SECTION 1 GENERAL

1.1 Scope
1.1.1 This code applies to general construction in steel. Specific provisions for bridges,
chimneys, cranes, tanks, transmission line towers, bulk storage structures, tubular structures,
cold formed light gauge steel sections etc, are covered in separate codes.
1.1.2 The provisions of this code generally apply to riveted, bolted and welded
constructions, using hot rolled steel sections.
1.1.3 This code gives only general guidance as regards the various loads to be considered
in design. For the actual loads and load combinations to be used, reference may be made to
latest editions of the IS: 875 for Dead, Live, Snow and Wind loads and IS: 1893 for
earthquake loads.
1.1.4 Details of execution, covered in this code are general and the minimum necessary
quality of material and workmanship required to comply with assumptions of the design
rules. The actual execution requirements may be further developed as per other codes or the
project specification, the type of structure and method of construction.
1.1.5 For seismic design, recommendations pertaining to steel frames only are covered in
this code. For more detailed information on seismic design of other structural and nonstructural components, one should refer to IS: 1893 and special publications on the subject.
1.2 Terminology For the purpose of this code, the definitions of various terms are as given
below:
Accompanying Load Live (Imposed) of lower magnitude, which may act together with a
leading imposed load.
Action Effect or Load Effect The internal force, axial, shear, bending or twisting moment,
due to external actions such as temperature loads.
Action The primary cause for stress or deformations in a structure such as dead, live, wind,
seismic or temperature loads.
Actual Length The length between centre to centre of intersection points with supporting
members or the cantilever length in the case of a free standing member.
Beam A member subjected to predominant by bending.
Bearing Type Connection A connection effected using snug-tight bolts, where the load is
transferred by bearing of bolts against plate inside the bolt hole.
Braced Member A member in which the relative transverse displacement at brace locations
is effectively prevented.
Buckling load The load at which an element, a member or a structure as a whole, either
collapses in service or buckles in a load test and develops excessive lateral deformation out
of plane or instability.

Buckling Strength or Resistance Force or Moment, upto which a member can withstand
without buckling.
Built-up Section A member fabricated by interconnecting more than one element to form a
compound section acting as single member.
Camber Intentionally introduced precurrving of a member or any portion of a member with
respect to its chord. Frequently, camber is introduced in a member to compensate for
deflections when loaded.
Characteristic Load (Action) The value of specified load (action), above which not more
than a specified percentage (usually 5%) of corresponding stresses of samples tested are
expected to occur.
Characteristic Yield/Ultimate Stress The minimum value of stress below which not more
than a specified percentage (usually 5%) of corresponding stresses of samples tested are
expected to occur.
Column A member in upright (vertical) position which supports a roof or floor system and
predominantly subjected to compression.
Compact Section A cross-section, which can develop plastic moment, but has inadequate
plastic rotation capacity needed for formation of a plastic collapse mechanism of the member
or structure.
Constant Stress Range The amplitude between which the stress ranges under cyclic loading
is constant during the life of the structure or a structural element.
Corrosion An electrochemical process over the surface of steel leading to oxidation of the
metal.
Crane LoadHorizontal and vertical loads due to cranes.
Cumulative Fatigue Total damage due to fatigue loading of varying stress range.
Cut-off Limit The stress range, corresponding to the particular detail, below which cyclic
loading need not be considered in cumulative fatigue damage evaluation (corresponds to 108
numbers of cycles in most cases).
Dead Loads The self-weights of all permanent constructions and installations including the
self weight of all walls, partitions, floors, roofs, and other permanent fixtures acting on a
member.
Deflection It is the displacement, transverse to the axis of the member.
Design Life Time Period for which a structure or a structural element is required to perform
its function without damage.
Design Load/Factored Load A load value obtained by multiplying the characteristic load
with a load factor, which is generally greater than one.
Design Spectrum Frequency distribution of the stress range from all the nominal loading
events during the design life.

