NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

UTTARAKHAND

Report on

“CLASSIFICATION OF STEEL BEAM SECTION”

Submitted by- Under Supervision of

PAWAN SHAHI Mr. Shashi Narayan

(BT16CIV010) (Asst. Prof.)

1
TABLE OF CONTENT

 Acknowledgement 3
 Abstract 4
 Introduction 5
 Beam 5
 I-beams 6
 Classification of beams sections 6
 Classification of rolled steel beams 9
 Classification of Indian standard narrow parallel flange beams (ISNPB) 11
 Classification of Indian standard wide parallel flange beams (ISWPB) 14
 Conclusion 19

2
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I am highly obliged to Mr. Shashi Narayan Sir (Asst. Professor) for his constant guidance, support, valuable
supervision as well as for providing necessary information regarding the project under who I have accomplished
this project.

3
ABSTRACT

A beam is a structural element that is capable of withstanding load primarily by resisting against bending.
Beams generally carry vertical gravitational forces but can also be used to carry horizontal loads (e.g., loads due
to an earthquake or wind). The loads carried by beams are transferred to columns, walls, or girders, which then
transfer the force to adjacent structural members and finally to the ground.
Steel hot rolled I-sections have been in use in construction since long in India. Steel beams are extremely crucial
and necessary for the construction any building or structure, such as bridges, etc. They come in a wide range of
sizes and shapes. Depending on several different factors, the correct ones for your application will be beneficial
for your construction requirements.
The main objective of this classification is to find out which section are plastic as plastic design offers several
advantages over the traditional elastic design. With plastic analysis, a structure can be designed to form a
preselected yield mechanism at ultimate load level leading to a known and predetermined response during extreme
events. This has special significance in the context of Performance-Based Design philosophy where it is essential
for the structure to deform in a preselected manner to achieve desired levels of performance. Because of this and
other advantages, many of the design guidelines and specifications particularly for seismic applications, rely
directly or indirectly on plastic design concepts.

4
INTRODUCTION

Sections normally used in steel structures are I-sections, Channels or angles etc. which are called open sections,
or rectangular or circular tubes which are called closed sections. These sections can be regarded as a combination
of individual plate elements connected together to form the required shape. The strength of compression members
made of such sections depends on their slenderness ratio. Higher strengths can be obtained by reducing the
slenderness ratio i.e. by increasing the moment of inertia of the cross-section. Similarly, the strengths of beams
can be increased, by increasing the moment of inertia of the cross-section. For a given cross-sectional area, higher
moment of inertia can be obtained by making the sections thin-walled. As discussed earlier, plate elements laterally
supported along edges and subjected to membrane compression or shear may buckle prematurely. Therefore, the
buckling of the plate elements of the cross section under compression/shear may take place before the overall
column buckling or overall beam failure by lateral buckling or yielding. This phenomenon is called local buckling.
Thus, local buckling imposes a limit to the extent to which sections can be made thin-walled.

BEAM

A beam is a structural element that primarily resists loads applied laterally to the beam's axis. Its mode of deflection
is primarily by bending. The loads applied to the beam result in reaction forces at the beam's support points. The
total effect of all the forces acting on the beam is to produce shear forces and bending moments within the beam,
that in turn induce internal stresses, strains and deflections of the beam. Beams are characterized by their manner
of support, profile (shape of cross-section), length, and their material.

A statically determinate beam, bending (sagging) under a uniformly distributed load

5
I-BEAMS

An I-beam, also known as H-beam is a beam with an I or H-shaped cross-section. The horizontal elements of the
"I" are known as flanges, while the vertical element is termed the "web". I-beams are usually made of structural
steel and are used in construction and civil engineering.

The web resists shear forces, while the flanges resist most of the bending moment experienced by the beam. Beam
theory shows that the I-shaped section is a very efficient form for carrying both bending and shear loads in the
plane of the web. On the other hand, the cross-section has a reduced capacity in the transverse direction, and is
also inefficient in carrying torsion, for which hollow structural sections are often preferred.

Typical cross-section of I-beams

CLASSIFICATION OF BEAMS SECTIONS

Plate elements of a cross-section may buckle locally due to compressive stresses. The local buckling can be avoided
before the limit state is achieved by limiting the width to thickness ratio of each element of a cross-section
subjected to compression due to axial force, moment or shear.

