Torsion of Rolled Steel Sections in Building Structures

JOHN G. HOTCHKISS

TORSIONAL STRESSES in a steel framed building are rarely and opposite in direction. These forces are acting normal to
serious enough to require design analysis. Many torsional the axis of the member. The usual torsional loading is that of
situations can be disregarded completely. There are a vertical load P, which does not pass through the shear
conceivable conditions, however, in which torsional loads center S, of the cross-section. The distance from load P to the
can produce stresses of sufficient magnitude to require shear center S is called the eccentricity, e. The eccentric
torsional analysis of a framing member. moment that induces torsion on the cross-section is Pe. This
It is important, therefore, that the structural engineer moment is called M. (In this paper M represents a
understand the principles of torsional behavior in rolled steel concentrated torsional moment, and m represents a uniformly
sections, and be able to recognize those special situations in distributed torsional moment induced in a member.)
which torsional loading may be significant to the design.
The purpose of this paper is to provide practical guidance Effects of Induced Torsion —The aforementioned types of
to the designer in the evaluation and analysis of the effects of torsional loading are the cause of twisting in a member. The
torsional loading on steel framing members. Design examples effect of this twisting can be threefold in a WF, I and [ -
illustrate both a "short" approximate method of torsional section: torsional shear stresses, torsional warping shear
analysis and a more exact method. A brief review of basic stresses and torsional normal (longitudinal bending) stresses.
torsional theory and the torsional properties of rolled steel These additive stresses often occur together with shear and
sections are included. normal streeses due to plane bending. Of these torsional
effects, the magnitude of the torsional normal stresses is
much greater than any of the other torsional stresses. The
emphasis on normal stresses resulting from torsion will be
discussed later in this paper.

Internal Equilibrium —The development of torsional

stresses in a cross-section of a member is the result of
internal resisting moments, which balance the applied
moment M or m. For torsional equilibrium, then, the
fundamental equation is

Mt = Mp + Ms (1)
Figure 1 where Mt is the total of the internal resisting moments
producing torsional shear, Mp is a torsional resisting moment
TORSIONAL BEHAVIOR
called primary torsion (Mp is also known as "St. Venant's"
Torsional Loads —When a structural member is twisted torsion, "pure" torsion and "unrestrained" torsion), Ms is a
about its longitudinal axis, it is said to be in torsion. Twisting secondary torsional moment which expresses warping
is caused by external forces, moments or a couple acting on resistance of a cross-section (Ms is often called "warping"
the member. Figure 1 shows these types of loads. The couple torsion). Actually, Equation (1) is a statement of shear
is composed of two parallel forces, equal in magnitude equilibrium, as both Mp and Ms produce shearing stresses. It
is generally assumed that normal stresses σ , resulting from
John G. Hotchkiss is Senior Regional Engineer, American Institute primary torsion Mp are negligible, unless the angle of twist is
of Steel Construction, New York, N. Y. very large.

19

JANUARY/1966
© 2003 by American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc. All rights reserved. This publication or any part thereof must not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher.
 Analogy between Torsion and Plane Bending —Figure 2
shows a wide flange beam loaded at midspan with a
concentrated torsional load M equal to unity. As shown, the
ends of the beam are considered simply framed, AISC Type 2
construction, where it is assumed that the ends of the beam
are free to rotate under loading which produces plane
bending. A web connection consisting of two clip angles may
be considered as Type 2 construction (See Fig. 8b). Under
torsional loading, however, this connection prevents twisting
of the beam about its longitudinal axis at the connection,
since the web is restrained.
At any cross-section of the beam from A to C the
internal moment Mt equals M1, and from C to B, Mt equals –
M2. It can be seen also that M1a – M2b = 0 and M1 + M2 = M,
and finally the following expressions

b a Figure 2
M1 = M and M2 = M (2)
l l
when acted upon by forces, no longer remains planar; it
An interesting analogous relationship is suggested by warps out of plane.
Equation (2). The analogy exists between the shear diagram The fundamental equation for primary torsion, for non-
due to plane bending and the moment diagram due to circular sections, is
torsional twisting (Fig. 2). If a concentrated load P is applied Mp=GKφ ' (3)
at midspan, the shear at each end of the beam will be V =
P/2. In the case of a torsional concentrated load M at where G is the shear modulus, φ′ is the first derivative of φ
midspan, the end moments M1 and M2 are equal to Mt, and Mt (the angle of twist) with respect to z, and K is a torsional
= M/2. constant which describes the torsional resistance of a cross-
The moments M1 and M2 are determined in the same section, and is based upon the geometry of the profile. Values
manner as the reactions at A and B due to a single load at C. for the torsional constant K for rolled steel sections have
It should be emphasized explicitly that this simple, been published by Bethlehem Steel Corp.1 Reference should
apparently obvious analogy is by no means valid in general. also be directed to a recent paper by El Darwish and
For beams framed with Type 2 construction, the assumption Johnston6 covering an accurate calculation of this constant.
that Mt = M1 and M2 at ends A and B is valid and Equation For cross-sections made-up of welded plates, values for K
(2) is directly analogous. However, when beams are framed can be computed from Chart 1.
with Type 1 connections (welded, fully rigid) this assumption Equation (3) shows that Mp is directly proportional to G,
is not always strictly valid because of unsymmetrical loading K, and φ′, whereas φ′ is indirectly proportional to GK, where
conditions and the redundancy of the supports. Table 1 makes GK is the torsional rigidity of the cross-section. Thus as K is
this distinction, and exact values are given when this analogy increased, Mp increases. This means that Mp will offer a
is not strictly valid. For beams subjected to a uniform greater resistance to twisting action. The larger values for K
torsional loading m, the same comments and restrictions for appear for the larger (thicker) beam sections. For example, K
concentrated torsional loads apply. = 68.80 for a 36 WF 300 section, whereas, K = 0.195 for a
5WF16 section.1
The influence of Mp is shown in Figs. 3a and 3b. In Fig.
Influence of Mp—The torsional resisting moment Mp is well 3a, a solid circular cross-section is loaded at midspan with a
named "primary", because it always appears to some extent torsional moment M = 1. At the ends, Mp = Mt = M/2 and φ =
in a beam under torsion. It is zero in a cross-section only 0. Since a circular section cannot warp (warpfree), Mp is
when that cross-section is completely restrained against constant for each half of the beam. From Equation (1), Mt =
warping, such as at a fully welded connection. (See Case 5, Mp + 0, where Ms = 0 and there is no warping. For circular
Table 1.) In Fig. 3b, the cross-section at midspan must sections, then, Mp = Mt, and Mp is exactly analogous to the
remain planar due to symmetry of load M (note that the angle shear diagram in plane bending. In Fig. 3b a WF section is
of twist φ = 0 at each end, viz., no twisting). Thus, since this loaded at midspan with a torsional moment M = 1. The
cross-section at midspan is completely restrained against noticeable difference between Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b is the curve
warping, Mp = 0 also. Warping is defined as a plane which for Mp. Since WF, I and [-sections are free to warp if

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 M/2. Since the sum of Mp and Ms equals Mt, the curves for
Mp and Ms are complementary.
As Ms expresses warping resistance, a distinction must
be made between various profiles as to their warping
characteristics. One way is to refer to a warping resistance
constant, known as Cw. Approximately exact values for Cw
are tabulated in Table 4 for all rolled sections commonly
used. Other values for Cw can be computed for sections of
built-up welded plates by using the equations in Chart 1 and
2. For rolled WF sections
I y h2 I y h2
Cw = or (4)
2 2 4
Chart 1 shows the equations for Cw for several builtup
cross-sections. For rolled sections, Cw is negligible for T and
L-sections. WF, I and [-sections, on the other hand, are free
to warp if unrestrained and warping effects must be
considered. Sections made up of not more than two
rectangular elements do not warp, because of the fact that the
middle planes of each element pass through the shear center.
For WF, I and [-sections, the middle planes of every element
do not pass through the shear center (Chart 2).
The warping resistance for moment Ms is determined
from the equation
Ms = –ECwφ′′′ (5)
where E is the modulus of elasticity and φ′′′ is the third
derivative of φ. From this equation it is seen that the warping
Figure 3 resistance constant Cw is directly proportional to the moment
Ms and indirectly proportional to the angle of twist φ. When
Cw = 0 as in circular sections, Ms = 0, as was shown in Fig.
3a. In Equation (5) the term ECw is actually a measure of the
warping rigidity of a cross-section. In Equation (3) the term
GK is a measure of the torsional rigidity of a cross-section.
Both of these terms, influenced by the geometry of the cross-
section, are important to torsional behavior. The ratio of
these rigidities appears in another torsional constant called λ,
which is tabulated for all rolled sections in Table 4. λ is a
constant that describes the rate of decrease of the warping
stresses and is found from
GK
λ= (in.−1 ) (6)
ECw

