = uniform load constant

= b 2ZxFy / 3 kip-ft for compact shapes;
per Equation A-F1-3 (LRFD Specification Appendix F1) for noncompact
shapes
6. Tabulated maximum factored uniformly distributed load for the given beam and span
is the minimum of
Wc
b
and 2 vVn
L
See also Note 2 above.

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION