STRUCTURAL STEEL DESIGNER’S HANDBOOK BY Roger L. Brockenbrough AND Frederick S. Merritt

STRUCTURAL STEEL DESIGNER’S HANDBOOK BY Roger L. Brockenbrough AND Frederick S. Merritt

PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION

This edition of the handbook has been updated throughout to reflect continuing changes in design trends and improvements in design specifications. Criteria and examples are included for both allowable-stress design (ASD) and load-and-resistance-factor design (LRFD) methods, but an increased emphasis has been placed on LRFD to reflect its growing use in practice. Numerous connection designs for building construction are presented in LRFD format in conformance with specifications of the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC). A new article has been added on the design of hollow structural sections (HSS) by LRFD, based on a new separate HSS specification by AISC. Also, because of their growing use in light commercial and residential applications, a new section has been added on the design of cold-formed steel structural members, based on the specification by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). It is applicable to both ASD and LRFD. Design criteria are now presented in separate parts for highway and railway bridges to better concentrate on those subjects. Information on highway bridges is based on specifications of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and information on railway bridges is based on specifications of the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA). A very detailed example of the LRFD design of a two-span composite I-girder highway bridge has been presented in Section 11 to illustrate AASHTO criteria, and also the LRFD design of a single-span com posite bridge in Section 12. An example of the LRFD design of a truss member is presented in Section 13. This edition of the handbook regrettably marks the passing of Fred Merritt, who worked tirelessly on previous editions, and developed many other handbooks as well. His many contributions to these works are gratefully acknowledged.

Finally, the reader is cautioned that independent professional judgment must be exercised when information set forth in this handbook is applied. Anyone making use of this information assumes all liability arising from such use. Users are encouraged to use the latest edition of the referenced specifications, because they provide more complete information and are subject to frequent change

PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION

This handbook has been developed to serve as a comprehensive reference source for de signers of steel structures. Included is information on materials, fabrication, erection, structural theory, and connections, as well as the many facets of designing structural-steel systems and members for buildings and bridges. The information presented applies to a wide range of structures.

The handbook should be useful to consulting engineers; architects; construction contractors; fabricators and erectors; engineers employed by federal, state, and local governments; and educators. It will also be a good reference for engineering technicians and detailers. The material has been presented in easy-to-understand form to make it useful to professionals and those with more limited experience. Numerous examples, worked out in detail, illustrate design procedures.The thrust is to provide practical techniques for cost-effective design as well as expla nations of underlying theory and criteria. Design methods and equations from leading specifications are presented for ready reference. This includes those of the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), and the American Railway Engineering Association (AREA). Both the traditional allowable-stress design (ASD) approach and the load-and-resistance-factor design (LRFD) approach are presented. Nevertheless, users of this handbook would find it helpful to have the latest edition of these specifications on hand, because they are changed annually, as well as the AISC ‘‘Steel Construction Manual,’’ ASD and LRFD. Contributors to this book are leading experts in design, construction, materials, and structural theory. They offer know-how and techniques gleaned from vast experience. They include well-known consulting engineers, university professors, and engineers with an extensive fabrication and erection background. This blend of experiences contributes to a broad, well-rounded presentation.

The book begins with an informative section on the types of steel, their mechanical properties, and the basic behavior of steel under different conditions. Topics such as cold work, strain-rate effects, temperature effects, fracture, and fatigue provide in-depth information. Aids are presented for estimating the relative weight and material cost of steels for various types of structural members to assist in selecting the most economical grade. A review of fundamental steel-making practices, including the now widely used continuous casting method, is presented to give designers better knowledge of structural steels and alloys and how they are produced.