6
When plastic analysis is used, the members shall be capable of forming plastic hinges with sufficient rotation
capacity (ductility) without local buckling, to enable the redistribution of bending moment required before
formation of the failure mechanism.
When elastic analysis is used, the member shall be capable of developing the yield stress under compression
without local buckling.
The Indian Standard Handbook classifies Indian hot-rolled I-sections into four categories namely, light (ISLB),
medium (ISMB), wide flange (ISWB) and heavy (ISHB). These have the unique feature that the flanges are tapered
with rounded corners at the ends.

Plastic Section — Cross-section, which can develop a plastic hinge and sustain plastic moment over sufficient
plastic rotation required for formation of plastic failure mechanism of the member or structure.
Semi-compact Section — Cross-section, which can attain the yield moment, but not the plastic moment before
failure by plate buckling.
Compact Section —A cross-section, which can develop plastic moment, but has inadequate plastic rotation
capacity needed for formation of a plastic collapse mechanism of the member or structure.

PLASTIFICATION OF CROSS SECTION UNDER BENDING

7
 Limits on Width to Thickness Ratio of Plate Elements
Class of Section
Compression element Ratio Plastic Compact Semi-compact
(1) (2) (3)
Outstanding element Rolled section b/tf 9.4 10.5 15.7
of compression Welded section b/ tf 8.4 9.4 13.6
flange Compression due
b/ tf 29.3 33.5
to bending
Internal element of 42
Axial
compression flange b/ tf Not applicable
compression
Neutral axis at mid-depth d/tw 84 105 126
If r1 is 84 105.0
d/tw
negative: 1  r1 1  r1
Web of an I- 126.0
H-or box Generally but <42 105.0
section c If r1 is 1  2 r2
d/tw 1  1.5r1
positive : but  42
but  42
Axial compression d/tw Not applicable
Web of a channel d/tw 42 42 42
Angle, compression due to bending b/t 9.4 10.5 15.7
(Both criteria should be satisfied) d/t 9.4  10.5 15.7
b/t
Single angle, or double angles with the 15.7
d/t
components separated, axial compression Not applicable 15.7
(b+d
(All three criteria should be satisfied)
)/t 25
Outstanding leg of an angle in contact
back-to-back in a double angle member
Outstanding leg of an angle with its back d/t 9.4 10.5 15.7
in continuous contact with another
component
Circular tube
CHS or built by
subjected to moment D/t 442 552 882
welding
or axial compression
Stem of a T-section, rolled or cut from a
D/tf 8.4 9.4 18.9
rolled I-or H-section
Note 1: Section having elements which exceeds semi-compact limits are to be taken as slender cross sections
Note2: =(250/ fy )1/2
Note 3: Check webs for shear buckling in accordance when d/t > 67 . Where, b is the width of the element may be taken as
clear distance between lateral supports or between lateral support and free edge, as appropriate, t is the thickness of element,
d is the depth of the web, D mean diameter of the element,
Note 4: Different elements of a cross-section can be in different classes. In such cases the section is classified based on the
least favorable classification.
Note 5: The stress ratio r1 and r2 are defined as
r1= actual average axialcompressivestress , r2= actual average axial compressive stress
design compressive stress of web alone designcompressive stress of overall sec tion

8
 CLASSIFICATION OF ROLLED STEEL BEAMS

Designation Weight sectional Depth of width of Thickness thickness classification