Figure 4
Torsional Stresses Resulting from Mp and Ms—The result
of torsional moments Mp and Ms in a member is shearing
unrestrained, Mp no longer equals Mt. An increment of Mt is
stress. Figure 4 shows the cross-section of a WF profile
made up by the contribution of Ms as warping torsion. At
under the influence of Mp, Mw and Ms. The diagram for + Mp
midspan, where due to symmetry the cross-section remains
shows that shearing stresses are developed in the flanges and
planar, Mp = 0 as in Fig. 3a.
web as a result of Mp. The diagram for + Ms (warping) shows
that the shearing stresses resulting from Ms appear only in the
Influence of Ms—Figure 3b also shows the influence of Ms.
flanges. +Mp and + Ms follow sign convention when a
At midspan where the cross-section is prevented from
positive angle of twist occurs as shown in Fig. 5. In terms of
warping, the warping resistance is maximum. Here Ms = Mt =

21
JANUARY/1996
© 2003 by American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc. All rights reserved. This publication or any part thereof must not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher.
 Normal stresses in plane bending are determined in the
well-known manner by dividing the bending moment by a
factor called section modulus. In torsional behavior, Prof.
Bornscheuer3, 4 suggests that the factor Sw be used as a
warping modulus, and Mw as a moment (expressed as lb-
in.2),* to describe flange bending. This flange bending due to
torsion is expressed by the equation
Mw= –ECwφ″ (9)
Note that this equation is identical to Equation (5), except
that the second derivative of φ is used here. The torsional
Figure 5 normal stresses can be determined from
torsional shear magnitude, flange warping shear due to Ms is Mw
σw = (10)
minor, compared to flange shear resulting from Mp; hence, Sw
Ms is called a secondary resisting moment.
The torsional shearing stress τ p in the flanges or web of a In each of the Cases of Table 1, the two lower diagrams
WF, I or [ -section due to Mp is determined from the equation represent the curves for Mb and Mw. When plotted one above
the other, the designer can quickly locate the ordinate to the
M pt curve which is maximum. Both the location and magnitude of
τp = (7)*
K the ordinate are given, and the additive effects of normal
stresses can be quickly attained.
where t is the thickness of flange or thickness of web.
Torsional shearing stresses in the flanges due to warping
are found from Summary of Torsional and Shears —In any WF, I or [ -
section under torsional loading, three internal moments occur,
wmaxb Ms
τw = (8) which are:
4 Cw
Mp = GKφ′ , which produces flange and web shear τ p
where wmax, shown in Chart 1, is the unit area of stress in the Mw = –ECwφ′′ , which produces flange bending and
flange and b equals the width of the flange. For WF, I and [ - flange normal stresses σ w
sections wmax = wa. For [ -sections wa and wb are required as Ms = –ECwφ′′′ , which produces warping shear τ w in the
shown in Chart 1. The values for wa and wb are tabulated in flanges only.
Table 4 for all rolled [ -sections.
From these equations it is seen that the only unknowns are
the angle of twist φ and its three derivatives. In designing for
Torsional Normal Stresses Resulting from Mw—Thus far
torsion, φ is unknown; therefore, it has to be determined by
the discussion has been centered around two effects of
the solution of the general differential equation.
twisting, namely Mp and Ms, and the associated shearing
However, the designer does not have to use this
stresses. Of all the torsional effects in WF, I and [ -sections,
differential equation, since Table 1 has been set up for
the additive effect of torsional normal stresses σ w is the
maximum torsional moments, which have been computed by
major consideration. The normal stresses σ w are a result of
determining the proper constants of integration and the
torsional flange bending (induced by warping restraint) and
location of maximum values. The simplified resulting
are shown in Fig. 4. + Mw is shown as the horizontal bending
equations are shown in each Case.
of the flanges producing normal stresses σ w in the flanges.
Torsional normal stresses σ w must be added algebraically to
λl-Curves and Their Significance **—Figures 6a and 6b
the normal stresses σ b produced by plane bending. Note in
illustrate families of curves with varying parameters of λl.
Fig. 4 the signs for stress σ w follow the sign convention
One family represents the Mp-curves and the second family
previously mentioned.

* Generally accepted expression for shearing stress in flanges or

web. Reference 6 has, for the first time, more accurately * Bornscheuer uses the term "bimoment", since its dimension
determined this expression. In some cases, particularly [ - contains the second power of inches.
sections, Equation (7) may be low by 20 per cent for values of ** Reference 1 provides more extensive curve-plots for all rolled
shear in the flanges. sections.

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 Figure 6

below it, the Ms-curves. The third diagram is the sum of the of inflection. The higher values of λl yield smaller y-
Mp- and Ms-curves and is a plot of Equation (1), Mt = Mp + intercepts and Ms contributes less in resisting the twisting of
Ms. As is true of any parameter, λl is fixed for each the beam.
individual curve but differs from one curve to another in the The three curves of each diagram represent λl = 2, λl = 3
same family. and λl = 5. In order that their significance be meaningful in a
Observation of Fig. 6a, with a unit torsional load at practical sense, three beams have been selected from Table 4
midspan, and Fig. 6b, with the same unit load at x = 0.3l, whose λ values, when multiplied by the span length l,
shows the complex nature of the curves involving hyperbolic correspond to the λl values plotted. The span length l is
functions. In Fig. 6a the family of Mp-curves (λl = 5, 3 and arbitrarily taken as 200 in. The beam sections and their λ
2) each have the same point of inflection at midspan. At each values are as follows: 24 WF 76, λ = 0.0103; 18 WF 70, λ =
end of the beam where x = 0 and x = l, the ordinates at these 0.01475; 8 WF 40, λ = 0.0245.
points are maximum. As the parameter λl increases, the y- Chart 3 gives the computed values for the ordinates to the
intercept to the Mp-curves becomes larger. Graphically, this Mp-, Ms- and Mt-curves in Fig. 6. It can be seen that the sum
indicates that the influence of Mp is greater, and has more of the Mp and Ms ordinates all add to the sum of 0.50, which
resistance to twisting than Ms. Examination of the family of agrees with the diagram for Mt in Fig. 6a. The analogy
Ms-curves shows that the point of maximum ordinate occurs between the shear diagram and the Mt diagram is strictly
at midspan where the curves pass through the point of valid for this case of loading and end support. Therefore, Mt
inflection. As λl increases, the y-intercept close to x = 0.5l = 0.5M.
becomes smaller and the influence of λl is less noticeable. Figure 7 illustrates the family of Mw-curves located
By comparison, Fig. 6b shows the same family of curves, under the moment diagram for unit load at x = 0.3l producing
with different curvatures and a notable difference in the point plane bending. The parameters plotted are λl = 5, 3 and 2 as
of inflection for each λl-curve for values of Mp. The point of used in Fig. 6a and Fig. 6b. The maximum ordinate to the
inflection not only is not under the load as would be Mw-curve appears at x = 0.3l where each curve has a marked
expected, but has different x-intercepts. The point of cusp. The maximum ordinate to the Mw-curve for symmetrical
maximum ordinate to the Mp-curve is at x = 0. In the case of torsional loading also occurs under the point of loading and
the Ms-curves the point of inflection occurs under the load at will correspond to the same location for the maximum
x = 0.3l. The maximum ordinates to the curve are at the point ordinate to the Mp-curve.

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JANUARY/1966
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 As the λl values increase, the y-intercept becomes
greater. It can be seen from this figure that a greater warping
resistance is required of a cross-section as λl increases.
When heavier, thicker beam sections are selected, the
ordinate to the Mw-curve becomes smaller, indicating that the
geometry of the section has less tendency to warp and
consequently the normal stresses developed will be of a
lower magnitude.
The various Cases shown in Table 1 include only one
curve for the parameter λl. It was not necessary to plot other
λl-curves, since in practice the designer is primarily
concerned with the location and magnitude of maximum
ordinates to the curves. Equations to the right of the diagrams
provide this information. After studying the curves in Fig. 6a
and Fig. 6b it will be evident that one curve of a family
exhibits certain common characteristics compared to other Figure 7
curves in the family. All curves of the same family have the
same concavity viz., concave upwards or concave
downwards. All curves at any y-intercept have the same sign
for curve slope m = ∆y/∆x viz., ∆y increases or ∆y decreases,
indicating negative and positive slope respectively.
Graphically this tells the designer the important condition as
to whether the function under study is increasing or
decreasing at any point along the beam span.