Detail Category Designation given to a particular detail to indicate the S- N curve to be

used in fatigue assessment.
Discontinuity A sudden change in cross section causing a stress concentration.
Ductility It is the property of the material or a structure indicating the extent to which it can
deform beyond the limit of yield deformation before failure or fracture. The ratio of ultimate
to yield deformation is also termed as ductility.
Durability It is the ability of a material to resist deterioration over long periods of time.
Earthquake Loads The inertia forces produced in a structure due to the ground movement
due to earthquake.
Edge Distance Distance from the centre of a fastener hole to the nearest edge of an element
measured in the direction perpendicular to the direction of load transfer.
Effective Lateral Restraint Restraint, which produces sufficient resistance, to prevent
deformation in the lateral direction.
Effective Length Actual length of a member between points of effective restraint or
effective restraint and free end, multiplied by a factor to take account of the end conditions in
buckling strength calculations.
Elastic Critical Moment The elastic moment which initiates lateral-torsional buckling of a
laterally unsupported beam.
Elastic Design Design, which assumes elastic behaviour of materials throughout the
service load range.
Elastic Limit It is the stress below which the material regains its original size and shape
when the load is removed. In steel design, it is taken as the yield stress.
End Distance Distance from the centre of a fastener hole to the edge of an element parallel
to the direction of load transfer.
Erection Loads The actions (loads and deformations) experienced by the structure during
erection.
Erection Tolerance Amount of deviation related to the plumbness, alignment, and level of
the element as a whole in the erected position. The deviations are determined by considering
the locations of the ends of the element.
Fabrication Tolerance Amount of deviation allowed in the nominal dimensions and
geometry in fabrication activities, such as the cutting to length, finishing of ends, cutting of
bevel angles, etc.
Factor of Safety The factor by which the yield stress of the material of a member is divided
to arrive at the permissible stress in the material.
Fatigue Damage caused by repeated fluctuations of stress, leading to progressive and
consequent cracking of a structural element.

Fatigue Loading Set of nominal loading events, cyclic in nature, described by the
distribution of the loads, their magnitudes and the numbers of applications in each nominal
loading event.
Fatigue Strength Stress range for a category of detail, depending upon the number of
cycles it is required to withstand.
Fire Protection System The fire protection material and its method of attachment to the
steel member.
Fire Resistance The ability of an element, component or structure, to fulfil for a stated
period of time, the required stability, integrity, thermal insulation and/or other expected
performance specified in a standard fire test.
Fire Resistance Level The fire-resistance grading period for a structural element or system,
in minutes, which is required to be attained in the standard fire test.
Flexural Stiffness Stiffness of a member against rotation as evaluated by the value of
bending deformation moment required to cause a unit rotation while all other degrees of
freedom of the joints of the member except the rotated one are assumed to be restrained.
Friction Type Connection Connection effected using pretensioned high strength bolts
where load transfer is due to mobilisation of friction between the connected plates due to
clamping force developed on the connected plates by the bolt tension.
Gauge The spacing between adjacent parallel lines of fasteners, transverse to the direction
of load/stress.
Gravity Load Loads arising due to gravitational effects.
Gusset Plate The plate to which the members intersecting at a joint are connected.
High Shear High shear is actual shear due to factored load is greater than a certain fraction
of design shear stress.
Imposed (Live) Load The load assumed to be produced by the intended use or occupancy
including distributed, concentrated, impact, vibration and snow loads but excluding, wind,
earthquake and temperature loads.
Instability The phenomenon which leads to the inability of an element, member or a
structure to carry further load due to eccentric deflection lateral to the direction of loading
and vanishing stiffness.
Lateral Restraint for a Beam see Effective lateral restraint.
Leading Imposed Load Imposed load having a larger magnitude.
Limit State Any limiting condition beyond which the structure ceases to fulfill its intended
function. (see also serviceability Limit State)
Live Load see Imposed Load.
Load An externally applied force or action. (see also Action)
Main Member A structural member, which is primarily responsible for carrying and
distributing the applied load or action.
4

