Member stability checks Page 1 of 3
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Member stability checks
You can select the stability checks for each member. This will depend upon the state of stress (i.e. elastic or
plastic) and the type of restraint that is present (i.e. lateral restraint to inner or outer flange, or torsional
restraint). Tekla Portal Frame Designer identifies whether a restraint lies within D/2 of a hinge, where D/2 is
a distance equal to half the depth of the rafter or column in which the hinge occurs.
BS 5950-1:2000 clause 5.5.5 indicates that a point of contraflexure may be taken as a torsional restraint.
However, you should be aware that the points of contraflexure on a given frame can be subject to a change
of position at each hinge formation. The point of contraflexure shown on the Member Stability screen is that
given at the ultimate limit state (1oad factor 1.0).
The checks that can be performed by Tekla Portal Frame Designer are described below.
Clause 5.3.3 check
The Clause 5.3.3 check is a limiting length check based upon the member section properties and the
maximum axial load within the checked length. It can be conservative, and, with one exception, must be
applied to the segment adjacent to a plastic hinge.
The exception is for the segment that extends into the eaves haunch when a hinge exists at the sharp end.
Providing the haunch remains elastic for its entire length, then a 5.3.3 check is not essential and an
alternative check can be used (see Clause 5.3.5.1).
You may request the check to be carried out between two specified positions which are restrained either
torsionally or laterally (to the compression flange). The maximum axial load between the two points will be
used in the check. The length between the restraints can be of uniform or tapered section. The axial stress, if
tensile, is set to zero for this check.
For tapered sections, the various terms in the equation given in Clause 5.3.3 are chosen so as to minimise
the allowable distance, e.g. the minimum value for radius of gyration in the length between restraints is
used.
An allowance is made for moment gradient in a uniform section, but subject to other limiting criteria (see
Clause 5.3.3(b)) this can improve the limiting length.
Clause 4.8.3.3.2 check
An overall buckling check on a length between two specified compression flange restraint positions may be
carried out in accordance with Clause 4.8.3.3.2(a) of BS 5950-1:2000. Only the second formula for out-of-
plane buckling is used since in-plane buckling is taken into account using the methods for sway stability
described earlier. The check can be used for uniform sections of any valid classification.
When used in the apex haunch area the improvement in the section properties provided by the haunch is
ignored. That is the section is assumed uniform.
This check also ensures that the length will not undergo lateral torsional buckling.
The axial force, if tensile, is set to zero for the check.
Clause 4.8.3.3.1 check
An overall buckling check on a length between two specified compression flange restraint positions may be
carried out in accordance with Clause 4.8.3.3.1(a) of BS 5950-1:2000. Only the second formula for out-of-
plane buckling is used since in-plane buckling is taken into account using the methods for sway stability
described earlier. The check can be used for tapered sections of any valid classification.
When used in the apex haunch area the improvement in the section properties provided by the haunch is
included. For all tapered sections the value of the uniform moment factor mLT is taken as 1.0.
This check also ensures that the length will not undergo lateral torsional buckling.
The axial force, if tensile, is set to zero for the check. For tapered lengths, the minimum values of radius of
gyration and gross area are used in the determination of the compression capacity, even though the values
may occur at opposite ends of a length. Sections are considered to be welded (for the purpose of calculating
the compressive strength) only if a built-up haunch is present.
Annex B.2.5 of BS 5950-1:2000 does not give any guidance for the calculation of slenderness correction
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Member stability checks Page 2 of 3
factor when the flange area ratio Rf is less than 0.2. In such a case, Tekla Portal Frame Designer will issue a
warning and terminate the check.
Annex I.1 check
This annex provides alternative calculations to the approach in Clause 4.8.3.3.2 for the overall buckling
resistance of a segment. This annex can only be used for doubly symmetric cross-sections in members which
are of uniform section and which are plastic (Class 1) or compact (Class 2). In portal frames there are no
minor axis moments and so the simplified formulae given in Clause I.1(a) are used. As with the Clause
4.8.3.3.2 check detailed previously only the out-of-plane buckling need be checked.