per meter area section flange of flange of web
D Bf tf tw
ISJB150 69.6 901 150 50 4.6 3 Plastic
ISJB175 79.4 1028 175 50 4.8 3.2 Plastic
ISJB200 97.1 1264 200 60 5 3.4 Plastic
ISJB225 125.5 1628 225 80 5 3.7 Plastic
ISLB75 59.8 771 75 50 5 3.7 Plastic
ISLB100 78.4 1021 100 50 6.4 4 Plastic
ISLB125 116.7 1512 125 75 6.5 4.4 Plastic
ISLB150 139.3 1808 150 80 6.8 4.8 Plastic
ISLB175 163.8 2130 175 90 6.9 5.1 Plastic
ISLB200 194.2 2527 200 100 7.3 5.4 Plastic
ISLB225 230.5 2992 225 100 8.6 5.8 Plastic
ISLB250 273.6 3553 250 125 8.2 6.1 Plastic
ISLB275 323.7 4202 275 140 8.8 6.4 Plastic
ISLB300 369.8 4808 300 150 9.4 6.7 Plastic
ISLB325 422.8 5490 325 165 9.8 7 Plastic
ISLB350 485.5 6301 350 165 11.4 7.4 Plastic
ISLB400 558.1 7243 400 165 12.5 8 Plastic
ISLB450 640.5 8314 450 170 13.4 8.6 Plastic
ISLB500 735.7 9550 500 180 14.1 9.2 Plastic
ISLB550 846.6 10997 550 190 15 9.9 Plastic
ISLB600 976 12669 600 210 15.5 10.5 Plastic
ISMB100 112.8 1460 100 75 7.2 4 Plastic
ISMB125 127.5 1660 125 75 7.6 4.4 Plastic
ISMB150 146.1 1900 150 80 7.6 4.8 Plastic
ISMB175 189.3 2462 175 90 8.6 5.5 Plastic
ISMB200 249.1 3233 200 100 10.8 5.7 Plastic

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ISMB225 306 3972 225 110 11.8 6.5 Plastic
ISMB250 365.9 4755 250 125 12.5 6.9 Plastic
ISMB300 433.6 5626 300 140 12.4 7.5 Plastic
ISMB350 514 6671 350 140 14.2 8.1 Plastic
ISMB400 604.2 7846 400 140 16 8.9 Plastic
ISMB450 710.2 9227 450 150 17.4 9.4 Plastic
ISMB500 852.4 11074 500 180 17.2 10.2 Plastic
ISMB550 1017 13211 550 190 19.3 11.2 Plastic
ISMB600 1203 15621 600 210 20.3 12 Plastic
ISWB150 166.7 2167 150 100 7 5.4 Plastic
ISWB175 216.8 2811 175 125 7.4 5.8 Plastic
ISWB200 282.5 3971 200 140 9 6.1 Plastic
ISWB225 332.5 4324 225 150 9.9 6.4 Plastic
ISWB250 401.2 5205 250 200 9 6.7 semi compact
ISWB300 471.8 6133 300 255 10 7.4 semi compact
ISWB350 558.1 7250 350 200 11.4 8 Plastic
ISWB400 654.3 8501 400 200 13 8.6 Plastic
ISWB450 778.9 10115 450 200 15.4 9.2 Plastic
ISWB500 933.4 12122 500 250 14.7 9.9 Plastic
ISWB550 1103.4 14334 550 250 17.6 10.5 Plastic
ISWB600 1311.5 17038 600 250 21.3 11.2 Plastic
ISWB600 1423.4 18486 600 250 23.6 11.8 Plastic
ISHB150 265.8 3448 150 150 9 5.4 Plastic
ISHB150 300.1 3898 150 150 9 8.4 Plastic
ISHB150 339.4 4408 150 150 9 11.8 Plastic
ISHB200 365.9 4754 200 200 9 6.1 semi compact
ISHB200 392.4 5094 200 200 9 7.8 semi compact
ISHB225 422.8 5494 225 225 9.1 6.5 semi compact
ISHB225 459.1 5966 225 225 9.1 8.6 semi compact
ISHB250 500.3 6496 250 250 9.7 6.9 semi compact
ISHB250 536.6 6971 250 250 9.7 8.8 semi compact
ISHB300 576.8 7485 300 250 10.6 7.6 semi compact

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ISHB300 618 8025 300 250 10.6 9.4 semi compact
ISHB350 661.1 8591 350 250 11.6 8.3 semi compact
ISHB350 710.2 9221 350 250 11.6 10.1 semi compact
ISHB400 759.2 9866 400 250 12.7 9.1 Compact
ISHB400 806.3 10466 400 250 12.7 10.6 Compact
ISHB450 855.4 11114 450 250 13.7 9.8 Plastic
ISHB450 907.4 11789 450 250 13.7 11.3 Plastic

CLASSIFICATION OF INDIAN STANDARD NARROW PARALLEL FLANGE BEAMS

(ISNPB)

