12 MasterBeam: Composite Beam Design

12.1 Getting Stared with MasterBeam Composite Design

MasterBeam Composite Beam Design is an interactive program for the design of
composite beams with or without web openings to BS 5950.
MasterBeam Composite Design is a very powerful and an extremely user friendly
program with a short learning curve.

12.1.1 Design Features

• Analysis and design of simply supported composite beams
• Primary beams
• Secondary beams
• Combined primary-secondary beams
• Option for non-composite analysis and design
• Propped or un-propped design
• Natural frequency checks
• Notched supports
• Web openings, with or without stiffeners
• Factored beam loads automatically calculated from floor loading
• Additional point and distributed loads
• The steel section can be a rolled I-section, a rolled channel or a built-up symmetrical
or asymmetrical I-section

12.1.2 Operational Features

• Easy to use, very fast with powerful editing facilities
• Analysis and design checks are carried out automatically and instantaneously as
beam input data is changed.
• Store multiple beam designs in one file.
• Global definition of particular parameters, which apply to all design briefs in a file.
• In-built library of standard British sections and open libraries for other sections
• In-built and open libraries of metal deck profiles and shear connectors
• A full summary of the design data is displayed with clear warnings of non-compliance
• Whilst viewing the results, AutoChange facilities are provided which enable the
Engineer to rapidly select the most appropriate steel section.
• AutoDesign function to automatically select the lightest or smallest adequate section.
• Automatic transfer of data from one beam to another for rapid analysis and design of
similar beams
• In-built on-screen training
• Clear and concise output
• Engineer friendly

MasterBeam - Composite design

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12.2 Primary Program Interface Regions

The screen above shows four main areas as follows:

• The bar menu and tool bar.
• The detailed output and graphics area with its scroll bar.
• The design summary with the paragraph and section design output navigator spin
buttons.
• The editing area comprising the five data input tabs: Floor Information, Beam Section,
Additional Loads, Web Openings and Open Library.

Please note that the information in the detailed output and the design summary areas
change dynamically as the beam data is altered in the editing area.

12.2.1 The MasterBeam Tool Bar

Create new file using the current defaults
Open file
Save current file
Delete the current brief
Copy the current brief to clipboard
Add new brief form clipboard
Add new brief based on current defaults
Enter global editing mode (changes all briefs)
Graphics always on top

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 Next/Previous brief spin button
Un-propped during construction stage
Propped during construction stage

Secondary beam
Primary beam with one transverse beam
Primary beam with two transverse beam
General (User defined) beam
Mixed primary secondary beam
Apply transverse beams (Primary beams ON/OFF)
Use continuous metal deck profile
Apply additional point loads
Apply additional uniformly distributed load
Apply circular web openings
Apply rectangular web opening

Export / print graphics ON/OFF

Project title and Job references
Print current brief
Print all briefs
Export current brief to Word
Export all briefs to Word

The tool bar provides quick and easy access to some of the primary MasterBeam file
management, editing and printing/exporting functions.

12.2.2 The Detailed Design Output and Graphics Area

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Graphics
The on screen graphics of the current design brief changes dynamically with any
modifications to the information in the editing area. The overall graphics scale, as well
as the point loads and partial UDL scales may altered using the spin buttons as
indicated above. By clicking the Graphics always on top button in the tool bar the
graphics will remain visible as you scroll through the design output.

Detailed Design Output

The design output is presented in a detailed and concise format. The various deign
checks are clearly divided into headed sections. The results are generally displayed
over four columns, in the format;
Column 1 – Description of calculation, item or numerical value.
Column 2 – Design data or calculation.
Column 3 – Calculation result or permissible values.
Column 4 – Design check verdict, OK or Warning.

The design output includes;

• Summary of design data – details of beam geometry, steel section, metal deck
profile, concrete slab, reinforcement, shear connectors, and applied loading.
• Section Properties
• Ultimate limit state – beam shear, shear connection, axial resistance and moment
capacity design checks at critical locations along the beam.
• Transverse reinforcement
• Serviceability limit state – deflection, steel stress and concrete stress design checks.
• Vibration Analysis – natural frequency check
• Openings – summary of location and size. Composite / Non-composite moments,
Vierendeel moment, axial force design check. Upper and lower web-flange
classifications, with axial and shear force capacity checks. Dimensional checks.

12.2.3 Design Summary Area

The design summary area permits immediate evaluation of the fundamental design
checks. The unity ratios are dynamically updated with any alteration of information in
the editing area.
By clicking on any of the items in the design summary area, the corresponding detailed
design output is displayed. The paragraph and section navigator spin buttons also
provide useful tools for scrolling the detailed design output.

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Any unity ratios
exceeding 1.0 represent
a design failure and are
highlighted in red. The
background colour of the
design output and
graphics area also
changes to Cyan, making
any design failure
immediately apparent.

12.2.4 The Editing Area

The Editing Area is divided into 6 tabs: Floor Information, Beam Section, Additional
Loads, Web Openings, Open Library and Defaults.
Analysis and design is carried out automatically and instantaneously as any influential
input data is changed.

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12.3 Floor Information

or using the Simplified Menu (PowerPad and PowerPad Plus)

12.3.1 Floor Information Input Areas

Beam Geometry
Main Beam span (primary or secondary)
b & c. Distance from main beam to parallel left and right hand
beams.
For an edge beam either b or c is set to zero.

Construction stage support

The metal deck profile support condition at construction stage may be
specified as propped or unpropped. In the unpropped condition an
ultimate limate state at construction stage design check for shear and
moment capacity is applied.
Floor Area Loading
The general floor area loading in kN/m2 is defined in three
categories.
The concrete slab and the steel beam self-weights are calculated
and added automatically.
The program automatically adds 0.2 kN/m2 for Deck/Mesh and
0.5 kN/m2 for Construction Loading. These values may be
changed in the defaults tab.

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Transverse Beams
Defines the position and section size
of transverse beams in a primary
beam design. The transverse beams
apply a concentrated load to the
primary beam bases on their length
and supported floor width as defined
in the beam geometry.
The Overwrite Area function enables the user to redefined the transverse beam lengths
and supported floor widths for each beam.
This funtionality is not included where only the simplified menu is available, and the
defintion is limited to the application of 1 and 2 No. equedistant transerve beams.

Option Buttons

Apply design check at construction stage when propped.

Displays the defaults tab and the customised program defaults
are used
Prints the combination of load groups and load factors in the
design output
Prints steel and concrete stress details in the serviceability limit
state design check.
Use the simplified input menu only.

12.3.2 Composite Beam Types

The design of composite beams is categorised into the following types;

1. Secondary Beam

Represents the beam spanning between two primary beams. The direction of the metal
deck profile spans between primary beams. Therefore the in beam graphics the metal
deck is shown in section through the hollow rib profile. The number of shear studs is
specified per trough.

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2. Primary Beam

The primary beams represent the main structural beams. Primary beams may support
transverse beams. The program automatically calculates the floor area supported by
each beam. The Overwrite Floor Area option enables you to specify your own data for
special cases.
The beam size for the transverse beams is required to enable the correct value of their
self-weight to be included.

3. Mixed Primary-Secondary Beam

The mixed – primary secondary option is used for instances where the metal deck
profile spans in different direction on either side on the beam.
In the above screen, please note:
The floor width supported directly by the beam is 1.5 m = ½ the distance to the right
hand beam
The transverse beam floor length supported is 4.5 m = ½ the distance to the left hand
beam

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12.4 Beam Section
The Beam Section tab defines steel section, metal deck, reinforcement, shear
connection, and concrete slab properties.

The steel section type UB, UC, RSJ, UBP, IPE, HE, HL, HD,
HPX, IPN, W, …., and Channels.
The section size. The section size list can be sorted by
serial size or weight order using the Sort check box.
The section grade. You can select and add new rolled
section types, section sizes and grades in the main open
library for steel sections.
3.16 The Steel Sections and Open Library
The metal deck profile condition: Continuous or Non-
Continuous.
The metal deck profile type including solid slab. You can
add other metal deck profiles in the Open Library tab.
The metal deck profile thickness.
The overall concrete slab depth (zero for steel beam only).
The concrete grade (zero for non-composite).
The area of steel mesh provided perpendicular to the span
of the beam.
The percentage deck contribution you wish to consider
(100% for full contribution, 0% for no-contribution).
The wet density of the concrete 1850 for light weight, 2350
for normal weight.
The modular ratio. 15 for light weight, 10 for normal weight
and 0 to allow the program to calculate a default value
based on the concrete type (light or normal weight) and the
ratio of the long term and short term loads.
The shear connectors type. You can add other shear
connectors from the Open Library tab.
The shear connectors spacing. In secondary and mixed
primary-secondary beams this can be One per Alternate
Trough, One per Trough, Two per Trough or Spaced @ the
specified centres singly or in pair. In primary beam, the
spacing, singly or in pair, can be specified for each region
between supports and transverse beams
Spacing values are used in primary beams where the metal
deck profile troughs run parallel with the beam. Spacing_01

