"STIFFNER" --- STEEL BEAM WEB STIFFENER ANALYSIS

Program Description:

"STIFFNER" is a spreadsheet program written in MS-Excel for the purpose of analysis of steel beams subject
to concentrated loads. Specifically, web yielding, web crippling, and web buckling criteria are checked to
determine if web stiffeners are required to resist the concentrated load. If stiffeners are required, the stiffener
size and weld requirements are determined.

This program is a workbook consisting of three (3) worksheets, described as follows:

Worksheet Name Description

Doc This documentation sheet
Beam Stiffeners Steel beam web stiffener analysis for concentrated loads
Beam Stiffeners (Table) Steel beam web stiffener analysis for concentrated loads (table version)

Program Assumptions and Limitations:

1. This program follows the procedures and guidelines of the AISC 9th Edition Allowable Stress (ASD) Manual
for wide flange beams subjected to concentrated compressive loads per Chapter K, pages 5-80 to 5-83.
2. This program uses the database of member dimensions and section properties from the "AISC Shapes
Database", Version 3.0 (2001) as well as the AISC 9th Edition (ASD) Manual (1989).
3. For the purpose of determining the total composite section to be considered for resisting the compressive
load, the program assumes a spacing of 3" center-to-center between the stiffener pairs. Thus the total
effective strips of web to be included in the composite section along with the stiffeners are as follows:
For interior condition (P or R > d/2):
1-pair: 25*tw
2-pairs: 25*tw+3"
3-pairs: 25*tw+6"
For end condition (P or R <= d/2):
1-pair: 12*tw
2-pairs: 12*tw+3"
3-pairs: 12*tw+6"
4. This program contains numerous “comment boxes” which contain a wide variety of information including
explanations of input or output items, equations used, data tables, etc. (Note: presence of a “comment box”
is denoted by a “red triangle” in the upper right-hand corner of a cell. Merely move the mouse pointer to the
desired cell to view the contents of that particular "comment box".)
 "STIFFNER.xls" Program
Version 2.3

STEEL BEAM WEB STIFFENER ANALYSIS

Web Yielding, Crippling, Buckling, and Stiffener Criteria for Concentrated Load or Reaction
Per AISC 9th Edition Manual (ASD)
Job Name: Subject: R
Job Number: Originator: Checker: ###
###
Input Data: ###
Yes
Beam Size: N = 12 No
Select: W18x35 1-Pair
x = 10 2-Pairs
Beam Load or End Reaction: P = 17 3-Pairs
Load or Reaction? (P/R) P Rwb =
P or R = 17.00 kips k = 0.827 Stiff. Req'd?
Design Parameters: Beam Web
Beam Yield, Fy = 50 ksi Stiffener Stiffener W
Bearing Length, N = 12.000 in. (NS & FS) N+5*k bs(min) =
Unbraced Length, Lb = 20.000 ft. N+2.5*k d=17.7
Distance to P or R, x = 10.000 ft. Stiffener (NS & FS) Stiffener T
Loaded Flg. Restrained? No ts(min) =
Stiffener Thickness, ts = 0.3750 in. Check Sti
Stiffener Yield, Fys = 36 ksi k = 0.827 W18x35 b/t =
Number of Stiff. Pairs = 1-Pair x b/t(max) =
R K=
Beam Properties: Nomenclature L=
d = 17.700 in. N Notes: 1. When stiffeners are required, program I=
tw = 0.300 in. assumes full height stiffeners. A =
bf = 6.000 in. 2. Only 1-pair of stiffeners depicted at either r=
tf = 0.425 in. reaction or load (if required) but may be fa =
k = 0.8270 in. 2-pairs or 3-pairs spaced 3" o.c. KL/r =
Cc =
Results: Fa =