Designation Weight sectiona Depth width of Thickness of thickness classification

per meter l area of flange flange of web
section
D Bf tf tw
ISNPB100x55 79046 1030 100 55 5.7 4.1 Plastic
ISNPB120x60 101.73 1320 120 64 6.3 4.4 Plastic
ISNPB140x70 126.45 1640 140 73 6.9 4.7 Plastic
ISNPB160x80 154.7 2010 160 82 7.4 5 Plastic

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ISNPB180x90 150.78 1960 177 91 6.5 4.3 Plastic
ISNPB180x90 184.43 2390 180 91 8 5.3 Plastic
ISNPB180x90 208.66 2710 182 92 9 6 Plastic
ISNPB200x100 180.7 2350 197 100 7 4.5 Plastic
ISNPB200x100 219.35 2850 200 100 8.5 5.6 Plastic
ISNPB200x100 246.13 3200 202 102 9.5 6.2 Plastic
ISNPB200x130 268.5 3490 207 133 8.5 5.8 Plastic
ISNPB200x130 309.51 4020 210 134 10 6.4 Plastic
ISNPB200x150 298.71 3880 194 150 9 6 Plastic
ISNPB200x165 350.02 4550 201 165 10 6.2 Plastic
ISNPB200x165 416.63 5410 205 166 12 7.2 Plastic
ISNPB200x165 470.88 6110 210 166 14.5 6.5 Plastic
ISNPB220x110 217.59 2830 217 110 7.7 5 Plastic
ISNPB220x110 257.02 3340 220 110 9.2 5.9 Plastic
ISNPB220x110 287.92 3740 222 112 10.2 6.6 Plastic
ISNPB240x120 256.53 3330 237 120 8.3 5.2 Plastic
ISNPB240x120 301.27 3910 240 120 9.8 6.2 Plastic
ISNPB240x120 336.58 4370 242 122 10.8 7 Plastic
ISNPB250x125 295.38 3840 250 125 9 6 Plastic
ISNPB250x150 334.32 4340 258 146 9.2 6.1 Plastic
ISNPB250x150 390.24 5070 262 147 11.2 6.6 Plastic
ISNPB250x150 458.91 5920 266 148 13.2 7.6 Plastic
ISNPB250x175 431.05 5600 244 175 11 7 Plastic
ISNPB270x135 301.46 3910 267 135 8.7 5.5 Plastic
ISNPB270x135 353.85 4590 270 135 10.2 6.6 Plastic
ISNPB270x135 414.57 5380 274 136 12.2 7.5 Plastic
ISNPB300x150 358.26 4650 297 150 9.2 6.1 Plastic
ISNPB300x150 414.37 5380 300 150 10.7 7.1 Plastic
ISNPB300x150 483.83 6280 304 152 12.7 8 Plastic
ISNPB300x165 391.22 5080 310 165 9.7 5.8 Plastic
ISNPB300x165 448.91 5830 313 166 11.2 6.6 Plastic
ISNPB300x165 524.44 6810 317 167 13.2 7.6 Plastic