This check is carried out for a segment between compression flange restraints and as part of an Annex G
check.
Note If l > = 85.8 e, then the Annex I.1 check will yield the same results as a
r
Clause 4.8.3.3.2 check.
For this check tensile forces are taken as zero.
Annex G checks
The checks described in Annex G of BS 5950-1:2000 are applicable to a length between torsional restraints
which has intermediate lateral restraints to the tension flange. Their implementation within Tekla Portal
Frame Designer is described below.
After the Annex G checks have been performed, Tekla Portal Frame Designer also examines all portions of
the length that lie between intermediate restraints and applies an appropriate check to each. There must be
at lease one intermediate restraint specified.
A typical use for these checks would be with a length which had failed a Clause 4.8.3.3.2 check due to lack of
restraint to the compression flange but which was stabilised by purlins connected to the tension (top)
flange.
Annex G Plastic Check
Either uniform or tapered members may be checked, using G.3 of BS 5950-1:2000. The checks can be
performed even if plasticity does not occur within the un-haunched section of the length under
consideration. The axial force, if tensile, is set to zero for either check.
A warning is issued by Tekla Portal Frame Designer if the calculated value of slenderness correction factor
n or any of its constituent terms R exceeds 1.0, although the check is not terminated.
t
It should be noted that the S values used in the calculation of R are determined at each section for
x
haunched members.
The equation for limiting length L given in G.3.3.3 of BS 5950-1:2000 contains a discontinuity for certain
k
combinations of yield stress, modulus of elasticity and torsional index x In order to solve this problem, the
value of the bracketed term in the denominator of the equation is limited to a minimum value of 0.05 and
the value of x is re-calculated accordingly.
This revised value is also used when calculating c and avoids the possible discontinuity in the relevant
equation. It is important to note that the revised value of x is used for the Annex G checks only.
Annex G Elastic Check
Either uniform or tapered members can be checked, using G.2 of BS 5950-1:2000. The checks will not be
allowed if plasticity occurs within the length under consideration. The axial force, if tensile, is set to zero for
either check.
The checks will be terminated if the slenderness correction factor n or any of its constituent terms R
t
exceeds 1.0, as this is beyond the scope of BS 5950-1:2000. It should be noted that the Z values used in the
xc
calculation of R are determined at each section for haunched members.
For tapered members, the lateral torsional buckling resistance is calculated using the section modulus at the
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Member stability checks Page 3 of 3
point under consideration, but with one value of the lateral torsional buckling strength, p , for the whole
b
segment.
The equation for the term c given in G.2.5 of BS 5950-1:2000 contains a discontinuity at a torsional index
x value of 9. Another discontinuity occurs in the equation for limiting length L in G.3.3.3. The solution
k
adopted for the latter problem automatically avoids the discontinuity when calculating c.
For tapered sections, the torsional index of the haunch is given in the code as that of the original I-section
from which the section forming the haunch is made. The principles embodied in this approach are adopted
for haunches built-up from plates. Thus the torsional index of a built-up haunch is calculated assuming an
equivalent section twice the size of the built-up haunch.
Intermediate length checks
Checks between intermediate restraints as part of an Annex G check are automatically carried out. The
appropriate check is selected as follows:
• for intermediate lengths of uniform section and which are either class 1 or class 2, an Annex
I.1 check is performed,
• for intermediate lengths of uniform section and which are class 3, the formula in Clause
4.8.3.3.2(a) for out-of-plane stability is used,
• for intermediate lengths of tapered section and which are class 1, class 2 or class 3, the
second formula in Clause 4.8.3.3.1 is used,
• for intermediate lengths which are of either uniform or tapered section, but which are adjacent
to a plastic hinge a Clause 5.3.3 check is used unless the particular intermediate length is
wholly or partially in the haunch and the whole of the haunch remains elastic, in which case a
Clause 4.8.3.3.1 (second formula only) check is performed.
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