Gross Shear Capacity of Beam Web: Stiffener W

Rv = N.A. kips Rv = 0.40*Fy*d*tw (Not applicable for P)Ps =
Lw =
Local Web Yielding: (Criteria is for P away from beam end per AISC Eqn. K1-2) fw =
Rwy = 159.74 kips Rwy = 0.66*Fy*tw*(N+5*k) Rwy >= P, O.K. w (req'd) =
w(min) =
Web Crippling: (Criteria is for P away from beam end per AISC Eqn. K1-4) w(max) =
Rwc = 112.80 kips Rwc = 67.5*tw^2*(1+3*(N/d)*(tw/tf)^1.5)*SQRT(Fy*tf/tw) Stiffener W
Rwc >= P, O.K. Ps =
Lw =
Sidesway Web Buckling: (Criteria is for beam with unrestrained top flange per AISC Eqn. K1-7) fw =
h = 16.8500 in. h = d-2*tf w(req'd) =
dc = 16.0460 in. dc = d-2*k w(min) =
(dc/tw)/(Lb/bf) = 1.337 w(max) =
Critical ratio for sidesway web buckling <= 1.7, this check is required
Rwb = 10.42 kips Rwb = 6,800*tw^3/h*(0.4*((dc/tw)/(Lb/bf))^3) W40x149
Rwb < P, Fail W36x848
Conclusion: Stiffeners for beam web are required W36x798
(continued)

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 "STIFFNER.xls" Program
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W36x650
Beam Web Stiffener Design: W36x588
(Note: stiffeners are assumed to be full depth, from flange to flange.)W36x527
Stiffener Width: W36x485
bs(min) = 1.850 in. bs(min) = 2/3*bf/2-tw/2 W36x439
bs = 2.500 in. bs = bf/2-tw/2 (rounded down to nearest 1/2 inch) W36x393
W36x359
Stiffener Thickness: W36x328
ts(min) = 0.213 in. ts(min) = larger of: tf/2 or bs*SQRT(Fy)/95 ts >= ts(min), O.K. W36x300
W36x280
Check Stiffener Slenderness and Compressive Stress: W36x260
b/t = 6.67 b/t = bs/ts W36x256
b/t(max) = 15.83 b/t(max) = 95/SQRT(Fys) W36x245
K= 0.75 (assumed effective length factor per AISC Code, page 5-82) W36x232
L = 16.85 in. L = h = d-2*tf W36x230
I= 4.67 in.^4 I = 2*(ts*bs^3/12+(ts*bs)*(bs/2+tw/2)^2)+(25*tw)*tw^3/12 W36x210
A= 4.13 in.^2 A = 2*(ts*bs)+(25*tw)*tw W36x194
r = 1.064 in. r = SQRT(I/A) W36x182
fa = 4.12 ksi fa =P/A W36x170
KL/r = 11.88 (effective slenderness ratio for compression) W36x160
Cc = 126.10 Cc = SQRT(2*p ^2*29000/Fys) W36x150
Fa = 21.06 ksi If KL/r <= Cc: W36x135
Fa=(1-(K*L/r)^2/(2*Cc^2))*Fys/(5/3+3*(K*L/r)/(8*Cc)-(K*L/r)^3/(8*Cc^3))
W33x619
If KL/r > Cc: Fa = 12*p^2*29000/(23*(K*L/r)^2) W33x567
Fa >= fa, O.K. W33x515
Stiffener Welding to Beam Flange: W33x468
Ps = 6.58 kips Ps = P-(Minimum of Rwy, Rwc, or Rwb) (design force) W33x424
Lw = 16.80 in. Lw = (bf/2-(tw/2+0.75))*8 W33x387
fw = 0.39 kips/in. fw = Ps/Lw W33x354
w(req'd) = 0.0264 in. (size) w(req'd) = fw/((SQRT(2)/2)*(0.30*70)) W33x318
w(min) = 0.1875 in. w(min) = Min. fillet weld size from AISC Table J2.4, page 5-67 W33x291
w(max) = 0.1818 in. w(max) = 0.40*Fys*ts/((SQRT(2)/2)*0.30*70*2) W33x263
Weld req'd. <= weld max., O.K. W33x241
Stiffener Welding to Beam Web: W33x221
Ps = 6.58 kips Ps = P-(Minimum of Rwy, Rwc, or Rwb) (design force) W33x201
Lw = 62.18 in. Lw = (d-2*(k+0.25))*4 W33x169
fw = 0.11 kips/in. fw = Ps/Lw W33x152
w(req'd) = 0.0071 in. (size) w(req'd) = fw/((SQRT(2)/2)*(0.30*70)) W33x141
w(min) = 0.1875 in. w(min) = Min. fillet weld size from AISC Table J2.4, page 5-67 W33x130
w(max) = 0.1818 in. w(max) = 0.40*Fy*tw/((SQRT(2)/2)*0.3*70*2) W33x118
Weld req'd. <= weld max., O.K. W30x581
W30x526
W30x477
Comments: W30x433
W30x391
W30x357
W30x326
W30x292
W30x261
W30x235
W30x211