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ISNPB300x200 584.28 7590 303 203 13.1 7.5 Plastic
ISNPB300x200 654.82 8500 306 204 14.6 8.5 Plastic
ISNPB300x200 739.38 9600 310 205 16.6 9.4 Plastic
ISNPB330x160 421.54 5470 327 160 10 6.5 Plastic
ISNPB330x160 482.16 6260 330 160 11.5 7.5 Plastic
ISNPB330x160 559.17 7260 334 162 13.5 8.5 Plastic
ISNPB350x170 492.56 6400 357.6 170 11.5 6.6 Plastic
ISNPB350x170 560.05 7270 360 170 12.7 8 Plastic
ISNPB350x170 647.85 8410 364 172 14.7 9.2 Plastic
ISNPB350x250 776.76 10090 340 250 14 9 Plastic
ISNPB400x180 562.9 7310 397 180 12 7 Plastic
ISNPB400x180 650.4 8450 400 180 13.5 8.6 Plastic
ISNPB400x180 742.22 9640 404 182 15.2 9.7 Plastic
ISNPB400x200 660.02 8570 400 200 13 8 Plastic
ISNPB450x190 658.74 8550 447 190 13.1 7.6 Plastic
ISNPB450x190 760.96 9880 450 190 14.6 9.4 Plastic
ISNPB450x190 906.05 11770 456 192 17.6 11 Plastic
ISNPB500x200 778.52 10110 497 200 14.5 8.4 Plastic
ISNPB500x200 889.57 11550 500 200 16 10.2 Plastic
ISNPB500x200 1052.71 13670 506 202 19 12 Plastic
ISNPB550x210 903.21 11730 547 210 15.7 9 Plastic
ISNPB550x210 1035.13 13440 550 210 17.2 11.1 Plastic
ISNPB550x210 1201.92 15610 556 212 20.2 12.7 Plastic
ISNPB600x220 1055.16 13700 597 220 17.5 9.8 Plastic
ISNPB600x220 1201.23 15600 600 220 19 12 Plastic
ISNPB600x220 1515.25 19680 610 224 24 15 Plastic
ISNPB700x250 112.94 14450 694 250 16 9 Plastic
ISNPB700x250 1259.7 16360 695 250 16.5 11.5 Plastic
ISNPB700x250 1406.95 18270 700 250 19 12.5 Plastic
ISNPB700x250 1509.37 19600 704 250 21 13 Plastic
ISNPB700x250 1682.12 21840 709 250 23.5 14.5 Plastic
ISNPB750x270 1425.29 18510 750 265 16.6 13.2 Plastic

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ISNPB750x270 1712.24 22230 760 270 21.6 14.4 Plastic
ISNPB750x270 1986.33 25790 770 270 26.6 15.6 Plastic

CLASSIFICATION OF INDIAN STANDARD WIDE PARALLEL FLANGE BEAMS

(ISWPB)

Designation Weight per sectiona Depth of width of Thickness thickness classification

meter l area section flange of flange of web
D Bf tf tw
ISWPB100x100 120.07 1560 91 100 5.5 4.2 Plastic
ISWPB100x100 163.53 2120 96 100 8 5 Plastic
ISWPB100x100 200.52 2600 100 100 10 6 Plastic
ISWPB100x100 409.96 5320 120 106 20 12 Plastic
ISWPB120x120 142.83 1860 109 120 5.5 4.2 semi compact
ISWPB120x120 195.12 2530 114 120 8 5 Plastic
ISWPB120x120 261.83 3400 120 120 11 6.5 Plastic
ISWPB120x120 511.4 6640 140 126 21 12.5 Plastic
ISWPB140x140 177.27 2300 128 140 6 4.3 semi compact
ISWPB140x140 241.91 3140 133 140 8.5 5.5 Plastic
ISWPB140x140 330.79 4300 140 140 12 7 Plastic
ISWPB140x140 620.38 8060 160 146 22 13 Plastic

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ISWPB150x150 225.24 2920 152 152 6.8 5.8 semi compact
ISWPB150x150 294.69 3830 158 153 9.4 6.5 Plastic
ISWPB150x150 362.77 4710 162 154 11.5 8 Plastic
ISWPB160x160 233.77 3040 148 160 7 4.5 semi compact
ISWPB160x160 298.62 3880 152 160 9 6 Plastic
ISWPB160x160 418.79 5430 160 160 13 8 Plastic
ISWPB160x160 747.42 9710 180 166 23 14 Plastic
ISWPB180x180 281.35 3650 167 180 7.5 5 semi compact
ISWPB180x180 348.45 4530 171 180 9.5 6 Compact
ISWPB180x180 502.47 6530 180 180 14 8.5 Plastic
ISWPB180x180 872.11 11330 200 186 24 14.5 Plastic
ISWPB200x200 359.44 4410 186 200 8 5.5 semi compact
ISWPB200x200 414.57 5380 190 200 10 6.5 Compact
ISWPB200x200 499.53 6490 194 202 12 8 Plastic
ISWPB200x200 601.25 7810 200 200 15 9 Plastic
ISWPB200x200 726.04 9430 206 206 18 10.2 Plastic
ISWPB200x200 819.33 10640 209 209 19.5 13 Plastic
ISWPB200x200 1011.02 13130 220 206 25 15 Plastic
ISWPB220x220 396.32 5150 205 220 8.5 6 semi compact
ISWPB220x220 495.5 6430 210 220 11 7 Compact
ISWPB220x220 701.12 9100 220 220 16 9.5 Plastic
ISWPB220x220 1150.81 14940 240 226 26 15.5 Plastic
ISWPB240x240 464.9 6040 224 240 9 6.5 semi compact
ISWPB240x240 91.74 7680 230 240 12 7.5 Compact
ISWPB240x240 816.19 10600 240 240 17 10 Plastic
ISWPB240x240 1536.93 19960 270 248 32 18 Plastic
ISWPB250x250 659.33 8560 247 252 11.1 11.1 semi compact
ISWPB250x250 717.5 9320 252 250 13.6 9 Plastic
ISWPB250x250 834.24 10830 253 255 14.1 14 Plastic
ISWPB250x250 951.86 12360 260 256 17.6 12.7 Plastic
ISWPB250x250 1019.95 13240 264 257 19.6 11.9 Plastic
ISWPB250x250 1153.36 14980 269 259 22.1 13.5 Plastic