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 refers to the portion between the left-hand support and the
1st transverse beam, Spacing_02 refers to the portion
between the 1st and the 2nd transverse beams and so on.
The last spacing you need to define is between the last
transverse beam and right hand support. If a spacing is left
to a value of zero, then it defaults to the previous value
Left and right hand width of concrete flange in composite
section b1 and b2.
The current brief beam reference title.
Add new brief (composite beam design) to data file based
on current brief. Delete current brief. The sort spin button
moves the position of the current brief in the brief list.
AutoDesign button as described below.
Increase the number of shear connectors by one.
The Ignore Deck Contribution in Primary Beams is provided
because BS 5950 is unclear about the contribution.
MasterBeam will ignore the contribution if the profile is
discontinuous, otherwise the contribution will be assumed to
be the same as for a discontinuous profile with ribs running
perpendicular to the span of the beam.

Using the Auto design

The auto design function will attempt to rectify failures related to the beam section and
transverse shear. The failures are prioritised in the following order.

• If any failure (with the exception of transverse shear) is detected, the auto design
scans through the selected beam section list to find a section which satisfies the
failing design criteria.

• If a transverse shear failure is detected the auto design scans the list of standard
steel mesh sizes to find a mesh which satisfies the failing criteria.

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12.5 Open Library

The open library area is used to add new definitions of metal deck profiles and shear
connectors.

Metal Deck Profiles

Please note that the profile name is limited to 23 characters.

Shear Connectors

The shear connector name is limited to 28 characters.

To enter an item in the open library

Enter the data for the item
Be sure to use a new reference number for the item unless you wish to overwrite an
existing item
Click on

Other editing functions

Delete the currently selected items from the library.
Reset the Standard Library to original MasterBeam values (Metal
Deck Profiles No 1 to 14 and Shear Connectors No 1 to 7 Only),
Reset the complete library, i.e. delete all user defined metal deck
profiles and shear connectors.

Feel free to investigate the various options provided in the open library, but please be
careful not to remove or change properties for items which have been added by other
users in your company.
If you wish to use the MasterBeam Composite Design on a number of machines then
remember to enter the same items in the open library on all the machines where the
program is being used. Alternatively you can copy the open library file
C:\msprowd\combeam1.ovr.

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12.6 Additional Loads

MasterBeam provides the facility to apply:

1. Additional point load positions (X) and values including Dead, Live and Super
Imposed Dead; and
2. Additional partially distributed load positions (X1/X2 refer to start/end) and values
including Dead, Live and Super Imposed Dead.

! Note:
• Dead loads are applied at the construction stage before the composite action.
Live and Super Imposed Dead loads are applied after the composite action.
• The “Copy load from” spin buttons enable you to copy loads data from
previous or subsequent rows (loads are copied symmetrically on the beam).

Other editing functions

Delete the currently active load.
Delete all point or partial loading.
Mirror copy the loading information from either the line above or below to
the current line.

The applied point and partial uniformly distributed loading are displayed in the beam
graphics. The individual graphical scale of either load may be altered using the spin
buttons provided, as described in section 12.2.2 Design Output and Graphics area.

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12.7 Web Openings

The “Web Openings” area is where you can define:

1. Circular Openings;
2. Rectangular Openings; and
3. Notches at supports (special case of rectangular opening).

The distance to the opening is always defined from the left-hand support to
the centre of the opening in meters.
The Top Edge distance is measured from the top of the steel beam to the top
edge of the opening
The Stiffener Area is the area of one of the two stiffeners provided, one at the
top and the other at the bottom of the opening. The two stiffeners are
positioned so that their centres are at the specified edge distance from the
edge of the opening.
The default Edge distance from the centre of a stiffener to the edge of the
opening is 12 mm
Diameter of the circular wed opening.
Depth of rectangular web opening
Width of rectangular web opening

The program uses default values for the opening diameter, depth, width and the top
edge distance. The default values are based on the beam depth and aim at positioning
each opening at the centre of the beam. To check the exact values used, use the
Section Navigator spin button to view the opening’s data in the detailed output area.
A notch at the support is a rectangular opening with a distance from the support equal to
or less than ½ its width.
Stiffener sizes and arrangements are suggested in the detailed design output based on
the area of stiffener provided and for a compact section. Further guidance for the
7 MasterBeam Composite Design 7 - 13
detailing of stiffeners is given in [2]. Extracts from this technical note [2] concerning the
detailing are given in Appendix A.