END RESTRAINTS
The condition of an end restraint is important in torsional
analysis, as it is in plane bending. In building construction,
and for plane bending, the AISC suggests three types of end
restraint, namely: Type 1—fully-fixed beams, Type 2—
simple connections, and Type 3—semi-rigid framing
(partially restrained). In torsional analysis, only Types 1 and
2 will be considered (Fig. 8).
A Type 1 connection, in which the beam-end is fully
welded around the flanges and web, offers only partial
warping restraint and Mp ≠ 0, as is found in many references.
This restraint may range from 20 to 60 percent. In order to
assume Mp = 0 as shown in Fig. 8 and the diagrams in Table
1, the ends of the beam must be boxed-in. This can be simply
taken care of by welding stiffener plates between the toes of
the flanges. To be effective in the end zone of the beam, the
length of these stiffeners along the longitudinal axis of the
beam must be equal to or greater than the depth d of the
beam. The designer should also take into consideration the
torsional characteristics of the column in a beam-to-column
connection. Where the rigid box-ended beam connects to a
column with torsionally soft flanges it is advisable to provide
column stiffeners between the flanges at the point of load
application (see Design Example 1). In Type 2, which is
considered as a typical web connection made up of two clip
angles, the twisting at the connection is prevented and φ = 0.
However, it should be recognized that the L distance of the Figure 8

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 Fig. 9. Uniform torsional loading with no torsional stress effect

clip angles must extend over the major depth of the web in Based upon this evidence, beams that are a part of the
order that the assumption φ = 0 is reasonably valid. floor assembly in buildings are usually restrained by a floor
What are the effects of end restraint on Mp, Mw and Ms? slab and, therefore, the torsion is simply self-limiting. Figure
Figures 8b and 8c show Type 1 and 2 connections, where for 9 illustrates this point where a typical spandrel beam is under
Type 1, φ = 0 and Mp = 0; for Type 2, φ = 0 and Mw = 0. a one-sided loading. The torsional load does not pass through
For torsional equilibrium, Mt = Ms as shown in Fig. 8c. the shear center. Normally, this loading would introduce
In the Type 2 connection the beam does not twist at the torsional moments and subsequent torsional shearing and
connection. However, since the flanges can displace as bending in the beam. In Fig. 9a the floor assembly consists of
shown in Fig. 8b, there is no restraint to flange bending and a concrete floor slab, usually not less than 4 in. in thickness,
Mw = 0. The equilibrium of torsional moments is Mt = Mp + spanning not over 8 ft between intermediate beams. In order
Ms. Actually, Ms would be zero at the ends if the beam were that the spandrel beam can twist under this eccentric loading,
twisted by an equal and opposite moment at each end. This the entire floor assembly would have to rotate as well.
condition of pure torsion will rarely be found in structural Although the concrete slab in Fig. 9b is only 2½ in. thick, it
practice. also offers continuous and adequate lateral support against
torsional twisting. Since twisting is prevented, it is safe to
PRACTICAL DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS assume that normal stresses due to torsion can be ignored and
The occasions in actual practice where torsional problems no torsional analysis will be required.
arise are few in number, when considering building design.
When such occasions occur, however, certain preliminary
questions should be proposed. Will the torsional load produce
significant twisting? Are there any restraining effects which
will prevent twisting?
When an appreciable torsional moment is known to exist,
the most satisfactory solution is to use a full length welded
box girder. Usually with appreciable torsion, the box girder
will take no more material than a heavy rolled section with
welded end stiffeners.
Fig. 10. Uniform torsional loading produces torsional stresses
In building design, most structural members are laterally
restrained because of attachments to the structure along the
length of the member. Rarely will the designer find a beam Beam Twists During Erection —When significant twisting
that is totally unrestrained viz., free to twist over its entire occurs in building construction, it will probably be during
length. Hence, a good many cases involving torsional loading erection, before all the final loads are applied. During the
show that lateral restraints, existing in the form of erect on of building structures, while temporarily unbraced,
attachments to the member, prevent twisting and torsional an unbalanced loading condition may produce excessive
stresses can be ignored. This condition may be considered as twisting. A few years ago, the writer investigated steel beams
torsion that is self-limiting. It is of no consequence when twisted by torsional loading as a result of improper field
limited by the permissible end slope of the attaching practice. The case involved spandrel and header beams in a
members. school building,

25
JANUARY/1966
© 2003 by American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc. All rights reserved. This publication or any part thereof must not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher.
 which were twisted as much as 17 degrees. The twisting was
due to unbalanced loading as shown in Fig. 10.
The formwork for the concrete slab was supported by
wire ties wrapped around the top flange of the beams. All
wire supports, however, were carried down on one side of the
beam only. These wire ties supported the entire weight of the
wet concrete. The one-sided support introduced an
eccentricity equal to one-half of the flange width.
Since the beams were sized for plane bending only, they
were torsionally weak. Had the wire ties been carried down Fig. 11. Effect of stiffeners
on alternate sides of the beam, the unbalanced loading
condition would never have occurred.

Improving the Torsional Rigidity —One means of

improving the torsional rigidity of a rolled steel section is by
the addition of new material, thus altering the K-value of the
section—restricted, however, to that zone where the
additional material occurs (Fig. 12). In other zones of the
beam the effect is indirect. As an example, when a plate is
welded between each flange at the toes, as in Fig. 11, the K-
factor is increased considerably. In this instance K is
Fig. 12. Use of end stiffeners
increased to 3,246, approximately one hundred times the
original value. The addition of these plates is analogous to
the addition of cover plates to a beam under plane bending. It DESIGN EXAMPLES
should be pointed out that the addition of these plates As stated previously, three types of torsional stresses are
prevents the flanges from deforming; consequently warping produced as a result of torsional loading on thinwalled open
effects become nil. The resulting closed box section is treated profiles such as a WF, I or [ -section: (1) normal (bending)
as being under primary shear only. stresses in the flanges, critical at the toes, (2) primary shear
In passing, the engineer will recognize another familiar stresses in the flanges and web, critical at the juncture of the
case of torsion and unsymmetrical bending resulting from web and flange, and (3) secondary warping shear stresses in
biaxial bending, where a torsionally weak rolled section has the flanges, not critical and normally disregarded in stress
to be reinforced. This is in the design of crane runway analysis.
girders. It is common practice to assume that the bending Of major concern in torsional analysis is the increase in
moment caused by the horizontal loading is resisted by the bending stresses at the toes of the flanges which must be
upper flange. Accordingly, the top flange is reinforced. added to the direct bending stresses. Therefore, in any
torsional design the first step is to determine the location of
the maximum torsional moment Mw, and then determine the
GENERAL REMARKS maximum normal stresses. Reference to Table 1 for the type
If torsional loading is known to produce significant twisting, of loading and nature of end restraint will give the location of
and analysis of the torsional plus direct bending stresses the maximum ordinate to the Mw-curve. With a few minor
shows the stresses are too high, the following solutions may exceptions, this location, as appearing in the diagrams, is
be employed: (1) furnish a full length box girder section applicable to all λl-curves of the same family. Where this is
instead of a rolled section, (2) provide additional lateral not true, an x-distance is given for several λl-values. A linear
supports, or braces, which will torsionally restrain the twist, interpolation can be made for intermediate values of λl.
(3) select a rolled section whose value of λ is of a lower The most frequently used loading condition is that of a
value than the one which is highly stressed, and (4) consider concentrated torsional load M applied at some distance x
the addition of welded plates between the flanges as just from the left support, and a uniformly distributed load m
described (see Fig. 12). The improved torsional rigidity of applied over the entire span. For these conditions then, a
steel beams encased in concrete for fire protection "Short Method" is offered to the designer permitting him to
requirements should not be overlooked. evaluate the magnitude of Mw and σ w immediately before

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 continuing an extensive torsional analysis. The results
obtained by this method are then compared with the
permissible stresses for combined bending and torsion. If the
results are close to the allowable stresses established, then a
more exact method should be undertaken. The design
examples illustrate both methods.
Under the "Short Method", each of the two loading
conditions just mentioned are treated separately for two cases
of end restraint. Table 2 covers Type 2 construction (simple
framing connection) and Type 1 construction (all welded,
fully fixed connection) is covered by Table 3.
When a more exacting analysis is required, the designer
may refer to Table 1 using the appropriate Case for loading
and end restraint. Equations are given for computing the
maximum Mw, Mp and Ms. For special conditions, an equation
is given for Mw for any value of x along the span. With this
information a complete λl-curve for Mw can be plotted. It will
be found by the designer that under most circumstances the
addition of torsional primary shear stresses is
inconsequential.
Space does not permit the inclusion of the derivation of
the general differential equation, nor the complete solution of
this equation for numerous other conditions of loading and
end support (see References 3, 13, 15).