15
ISWPB250x250 1313.66 17060 275 261 25.1 15.4 Plastic
ISWPB250x250 1455.51 18900 280 263 27.6 17.3 Plastic
ISWPB260x260 531.11 6900 244 260 9.5 6.5 semi compact
ISWPB260x260 668.55 8680 250 260 12.5 7.5 Compact
ISWPB260x260 912.13 11840 260 260 17.5 10 Plastic
ISWPB260x260 1122.26 14570 268 262 21.5 12.5 Plastic
ISWPB260x260 1388.21 18030 278 265 26.5 15.5 Plastic
ISWPB260x260 1691.44 21960 290 268 32.5 18 Plastic
ISWPB280x280 600.86 7800 264 280 10 7 semi compact
ISWPB280x280 748.99 7730 270 280 13 8 semi compact
ISWPB280x280 1849.48 24020 310 288 33 18.5 Plastic
ISWPB280x280 2787.32 36192 280 280 18 105 Plastic
ISWPB300x300 684.64 8890 283 300 10.5 7.5 semi compact
ISWPB300x300 866.52 11250 290 300 14 8.5 semi compact
ISWPB300x300 989.24 12850 294 300 16 10 Plastic
ISWPB300x300 1148.06 14910 300 300 19 11 Plastic
ISWPB300x300 2334 30310 340 310 39 21 Plastic
ISWPB320x300 728.29 9460 301 300 11 8 semi compact
ISWPB320x300 957.75 12440 310 300 15.5 9 Compact
ISWPB320x300 1242.44 16130 320 300 20.5 11.5 Plastic
ISWPB320x300 2403.06 31200 359 309 40 21 Plastic
ISWPB340x300 773.91 10050 320 300 11.5 8.5 semi compact
ISWPB340x300 1027.89 13350 330 300 16.5 9.5 Plastic
ISWPB340x300 1316.01 17090 340 300 21.5 12 Plastic
ISWPB340x300 2432.1 31580 377 309 40 21 Plastic
ISWPB360x300 821 10660 339 300 12 9 semi compact
ISWPB360x300 1099.31 14280 350 300 17.5 10 Plastic
ISWPB360x300 1391.06 18060 360 300 22.5 12.5 Plastic
ISWPB360x300 2455.05 31880 395 308 40 21 Plastic
ISWPB360x370 1336.12 17350 356 369 17.8 11.2 Compact
ISWPB360x370 1480.03 19220 360 370 19.8 12.3 Plastic
ISWPB360x370 1621.99 21060 364 371 21.8 13.3 Plastic

