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T H E USE OF tapered structural members having tapered T h e forms of the allowable compressive stress formu-
depths a n d / o r widths was first proposed by Amirikian^ las for tapered members in Sect. D 2 * are identical to
for reasons of economy. Typically, tapered members are those for A I S C prismatic member design. T h e tapering
used in single story structures of one or more bays (Figs. influence is incorporated in the effective length factor.
l a and l b ) and in cantilevered sections of buildings Since the formulas are intended to be used for web-
(Fig. Ic). Some low-rise structures also contain tapered tapered members, the weak-axis effective length factor
members (Fig. I d ) . In view of the lack of basic under- can be taken the same as that for a prismatic member.
standing of the behavior of tapered members, as well as For strong-axis buckling the eff^ective length factor differs
design criteria, a joint W R C - C R C subcommittee was appreciably from a prismatic member. T h e strong-axis
established in 1966 to coordinate research studies. In effective length factors for tapered members, K^, have
addition, a subcommittee of the M B M A Technical been calculated for typical tapered framing situations^
Committee was established in 1973 to facilitate the de- and are included in the Addenda to the Commentary on
velopment of design guides for tapered members. T w o the AISC Specification (see Supplement No. 3).*
previous papers^-^ containing design recommendations T h e allowable bending stress formulas for tapered
were a result of the technical guidance of these sub- members in Sect. D3 diff'er in three aspects from the AISC
committees. T h e major thrust of these papers deal with formulas for prismatic member design. First, the length
the formulation of allowable axial stress, allowable modification factors, hy, and hs, appear in the formulas
bending stress, and combined axial-flexural compression which account for the tapering. These functions were de-
for tapered members. These design recommendations termined in a similar way as for axial compression.^ T h e
have been incorporated into the A I S C Specification as adoption of these two functions was dictated by the com-
Appendix D.^ plicated dependence of the function on the warping and
T h e philosophy behind the development of the allow- St. Venant rigidities, and Sy the use of the double
able stress formulas for tapered members is to use the formula procedure for critical lateral buckling stress.
form of the prismatic formulas in AISC Specification Second, the use of the total resistance formulation^ to
Sects. 1.5.1.3, 1.5.1.4, and 1.6.1 and include a length determine the allowable bending stress. Third, consider-
modification factor. T h e appropriate factors are sum- ation of the restraining effect of adjacent spans when a
marized in Ref. 2 for axial buckling and lateral buck- member is continuous over lateral supports. T h e re-
ling. T h e y were determined based on the following ap- straining effect is included in the coefficient B.**
proach: first, the Rayleigh-Ritz Method was used to Combined axial compression and bending for tapered
determine the critical stress of a tapered member; then, members is handled in the same manner as for prismatic
that stress was equated to the critical stress for a prismatic members. This case is covered in Sect. D4.
member having the same cross section as the smaller end AISC Specification design provisions applicable to
of the tapered member, but of different length. These tapered members can be grouped into three categories
modification factors are functions of the tapering ratios (see Table 1):
and other geometrical properties of the member. T h e
A. Prismatic member provisions that may be directly
design formulas of AISC Specification Appendix D are
applied to tapered members, provided maximum
for linearly web-tapered members only.
stresses are determined at the correct locations (usually
corresponding to the smallest net cross-sectional area).
G. C. Lee is Professor and Chairman, Dept. of Civil Engineering,
State University of Nevo York at Buffalo. * Sections and equations with the prefix "Z)" refer to Appendix D of
M. L. Morrell is Asst. Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, State
the AISC Specification {Supplement No. 3).
University of New York at Buffalo.
** In Ref. 3 the restraint effect is called Ry.
FIRST QUARTER/1975
^^^^4k^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^.^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
v\k>f.vvv\\vvvv\\\v\vt\vs^\\vv\\vvv>\^it>\vxv\\^^^
rOl
w
(c) Tapered beam used in cantilevered situations {d) Use of tapered members in low-rise frames
Figure 1
FIRST QUARTER/1975
q = 0.13 k / i n .
1 i 1i i i i i 11i i 11i i i i i i
i^ Oj5
0.25 - p - 1
"^T^
3 4
'-•A r 6.0
4(a 106.6= 4 2 6 . 3 A
Sect.#
X X X y T
1 25.0in. 12.00in. 1188in? 95.1in? 9.95in. 1.23in. 1.50in
2 28.5 12.88 1610 112.9 11.18 1.18 1.47
3 32.0 13.75 2109 131.8 12.39 1.15 1.45
4 35.5 14.63 2694 151.7 13.57 1.11 1.43
5 39.0 15.50 3368 172.7 14.74 1.08 1.40
Fig. 2. Design Examples 1 and 2: design of segments 2-3 and 4-5 of propped cantilever; Fy = 42 ksi, dimensions shown in inches
F^^ = 170,000/(1.004 X 72.30)2 = 32.26 ' See Spec. Appendix D, footnote to subparagraph D3a.