Other editing functions

Delete the currently active web opening.
Delete all circular or rectangular web openings.
Mirror copy the web opening information from either the line above or below
to the current line.

Option Buttons
Use a refined analysis method
Recommended check for web openings, where
To = axial force arising from non-composite action
N1 = number of shear connectors from support to start of opening
Pd = design strength of the shear connectors
Ignore web opening dimensional checks, as outlined in [1].
Show error report on web openings.

Please note that some design check options; such as “Ignore dimensional checks in
web openings”, must be used at the discretion of the Engineer and should definitely not
be used blindly.

MasterBeam Composite Beam Design performs the dimensional checks on web

openings as outlined in [1]. Additional guidance is provided by [2] which is principally
based on [1] but also draws on other publication by AISC and ASCE. Extracts from [2]
on this subject are given in Appendix B.

Civil and Structural Computer Services would like to acknowledge the co-operation and
contribution of the WSP Group in Appendices A and B. We believe the technical
content of Appendices A and B provide good best practice guidance, however should be
used at the discretion of the design engineer.

[1] Lawson, R.M., Design for Openings in the Webs of Composite Beams. Steel
Construction Institute, SCI Publication 068, 19812.
[2] Stuart Alexander, WSP Group, Strengthening of Web Openings in Steel Beams.
Technical Reference Manual 118, Rev 1, 2001.

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12.8 Customisation of Default Settings

This area can be accessed using the button on Floor Information Tab.

The user may customise;

• Load factors for dead, super imposed and live load groups, according to each of the
listed design checks.
• Construction load and deck self weight.
• Minimum natural frequency value
• Option to include loading defined in the additional loading tab in the calculation of
natural frequency.
• Span/deflection ratios.
• The load group associated with service and partition floor area loads specified in the
floor information tab.

Saving customised settings

Save the current customised settings to a Master Beam Default

(MBD) file, using different file names for different default values.
Choose the desired previously saved MBD file, and click Open
to active the files default settings.
Instantaneously resets to the original MasterBeam program
defaults.

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12.9 Globally Defined Input Values
As described in section 12.4 Beam Section, the user may save a number of design
briefs, i.e. separate beam designs, in one data file. The multiple design briefs may
perhaps be associated with a common floor area, floor level or an entire project.
MasterBeam provides the facility to globally modify particular parameters for all beam
design briefs stored in a single data file.

To enter the global editing mode click on the button. Input parameters that can be
globally edited are highlighted in Cyan for text boxes and Red for option labels.

Upon modifying a global parameter the program then applies that change to all design
briefs in the data file. Once complete the global editing mode is deactivated. Analysis
and design is automatically updated. The global editing button must be selected for
each individual modification of a global parameter.

To exit the global editing without making any changes simply click again on the
button to deactivate the mode.

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12.10 Printing and Exporting Results

Export / print graphics ON/OFF

Edit Project title and Job references
Print current brief
Print all briefs
Export current brief to Word
Export all briefs to Word

Sample of Design output exported to PowerPad

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12.11 Appendix A – Detailing The Stiffeners in Web Openings

Appendix A is an extract from the following reference.

Stuart Alexander, WSP Group, Strengthening of Web Openings in Steel Beams.

Technical Reference Manual 118, Rev 1, 2001.

Civil and Structural Computer Services would like to acknowledge the co-operation and
contribution of the WSP Group. We believe the technical content of Appendix A
provides good best practice guidance, however should be used at the discretion of the
design engineer.

Strengthening is generally only needed for rectangular openings; it is usually

provided in the form of longitudinal stiffeners placed immediately above and below
the opening on one or both sides of the web, see figure 1. Vertical stiffeners are not
normally required in rolled sections.