16
ISWPB360x370 1785.52 23190 368 373 23.8 15 Plastic
ISWPB360x370 1938.95 25180 372 374 25.8 16.4 Plastic
ISWPB400x300 906.35 11770 378 300 13 9.5 semi compact
ISWPB400x300 1224.29 15900 390 300 19 11 Plastic
ISWPB400x300 1523.1 19780 400 300 24 13.5 Plastic
ISWPB400x300 2508.81 32580 432 307 40 21 Plastic
ISWPB400x400 1874.69 24340 368 391 24.2 15 Plastic
ISWPB400x400 2154.86 27980 375 394 27.7 17.3 Plastic
ISWPB400x400 2350.67 30520 380 395 30.2 18.9 Plastic
ISWPB450x300 978.45 12710 425 300 13.5 10 semi compact
ISWPB450x300 1370.95 17800 440 300 21 11.5 Plastic
ISWPB450x300 1678.59 21800 450 300 26 14 Plastic
ISWPB450x300 2583.17 33540 478 307 40 21 Plastic
ISWPB500x300 1054.08 13690 472 300 14 10.5 semi compact
ISWPB500x300 1273.04 16530 480 300 18 11.5 Plastic
ISWPB500x300 1521.24 19750 490 300 23 12 Plastic
ISWPB500x300 1837.71 23860 500 300 28 14.5 Plastic
ISWPB500x300 2651.35 34430 524 306 40 21 Plastic
ISWPB550x300 1177 15280 522 300 15 11.5 Compact
ISWPB550x300 1630.72 21180 540 300 24 12.5 Plastic
ISWPB550x300 1956.51 25410 550 300 29 15 Plastic
ISWPB550x300 2729.04 35440 572 306 40 21 Plastic
ISWPB600x300 1263.43 16410 571 300 15.5 12 Compact
ISWPB600x300 1743.92 22650 590 300 25 13 Plastic
ISWPB600x300 2078.94 27000 600 300 30 15.5 Plastic
ISWPB600x300 2800.46 36370 620 305 40 21 Plastic
ISWPB650x300 1353.49 17580 620 300 16 12.5 Plastic
ISWPB650x300 1860.86 24160 640 300 26 13.5 Plastic
ISWPB650x300 2205.09 28630 650 300 31 16 Plastic
ISWPB650x300 2878.06 37370 668 305 40 21 Plastic
ISWPB700x300 1470.42 19090 670 300 17 13 Plastic
ISWPB700x300 2005.95 26050 690 300 27 14.5 Plastic

17
ISWPB700x300 2359.4 30640 700 300 32 17 Plastic
ISWPB700x300 2949.57 38300 176 304 40 21 Plastic
ISWPB800x300 1682.51 21850 770 300 18 14 Plastic
ISWPB800x300 2201.07 28580 790 300 28 15 Plastic
ISWPB800x300 2573.46 33420 800 300 33 17.5 Plastic
ISWPB800x300 3113.2 40430 814 303 40 21 Plastic
ISWPB850x300 1764.72 22920 835 392 18.8 14 Compact
ISWPB850x300 51920.11 24930 840 392 21.3 14.7 Plastic
ISWPB850x300 2101.69 27290 846 393 24.3 15.4 Plastic
ISWPB850x300 2261.7 29370 851 394 26.8 16.1 Plastic
ISWPB850x300 2488.6 32320 859 392 30.8 17 Plastic
ISWPB900x300 1942.38 25220 870 300 20 15 Plastic
ISWPB900x300 2468.29 32050 890 300 30 16 Plastic
ISWPB900x300 2859.12 37130 900 300 35 18.5 Plastic

18
CONCLUSION
The limits on the width-thickness ratios of plate elements are provided to classify the section under a particular
class. Only plastic and compact sections can be used if limit state design is followed and only plastic sections can
be used in mechanism-forming indeterminate frames. Slender sections are to be avoided even in elastic design but
are invariably used in cold-formed construction for reasons of economy.
Local buckling can be prevented, by controlling the width-thickness ratio. One way of doing this is by adopting
higher thickness of the plate. This method is adopted in rolled steel sections.
It may be noted that semi-compact members cannot be used in plastic design. Only plastic sections can be used in
indeterminate frames forming plastic collapse mechanisms while compact sections can be used in simply supported
beams failing after reaching Mp at one section. In elastic design, semi-compact sections may be used with the
understanding that they will fail at My. Slender sections also have a stiffness problem and are normally not
preferred in hot-rolled structural steel work.

It should be noted that the code gives only guidelines for design which when followed will reduce the probability
of a structure collapsing. However, it is the designer's responsibility to ensure that the structure does not collapse
due to loads or actions which are special to the particular structure, improper construction and erection techniques,
mistakes in calculations etc.

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