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 "STIFFNER.xls" Program
Version 2.3

STEEL BEAM WEB STIFFENER ANALYSIS

Web Yielding, Crippling, Buckling, and Stiffener Criteria for Concentrated Load or Reaction Assumptions: 1. When stiffeners are required, program assumes full height stiffeners.
Per AISC 9th Edition Manual (ASD) 2. Only 1-pair of stiffeners is depicted at either reaction or load (if required) in sketch at left, but may be 2-pairs or 3-pairs spaced 3" o.c.
Job Name: Subject: 3. Beam gross web shear: Rv = 0.40*Fy*d*tw (per AISC Eqn. F4-1)
Job Number: Originator: Checker: 4. Beam local web yielding:
For load away from beam end per AISC Eqn. K1-2 where x > d: Rwy = 0.66*Fy*tw*(N+5*k)
Input Data: For load near beam end per AISC Eqn. K1-3 where x <= d: Rwy = 0.66*Fy*tw*(N+2.5*k)
N 5. Beam web crippling:
Beam Yield Stress, Fyb = 50 ksi For load away from beam end per AISC Eqn. K1-4 where x > d: Rwc = 67.5*tw^2*(1+3*(N/d)*(tw/tf)^1.5)*SQRT(Fy*tf/tw)
Stiffener Yield, Fys = 36 ksi x For load near beam end per AISC Eqn. K1-5 where x <= d: Rwc = 34*tw^2*(1+3*(N/d)*(tw/tf)^1.5)*SQRT(Fy*tf/tw)
P 6. Beam sidesway web buckling:
If loaded flange is restrained and if (dc/tw)/(Lb/bf) <=2.3, sidesway web buckling check is required, and capacity of beam is per AISC Eqn. K1-6:
k Rwb = 6,800*tw^3/h*(1+0.4*((dc/tw)/(Lb/bf))^3) , where: h = d-2*tf , dc = d-2*k
If loaded flange is restrained and if (dc/tw)/(Lb/bf) > 2.3, sidesway web buckling will not occur.
Stiffener If loaded flange is not restrained and if (dc/tw)/(Lb/bf) <=1.7, sidesway web buckling check is required, and capacity of beam is per AISC Eqn. K1-7:
(NS & FS) N+5*k Rwb = 6,800*tw^3/h*(0.4*((dc/tw)/(Lb/bf))^3) , where: h = d-2*tf , dc = d-2*k
N+2.5*k d If loaded flange is not restrained and if (dc/tw)/(Lb/bf) > 1.7, sidesway web buckling will not occur.
Stiffener (NS & FS) 7. Stiffener width used: bs = bf/2-tw/2 (rounded down to nearest 1/2 inch)
8. Minimum thickness of stiffeners: ts(min) = larger of: tf/2 or bs*SQRT(Fy)/95
9. An effective length factor, K = 0.75, per AISC Code, page 5-82 is used in determining allowable compressive stress (Fa) of stiffener and applicable portion of beam web.
k Beam 10. For 1-pair of stiffeners, assumed effective width of beam web to be included in composite section is: for interior load (P): 25*tw , for end load/reaction (R): 12*tw
x For 2-pairs of stiffeners, assumed effective width of beam web to be included in composite section is: for interior load (P): 25*tw+3" , for end load/reaction (R): 12*tw+3"
R Nomenclature For 3-pairs of stiffeners, assumed effective width of beam web to be included in composite section is: for interior load (P): 25*tw+6" , for end load/reaction (R): 12*tw+6"
11. When stiffeners are required, stiffener design force is: Ps = (P or R) - (Minimum of Rwy, Rwc, or Rwb)
N