Example 1
Figure 13
Given: An 18WF96 beam fixed at both ends is under a
torsional load P, applied at the end of the bracket which
is 71 in. long. (The eccentricity, e = 71 in. The torsional
moment M = 71 × –400 = –28,400 lb.-in.) (See Fig. 13.) 1. From moment curves in diagram it is seen that the
Solution: controlling condition will be when moments are
combined at the end supports, for the determination of
From AISC Manual normal stresses.
Ix = 1674 in.4 2. Determine the moments and normal stresses due to plane
Sx = 184.4 in.3 bending:
w = D. L. beam Load P:
Pl 400 × 320 in.
Mb = = = −16,000 lb.-in.
From Table 4 8 8
wmax = 50.90 in.2 (max at center and ends)
Iw = 15,380 in.6
= 302.1 in.4 M 16,000
Sw σb = = = 86.7 psi
λ = 0.01201 in.–1 S 184.4
Load w:
Normal stresses:
wl 2 96 × (26.66) 2
Mb = = = −5,700 lb.-ft.
Mb Mw 12 12
σb = , σs =
S Sw (max at ends)
where M 5,700 × 12
σb = = = 371 psi
Mb = plane bending and Mw = flange bending (torsion) S 184.4

27
JANUARY/1966

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 3. Determine the moments and normal stresses due to
warping torsion:
Quick Method: Use of influence lines in Table 3.
The following values are required:
Let γ = λl = 0.01201 × 320 = 3.84, η = 0.370, where η
is found by entering Table 3 with z/l = 160/320 = 0.5,
proceed to curve where γ = 3.84. The desired value of
η at the left is 0.370.
The moment Mw, due to flange bending, for z = 0 is
1 1
Mw = ηM = 0.370 ×
λ 0.01201
(−28,400) = −876,000 lb.-in.2
The normal bending stress is
M w 876,000
σs = = = 2,900 psi
Sw 3021. Figure 15

The normal stresses are as shown in Fig. 14.

Warping moment Mw for z = 0 equals 1/λ2Am where m

= 58.4 lb.-in./in.

Mw = 6940 × (–1.0746) × 58.4

= –436,000 lb.-in.
− 436,000
max σ = = −1,450 psi
Figure 14 302.1
This stress would then be added to any bending stresses
resulting from plane bending.
At point , max σ = max σ b + max σ s
= 458 + 2,900 = 3,358 psi Exact Method
Table I, Case 5
Conclusion: Since σ max, due to combined bending and
torsion, is well below any allowable stress limit it is Warping moment Mw = – ECwφ′′
unnecessary to proceed to a more extensive analysis. m sinh λz + sinh λz' 
= 1 − (1 − k ) 
λ2  sinh λl 
Example 2 where

Given: Assume the same conditions as Example 1 except for λl = 3.84

loading. Let m equal a uniformily distributed torsional λz = 0.01201 × 0 = 0
load. Then m = 100 × 7 = 700 lb.-in./ft or 58.4 lb.-in./in.
(See Fig. 15.) λz′ = λl
λ (l/2) 192
.
Solution: k = 1− = 1− = −1
tanh λ (l/2) 0.95792
Quick Method  0 + 22.5
Mw = 58.4(6,940) 1 − (1 + 1) 
1. Determine warping moment Mw from influence lines  22.5 
Table 3. = − 406,000 lb.-in.
Let γ = λl =0.01201 × 320 = 3.84 and 1/λ2 = 6,940
Enter tabular values at right with γ = 3.84 and find −406,000
maxσ = = −1,345 psi
area A ≅ –1.07462. 302.1

28
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 50,000
σb = ± = ±6,170 psi
8.1

Due to warping:
For warping calculations the following factors are
needed:
λ2 = 0.058732 = 0.00345
λl = 0.05873 × 50 = 2.94
From Table 2:
sinh λl = 9.431
cosh λl = 9.484
tanh λl = 0.9944
Figure 16
Warping moment due to w:
Example 3
From Case where z = 0 and λl sinh λz = 0
Given: Cantilever beam loaded at its free end with a
concentrated load P = 1 kip, acting through the c.g., point m (1 + λl sinh λl) × 1
G. The dead load of beam will also be considered as Mw = 1 + 0 − 
λ2
 cosh λl 
acting through the c.g. (See Fig. 16.)
− 111
.  (1 + 2.94 × 9.431) 
= 1−
Solution: 0.00345  9.484 

From AISC Manual From Table 4 = +654 lb.−in.2

Ix = 32.3 in.4 λ = 0.05873 in.–1
Sx = 8.1 in.3 Sw = 2.423 in.4 Warping moment due to P:
x = 0.58 in. Iw = 12.84 in.5 sinh
wb = 2.555 in.2 From Case where z′ = l and = tanh:
cosh
wa = –5.3 in.2
M  sinh λl 
e = 0.5785 in. Mw = − 
λ  cosh λl 
Loads: D.L. w = 11.5 lb./ft = 0.96 lb./in.
− 111
.
P = 1 kip = × ( −0.9944) + 19,720 lb - in.2
0.05837
Eccentricity: = e + x = 0.5785 × 0.58 = 1.16 in.
Torsional moment due to D.L.: Warping stresses due to w at points and :
–0.96 × 1.16 = –1.11 lb.-in./in. = –m M w +654
σ2 = = −270 psi
Torsional moment due to P: Sw − 2.423
–1000 × 1.16= –1,160 lb.-in./in. = –M M + 654
σ 1 = w × w1 × 2.555 = +130 psi
The stresses at the fixed end are as follows: Iw 12.84

Due to plane bending: Warping stresses due to P:

Bending moment due to w: +19720
σ2 = = −8,140 psi
0.96 × 502 − 2.423
Mb = − = −1200 lb.-in. +19720
2 σ1 = × 2.555 = +3,920 psi
12.84
Bending moment due to P:
Mb = –1000 × 50 = –50,000 lb.-in. The total longitudinal bending stresses in the upper flange
at points and are:
Bending stresses due to w:
Pt. : σ = +148 + 6,170 + 130 + 3,920 = +10,368 psi
1,200
σb = ± = ±148 psi
8.1 Pt. : σ = +148 + 6,170 – 270 – 8,140 = –2,092 psi
Bending stresses due to P: The largest combination appears at Pt. .

29
JANUARY/1966

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 Determine max. warping bimoment Mw at midspan by
using Table 2, Quick Method. Since λl = 1.88, a
linear interpolation between λl = 1.5 and 2.0 gives
0.0893. Then max. Mw = 0.0893 ml2 = 0.0893 ×
1,000 × 462 = 189,000 lb.-ft.
Mw 189,000
max σ w = = = 3,540 psi
Sw 642

Determine max. moment due to plane bending at

midspan:
wl 2 2,000 × 462
max Mb = = = 528,000 lb.-ft.
8 8
Mb 528,000
Figure 17 max σ b = = = 11,600 psi
S 547
Combined normal stresses: max σ w + max σ b = 3,540 +
Example 4 11,600 = 15,140 psi (See Fig. 18.)

Given: A beam built-up by welding three plates resembling

an I-section is loaded with a uniformily distributed
torsional moment m = 1000 lb.-ft/ft over the entire span
of 46 ft. The end connections are assumed to be bolted
web clip angles, Type 2 construction. Determine if the
additive torsional normal stresses are within permissible
limits by the "Quick Method". (e = 6 in., w = 2,000
lb./ft.) (See Fig. 17.)
Figure 18
Solution:
m = we = 2,000 × 0.5 = 1,000 lb.-ft/ft (positive moment, Check by long method using Table 1:
see Fig. 5)
m  1 
Determine the torsional constants and properties from max M w = 1 − cosh λl / 2 
Chart 1: λ2
1 3 2 1 where λl/2 = 0.94 and cosh 0.94 = 1.475
Cw = b h t= 12 × 535. × 0.50
3 2
24 24
1000  1 
= 103,000 in.6 max M w = 2 
1−
0.00341  1475 . 
2 3 1 3 = 27,800,000 lb.-in.
K = bt + l1t1
3 3
By quick method:
2 1
= × 12 × 0.503 + × 53 × 050
. 3 27,800,000 × 144 = 27,200,000 lb.-in.
3 3
= 3.21 in.4
bh 12 × 53.5
wmax = = = 160.5 in.2
4 4

K 321
.
λ = 0.62 = 0.62 = 0.00341 in.−1
Cw 103,000

λl = 0.00341 × 552 = 188

.

