LRFD for Steel and Composite Beams with Web Openings

Abstract

A unified approach to the design of steel and composite beams with reinforced or unreinforced web openings is presented. Techniques for calculating maximum shear and bending capacities are summarized. Interaction between shear and bending is used to determine strength at web openings under combined bending and shear. The techniques are compared with experimental results from 50 structural steel beams and 35 composite beams, and the comparisons are used to determine resistance factors for design. The procedure provides for a single equation to predict the maximum shear strength at web openings for all types of beams considered. The accuracy of the procedure is superior to existing design techniques. Resistance factors of 0.90 and 0.85 are recommended for steel and composite beams, respectively.