Restrained Beams

1. In a restrained beam, the top flange of the beam is restrained by a

lateral restraint
2. Beam to be checked for
a. Adequacy of lateral restraint
i. The restraining system (Ex: floor system) shall resist not
less than 2.5% of maximum force in compression flange
(Force in comp. flange = Moment/depth)
b. Section classification
i. Elements of a section can be classified as Plastic (Class1), Compact, Semi compact and Slender (Class-4) based
on moment/rotation characteristics and load conditions
ii. Moment capacity of the section depends on section
classification
iii. Once section classification is determined, moment
capacity is calculated accordingly, elements are deemed
not to buckle. So no separate buckling check required for
elements
c. Shear
i. Shear capacity for thick webs, shear buckling resistance
for thin webs (shear buckling happens only in plate
girders)
ii. Shear capacity = 0.6*Py * Av
d. Combined Bending and shear
i. For low shear (Shear force < 60% of Shear capacity)
Mc = Py * S for Plastic and compact,
Py * Z for Semi compact and
Py * Zef for slender sections
ii. For high shear (Shear force > 60% of Shear capacity)
Mc =
Py * (S-Sv) ( is ratio of shear capacity, Sv
Plastic modulus of shear area)
iii. For all cases, Mc <=1.2*py Z
e. Web bearing and buckling
When load is applied from the top flange directly,
web to be checked for bearing and buckling
f. Deflection
i. For beams, L/180 L/200
ii. For columns L/300

Unrestrained Beams
1. In an unrestrained beam, the top flange of the beam will buckle
laterally if not restrained, causing lateral torsional buckling
2. Buckling resistance is influenced by
i. Span
ii. Type of end connections
iii. Load location and whether load is free to move along with
beam
iv. Lateral bending stifness
v. Torsional stifness of the beam
3. Equivalent slenderness of the beam LT will account for all above
factors
4. Unrestrained beams shall be designed for moment capacity and
buckling resistance
5. Moment capacity calculation same as earlier
6. Buckling resistance
a. Mb = Mx/Mlt
b. Bending strength Mx = LT * py
c. Equivalent length of member is based on type of connection at
ends
d. Equivalent moment factor Mlt - depends on unequal moment
distribution across member.