Cw 103,000
Sw = = = 642 in.4
wmax 1605.

30
AISC ENGINEERING JOURNAL
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 NOMENCLATURE determine flange bending (lb.-in.2)
P Concentrated load (lb.)
a Distance measured along the longitudinal axis of S Shear center of a cross-section
member (ft); distance from the shear center to the Sw Warping section modulus (in.4)
centerline of web in a channel (in.) Sx, y Section modulus about x or y axis (in.3)
b Width of a flange (in.); length of a rectangular γ Parameter where γ = λl (dimensionless)
element (in.); distance measured along the θ Unit angle of twist (radians/in.)
longitudinal axis of a member (ft) λ Torsional constant, λ=√ GK /ECw (in.–1)
c Distance measured along the longitudinal axis of a ρ Radius of curvature (in.)
member (ft) σ Normal unit bending stress (psi)
d Depth of a section (in.) σb Normal stress associated with plane bending (psi)
e Eccentricity in a member; in a channel it is the σp Normal stress associated with primary torsion (psi)
distance from the shear center to the back of the σs Normal stress associated with warping torsion (psi)
channel web (in.) τ Unit shearing stress (psi)
f Subscript indicating flange; symbol for function
τb Shearing stress due to plane bending (psi)
h Distance between centroids of flanges (in.)
τp Shearing stress associated with St. Venant's primary
l Span of a beam (ft)
torsion (psi)
l1 Distance between flanges (in.)
τs Shearing stress associated with secondary warping
m Uniformly distributed torsional load (lb.-ft/in.)
(psi)
t Thickness of a flange (in.)
φ Total angle of twist (radians)
t1 Thickness of a web (in.)
EIx, EIy Bending rigidity of a section (lb.-in.2)
wa, wb Value of unit warping at points a and b of a flange
GK Torsional rigidity of a section (lb.-in.2)
for WF, 1 and [ -sections, (in.2)
ECw Warping rigidity of a section (lb.-in.4)
wmax Maximum value of unit warping, wmax = wa for WF
and I sections (in.2)
w1, w2 Value of unit warping at points 1 and 2 in the flanges REFERENCES
of channel sections (in.2) 1. Torsional Analysis of Rolled Steel Sections. Bethlehem Steel
x Coordinate; the distance in a channel from the back Corp., 1963.
of the web to the y-axis (in.) 2. Bornscheuer, F. Systematische Darstellung des Biege-und
y Coordinate; deflection in plane bending (in.) Verdrehvorganges unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der
Wolbkräfttorsion, Der Stahlbau 21, 1952, s. 1.
z Coordinate
3. Bornscheuer, F. Beispiel und Formelsammlung zur
A Area of a section or rectangle (in.2); area under Spannungsberechnung dünnwandiger Stabe mit
influence line (in.2) wolbbenhindertem Querschnitt,Der Stahlbau 22, 1953, s. 32.
Af Area of flange (in.2) 4. Bornscheuer, F. Schweissanschlusse Torsionsbeanspruchter
Aw Area of web (in.2) Trager mit I, [ -und Z Querschnitten,Schweissen und Schneiden,
C Constant of integration Jahrgang 13, Heft 3, Marz 1961.
5. Eggenschwyler, A. Über die Festigkeitsberechnung von
Cw Warping resistance constant (in.6)
Schiebetoren und ähnlichen Bauwerken,Diss. ETH 1921.
E Modulus of elasticity (psi) 6. El Darwish, I. A. and Johnston, B. G. Torsion of Structural
G Shear modulus of elasticity (psi); center of gravity of Shapes, Proc. ASCE, 203-227, Feb. 1965.
a cross-section 7. Goodter, J. N. and Barton, M. V. The Effects of Web
I Moment of inertia (in.4) Deformation on the Torsion of I-Beams,J. Applied Mechanics,
K Torsional resistance constant; associated with St. 11, March 1944.
Venant's torsion (in.4) 8. Kollbrunner, C. F. and Basler, K. Torsionskonstanten und
Schubspannungen bei St.-Venantscher Torsion, Schweizer
L Length of stiffener plate (in.)
Stahlbauverband, Zürich, Heft 23, Juli. 1962.
M Applied concentrated torsional moment (lb.-ft) 9. Kollbrunner, C. F. and Basler, K. Torsionsmomente und
Mb Moment due to plane bending (lb.-ft) Stabverdrehung bei St.-Venantscher Torsion, Schweizer
Mp Primary or pure torsional resisting moment (lb.-ft) Stahlbauverband, Zürich, Heft 27, Okt. 1963.
associated with St. Venant's torsion 10. Kollbrunner, C. F. and Basler, K. Sektorielle Grössen und
Ms Secondary warping torsional resisting moment (lb.- Spannungen bei offenen, dünnwandigen Querschnitten,
Schweizer Stahlbauverband, Zürich, Heft 28, Jan. 1964.
ft); associated with warping torsion
11. Kollbrunner, C. F. and Basler, K. Statik der Wölbtorsion und
Mt Total torsional resisting moment at any given cross- der gemischten Torsion. Schweizer Stahlbauverband, Zürich,
section, where Mt = Mp + Ms (lb.-ft) Heft 31, Mai. 1965.
Mw Warping coefficient of loading and support 12. Kollbrunner, C. F. and Hajdin, N., Die St.-Venantsche Torsion.
condition; associated with warping forces and used to Schweizer Stahlbauverband, Zürich, Heft 26, Sept. 1963.

31
JANUARY/1966
© 2003 by American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc. All rights reserved. This publication or any part thereof must not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher.
 13. Kollbrunner, C. F. and Hajdin, N. Wölbkrafttorsion ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
dünnwandiger Stäbe mit offenem Profil, Schweizer
Stahlbauverband, Zürich, Heft 29, Okt. 1964. The author expresses his sincere appreciation to Prof. F. W.
14. Kollbrunner, C. F. and Hajdin, N. Wölbkrafttorsion Bornscheuer of the University of Stuttgart for his gratuitous
dünnwandiger Stäbe mit offenem Profil Teil II, Schweizer offer in 1961 to compute, electronically, the torsional
Stahlbauverband, Zürich, Heft 30, Marz. 1965. constants of American rolled sections appearing in Table 4.
15. Lyse, I. and Johnston, B. G. Structural Beams in Torsion, Other credits to Prof. F. W. Bornscheuer for valuable
Trans, ASCE 101, 857-926, 1936.
16. Maillart, R. Zur Frage der Biegung, Schweiz, Bauzeitung, Bd.
contributions included in this paper include: Table 3,
77, 1921. influence lines for beams with welded end connections and
17. Thürlimann, B. and Basler, K. Plate Girder Research, National the solutions for the differential equations from which Table
Engineering Conference Proceedings, AISC, 1959. 1 was prepared.
18. Von Bach, C. Versuch über die tatsächliche
Widerstandsfähigkeit von Balken mit [ -formigen Zuerschmitt, Note: An extensive bibliography on the subject of torsion has been
Z.d. V.d.I., 1909, 1910. compiled by the author, and is available from AISC.

CHARTS

CHART 1 Properties of Welded Shapes free to warp*

Doubly Symmetrical Singly Symmetrical

 1 
 A1 + A2  b 1
Wa = Wmax (in ) 2 bh  3 
4 2
4A1 + A 2
3
A1b 1
Wb (in2) ____ 2
4A1 + A2
3
1 3 2 1 3 2 3bt + 2 1t
Cw (in6) bh t b 1t +
24 12 6bt + 1t1
2 3 1 3 2 3 1 3
K (in4) bt + 1t1 bt + 1t1
3 3 3 3
____ 3bA1
e (in ) 6A1 + A2

Where A1 = flange area = bt, A2 = web area = 1 t1, Total area = 2A1 + A2

GK K
λ= = 0.62 for steel
ECw Cw

*Exact values for rolled sections are given in Table 4.