However, this value is greater than y^^Fy = 14.0 ksi. 5 = 1.0 + 0.58 ll.O + - ^ 1 -
L 19.56J
Therefore, Formula (D3-1) should be used.
9.60'
Formula (D3-1): <0.70 X 0.10 M.C
1^56
2 42
Fby — 1.0 42 1.76
6 X 48.68.
Subsequently, from Formula (D3-2):
= 24.0 ksi < 0.6Fy = 25.2 ksi
F^y = 1.76 V(8.80)2 + (30.20)2 = 55.36 ksi
T h e maximum computed bending stress for segment
2-3 is taken as: However, this value is greater than ^"^Fy = 14.0 ksi.
M2 1508 Thus, Formula (D3-1) should be used.
= J^ = 12.4 ksi < F,, Formula (D3-1):
.*. segment is o.k. _ 2 42
1.0 42
6 X 55.36.
Example 2
= 24.46 ksi < 0.6Fy = 25.2 ksi
Given:
Determine the allowable bending stress for segment T h e maximum computed bending stress for segment
4-5 in the tapered beam, Fig. 2, and compare it to the 4-5 is
calculated bending stress. Fy = 42 ksi. ^5 = ^5A^5 = 19.56 < F^y
Next, the two terms F^^ and F^^ are computed: First, the following maximum stresses are computed:
Axial stress:
F,^ = 12,000/(1.081 X 1261) = 8.80
f^ = P i 2 / ^ i = 87.5/23.6 = 3.71 ksi
F^^ = 170,000/(1.003 X 74.8)2 = 30.20
Shear stress:
Before F^y in Formula (D3-2) can be calculated, the
term B, which includes m o m e n t gradient a n d / o r end f^ = Vu/A,i = 20.1/(10.9 X 0.5) = 3.69 ksi
restraint effects, needs to be determined from sub- Bending stress:
paragraphs D3a, b, c, or d. Either case D3b or D3c
m a y apply, but first the following stresses must be / , = M21/S,,, = 324 X 12/254 = 15.30 ksi
calculated:
Next, the allowable stresses are obtained:
Mz 1265 Allowable shear stress (AISC Spec. Sect. 1.5.1.2):
h = ^ = TTT-Z = 9.60 ksi
131.8 F, = OAFy = 14.5 ksi > / . = 3.69 ksi o.k.
M, 3378
JH ~ = 19.56 ksi
172.7 * The ratio for fb^/fi,5 is positive for reverse curvature.
FIRST QUARTER/1975
1.875 k/ft.
tii^Ai-iliiiit'*^^^^^^ i I *—*—i—^
20.1 k
^X
-15 ft. > 60 ft.
57.5 k 53.5 k
-408
A -
1 l\
211
535
f
V Moment Diagram
^ 324
324 324
Member:
1-2 12.4 in. 24.8 in. 0.50 in. 12.1 in. 0.75 in.
2-3 Tj on -u- 1 1A
W JU X ilD
Fig. 3. Design Example 3: design of member 7-2 of a frame with tapered columns; Fy = 36 ksi
Allowable compression stress (AISC Spec. Appendix Ti-2 = (^2 - di)/di = (24.8 - 12.4)/12.4 = 1.0
D, Sect. D 2 ) :
GT = brh/LlT = 720 X 671/(192 X 4930) = 0.51
T h e effective length factor for the weak axis is ob-
tained by treating the weak direction as prismatic. Gij = 10 (AISC recommended value for pinned end)
For a pin ended column, Ky = 1.0. Figure GDI .5-11,
From Fig. C D l . 5 - 1 1 :
A I S C Commentary Sect. D2,^ can be used to de-
termine Kx' K, = K^^ 1.35
{Kl/r,)^ = 1.35 X 192/5.33 = 48.6 Determine the allowable bending stress for segment
8-9 in Fig. 4 (A440 steel, Fy = 50 ksi). For compres-
Thus, the weak axis governs. sion on the extreme fibers of tapered flexural I-shaped
Fa^ = 17.17 ksi (AISC Spec. Table 1-36) members, Formulas (D3-1) and (D3-2) apply.
