76 Design of Structural Elements

behaviour. These methods include: two- and three-dimensional elastic behaviour, elastic
behaviour considering a redistribution of moments, plastic behaviour and non-linear
behaviour. Detailed explanations of these techniques can be found in the numerous
structural analysis text books which are available.
In braced structures (see Chapter 4, Section 4.5) where floor slabs and beams are
considered to be simply supported, vertical loads give rise to three basic types of beam
LOAD DISTRIBUTION EXAMPLES
loading condition:

(i) uniformly distributed line loads,

(ii) triangular and trapezoidal loads,
(iii) concentrated point loads.

These load types are illustrated in Examples 3.1 to 3.6 (self-weights have been ignored).

3.3 Example 3.1: Load Distribution – One-way Spanning Slabs

Consider the floor plan shown in Figure 3.1(a) where two one-way spanning slabs are
supported on three beams AB, CD and EF. Both slabs are assumed to be carrying a
uniformly distributed design load of 5 kN/m2.
E F E F

1.5 m 1.5 m
3.0 m

5 kN/m2

C D C D

2.5 m
5.0 m

5 kN/m2
2.5 m

A B A 8.0 m
B
8.0 m
(a) (b)
Figure 3.1

Both slabs have continuous contact with the top flanges of their supporting beams and
span in the directions indicated. The floor area supported by each beam is indicated in
Figure 3.1(b).

Beam AB: Total load = (floor area supported × magnitude of distributed load/m2)
= (2.5 × 8.0) × (5.0) = 100 kN Total load

A 8.0 m B
Beam CD: Total load = (4.0 × 8.0) × (5.0) = 160 kN C D
E F
Beam EF: Total load = (1.5 × 8.0) × (5.0) = 60 kN Uniformly distributed loads
Check: Total load on both slabs = (8.0 × 8.0 × 5.0) = 320 kN Figure 3.1.1
 Structural Loading 77

3.4 Example 3.2: Load Distribution − Two-way Spanning Slabs

Consider the same floor plan as in Example 3.1 but now with the floor slabs two-way
spanning, as shown in Figure 3.2(a).
Since both slabs are two-way spanning, their loads are distributed to supporting beams
on all four sides assuming a 45o dispersion as indicated in Figure 3.2(b).
1.5 m 5.0 m 1.5 m

E F E F

1.5 m 1.5 m
5 kN/m2
3.0 m

C D C D

2.5 m
5 kN/m2
5.0 m

2.5 m
450

A B A 2.5 m 3.0 m 2.5 m

B
8.0 m
(a) (b)
Figure 3.2

⎛ 8.0 + 3.0 ⎞
Beam AB: Load due to slab ACDB = ⎜ × 2.5⎟ × (5.0) = 68.75 kN
⎝ 2 ⎠
68.75 kN

Figure 3.2.1
A 8.0 m B

⎛ 8.0 + 5.0 ⎞
Beam EF: Load due to slab CEFD = ⎜ × 15
. ⎟ × (5.0) = 48.75 kN
⎝ 2 ⎠
48 75 kN

Figure 3.2.2 E F
8.0 m

⎛ 5.0 ⎞
Beams AC and BD: Load due to slab ACDB = ⎜ × 2.5⎟ × (5.0) = 31.25 kN
⎝ 2 ⎠
31.25 kN

Figure 3.2.3
A 5.0 m C
D B
⎛ 3.0 ⎞
Beams CE and DF: Load due to slab CEFD = ⎜ × 15
. ⎟ × (5.0) = 11.25 kN
⎝ 2 ⎠
11.25 kN

Figure 3.2.4
C 3.0 m E
D F
78 Design of Structural Elements
The loading on beam CD can be considered to be the addition of two separate loads, i.e.
Load due to slab ACDB = 68.75 kN (as for beam AB)
Load due to slab CEFD = 48.75 kN (as for beam EF)
Note: Both loads are trapezoidal, but they are different.

68.75 kN 48.75 kN
+
C D C D
2.5 m 3.0 m 2.5 m 1.5 m 5.0 m 1.5 m

Figure 3.2.5

Check: Total load on all beams = 2(68.75 + 48.75 + 31.25 + 11.25) = 320 kN

3.5 Example 3.3: Load Distribution − Secondary Beams

Consider the same floor plan as in Example 3.2 with the addition of a secondary beam
spanning between beams AB and CD as shown in Figure 3.3(a). The load carried by this
new beam imposes a concentrated load at the mid-span position of beams CD and AB at
the mid-span points G and H respectively.

