CIVE 7351 Behavior of Steel Structures J. F.

Hajjar

Steps to Proper Beam-Column Analysis/Design Using the AISC (LRFD) B1/B2 Approach

The following is a brief description of one approach to proper beam-column design using linear elastic
analysis and the AISC Specification (LRFD approach), including its B1/B2 approach to account for
geometric nonlinearity.

Definitions:
NT analysis = No translation analysis in which only gravity loads are applied. Lateral-resistance system
is restrained against sidesway (unless sidesway due to gravity load is negligible).
Horizontal reactions from these "fictitious sidesway supports" are applied (in the
opposite direction) as additional horizontal loads in LT analysis.
LT analysis = Lateral translation analysis in which only lateral loads are applied (including any non-
negligible horizontal reactions from the sidesway supports of the NT analysis).
Unbraced (Sidesway Uninhibited) Case

1. Perform one NT analysis for each significant gravity load combination. Do not include the lateral
loads in the analysis. The moments from these analyses will be multiplied by the B1 factor. For
example, from ASCE 7:
1.2D + 1.6L + 0.5S
1.2D + 0.5L + 0.5S
0.9D, etc.
Reduce the results appropriately to account for live load reduction.
Sometimes it is easiest to perform one analysis for each unfactored load case and then create the
load combinations subsequently.

2. For each significant load combination, and for each significant direction of lateral load:
a. Perform one LT analysis, using factored lateral loads, notional loads, plus appropriate
horizontal reactions from the NT analysis (ideally, factor these NT reactions by their
corresponding gravity load factors). The moments and axial compression forces from this
analysis will be multiplied by the B2 factor.
For example, for 1.6W, use reactions from 1.2D + 0.5L + 0.5S.
A minimum lateral load must be applied for each load combination – see Chapter C or
Appendix 7 for details.

b. Compute the full factored axial force for this load combination Pu:
Pu = Pr = Pu_NT + Pu_LT
c. For each significant gravity load combination, calculate B1x and B1y for each member that is
subjected to non-negligible compressive loading during the NT analysis (Chapter C). It may
be easiest to use the most conservative load combination for this calculation, but be careful
(especially concerning the 0.9D uplift load combination).
Use Pu from step 2b (i.e., use the axial force that accounts for both gravity and lateral load).
Use the MNT moments to calculate Cm (i.e., the moments should typically only account for
 gravity load for the B1 factor). For the calculation of Pe, use the sidesway inhibited
nomograph (it is common to use K = 1). All of these values are computed in the plane of
bending.
d. Compute B2 for this direction of lateral load for each story (the same B2 factor is used for the
all the LT forces and moments of a story, including both strong and weak axis moments).
To use Eq. C2-6b, calculate ∆H and ΣH from the LT analysis (note that gravity [leaner]
columns do not contribute to ΣH). Use ΣPu from the corresponding NT analysis (ΣPu from a
lateral analysis equals zero for each story). All columns in the story contribute to ΣPu.
To use Eq. C2-6a, calculate Pe using KL/r due to bending in the direction of the lateral load
(i.e., in the direction of the overall frame bending). For Pe, use K from the sidesway
uninhibited nomograph (note that gravity [leaner] columns do not contribute to ΣPe).
Use ΣPu from the corresponding NT analysis (ΣPu from a lateral analysis equals zero per
story). All columns in the story contribute to ΣPu.
e. Reompute the full factored axial force for this load combination Pu, now including B2:
Pu = Pr = Pu_NT + B2s * Pu_LT
B2s = B2 for lateral load in the “s” direction (i.e., the direction currently under consideration).
f. For each beam-column in tension plus flexure under the full factored load combination, from
Section H1-1:
Mux = Mrx = MNT_x + MLT_x
Muy = Mry = MNT_y + MLT_y
f. For each beam-column in compression plus flexure under the full factored load combination,
from Section H1-2:
Mux = Mrx = B1x * MNT_x + B2s * MLT_x
Muy = Mry = B1y * MNT_y + B2s * MLT_y
B2s = B2 for lateral load in the “s” direction (i.e., the direction currently under consideration).
g. Compute Pn from Chapters B, C, D, and E. If using the critical load approach, preferably use a
more general K factor formula than the sidesway uninhibited nomograph if any of the
assumptions of the nomograph are breached by your beam-column. Compute Mnx and Mny
from Chapters B and F. For Cb, preferably use the moment diagram including moment
amplification (e.g., Mux). Otherwise, use the moment diagram from (MNT_x + MLT_x). But,
either way, be consistent.
h. Compute the interaction equation (Equation H1-1).
i. Check shear and web failure (Chapter G, Section J10).
j. Redesign as required and go to step 2c.

3. Reanalyze as required and go to step 1.

Braced (Sidesway Inhibited) Case
Use the above procedure, except for Pn, K ≤ 1 (it is common to take K as 1).