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University of Sheffield

Department of Civil Structural Engineering

Prepared by:
Revised by: EC3 Plastic Portal Frame Design
Cia06mh
Date Sheet No
16/02/2009 Appendix B

Reference Calculation 39

B1 Initial sizing using Wellers charts


TP/08/43
EC3/08/16 The method described relies for its simplicity on a series of three charts developed by
Manual for Alan Weller. The chart has been constructed with the following assumptions and which
the design of leads to reasonably economic solution (Note. This is not a rigorous design method; it is
steelwork a set of rules to arrive at initial size).
building
structures to 1) The rafter depth is approximately span / 55
EC3 2) The hunch length is approximately span /10
3) The rafter slope lies between 0o and 20o.
4) The ratio of span to eaves height is between 2 and 5.
5) The hinges in the mechanism are formed at the level of the underside of the
haunch in the column and close to the apex.

Each chart requires a knowledge of the geometry of the frame and the design loading as
input data in order to determine approximate sizes for the column and rafter members

Using of charts

Figure B1 Dimensions of portal (The institutionof Structural Engineers, TP/08/43


EC3/08/16)

a) Calculate the span/height to eaves ratio = L/h


b) Calculate the rise/span ratio = r/L
c) Calculate the total design load FL on the frame and then calculate FL2, where F is
the load per unit length on plan of span L (e.g. F =qs, where q is the total factored
load per m2 and s is the bay spacing).

d) From figure B2 obtain the horizontal force ratio HFR at the base from r/L and L/h
e) Calculate the horizontal force at the base of span H=HFR W L.
University of Sheffield

Department of Civil Structural Engineering

Prepared by:
Revised by: EC3 Plastic Portal Frame Design
Cia06mh
Date Sheet No
16/02/2009 Appendix B

Reference Calculation 40

f) From figure B3 obtain the rafter Mp ratio MPR from r/L and L/h.
TP/08/43 g) Calculate the Mp required in the rafter from Mp (rafter) = MPR x W L2.
EC3/08/16 h) From figure B4 obtain the column Mp ratio MPL from r/L and r/h.
Manual for i) Calculate the Mp required in the rafter from Mp (rafter) = MPL x W L2.
the design of j) Determine the plastic moduli for the rafter Wpl,y,R and the column Wpl,y,C from
steelwork Wpl,y,R =Mp,(rafter) /fy
building Wpl,y,C = Mp,(column) /fy
structures to Where fy is the yield strength.
EC3
Using the plastic moduli, the rafter and column sections may be chosen from the range of
plastic sections as so defined in the section books.

Span to eaves height


2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0
0.2

0.15
Rise/span

0.1

0.05

0
0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4 0.45
H/wL
Figure B2- Horizontal force at the base (The institutionof Structural
Engineers, TP/08/43 EC3/08/16)
University of Sheffield

Department of Civil Structural Engineering

Prepared by:
Revised by: EC3 Plastic Portal Frame Design
Cia06mh
Date Sheet No
16/02/2009 Appendix B

Reference Calculation 41

TP/08/43
EC3/08/16 Span to eaves height
4.5 3.5 2.5
Manual for 5.0 4.0 3.0 2.0
0.2
the design of
steelwork
building
structures to 0.15
EC3
Rise/span

0.1

0.05

0
0.02 0.025 0.03 0.035 0.04 0.045
M pr/ wL
Figure B3- Mp ratio required for the rafter (The
institutionof Structural Engineers, TP/08/43 EC3/08/16)
Span to eaves height
5.0 4.5 4.0 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0
0.2

0.15
Rise/span

0.1

0.05

0
0.045 0.05 0.055 0.06 0.065 0.07 0.075 0.08
M pl/ wL
Figure B4- Mp ratio required for the column (The institutionof
Structural Engineers, TP/08/43 EC3/08/16)

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