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 CHART 2 Warping Properties of Welded Shapes

Singly Symmetrical Nonsymmetrical Singly Symmetrical

(2bt) 3
A +A
3 3
Cw = 0
Cw = ≅0 Cw = 1
≅0 2

144 36 Warpfree
Negligible warping Negligible warping

Singly Symmetrical Antisymmetrical

Cw = h2I1I2 h2 I y  1 − 3A 
Cw =   where A = total area
4  2A 
Free to warp
Free to warp

CHART 3

x Mp Ms Mp + Ms Mt = 0.5M X Mp Ms Mp + Ms Mt
0.00 0.1760 0.3240 0.5000 0.50 0.00 0.1749 0.5251 0.7000 0.70
0.20 0.1497 0.3503 0.5000 0.50 0.20 0.1324 0.5676 0.7000 0.70
λR = 2 –0.5000 λR = 2 –0.3776 –0.3000
24WF76
0.50 0 ±0.5000 ±0.50 0.30 0.0776 0.70
+0.5000 24WF76 +0.6224 +0.7000
0.70 –0.1159 –0.3841 –0.5000 –0.50 0.80 – –0.1898 –0.3000 –0.30
1.00 –0.1760 –0.3240 –0.5000 –0.50 0.1102
0.00 0.2875 0.2126 0.5000 0.50 1.00 – –0.1755 –0.3000 –0.30
0.20 0.2480 0.2520 0.5000 0.50 0.1245
λR = 3 –0.5000 0.00 0.2985 0.4015 0.7000 0.70
0.50 0 ±0.5000 ±0.50
18WF70 +0.5000 0.20 0.2241 0.4759 0.7000 0.70
0.70 –0.1954 –0.3046 –0.5000 –0.50 λR = 3 0.30 0.1247
–0.4247 –0.3000
0.70
1.00 –0.2875 –0.2126 –0.5001 –0.50 18WF70 +0.5753 +0.7000
0.00 0.4185 0.0815 0.5000 0.50 0.80 – –0.1215 –0.3000 –0.30
0.20 0.3742 0.1258 0.5000 0.50 0.1785
λR = 5 –0.5000 1.00 – –0.1025 –0.3000 –0.30
0.50 0 ±0.5000 ±0.50 0.1975
8WF40 +0.5000
0.70 –0.3082 –0.1918 –0.5000 –0.50 0.00 0.4771 0.2229 0.7000 0.70
1.00 –0.4185 –0.0815 –0.5000 –0.50 0.20 0.3560 0.3440 0.7000 0.70
λR = 5 –0.4756 –0.3000
0.30 0.1756 0.70
8WF40 +0.5244 +0.7000
0.80 – –0.0443 –0.3000 –0.30
0.2557
1.00 – –0.0287 –0.3000 –0.30
0.2713

33
JANUARY / 1966

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 TABLE 1

Flange web shear Tp, Ts are defermined from Mp and Ms respectively. Web shear is determined from Mp only.
These torsional shears must be combined with the shears resulting from plane bending.
Mt is determined, as above, from the symmetry of loading.
Mp max., shown above, is determined from the following Tables.
Ms = Mt – Mp
Shears:
Mp t
Primary torsional shear stress, Tp = Gtφ' =
K
where t is the thickness of the flange or web
w max b Ms
Secondary torsional shear stress, Ts =
4 Cw
where b is the width of flange

34
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 TABLE 1 (continued)

CASE 1
m
max Mt =
2
m λ λ 
max M p = − tanh  , yields max Tp
λ  2 2

max Ms = max Mt –max Mp, yields max Ts

m  
1 − 1  , yields max σ w
max M w =
λ2  cosh λ 
 2

Mw for any value of z:

m  sinh λz + sinh λz' 

Mw = 1 − 
λ2  sinh λ 

CASE 2

mb
max M t = [2a + b]
2
m  λb cosh λ (a + b) − cosh λa 
max Mp =  −  , yields max Tp
λ2 sinh λ
Ms = max Mt –max Mp , yields max combination of shear stresses
m cosh λa 
max Mw = 2 1 − , yields max σ w
λ  cosh λ 
 2
Mw for only value of z:
m  cosh λa ⋅ sinh λz'+ cosh λa ⋅ sinh λz 
Region II, Mw = 2 1 − 
λ  sinh λ
m  cosh λ (a + b) − cosh λa 
Region I, M w = 2   sinh λz
λ  sinh λ
M
For max Mw, occurring in Region II, let z = x = a + t
m

35
JANUARY / 1966
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 TABLE 1 (continued)

CASE 3
ma
max M t = (2 − a)
2
m  a 2  cosh λ − cosh λb 
max M p = λ  a −  − , yields max Tp
λ   2  sinh λ 
max Ms = max Mt -max Mp, yields max Ts
max Mw = Am 2
A
a=.10 a=.20 a=.30 a=.40 a=.50 a=.60 a=.70 a=.80 a=.90
λ x =.09 x =.16 x =.23 x =.29 x =.34 x =.38 x =.43 x =.47 x =.49
1.0 .004 .015 .030 .047 .065 .080 .094 .105 .111
2.0 .004 .014 .026 .039 .052 .064 .074 .082 .086
3.0 .004 .012 .022 .031 .040 .048 .055 .060 .063
4.0 .003 .010 .018 .025 .032 .036 .040 .043 .045
5.0 .003 .009 .015 .020 .024 .027 .030 .032 .033

Mw for any value of z:

m  sinh λz'+ cosh λb sinh λz 
M w = 2 1 −  Region I
λ  sinh λ 

CASE 4

max Mt = max Ms

m  2k − (λ ) 2 cosh λ − (1 + k) 
max M p =  + , yields max Tp
λ  2λ sinh λ 
m  cosh λ − (1 + k) 
Ms = − , yields max Ts
λ  sinh λ

mk
max M w = − , yields max σ w
λ2
Mw for any value of z:
m  sinh λz + (1 + k) sinh λz' 
Mw = 1 − 
λ2  sinh λ 
 
 λ − tanh λ  tanh λ
 2 2
where k = λ
λ − tanh λ

36
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 TABLE 1 (continued)

CASE 5
m
max M t =
2
 cosh 0.2λ − cosh 08. λ 
max M p = m 0.30 + , yields max Tp
 4 sinh 2 λ2 
 
max Ms = max Mt, yields max Ts
 
m λ
max M w = 2 1 − 2 , yields max σ
 w
λ  tanh λ 
 2
Mw for any value of z:
λ
m  sinh λz + sinh λz' 
 ( ) sinh λ
Mw = 1 − 1 − k where k = 1 − 2
λ2 
tanh λ
2

CASE 6
max M t = m
max M p : max M p = Dm
λ 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0
x 1.0000 0.7719 0.6344 0.5371 0.4256 0.3667 0.3290
D .0374 .1145 .1872 .2466 .3420 .4200 .4845

max Ms = max Mt –max Mp, yields max Ts

m  1 − (1 + λ sinh λ )
max M w =  , yields max σ w
λ2  cosh λ 
Mw for any value of z:

Mw =
m  (1 + λ sinh λ )cosh λz 
1 + λ sinh λz − 
λ2  cosh λ 

37
JANUARY/1966

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 TABLE 1 (continued)

CASE 7
max Mt = M
 1 
max M p = M1 − , yields max Tp
 cosh λ 
max Ms = max Mt – max Mp, yields max Ts

(tanh λ ), yields max σ w

M
max M w = −
λ
Mw for any value of z:

M  sinh λz' 
Mw = −
λ  cosh λ 

CASE 8
max Mt = M
max M p : M p = DM, x = a/
a = 0.8 a = 0.6 a = 0.4 a = 0.2
λ 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
x
.75 .64 .56 .51 .48 .55 .46 .43 .43 .40 .36 .32 .29 .29 .27 .19 .17 .16 .16. .15
D .22 .48 .64 .74 .82 .12 .31 .46 .58 .69 .06 .17 .29 .40 .50 .02 .06 .11 .17 .23

max Ms = max Mt, yields max Ts

max M w =
M
λ
[ ]
− sinh λa + tanh λ (cosh λa − 1) , yields max σ w

Mw for any value z:

M − cosh λ sinh λz'+(cosh λa − 1)sinh λ z'
Region I, Mw =
λ cosh λ

Region II, Mw =
(cosh λa − 1)sinh λ z' M
cosh λ λ

38
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 TABLE 1 (continued)

CASE 9 For Quick Method see Table 3

Mb
max M t =

 b sinh λb 
max M p = M − , yields max Tp
 sinh λ 

Max Ms = max Mt –Mp , yields max Ts

M sinh λb
max M w = sinh a, yields max σ w
λ sinh λ

Mw for any value of z:

M sinh λb
Region I, Mw = sinh λz
λ sinh λ

M sinh λa
Region II, Mw = sinh λz'
λ sinh λ

CASE 10 (when a < b), See Table 3 for Short Method.