Mill Tolerance Amount of variation allowed from the nominal dimensions and geometry,
with respect to cross sectional area, non-parallelism of flanges, and out of straightness such
as sweep or camber, in a product, as manufactured in a steel mill.
Normal Stress Stress component acting normal to the face, plane or section.
Partial Safety Factor The factor normally greater than unity by which either the loads
(actions) are multiplied or the resistances are divided to obtain the design values.
Period of Structural Adequacy The time (t), in minutes, for the member to reach the limit
state of structural inadequacy in a standard fire test.
Permissible Stress When a structure is being designed by the working stress method, the
maximum stress that is permitted to be experienced in elements, members or structures under
the nominal/service load (action).
Pitch The centre to centre distance between individual fasteners in a line, in the direction of
load/stress.
Plastic Collapse The failure stage at which sufficient number of plastic hinges have formed
due to the loads (actions) in a structure leading to a failure mechanism.
Plastic Design Design against the limit state of plastic collapse.
Plastic Hinge A yielding zone with significant inelastic rotation, which forms in a member,
when the plastic moment is reached at a section.
Plastic Moment Moment capacity of a cross section when the entire cross section has
yielded due to bending moment.
Plastic Section Cross section, which can develop a plastic hinge and sustain plastic
moment over sufficient plastic rotation required for formation of plastic failure mechanism of
the member or structure.
Poissons Ratio It is the absolute value of the ratio of lateral strain to longitudinal strain
under uni-axial loading.
Proof Stress A stress corresponding to a pre-assigned residual strain, normally taken as a
strain of 0.002 for most structural steels used in absence of well-defined yield points, as in
high strength steels.
Prototype Testing Testing of substructure, members or connections to ascertain the
structural characteristics of that class of structures, sub-structures, members or connections
that are nominally identical (full scale) to the units tested.
Prying Force Additional tensile force developed in a bolt as a result of the flexing of a
connection component such as a beam end plate or leg of an angle.
Rotation The change in angle at a joint between the original orientation of a linear member
and its final position under loading.
Secondary Member Member which is provided for overall stability and or for restraining
the main members from buckling or similar modes of failure.

Semi-Compact Section Cross-section, which can attain the yield moment, but not the
plastic moment before failure by plate buckling.
Serviceability Limit State A limit state of acceptable service condition exceedence of which
causes serviceability failure.
Shear Force The inplane force at any transverse cross section of a straight member of a
column or beam.
Shear Stress The stress component acting parallel to a face, plane or cross section.
Slender Section Cross section in which the elements buckle locally before reaching yield
moment.
Slenderness Ratio The ratio of the effective length of a member to the radius of gyration of
the cross section about the axis under consideration.
Slip Resistance Limit shear that can be applied in a friction grip connection before slip
occurs.
S-N curve The curve defining the relationship between the number of stress cycles to
failure (Nsc) at a constant stress range (Sc), during fatigue loading of a structure.
Snow Load Load on a structure due to the accumulation of snow and ice on such as roof,
sidewalls, etc.
Snug Tight The tightness of a bolt achieved by a few impacts of an impact wrench or by the
full effort of a person using a standard spanner.
Stability Limit State A limit state corresponding to the loss of static equilibrium of a
structure by excessive deflection transverse to the direction of predominant loads.
Stickability The ability of the fire protection system to remain in place as the member
deflects under load during a fire test.
Stiffener An element used to retain or prevent the out-of-plane deformations of plates.
Strain Deformation per unit length or unit angle.
Strain Hardening The phenomenon of increase in stress with increase in strain beyond
yielding.
Strength Resistance to failure by yielding or buckling.
Strength Limit State A limit state of collapse or loss of structural integrity.
Stress The internal force per unit area of the original cross section.
Stress Analysis The analysis of the internal force and stress condition in an element,
member or structure.
Stress Cycle Counting Sum of individual stress cycles from stress history arrived at using
any rational method.
Stress Range Algebraic difference between two extremes of stresses in a cycle of loading.
Stress Spectrum Histogram of stress cycles produced by a nominal loading event.

Structural Adequacy for Fire The ability of the member to carry the test load exposed to the
standard fire test.
Structural Analysis The analysis of stress, strain, and deflection characteristics of a
structure.
Strut A compression member, which may be oriented in any direction.
Sway The lateral deflection of a frame.
Sway Member A member in which the transverse displacement of one end, relative to the
other is not effectively prevented.
Tensile Stress The characteristic ultimate stress in tension specified for the grade of steel in
the appropriate Indian Standard.
Transverse Direction along the stronger axes of the cross section of the member.
Ultimate Limit State The state which, if exceeded can cause collapse of a part or the whole
of the structure.
Ultimate Stress see Tensile Stress
Wind Loads Load experienced by member, structure due to wind pressure acting on the
structure.
Yield Stress The characteristic stress of the material in tension before the elastic limit of the
material is exceeded, as specified in the relevant Indian Standards.
1.3 Symbols Symbols used in this code shall have the following meanings with respect to
the structure or member or condition, unless otherwise defined elsewhere in this code:
A
Ac
Ae
Af
Ag
Agf
Ago
An
Anb
Anc
Anf
Ano
Aq
As