Beam, Load Load or Unbraced Distance Is Loaded Stiffener Bearing No. of Beam Web Capacity Checks (without stiffeners) Max. P or R Are Stiffener Design
Location, Beam or Reaction Length to P or R Flange Thk. Length, Stiffener Web Shear Web Yielding Web Crippling Sidesway Web Buckling without Stiffeners Width Min. Thk. Actual Stress Allow. Stress Stiffener Welding to Beam Flange Stiffener Welding to Beam Web
or Node Size Reaction? P or R Lb x Restrained? ts N Pairs Rv Rwy Rwc Rwb Stiffeners Req'd.? bs ts(min) fa Fa w(req'd) w(min) w(max) w(req'd) w(min) w(max)
I.D. (P or R) (kips) (ft.) (ft.) (Yes / No) (in.) (in.) (1, 2, or 3) (kips) (kips) (kips) (kips) (kips) (Yes / No) (in.) (in.) (ksi) (ksi) (in.) (in.) (in.) (in.) (in.) (in.)
1-200 W18x35 R 40.00 5.000 0.500 Yes 0.0000 12.0000 1 106.20 139.27 56.82 N.A. 56.82 No 0.000 0.000 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
1-200 W18x35 P 22.00 20.000 10.000 No 0.3750 12.0000 1 N.A. 159.74 112.80 10.42 10.42 **Yes** 2.500 0.213 5.33 21.06 0.046 0.1875 0.182 0.013 0.1875 0.182
1-200 W18x35 P 22.00 20.000 10.000 No 0.3750 12.0000 2 N.A. 159.74 112.80 10.42 10.42 **Yes** 2.500 0.213 3.19 21.11 0.023 0.1875 0.182 0.006 0.1875 0.182
1-200 W18x35 P 22.00 20.000 10.000 No 0.3750 12.0000 3 N.A. 159.74 112.80 10.42 10.42 **Yes** 2.500 0.213 2.27 21.13 0.015 0.1875 0.182 0.004 0.1875 0.182

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 "STIFFNER.xls" Program
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Beam, Load Load or Unbraced Distance Is Loaded Stiffener Bearing No. of Beam Web Capacity Checks (without stiffeners) Max. P or R Are Stiffener Design
Location, Beam or Reaction Length to P or R Flange Thk. Length, Stiffener Web Shear Web Yielding Web Crippling Sidesway Web Buckling without Stiffeners Width Min. Thk. Actual Stress Allow. Stress Stiffener Welding to Beam Flange Stiffener Welding to Beam Web
or Node Size Reaction? P or R Lb x Restrained? ts N Pairs Rv Rwy Rwc Rwb Stiffeners Req'd.? bs ts(min) fa Fa w(req'd) w(min) w(max) w(req'd) w(min) w(max)
I.D. (P or R) (kips) (ft.) (ft.) (Yes / No) (in.) (in.) (1, 2, or 3) (kips) (kips) (kips) (kips) (kips) (Yes / No) (in.) (in.) (ksi) (ksi) (in.) (in.) (in.) (in.) (in.) (in.)

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Beam, Load Load or Unbraced Distance Is Loaded Stiffener Bearing No. of Beam Web Capacity Checks (without stiffeners) Max. P or R Are Stiffener Design
Location, Beam or Reaction Length to P or R Flange Thk. Length, Stiffener Web Shear Web Yielding Web Crippling Sidesway Web Buckling without Stiffeners Width Min. Thk. Actual Stress Allow. Stress Stiffener Welding to Beam Flange Stiffener Welding to Beam Web
or Node Size Reaction? P or R Lb x Restrained? ts N Pairs Rv Rwy Rwc Rwb Stiffeners Req'd.? bs ts(min) fa Fa w(req'd) w(min) w(max) w(req'd) w(min) w(max)
I.D. (P or R) (kips) (ft.) (ft.) (Yes / No) (in.) (in.) (1, 2, or 3) (kips) (kips) (kips) (kips) (kips) (Yes / No) (in.) (in.) (ksi) (ksi) (in.) (in.) (in.) (in.) (in.) (in.)

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