Mt = Mp + Ms
 λb + k 2 − k1 (sinh λb + k 2 ) cosh λz − k1 cosh λz' 
max M p = AM, Mp = M − 
 λ sinh λ
A
λ a = 0.50 , x ≅ 0.25 a = 0.30 , x ≅ 0.18 a = 0.10 , x = 0.10
1.0 0.015 0.014 0.003
 2.0 0.057 0.051 0.012
max Mp  3.0 0.114 0.105 0.026


4.0 0.176 0.167 0.040
5.0 0.235 0.229 0.064

(sinh λb + k 2 ) − k1 cosh λ
max M s = M
sinh λ
M
max M w = k,
λ
Mw for any value of z:
M (sinh λb + k 2 ) sinh λz + k1 sinh λz′
Region I, Mw =
λ sinh λ
M k 2 sinh λz + (sinh λa + k1 ) sinh λz′
Region II, Mw =
λ sinh λ
sinh λa + sinh λb  a − b sinh λa − sinh λb 
− 1  −  tanh λ
sinh λ sinh λ 2 2
k1,2 = ±
2
2 tanh λ − tanh λ
2 λ 2

39
JANUARY / 1966

© 2003 by American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc. All rights reserved. This publication or any part thereof must not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher.
 TABLE 1 (continued)

CASE 11
λb − k sinh λb cosh λz − k cosh λz'
Region I M p = M −
λ sinh λ
λa + k sinh λa + k
Region II M p = M − + cosh λz'
λ sinh λ

Max Mp = AM, when a > b max Mp occurs of hinge support.

when a < b max Mp occurs of fixed support.
Region I Region II
λ a = .10 a =.20 a =.30 a =.40 a =.50 a =.70 a =.90
x =.08 x =.15 x =.19 x =.21 x =1.0 x =1.0 x =1.0
1.0 .0112 .0176 .0242 –.0296 –.0350 –.0195
2.0 .0140 .0397 .0638 .0790 –.1025 –.1230 –.0702 
3.0 .0296 .0809 .1258 .1525 –.1875 –.2299 –.1365 A
4.0
5.0
.0492
.0717
.1274
.1781
.1922
.2573
.2273
.2945
–.2602
–.3209
–.3373
–.4138
–.2058
–.2718

sinh λb − k cosh λ
max M s = , when a < b, occurs at fixed support.
sinh λ
sinh λb cosh λa − kcoshλb
maxM s = , when a > b, occurs at load M.
sinh λ

M
max M w = k
λ
Mw for any value of z:
M sinh λ b ⋅ sinh λ z + k sinh λ z'
Region I, Mw =
λ sinh λ
M sinh λa + k
Region II, Mw = sinh λz'
λ sinh λ
λb sinh λ − λ sinh λb
k=
sinh λ − λ cosh λ

40
AISC ENGINEERING JOURNAL
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 TABLE 2—SHORT METHOD

TYPE 2 CONSTRUCTION

Values for max M p and max M w, uniform torsional moment m

λ 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3 4 5 6

D1 0.0102 0.0379 0.0765 0.1192 0.1607 0.1983 0.2590 0.3027 0.3342
D2 0.1220 0.1132 0.1011 0.0880 0.0753 0.0639 0.0459 0.0338 0.0252

Values for max M w, concentrated torsional moment M

41
JANUARY/1966
© 2003 by American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc. All rights reserved. This publication or any part thereof must not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher.
 TABLE 3

INFLUENCE LINES FOR M w/z=o f( λ ), SHORT METHOD

42
AISC ENGINEERING JOURNAL
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 TABLE 4
Structural wmax Cw Sw λ Structural wmax Cw Sw λ
Section in.2 in.6 in.4 in.–1 Section in.2 in.6 in.4 in.–1
36 WF 300 145.9 372,500 2,553 0.008284 18 WF 60 33.17 3,591 108.3 0.01556
280 144.9 340,700 2,351 0.007843 55 32.93 3,175 96.40 0.01451
260 144.0 306,000 2,125 0.007387 50 32.68 2,794 85.48 0.01343
245 143.3 281,800 1,967 0.007034 45 32.45 2,374 73.16 0.01237
230 142.6 258,400 1,812 0.006695 16 WF 96 44.53 12,240 274.9 0.01425
194 106.7 108,900 1,021 0.009050 88 44.18 10,820 245.0 0.01332
182 106.1 99,980 942.8 0.008594 78 33.15 5,167 155.9 0.01936
170 105.4 91,310 866.2 0.008133 71 32.82 4,548 138.6 0.01800
160 104.9 83,250 793.4 0.007756 64 32.48 3,957 121.8 0.01662
150 104.5 75,340 721.3 0.007379 16 WF 58 32.19 3,463 107.6 0.01542
135 103.8 61,710 594.6 0.006877 50 27.62 2,101 76.04 0.01700
33 WF 240 127.3 223,000 1,752 0.008106 45 27.38 1,825 66.68 0.01563
220 126.4 198,000 1,567 0.007567 40 27.12 1,576 58.12 0.01423
200 125.4 173,700 1,385 0.007011 36 26.96 1,302 48.29 0.01318
152 93.81 66,670 710.8 0.008613 14 WF 426 55.35 144,200 2,206 0.03001
141 93.29 59,420 637.0 0.008112 398 54.15 129,400 2,017 0.02875
130 92.78 51,730 557.5 0.007623 370 52.94 115,700 1,838 0.02745
118 92.22 43,380 470.4 0.007144 342 61.75 102,700 1,663 0.02606
30 WF 210 109.8 148,100 1,349 0.008788 314 60.50 90,460 1,495 0.02459
190 108.8 129,500 1,190 0.008114 287 59.35 79,270 1,336 0.02308
172 107.9 113,100 1,048 0.007502 264 58.34 70,470 1,208 0.02175
132 77.29 39,240 507.8 0.009972 246 57.55 63,830 1,109 0.02065
124 76.88 35,830 466.0 0.009480 237 57.16 60,590 1,060 0.02008
116 76.52 32,150 420.1 0.009010 228 56.77 57,530 1,013 0.01951
108 76.17 28,160 369.7 0.008570 219 56.36 54,400 965.1 0.01891
99 75.74 24,180 319.3 0.008104 211 56.04 51,700 922.6 0.01838
27 WF 177 92.01 87,620 952.4 0.009600 202 55.63 48,830 877.9 0.01777
160 91.17 76,720 841.5 0.008858 193 55.23 45,940 831.8 0.01714
145 90.44 67,600 747.5 0.008204 184 54.82 43,230 788.6 0.01652
114 66.33 25,670 387.0 0.010720 176 54.49 40,650 746.0 0.01593
102 65.73 22,050 335.5 0.009809 167 54.10 37,990 702.2 0.01527
94 65.34 19,470 297.9 0.009199 158 53.69 35,510 661.3 0.01461
84 64.89 16,050 247.3 0.008495 150 53.34 33,200 622.3 0.01399
24 WF 160 83.08 67,890 817.1 0.009813 142 53.04 30,900 582.6 0.01338
145 82.40 59,250 719.1 0.009057 320 61.48 88,130 1,433 0.02497
130 81.73 50,650 619.8 0.008293 136 50.44 26,570 526.9 0.01403
120 70.65 34,370 486.5 0.009792 127 50.03 24,460 489.0 0.01326
110 70.16 30,810 439.2 0.009140 119 49.67 22,600 455.0 0.01256
100 69.68 27,190 390.2 0.008474 111 49.33 20,710 419.8 0.01183
94 53.05 13,860 261.3 0.01227 103 48.96 18,940 386.8 0.01109
84 52.55 11,880 226.0 0.01121 95 48.62 17,150 352.7 0.01035
76 52.18 10,210 195.6 0.01034 87 48.26 15,490 320.9 0.009584
68 51.81 8,436 162.8 0.009525 84 40.28 10,120 251.2 0.01297
21 WF 142 66.86 39,640 592.9 0.01180 78 40.03 9,202 229.9 0.01216
127 66.14 34,410 520.2 0.01081 74 33.76 5,992 177.5 0.01576
112 65.44 29,090 444.5 0.009771 68 33.49 5,390 160.9 0.01467
96 45.65 11,030 241.7 0.01541 14 WF 61 33.17 4,716 142.2 0.01337
82 44.96 8,923 198.5 0.01364 53 26.77 2,534 94.67 0.01710
73 42.51 6,878 161.8 0.01330 48 26.54 2,236 84.25 0.01572
68 42.27 6,239 147.6 0.01259 43 26.30 1,948 74.07 0.01434
62 41.97 5,453 129.9 0.01170 38 23.05 1,231 53.42 0.01592
55 41.65 4,471 107.3 0.01074 34 22.86 1,065 46.60 0.01447
18 WF 114 51.74 19,360 374.3 0.01376 30 22.69 884.7 39.00 0.01304
105 51.32 17,340 337.8 0.01289 12 WF 190 40.05 23,520 587.3 0.02851
96 50.90 15,380 302.1 0.01201 161 38.78 18,640 580.8 0.02530
85 38.47 7,460 193.9 0.01718 133 37.54 14,360 382.5 0.02187
77 38.07 6,588 173.1 0.01592 120 37.00 12,440 336.1 0.02014
70 37.73 5,783 153.3 0.01475 106 36.37 10,630 292.4 0.01825
64 37.44 5,143 137.4 0.01375 99 36.05 9,727 269.8 0.01724
92 35.75 8,864 248.0 0.01624

