BS 5950-1:2000 Construction stage

s ratios for sections other than CHS and RHS

Ratioa Limiting valueb
20tε
Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 20tε
plastic compact semi-compact

Web of an I-, Neutral axis at mid-depth b/T

d/t 9
80¼ 10
100¼ 15
120¼
H- or box Generally
Generallydd If r 1 is negative: d/t 100 ¼
------------
1 + r1
20tε
If r1 is positive: d/t 20tε
80 ¼ 100 ¼ 120 ¼
------------ -------------------
- -------------------
1 + r1 1 + 1.5r 1 1 + 2r 2
but U 40¼ but U 40¼ but U 40¼ Rolled I-section Welded I-section

Axial compressiond d/t Not applicable

4.4.3.2 Minimum web thickness for serviceability
To avoid serviceability problems:
a) for webs without intermediate stiffeners: t U d/250;
If the ratio d/t exceeds 70¼ for a rolled section, or 62¼ for a welded section, the web should be checked for
shear buckling in accordance with 4.4.5.
Axial compression b/T Not applicable
Web of an I-, Neutral axis at mid-depth d/t 80¼ 100¼ 120¼
H- or box Generallyd If r1 is negative: d/t 100 ¼
sectionc ------------
4.4.3.3 Minimum web thickness to avoid compression flange buckling
To avoid the compression flange buckling into the web:
a) for webs without intermediate stiffeners: t U(d/250)(pyf /345);
b) for is
pyf webs
the with intermediate
design strength of transverse stiffeners:
the compression flange.

BS 5950-3.1:1990 Composite stage

Table 2 — Limiting width to thickness ratios for webs
(Elements which exceed these limits are to be taken as class 4 slender)
Type of element Class of section
Class 1 Plastic Class 2 Compact Class 3 Semi-compact
Web, with neutral axis at d d d
--- # 64e --- # 76 e --- # 114 e
mid-depth t t t
Web, generally d 64e d 76 e when r $ 0.66:
---′# ------------ --- # ------------ for rolled sections:
t 1+r t 1 +r
d 114 e
--- # ----------------
t 1 + 2r
for welded sections:
d  41
--- # ------ – 13 e
t  r 
when 0.66 > r $ 0:
d 114 e
--- # ----------------
t 1 + 2r
when r < 0:
d 114 e ( 1 + r )
--- # ------------------------------
t ( 1 + 2r ) 3---
2
NOTE 1 These ratios apply to the composite section. During construction the classification in BS 5950-1 applies.
NOTE 2 Check webs for shear buckling in accordance with BS 5950-1 when d/t $ 63ε.
NOTE 3 The values in this table do not apply to T-sections.
NOTE 4 e = [275/py]½

Figure 1 — Determination of web stress ratio r