Figure 1. Web opening with stiffeners showing elements and dimensions

Stiffener section
The stiffeners must be sized to be compact, ie the ratio b/Ts T 8.5 for grade 275 and 7.5
for grade 355 steel.

Welding
Stiffeners must be welded continuously throughout their length. The capacity of the
weld from the mid-point to each end of the opening must be at least the yield strength of
the stiffener section. Similarly, the capacity of the weld anchoring the extension beyond
the opening at each end must also be at least the yield strength of the stiffener section.

American publications recommend welding one side only for the length of the
opening (ie the side away from the opening) and welding both sides of the extension.
This gives convenient geometry in which the extension length is one quarter of the
length of the opening. This detail also locates the stiffeners as close to the opening
as possible.
7 MasterBeam Composite Design 7 - 18
However, it is likely that the joint will widen slightly. If this creates a corrosion risk,
welds both sides may be preferable. Remember to leave enough height between the
stiffener and the opening to get the weld in, say at least the weld size plus 4 mm.

Web strength
In order to ensure that the stiffeners are anchored without overstressing the web, the
length of the extensions ls must satisfy ls U V3 Ar / 2 t.

Shear lag
This describes the phenomenon in which at the free end of the stiffener the stress close
to the web is very much higher than the stress at the outer edge. Clearly, the longer the
extension the more the stress will be able to equalise at the critical section. No
guidance on this aspect is provided in any of the quoted publications. However, the
tests reported by Lawson et al were carried out with stiffeners 80 x 10 mm extending
150 mm beyond the opening, ie with a ratio ls/b = 1.9. Until further evidence is
forthcoming, it is recommended that this limiting ratio is adopted.

Stiffeners on one or both sides?

The guidance is generally based on stiffeners being located in pairs symmetrically each
side of the web. However, the tests reported by Lawson et al were carried out with
stiffeners on one side only with no adverse effects observed. The ratio of stiffener width
to beam half-flange width in the tests was
(b + 0.5 t) / 0.5 B = (80 + 4.8) / 104 = 0.81.
It is recommended that paired stiffeners are used if a single stiffener would exceed this
ratio.

If the stiffeners are predominantly restoring the overall moment capacity (as described
above), they should be symmetrical about the web.

Equal stiffeners top and bottom?

It is theoretically OK to have different stiffeners top and bottom, or even to omit one
altogether if the hole is very high or low. Nevertheless, some computer programs can
only handle equal stiffeners.

7 MasterBeam Composite Design 7 - 19

12.12 Appendix B – Dimensional Checks in Web Openings

Appendix B is an extract from the following reference.

Stuart Alexander, WSP Group, Strengthening of Web Openings in Steel Beams.

Technical Reference Manual 118, Rev 1, 2001.

Civil and Structural Computer Services would like to acknowledge the co-operation and
contribution of the WSP Group. We believe the technical content of Appendix B
provides good best practice guidance, however should be used at the discretion of the
design engineer.

For rectangular openings, there are a number of geometric criteria which should be
met, as follows:

Unstiffened openings should generally have ho T 0.6 D and lo T 1.5 D (SCI 068).

Stiffened openings should generally have ho T 0.7 D and lo T 2.0 D (SCI 068; AISC
and ASCE require ho T 0.7 D only).

Openings should have corner radii r not less than 2 t nor 16 mm (AISC and ASCE).

The depths of the upper and lower sections of web sb, st, should not differ by more
than a factor of two (SCI 068; AISC and ASCE limits are st U 0.15 D, sb U 0.15 D for
non-composite beams or 0.12 D for composite beams).

The ratio v = lo / st or lo / sb should not exceed 12 (AISC, ASCE).

No opening should be closer to a support than 2.0 D or 0.1 L, where L is the span
(SCI 068, a notch can be used instead; AISC and ASCE limit is D).

Openings should not be less than 1.0 D apart (SCI 068, American practice is more
conservative). If openings are closer together, the combined vierendeel action may
overload the post between them, see below; this work shows that the lower limit of
1.0 D applies only to openings not requiring stiffeners, and calculations should be
carried out for other cases.

Point loads should not be applied at less than D from an opening (SCI 068; AISC and
ASCE give criteria for reducing this to 0.5 D in some cases, otherwise bearing
stiffeners are required. If the point loads arise from secondary beams, fin plate
connections can be detailed to create the required stiffeners).

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