Asb
Atg
Atn
Av

Area of cross section

Minor diameter area of the bolt
Effective cross sectional area
Total flange area of the smaller connected column
Gross cross sectional area
Gross cross sectional area of flange
Gross cross sectional area of outstanding leg
Net area of the total cross section
Net tensile cross sectional area of bolt
Net cross sectional area of the connected leg
Net cross sectional area of each flange
Net sectional area of outstanding leg
Cross sectional area of the stiffener in contact with the flange
Tensile stress area

Shank gross cross sectional area of a bolt

Gross sectional area in tension from the centre of the hole to the toe of the angle
(block shear failure) perpendicular to the line of force
Net sectional area in tension from the centre of the hole to the toe of the angle
perpendicular to the line of force (block shear failure)
Shear area

Avg

Gross cross sectional area in shear along the line of transmitted force (block shear
failure)
Avn
Net cross sectional area in shear along the line of transmitted force (block shear
failure)
a, b
Larger and smaller projection of the slab base beyond the rectangle considering the
column, respectively
Peak acceleration
ao
a1
Unsupported length of individual elements being laced between lacing points
B
Length of side of cap or base plate of a column
b
Outstand/width of the element
b1
Stiff bearing length, Stiffener bearing length
be
Effective width of flange between pair of bolts
bf
Width of the flange
Panel zone width between column flanges at beam column junction
bp
bs
Shear lag distance
bt
Width of tension field
Width of outstanding leg
bw
C
Centre to centre longitudinal distance of battens
Cm
Coefficient of thermal expansion
c
Spacing of transverse stiffener
cm
Moment reduction factor for lateral torsional buckling strength calculation
D
Overall depth/diameter of the cross section
d
Depth of web, Nominal diameter
Twice the clear distance from the compression flange angles, plates or tongue plates
d2
to the neutral axis
dh
Diameter of the hole
do
Nominal diameter of the pipe column or the dimensions of the column in the depth
direction of the base plate
Panel zone depth in the beam-column junction
dp
E
Modulus of elasticity for steel
E (T) Modulus of elasticity of steel at ToC
E (20) Modulus of elasticity of steel at 20oC
Ep
Modulus of elasticity of the panel material
Factored design load
Fd
Fn
Normal force
Fo
Minimum bolt pretension
Fq
Stiffener force
Stiffener buckling resistance
Fqd
Ftest Test load
Ftest,a Load for acceptance test
Ftest.min Minimum test load from the test to failure
Ftest.R Test load resistance
Ftest,s Strength test load
External load or force on web
Fw
Fx
External load, force or reaction
Buckling resistance of load carrying web stiffener
Fxd

f
f1
f2
fa
fabc
fac
fabt
fapb
fasb
fat
fatb
faw
fb
fbc
fbd
fbr
fbt
fbs
fc
fcc
fcd
fe
ff
ffeq
ff max
ffn
fnw
fo
fp
fpb
fr
fsb
ft
ftb
fu
fub
fum
fup
fv
fw
fwd
fwn
fy
fy(T)
fy(20)
fyb

