BEng 2 Civil Engineering

Structural Steel Design 2009-10

Introduction
A two storey, steel framed building is required with a large open plan area at first floor level. It is to be
constructed in grade S275 steel using the principles of simple construction. Resistance to wind loading is to
be provided by the use of braced bays.

The structure is to be designed in accordance with the requirements of EN1990, EN1991 and EN1993.

Structural arrangement
The structural arrangement is shown page 2. The dimensions a e differ for each group and are shown on
the cover sheet.

Loading
Characteristic loads are as follows.

(a) Loads of first floor level

2
Permanent actions (self weight of floor, ceiling and services) g = 4.0 kN/m
k

2
Variable actions (imposed load) q = 3.0 kN/m
k

(b) Roof
2
Permanent actions (self weight, ceiling services) g = 1.0 kN/m
k

2
Variable actions (snow load) q = 0.4 kN/m
k

(c) Wind
Total wind force acting on the length of the building F = 350 kN
w

Calculations for structural elements

Design calculations are required for the following representative elements:
Beam D2-3
Column D2
Roof truss Top chord and bottom cord
The forces acting on the wind bracing are to be calculated but detailed design is not required.

Connections
Sketches of suitable connections are required for the following (no calculations are required):
Beam-column connection
Roof truss: eaves connection
Wind bracing to main frame connection

Other considerations
All groups must submit complete sets of calculations and sketches of connection details. Additional marks
may be obtained for discussion of any or all of the following additional aspects:
Fire protection
Cladding (related to proposed use of building)
Method of construction.
Guidance notes on calculations

Actions
Characteristic values of loading are given; these should be multiplied by appropriate values of partial safety
factors for ultimate limit state design calculations.
From these factored loads, use suitable combinations to calculate the critical member forces for design of the
designated elements.

Beam
Assume that the beam is fully restrained along its length by a one-way spanning continuous composite floor
slab.
Select a trial UB section on the basis of moment resistance on the assumption that no reduction for shear is
required and then check whether this assumption is valid. Confirm whether or not a check for shear buckling
of the unstiffened web is required. Calculations should include a check on the section classification.
Check that the vertical deflection of the due to unfactored variable loads does not exceed span/360. (All
permanent actions occur during construction and therefore are not included in this serviceability check.)

Column
The selected column is single storey height. Simple construction is specified so it is assumed that beam
reactions act 100mm from the face of the column. M = 0 since the beams have equal span along the
z,Ed
length of the building.
Select a trial UC section and refine your choice is necessary. Calculations for the final selected section only
should be submitted.

Roof
Use a roof slope of 15. Assume that load are applied at the node points only and that the joints behave as if
pinned.
The main truss members are to be double unequal angles sections connected back to back through the long
leg using a single line of M16 bolts through 8mm thick gusset plates. The same section is to be used for the
main compression and tension chords. Select a trial section for the compression chord and refine your
choice is necessary. Check that this is also adequate for the tension chord. Calculations for the final selected
section only should be submitted.
Compression resistance calculations are required for the compound element only; flexural buckling of the
single angle need not be checked as it may be assumed that welded spacer plates will be provided as
required.
Note that a check for load reversal due to uplift due to wind loading would normally be carried out, but this is
not required for the purposes of this coursework.

Bracing
From the wind load, calculate the forces acting on the bracing. Circular hollow sections are to be used for
bracing elements. No detailed design calculations are required. Only wind acting on the long face of the
building is considered here. Normally it would also be necessary to consider wind action in the perpendicular
direction.

Assessment criteria
The coversheet shows the marks allocated to each section of the exercise. Marks will be awarded using the
following criteria
accuracy of calculations
safety and economy of selected structural sections
clarity and conciseness of supporting explanations
quality of presentation and compliance with standard format
referencing to clauses, tables and equations of the Eurocodes
quality of sketches.

Submissions must be handwritten on one side of the paper only. Each calculation sheet must be initialled
and dated by both the student responsible for the calculations and the checker.
Coursework will be accepted only if submitted with the original cover sheet; copies of the coversheet will not
be accepted.