E F E F

1.5 m 1.5 m
3.0 m

5 kN/m2

C G D C G D
5 kN/m2 5 kN/m2
5.0 m
5.0 m

A 4.0 m H 4.0 m B A H B
2.0 m 2.0 m 2.0 m 2.0 m
8.0 m 8.0 m
(a) (b)
Figure 3.3 60 kN

E 8.0 m F
Beam EF: Total load = (1.5 × 8.0) × (5.0) = 60 kN
100 kN
Beam GH: Total load = (4.0 × 5.0) × (5.0) = 100 kN
G 5.0 m H

Beams AC and BD: 50 kN

Total load = (2.0 × 5.0) × (5.0) = 50 kN
A 5.0 m C
B D
Figure 3.3.1
 Structural Loading 79
Beam AB: Total load = End reaction from beam GH = 50 kN
50 kN

Figure 3.3.2 A 4.0 m 4.0 m B

8.0 m
Beam CD:
The loading on beam CD can be considered to be the addition of two separate loads, i.e.
Load due to slab CEFD = 60 kN (as for beam EF)
Load due to beam GH = 50 kN (as for beam AB)
50 kN
60 kN
+
C D C D
8.0 m 4.0 m 4.0 m

8.0 m

Figure 3.3.3

3.6 Example 3.4: Combined One-way Slabs, Two-way Slabs and Beams − 1
Considering the floor plan shown in Figure 3.4(a), with the one-way and two-way
spanning slabs indicated, determine the type and magnitude of the loading on each of the
supporting beams.
2.0 m 4.0 m 2.0 m 2.0 m 4.0 m 2.0 m

E F E H J F

1.5 m 1.5 m
5 kN/m2
3.0 m

C D C G I D
2.5 m

5 kN/m2
5.0 m

2.5 m

A 8.0 m B A B
2.5 m 3.0 m 2.5 m
(a) (b)
Figure 3.4

The loads on beams AB, AC and BD are the same as in Example 3.2. 15 kN

Beams CE, DF, GH and IJ: 3.0 m

C E
Total load = (3.0 × 1.0) × (5.0) = 15 kN D F
G Figure 3.4.1 H
I J
80 Design of Structural Elements
Beam EF: The loads on EF are due to the end reactions from beams GH and IJ and a
distributed load from GHJI.
7. 5 kN 7.5 kN
End reaction from beam GH = 7.5 kN
End reaction from beam JI = 7.5 kN E 2.0 m 4.0 m 2.0 m F
8.0 m

Figure 3.4.2
Load from slab GHJI = [(4.0 × 1.5) × (5.0)] 30 kN
= 30 kN
E 2.0 m 4.0 m 2.0 m F
8.0 m

Figure 3.4.3
Total loads on beam EF due to beams GH, JI and slab GHJI:

7. 5 kN 7.5 kN
30 kN

E H J F
2.0 m 4.0 m 2.0 m
8.0 m

Figure 3.4.4

Beam CD: The loads on CD are due to the end reactions from beams GH and IJ, a
distributed load from GHIJ and a trapezoidal load from slab ABCD as in member AB of
Example 3.2.

7. 5 kN 7.5 kN
30 kN
68.75 kN

C G I D +
2.0 m 4.0 m 2.0 m
A 8.0 m B
8.0 m

Figure 3.4.5

3.7 Example 3.5: Combined One-way Slabs, Two-way Slabs and Beams – 2
The floor plan of an industrial building is shown in Figure 3.5. Using the characteristic
dead and imposed loads given, determine:

(i) the design loads carried by beams B1 and B2,

(ii) the maximum shear force and maximum bending moment for beam B1.
 Structural Loading 81

10.0 m 3.0 m 8.0 m

gk = 5.0 kN/m2 gk = 5.0 kN/m2

qk = 8.0 kN/m2 B1 qk = 7.5 kN/m2
8.0 m

gk = 5.0 kN/m2
qk = 4.0 kN/m2
B2
3.0 m

Stair-well and Lift-shaft

gk = 5.0 kN/m2
4.0 m

qk = 4.0 kN/m2 gk = 5.0 kN/m2

qk = 7.5 kN/m2

Figure 3.5
Solution
Beam B1
The load on beam B1 is equal to a triangular load from the two-way spanning slab
combined with a uniformly distributed load from the one-way spanning slab.
10.0 m 3.0 m

gk = 5.0 kN/m2
B1
qk = 8.0 N/m2
8.0 m

gk = 5.0 kN/m2
qk = 4.0 kN/m2

Figure 3.5.1

Design load = [(1.4 × gk) + (1.6 × qk)]

Triangular area = (4.0 × 4.0) = 16.0 m2
Design load = {[(1.4 × 5.0) + (1.6 × 8.0)] × 16.0} = 316.8 kN
82 Design of Structural Elements

Rectangular area = (1.5 × 8.0) = 12.0 m2

Design load = {[(1.4 × 5.0) + (1.6 × 4.0)] × 2.0} = 160.8 kN

Total design load = (316.8 + 160.8) = 477.6 kN

Beam B2
The load on beam B2 is equal to a trapezoidal load from the two-way spanning slab
combined with a point load from beam B1.
4.0 m 2.0 m 4.0 m 1.5 m

gk = 5.0 kN/m2
qk = 8.0 kN/m2
8.0 m

gk = 5.0 kN/m2
qk = 4.0 kN/m2

B2
Stair-well and Lift-shaft Figure 3.5.2

Trapezoidal area = [0.5 × (2.0 + 10.0) × 4.0] = 24.0 m2

Design load = {[(1.4 × 5.0) + (1.6 × 8.0)] × 24.0} = 475.2 kN
Beam B1 end reaction = 238.8 kN
475.2 kN 238.8 kN

A B
VA 10.0 m 3.0 m VB Figure 3.5.3

Beam B1: Shear Force and Bending Moment

Total design load = 477.6 kN
Since the beam is symmetrical the maximum shear force is equal to the end reaction.