43
JANUARY/1966
© 2003 by American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc. All rights reserved. This publication or any part thereof must not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher.
 TABLE 4 (continued)

Structural wmax Cw Sw λ Structural wmax Cw Sw λ

Section in.2 in.6 in.4 in.–1 Section in.2 in.6 in.4 in.–1
12 WF 85 35.42 8,059 227.5 0.01520 8 B 15 7.835 49.9 6.375 0.03321
79 35.16 7,329 208.4 0.01429 13 7.746 39.0 5.040 0.03059
72 34.85 6,542 187.7 0.01321 6 B 16 5.890 36.7 6.234 0.04882
65 34.54 5,784 167.5 0.01211 12 5.721 23.4 4.104 0.03948
58 28.91 3,577 123.7 0.01502 6 WF 25 8.989 149.3 16.62 0.03485
53 28.71 3,165 110.2 0.01389 20 8.776 113.3 12.92 0.02893
50 23.32 1,877 80.49 0.01915 15.5 8.597 79.5 9.250 0.02390
45 23.09 1,646 71.30 0.01755 5 WF 18.5 5.904 49.0 8.307 0.04840
40 22.85 1,437 62.88 0.01593 16 5.800 40.3 6.960 0.04315
36 19.20 805.2 41.94 0.02027
31 18.96 663.6 34.99 0.01798 12 B 14 11.60 76.2 6.571 0.01960
27 18.79 549.5 29.25 0.01615 10 B 11.5 9.545 46.5 4.879 0.02107
10 WF 112 26.38 6,031 228.6 0.03116 8 B 10 7.581 29.3 3.866 0.02463
100 25.87 5,159 199.5 0.02863 6B 8.5 5.551 14.9 2.685 0.03058
89 25.38 4,405 173.5 0.02616 5 M 18.9 5.729 45.6 7.963 0.05229
77 24.86 3,645 146.6 0.02334 4 M 13 3.571 12.4 3.487 0.07372
72 24.64 3,327 135.0 0.02208 24 I 120 46.07 10,640 231.0 0.02136
66 24.36 2,994 122.9 0.02058 105.9 45.08 10,010 222.0 0.01939
60 24.10 2,664 110.5 0.01904 100 41.90 6,108 145.8 0.02200
54 23.82 2,345 98.42 0.01742 90 41.19 5,823 141.4 0.01974
49 23.61 2,073 87.81 0.01602 79.9 40.45 5,544 137.0 0.01789
45 19.06 1.200 62.98 0.02192 20 I 95 34.35 4,339 126.3 0.02778
10 WF 39 18.80 994.0 52.88 0.01942 85 33.65 4,094 121.7 0.02480
33 18.55 791.0 42.65 0.01691 75 30.69 2,633 85.77 0.02602
29 14.09 356.0 25.26 0.02550 65.4 30.02 2,473 82.39 0.02289
25 13.90 292.4 21.04 0.02263 18 I 70 27.05 1,710 63.21 0.03146
21 13.74 220.1 16.02 0.01987 54.7 25.96 1,526 58.78 0.02398
8 WF 67 16.71 1,440 86.15 0.03699 15 I 50 20.27 779.5 38.45 0.03274
58 16.32 1,180 72.30 0.03311 42.9 19.77 727.1 36.78 0.02797
48 15.86 929.9 58.63 0.02857 12 I 50 15.53 479.7 30.89 0.04967
40 15.53 724.8 56.67 0.02453 40.8 14.89 426.2 28.63 0.03948
35 15.30 618.0 40.38 0.02198 35 14.54 313.7 21.57 0.03628
31 15.13 528.9 34.95 0.01984 31.8 14.32 300.6 20.99 0.03312
28 12.42 311.4 25.07 0.02575 10 I 35 11.75 176.6 15.03 0.05596
24 12.24 258.3 21.11 0.02266 25.4 11.08 150.1 13.56 0.03813
20 10.22 126.6 12.39 0.02813 8I 23 7.899 58.6 7.426 0,06228
17 10.10 98.1 9.724 0.02515 18.4 7.575 52.2 6.901 0.04831
7I 20 6.377 32.6 5.113 0.07715
16 B 31 21.27 713.4 33.54 0.01610 15.3 6.046 28.1 4.658 0.05585
26 21.04 537.9 25.56 0.01412 6I 17.25 5.028 17.1 3.402 0.09957
14 B 26 16.92 389.0 22.99 0.01905 12.5 4.696 14.1 3.019 0.06591
22 16.73 300.9 17.99 0.01680 5I 14.75 3.837 8.3 2.164 0.1379
12 B 22 11.98 159.4 13.32 0.02676 10.0 3.506 6.4 1.847 0.08025
19 11.84 127.0 10.73 0.02390 4I 9.5 2.591 2.9 1.134 0.1346
16.5 11.73 95.0 8.102 0.02196 7.7 2.465 2.5 1.039 0.1027
10 B 19 9.905 100.9 10.19 0.03003 3I 7.5 1.719 1.0 0.5971 0.2093
17 9.815 82.1 8.370 0.02748 5.7 1.596 0.8 0.5242 0.1410
15 9.731 65.4 6.721 0.02556

44
AISC ENGINEERING JOURNAL
© 2003 by American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc. All rights reserved. This publication or any part thereof must not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher.
 TABLE 4 (continued)

Structural wb wa Cw Sw λ
Section in. in.2 in.2 in.6 in.4 in.–1
18 [ 58.0 0.6617 8.753 –24.48 1,012 41.34 0.03307
51.9 0.7618 9.186 –23.62 931.2 39.42 0.02904
45.8 0.8707 9.697 –22.68 847.8 37.39 0.02555
42.7 0.9293 9.988 –22.17 804.8 36.30 0.02406
15 [ 50.0 0.4739 5.840 –17.50 391.5 22.37 0.04968
40.0 0.6418 6.339 –16.33 327.8 20.08 0.03935
33.9 0.7581 6.739 –15.51 287.8 18.55 0.03476
12 [ 30.0 0.4982 4.231 –11.96 116.6 9.752 0.05125
25.0 0.6120 4.529 –11.32 101.3 8.942 0.04270
20.7 0.7239 4.862 –10.69 87.35 8.169 0.03764
10 [ 30.0 0.2762 2.853 –9.564 60.49 6.325 0.08815
25.0 0.3897 3.043 –9.042 52.12 5.765 0.06956
20.0 0.5167 3.297 –8.454 43.69 5.169 0.05413
15.3 0.6575 3.634 –7.796 35.40 4.542 0.04468
9 [ 20.0 0.4122 2.661 –7.350 30.16 4.104 0.07154
15.0 0.5604 2.945 –6.732 23.99 3.564 0.05434
13.4 0.6183 3.074 –6.489 21.82 3.364 0.05081
8 [ 18.75 0.3406 2.161 –6.176 19.16 3.103 0.09204
13.75 0.4974 2.406 –5.600 14.85 2.652 0.06588
11.5 0.5785 2.555 –5.300 12.84 2.423 0.05873
7 [ 14.75 0.3523 1.810 –4.823 10.03 2.081 0.09926
12.25 0.4392 1.923 –4.546 8.58 1.888 0.08118
9.8 0.5370 2.074 –4.231 7.11 1.682 0.06923
6 [ 13.0 0.3001 1.421 –3.805 5.48 1.442 0.1296
10.5 0.3954 1.516 –3.548 4.54 1.282 0.1012
8.2 0.4984 1.645 –3.267 3.67 1.123 0.08400
5 [ 9.0 0.3492 1.157 –2.665 2.23 0.8378 0.1344
6.7 0.4613 1.261 –2.414 1.71 0.7111 0.1059
4 [ 7.25 0.3163 0.8480 –1.867 0.92 0.4978 0.1831
5.4 0.4194 0.9099 –1.688 0.69 0.4137 0.1409
3 [ 6.0 0.2445 0.5480 –1.241 0.33 0.2731 0.2991
5.0 0.3274 0.5938 –1.135 0.28 0.2472 0.2406
4.l 0.3931 0.6238 –1.052 0.23 0.2188 0.2057

45
JANUARY/1966
© 2003 by American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc. All rights reserved. This publication or any part thereof must not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher.