NCCI: Determination of moments on columns in simple construction

SN005a-EN-EU
NCCI: Determination of moments on columns in simple
construction
This NCCI presents a method for determining the moments on columns in simple
construction due to the eccentricity of the beam-to-column joints. This method may be
used for braced frames with nominally pinned joints.
Contents
1. Simple construction 2
2. Simplified method for the design of columns in simple construction 2
3. Background 4
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NCCI: Determination of moments on columns in simple construction
SN005a-EN-EU
1. Simple construction
The method presented in this NCCI is applicable to steel framed buildings modelled as
simple according to EN 1993-1-8 5.1.1 (2), in which the joints may be assumed not
transmit any bending moment from the beams into the columns. The lateral stability of the
frame must be provided by a system of bracing or by lift shafts and stair wells. Stability is not
provided to any degree by the stiffness of the beam-to-column joints. The columns in this
type of structure will primarily be loaded in axial compression, but nominal moments due to
the eccentricity of the beam-to-column joints should also be considered in design.
If the outcome is compared with a rigidly jointed frame, simple construction will result in:
Substantially lighter columns
Slightly heavier beams
Simple, cheap connections
The design process is simpler than that needed for a rigidly jointed frame, making it easier to
optimise the overall frame. The frame will also be significantly cheaper to construct.
The safety of the method is demonstrated by substantial experience in practice and wide-
ranging theoretical studies (see Background).
2. Simplified method for the design of columns in
simple construction
This NCCI presents a simple approach for calculating nominal moments in the columns
resulting from the eccentricity of the beam-to-column joints and allowing for these moments
in checking the resistance of the columns. This method does not require knowledge of the
joint detail except that it is nominally pinned, as defined by EN1993-1-8 5.2.2.2.
In calculating the nominal moments, the beam end reactions are assumed to act 100 mm off
the face of the column as shown in Figure 2.1.
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NCCI: Determination of moments on columns in simple construction
SN005a-EN-EU

+ = mm 100
2
ED b1, nom
h
R M or

+ = mm 100
2
w
ED b1, nom
t
R M
Where R
b1,ED
is the reaction at the end of the beam and h and t
w
are as defined in Figure 2.1.
The beam reactions will only result in a moment being transferred into the column when they
are out of balance. The column should be designed for axial compression alone in cases
where the reactions are balanced. The effects of pattern loading need not be considered for
the design of the column using these simple rules, i.e. all of the beams should be assumed to
be fully loaded (see EN 1991-1-1:2002 6.2.2 (1)).
In multi-storey columns that are effectively continuous at their splices, the distribution of
nominal moments to the upper and lower column sections is carried out in proportion to their
stiffness. For this purpose, the stiffness is defined as the second moment of area about the
appropriate axis divided by the height between floors. Where the ratio of stiffnesses does not
exceed 1.5, the moments may be shared equally between the column above the joint and the
column below. The nominal moments should be assumed to have no effect at the levels
above and below the level at which they are applied.
The adequacy of the column under the combined effects of the axial compression and the
nominal moments should be verified using expressions 6.61 and 6.62 of EN 1993-1-1
( 6.3.3).
Note: The application of this method is not limited to joints with only one vertical line of
bolts. The method may be used with joints having two vertical lines of bolts, provided that
the joints are nominally pinned.
100 100
b1,Ed
R
b1,Ed
R
/2
h
/2
w
w
t
h t


Figure 2.1 Nominal moment due to beam-to-column joint eccentricity
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NCCI: Determination of moments on columns in simple construction
SN005a-EN-EU
3. Background
The method presented in this NCCI is based on the approach used in BS 5950-1:2000, which
has been used successfully in the United Kingdom for many years. It has also been adopted
in other national codes such as the Australian steel code AS 1250. The origins of this method
may be traced to BS 449 and are discussed in Baker, The Steel Skeleton: Volume 1 Elastic
behaviour and design, Cambridge University Press 1954. Originally, the eccentricity was
taken as half the stanchion width plus 2 inches (50 mm). The 50 mm was increased to
100 mm in a 1964 amendment to the 1959 edition of BS 449.
The reason for using a fixed value of 100 mm off the face of the column, rather than an exact
measurement, is to provide a simple, safe and conservative method for use in the design of
multi-storey buildings with nominally pinned joints. The method is safe because it makes an
adequate allowance for the moments arising from the eccentricity of the joint. It simple,
because it does not require the designer of the columns to have knowledge of the joint detail,
other than the fact that it is nominally pinned. This is important in an industry in which
detailed design of the joints is often carried out at a later stage in the design process, often by
a different designer from the person who sizes the members.
The method is intended solely for the purpose of determining the nominal moments acting on
the columns and does not, therefore, contradict the recommendations given in EN 1993-1-8
for the design of the joints.

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NCCI: Determination of moments on columns in simple construction
SN005a-EN-EU
Quality Record
RESOURCE TITLE NCCI: Determination of moments on columns in simple construction
Reference(s)
ORIGINAL DOCUMENT
Name Company Date
Created by Martin Heywood The Steel Construction
Institute

Technical content checked by Charles King The Steel Construction
Institute

Editorial content checked by D C Iles The Steel Construction
Institute
28/4/05
Technical content endorsed by the
following STEEL Partners:

1. UK G W Owens SCI 25/4/05
2. France A Bureau CTICM 25/4/05
3. Sweden A Olsson SBI 25/4/05
4. Germany C Mller RWTH 25/4/05
5. Spain J Chica Labein 25/4/05
Resource approved by Technical
Coordinator
G W Owens SCI 22/4/06
TRANSLATED DOCUMENT
This Translation made and checked by:
Translated resource approved by:


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