158.4 kN 158.4 kN

160.8 kN
A B
238.8 kN 4.0 m 4.0 m 238.8 kN
Figure 3.5.4

Maximum shear force = (477.6 / 2.0) = 238.8 kN

The maximum bending moment occurs at the mid-span.
Design bending moment = [(238.8 × 4.0) − (80.4 × 2.0) − (158.4 × 4.0/3.0)]
= 583.2 kNm
 Structural Loading 83
3.8 Example 3.6: Combined One-way Slabs, Two-way Slabs and Beams – 3
A multi-storey framed building with an octagonal floor plan as indicated is shown in
Figure 3.6. Determine the loads carried by, the maximum shear force and maximum
bending moment in beam BE in a typical floor plan.

Design data:
Characteristic dead loads gk = 5.0 kN/m2
Characteristic imposed loads qk = 7.5 kN/m2

A B

J K
H C
2.5 m

L M
3m
2.5 m

N
O
G D
3m 2m 3m
5.658 m

F E

8.0 m

Figure 3.6
84 Design of Structural Elements
Solution
The contribution from each beam and floor slab supported by beam BE must be
determined separately as indicated in Figure 3.6.1, i.e. W1 to W6. Since the structure is
symmetrical, only one half need be considered to evaluate the loads and beam end
reactions.

A B
W1

W1
W6
H J K
C
W2

L W3 M
W4 W5
W4

O
G Point loads on beam BE
D
due to beam end reactions

E Use symmetry for

F this half of the
floor plan
Figure 3.6.1

Design Floor Load = (Characteristic Load × Partial Safety Factor)

= [(gk × γf) + (qk × γf)]
= [(1.4 × 5.0) + (1.6 × 7.5)] = 19.0 kN/m2
W1
430.2 kN
Area supported = (8.0 × 2.83) = 22.64 m2
Floor loading = (19.0 × 22.64) = 430.2 kN J 8.0 m K Figure 3.6.2

W2 190 kN
Area supported = (8.0 × 1.25) = 10.0 m 2
J K
8.0 m
Floor loading = (19.0 × 10.0) = 190.0 kN Figure 3.6.3
 Structural Loading 85
W3 71.3 kN
Area supported = (3.0 × 1.25) = 3.75 m2
Floor loading = (19.0 × 3.75) = 71.3 kN L 3.0 m M Figure 3.6.4

W4 42.8 kN
Area supported = (0.25 × 3 × 3) = 2.25 m2
Floor loading = (19.0 × 2.25) = 42.8 kN M
3.0 m
N Figure 3.6.5

W5 (same as W1):
430.2 kN
Area supported = (8.0 × 2.83) = 22.64 m2
K O
Floor loading = (19.0 × 22.64) = 430.2 kN 8.0 m Figure 3.6.6

W6
152.0 kN
Area supported = (0.5 × 5.658 × 2.83) = 8.0 m2
Floor loading = (19.0 × 8.0) = 152.0 kN K 5.658 m C Figure 3.6.7

Beams JK, LM, MN and KO are symmetrical, so their end reactions are the same and
equal to (½ × the total load). In the case of beam KC the end reaction at K imposes a point
load on BE equal to (2/3 × the total load). The total loading on beam BE is as shown in
Figure 3.7.
⎛W W 2W6 ⎞
Point load at K = ⎜ 1 + 2 + ⎟ = [(430.2 + 190)/2 + (2 × 152)/3] = 411.4 kN
⎝ 2 2 3 ⎠
Similarly for the point load at position O.

⎛W W ⎞
Point load at M = ⎜ 3 + 4 ⎟ = (71.3 + 42.8) = 57.1 kN
⎝ 2 2 ⎠
Similarly for the point load at position N.

The uniformly distributed load between points K and O is equal to W5 = 430.2 kN

The triangular load between points M and N is equal to W4 = 42.8 kN

42.8 kN
411.4 kN 57.1 kN 57.1 kN 411.4 kN
430.2 kN

B K M N O E
5.658 m 2.5 m 3.0 m 2.5 m 5.658 m
19.316 m
Maximum shear force = {[0.5 × (42.8 + 430.2)] + 411.4 + 57.1} = 705 kN
Maximum bending moment = [(705 × 9.658) − (411.4 × 4.0) − (57.1 × 1.5)
− − (21.4 × 0.5) − (215.1 × 2.0)] = 4636 kNm
Figure 3.7