Title:
Effective Flange Width Formulas for T-Beams
Author(s):
Yew-Chaye Loo and Tjitra D. Sutandi
Publication:
Concrete International
Volume:
8
Issue:
2
Appears on pages(s):
40-45
Keywords:
building codes; finite element method; flanges; loads (forces); stresses; structural analysis; T-beams; Structural Research
DOI:
Date:
2/1/1986
Abstract:
Three-dimensional solid finite element analyses were carried out on 243 T-beams with the span, spacing, depth, and web and flange thicknesses as variables. From the resulting data on effective flange width, three design formulas were derived using statistical means. These dimensionless equations provide quick and realistic assessments of the effective width of T-beams under a uniformly distributed load, a point load at midspan, or a point load at the third points. A comparative study involving 13 national and regional codes of practice shows that there is a considerable lack of agreement in the recommended values for effective width. In light of the proposed formulas, most code recommendations are found to be unduly conservative for beams under distributed loads. For concentrated loading, however, code predictions could be unsafe when the beam spacing is small.