Allowable bending stress (AISC Spec. Appendix D, T h e following quantities are needed to calculate hs
Sect. D 3 ) : and hw.
Ido/Af = 192 X 12.4/(12.1 X 0.75) = 262.4 Id^jAf = 63.25 X 14.375/5 X 0.1875 = 969.8
FIRST QUARTER/1975
SYM.
l U 4 II U i ^
0.1875in.
t
0.157in,
5in.
10.8k 7JW
Hi 240in < 240in. — ^
Column:
Sect.# d A I S r r
X X X y
^T
1 8.375in. 3.13in? 38.1in^ 9.1in? 3.49in. 1.12in. 1.31in
2 12.375 3.76 92.2 14.9 4.95 1.02 1.25
3 16.375 4.39 176.4 21.5 6.34 0.94 1.20
4 20.375 5.02 295.7 29.0 7.68 0.88 1.16
5 24.375 5.64 455.1 37.3 8.98 0.83 1.12
Beam:
Example 5 Solution:
Given: First, the following maximum stresses are computed:
Determine the adequacy of the column 1-5 in Fig. 4. Axial stress:
T h e column is pinned at its base in both weak and
strong directions and laterally braced at 5-ft intervals. fa = Pi/Ai = 10.8/3.13
T h e column is not prevented from sidesway. T h e
= 3.45 ksi
column yield stress is 50 ksi. Each segment should be
checked to find the critical one. After having done Bending stress:
this, segment 4-5 satisfied the design criterion most
A == M,/S,, = 700/37.3
closely. T h e adequacy of only this segment is pre-
sented. - 18.8 ksi
.-./, = 2.3 X 4 X 130.3 (1 - 0.4 X 0.65)/3 Combined axial compression and bending (AISC Spec.
Appendix D , Sect. D 4 ) :
= 296 in.4
From previous calculations,/a/i^ay = 0.165; thus, both
Using the charts in A I S C Commentary Sect. D 2 : Formulas (D4-la) and (D4-lb) must be checked.
Since bending is about the strong axis,
71-5 = ds/di - 1 = 1.91
F'ey = 37.3 ksi (AISC Spec. Table 2)
G^ = BTII/LI, = 268 X 38.1/(240 X 296)
FIRST QUARTER/1975
0.06 k / i n .
Uii iU i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i M I i i
120in.
192k-
240in.
0.563in.
J 0.1875in.
T 0.157in.
T Column 1-2
T—0.47in.
continuous
lateral support
::3 V
5in. 5in.
A-A B-B
8.39 k
30.45 k
Center Column:
Sect.#
X y T
1 8.375in. 9.04in? lOlinJ 24.1in? 3.34in. 1.14in. 1.32in.
2-1 24.375 16.6 1290 106 8.83 0.85 1.13
2-3 24.375 5.64 455.1 37.3 8.98 0.83 1.12
3 14.375 4.07 130.3 18.1 5.66 0.98 1.22
Fig. 5. Design Example 6: design of the central column of a two-bay gable frame; Fy = 42 ksi
Example 6 Solution:
Given:
First the following maximum stresses are computed:
Determine the adequacy of the central coluinn
Axial stress:
1-2 in the double bay gable frame, Fig. 5. T h e col-
u m n is assumed to be pinned in the strong direction f^ = P^^/AT, = 30.45/9.04 = 3.37 ksi
at its base. T h e frame is not braced against sidesway.
Shear stress:
T h e weak direction has a continuous brace along the
shear center axis. T h e material yield stress is 42 ksi. /^ = Vn/A,^ = 8.39/(7.25 X 0.47) = 2.46 ksi
10
ENGINEERING J 0URNAL/AMERICAN I N S T I T U T E OF S T E E L CONSTRUCTION
Bending stress: Combined axial compression and bending (AISC Spec.
Appendix D, Sect. D 4 ) :
/^ = M2i/^.:, = 2014/106 = 19.0 ksi
From previous calculations,/a/Fa^ = 0.22; thus, both
Next, the allowable stresses are obtained:
Formulas (D4-la) and (D4-lb) must be checked.
Allowable shear stress (AISC Spec. Sect. 1.5.1.2): Since bending is about the strong axis,
F, = OAFy = 17 ksi > / , 2.46 ksi o.k. F'ey = 18.52 ksi (AISC Spec. Table 2)
Allowable compression stress (AISC Spec. Appendix D, and for the case when the column is allowed to sway
Sect. D 2 ) : in its plane,
Since the column is continuously supported along the
C^ = 0.85
weak-axis, Ky = 0. T h e charts in the A I S C Commen-
tary Sect. D2, can be used to determine Kx- Noting Finally, Formula (D4-la) gives:
that the column is restrained at the top by two tapered
beams, an equivalent m o m e n t of inertia needs to be 19.0^
= 1.006 o.k.
determined in the identical way as in Example 5.
Note that both beams in Fig. 5 are the same. 18.52y
72-3 = {d^ — d^/dz = 0.7 (for the beam) and Formula (D4-lb) gives:
3.37 19.0
1 = 0.89 o.k.
P/Pex-i — 0 (axial force in beam is small)
0.6 X 42 25
From the figures in the Appendix:
CONCLUSIONS
KAA = 2.3 X AEh/br (Fig. A l ) T h e examples presented here serve to illustrate the use
CAB = 0.4 (Fig. A3) of the design specifications for tapered members as re-
quired by A I S C Specification Appendix D. There are
CsA = 0.65 (Fig. A4)
still several unanswered questions regarding the rational
.*./, = 2.3 X 4 X 130 (1 - 0.4 X 0.65)/3 design of tapered member. Three topics of current in-
= 296 in.4 terest are (1) local buckling limitations, (2) tension
flange support requirements,^ and (3) the C^^ factor for
Now, using the charts in the A I S C Commentary, Sect. beam-columns in unbraced frames. T h e designer must
D2: still use experience and sound engineering judgement
71-2 = {di —• d\)/d\ — 1.9 (for the column) regarding design procedures not provided by Appendix
D of the Specification.
_h^hT _ 101 /252 252N
= 0.72
~ Z ^ ^ ~ 240 \ 2 9 6 296> ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
GB = 1 0 (AISC recommended value for pinned This paper is based on research results on tapered
end) member studies carried out at the State University of
New York at Buffalo. T h e research is financially sup-
:,Kx = K^ = 1.25
ported by the American Institute of Steel Construction,
T h e slenderness ratios for the weak and strong axes a r e : Metal Building Manufacturers Association and the
Naval Facilities Engineering C o m m a n d . Technical
{KL/n)y = 0
guidance of the research was provided by the joint
{KL/ri)x = 1.25 X 240/3.34 = 89.8 Column Research Council-Welding Research Council
Subcommittee on Tapered Members and the Subcom-
Thus, the strong axis governs.
mittee on Tapered Members of the Technical Committee
Fa^ 15.58 ksi (AISC Spec. Table 1-42) of the Metal Building Manufacturers Association.
> /a = 3.37 ksi REFERENCES
Allowable bending stress (AISC Spec. Appendix D, Sect. 1. Amirikian, A., Wedge-Beam Framing Trans. ASCE, Vol. 777,
D3): p. 596(7952).
2. Lee, G. C, M. L. Morrell, and R. L. Ketter Design of Tapered
For a continuously lateral supported beam the allow- Members WRC Bulletin No. 773, June 7972.
able bending stress is: 3. Morrell, M. L. and G. C. Lee Allowable Stress for Web-
Tapered Beams with Lateral Restraints WRC Bulletin, No.
0.6i^, 25 ksi 792, Feb. 7974.
11
FIRST QUARTER/1975
4. American Institute of Steel Construction Supplement No. 3 to the tional Conference-Structural Engineering, April 22-26, 1974, Cin-
Specification for the Design, Fabrication & Erection of cinnati, Ohio
Structural Steel for Buildings June 12, 1974 {including Ad-
denda to the Commentary on the Specification.) 6. Lee, G. C. and M. L. Morrell Allowable Stress for W e b -
5. Lee, G. C. and M. L. Morrell Stability of Space Frames Com- T a p e r e d Beams with Tension Flange Bracing {manuscript in
posed of Thin-Walled Members Conf. Preprint, ASCE Na- preparation).
APPENDIX:
20 20
Fig. A1. Stiffness factors: small end fixed Fig. A2. Stiffness factors: large end fixed
12
ENGINEERING J0URNAL/AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF S T E E L CONSTRUCTION
201
[-
1 m^ M
1-5h
o 1 zr=o(c/
o 10
[• / o-5(a/
L ^^ ^^^ lOOxH
0-5
22CiJ
[ y=oa)^ /'"
1 o-sa)—' ,
\ 10(T>—'
20(Tr
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 • • • • 1
0 0-5 10 1-5 20 ^0 05 10 1-5 20
P/P
eXo
Fz]^. ^ J. Carry-over factors: small end fixed Fig. A4. Carry-over factors: large end fixed
13
FIRST QUARTER/1975