Actual normal stress range for the detail category

Frequency for a simply supported one way system
Frequency of floor supported on steel girder perpendicular to the joist
Calculated stress due to axial force at service load
Permissible bending stress in compression at service load
Permissible compressive stress at service load
Permissible bending stress in tension at service load
Permissible bearing stress of the bolt at service load
Permissible stress of the bolt in shear at service load
Permissible tensile stress at service load
Permissible tensile stress of the bolt at service load
Permissible stress of the weld at service load
Actual bending stress at service load
Actual bending stress in compression at service load
Design bending compresssive stress corresponding to lateral buckling
Actual bearing stress due to bending at service load
Actual bending stress in tension at service load
Permissible bending stress in column base at service load
Actual axial compressive stress at service load
Elastic buckling stress of a column, Eulers buckling stress
Design compressive stress
Equivalent stress at service load
Fatigue stress range corresponding to 5 106 cycles of loading
Equivalent constant amplitude stress
Highest normal stress range
Normal fatigue stress range
Normal stress in weld at service load
Proof stress
Actual bearing stress at service load
Actual bearing stress in bending at service load
Frequency
Actual shear stress in bolt at service load
Actual tensile stress at service load
Actual tensile stress of the bolt at service load
Characteristic ultimate tensile stress
Characteristic ultimate tensile stress of the bolt
Average ultimate stress of the material as obtained from test
Characteristic ultimate tensile stress of the connected plate
Applied shear stress in the panel utilizing tension field action
Actual stress of weld at service load
Design stress of weld at service load
Nominal stress of weld at service load
Characteristic yield stress
Yield stress of steel at To C
Yield stress of steel at 20o C
Characteristic yield stress of bolt

fyf
fym
fyp
fyq
fyw
fx
G
g
h
hb
hc
he
hi
hL
hs
hy
I
Ifc
Ift
Iq
Is
Iso
IT
It
Iw
Iy
Iz
Kb
Kh
KL
KL/r
KL/ry
KL/rz
KL

r o
KL

r e

Characteristic yield stress of flange

Average yield stress as obtained from test
Characteristic yield stress of connected plate
Characteristic yield stress of stiffener material
Characteristic yield stress of the web material
Maximum longitudinal stress under combined axial force and bending
Modulus of rigidity for steel
Gauge length between centre of the holes perpendicular to the load direction,
acceleration due to gravity
Depth of the section
Total height from the base to the floor level concerned
Height of the column
Effective thickness
Thickness of protection material
Height of the lip
Storey height
Distance between shear centre of the two flanges of the cross section
Moment of inertia of the member about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the
frame
Moment of inertia of the compression flange
Moment of inertia of the tension flange
Moment of inertia of a pair of stiffener about the centre of the web, or a single
stiffener about the face of the web.
Second moment of inertia
Second moment of inertia of the stiffener about the face of the element perpendicular
to the web
Transformed moment of inertia of the one way system (in terms of equivalent steel
assuming the concrete flange of width equal to the spacing of the beam to be effective
mm4)
St. Venants torsion constant
Warping constant
Moment of inertia about the minor axis
Moment of inertia about the major axis
Effective stiffness of the beam and column
Reduction factor to account for the bolt holes in HSFG connection
Effective length of the member
Appropriate effective slenderness ratio of the section
Effective slenderness ratio of the section about the minor axis
Effective slenderness ratio of the section about the major axis
Actual maximum effective slenderness ratio of the laced column
Effective slenderness ratio of the laced column accounting for shear deformation

Shear buckling co-efficient

Kv
Ky, Kz Moment amplification factor about respective axes
Warping restraint factor
Kw

10

k
ksm
L
Lm
Lo
le
lg
lj
ls
lv
lw
M
Ma
Mcr
Md
Mdv
Mdy
Mdz
Meff
Mfr
Mfd
Mnd
Mndy,
Mp
Mpb
Mpc
Mpd
Mpdf
Mq
Ms
Mtf
My
Myq
Mz
N
Nd
Nf
NSC
n
ne
nn

Regression coefficient
Exposed surface area to mass ratio
Actual length, unsupported length, Length centre to centre distance of the intersecting
members, Length of the end connection, Cantilever length
Maximum distance from the hinge restraint to an adjacent restraint (limiting distance)
Length between points of zero moment (inflection) in the span
Distance between prying force and bolt center line
Grip length of connection
Length of the joint
Length between points of lateral support
Distance from bolt centre line to the toe of fillet weld or to half the root radius for a
rolled section
Length of weld
Bending moment
Applied bending moment
Elastic critical moment corresponding to lateral torsional buckling
Design flexural strength
Moment capacity of the section under high shear
Design bending strength as governed by over all buckling about minor axis
Design bending strength as governed by over all buckling about major axis
Reduced effective moment
Reduced plastic moment capacity of the flange plate
Design plastic resistance of the flange alone
Design strength under combined axial force (uniaxial moment acting alone)
Mndz Design strength under combined axial force and the respective uniaxial moment
acting alone
Plastic moment capacity of the section
Moment in the beam at the intersection of the beam and column center lines
Moments in the column above and below the beam surfaces
Plastic design strength
Plastic design strength of flanges only
Applied moment on the stiffener
Moment at service (working) load
Moment resistance of tension flange
Factored applied moments about the minor axis of the cross section
Moment capacity of the stiffener based on its elastic modulus
Factored applied moments about the major axis of the cross section
Number of parallel planes of battens
Design strength in tension or in compression
Axial force in the flange
Number of stress cycles
Number of bolts in the bolt group/critical section
Number of effective interfaces offering frictional resistance to slip
Number of shear planes with the threads intercepting the shear plane in a bolted
connection

11

ns

Number of shear planes without threads intercepting the shear plane in a bolted
connection
P
Factored applied axial force
Elastic buckling strength under axial compression
Pcc
Pd
Design axial compressive strength
Pdy, Pdz Design compression strength as governed by flexural buckling about the respective
axis
Pe
Elastic euler buckling load
Pmin Minimum required strength for each flange splice
Pr
Required compressive strength
Ps
Actual compression at service load
p
Pitch length between centers of holes parallel to the direction of the load
ps
Staggered pitch length along the direction of the load between lines of the bolt
holes(Fig 6.1)
Q
Prying force
Accidental load (Action)
Qa
Characteristics loads (Action)
Qc
Qd
Design load (Action)
QP
Permanent loads (Action)
Qv
Variable loads (Action)
q
Shear stress at service load
R
Ratio of the mean compressive stress in the web (equal to stress at mid depth) to yield
stress of the web, reaction of the beam at support
Rd
Design strength of the member at room temperature
Ri
Net shear in bolt group at bolt i
Rr
Response reduction factor
Rtf
Flange shear resistance
Ru
Ultimate strength of the member at room temperature
r
Appropriate radius of gyration
Minimum radius of gyration of the individual element being laced together
r1
Ratio of the design action on the member under fire to the design capacity
rf
rvv
Radius of gyration about the minor axis(v-v)
ry
Radius of gyration about the minor axis
Radius of gyration about the major axis
rz
S
Minimum transverse distance between the centroid of the rivet or bolt or weld group
Sc
Constant stress range
Sd
Design strength
Original cross sectional area of the test specimen
So
Spring stiffeness
Sp
Su
Ultimate strength
sc
Anchorage length of tension field along the compression flange
st
Anchorage length of tension field along the tension flange
sa
Actual stiffener spacing
T
Temperature in degree Celsius, Factored tension in bolt
Tb
Applied tension in bolt
Thickness of compression flange
Tcf

12

Td
Tdg
Tdn
Tdb
Te
Tf
Tl
Tnb
Tnd
Tndf
Tnf
Ts
t
tf
tp
tpk
tq
ts
tt
tw
V
Vb
Vbf
Vcr
Vd
Vdb
Vnb
Vnbf
Vp
Vn
Vnpb
Vnsb
Vnsf
Vs
Vsb
Vsd
Vsdf
Vsf
Vt
Vtf
W
w
wtf
xt
Ze

Design strength under axial tension

Yielding strength of gross section under axial tension
Rupture strength of net section under axial tension
Design strength of bolt under axial tension, Block shear strength of plate/angle
Externally applied tension
Factored tension force of friction type bolt
Limiting temperature of the steel
Nominal strength of bolt under axial tension
Design tension capacity
Design tension capacity of friction type bolt
Nominal tensile strength of friction type bolt
Actual tension under service load
Thickness of element/angle, time in minutes
Thickness of flange
Thickness of plate
Thickness of packing
Thickness of stiffeners
Thickness of base slab
Effective throat thickness
Thickness of web
Factored applied shear force
Shear in batten plate
Factored frictional shear force in HSFG connection
Critical shear strength corresponding to web buckling
Design shear strength
Block shear strength
Nominal shear strength of bolt
Bearing capacity of bolt for friction type connection
Plastic shear resistance under pure shear
Nominal shear strength
Nominal bearing strength of bolt
Nominal shear capacity of a bolt
Nominal shear capacity of a bolt as governed by slip or friction type connection
Transverse shear at service load
Factored shear force in the bolt
Design shear capacity
Design shear strength of friction type bolt
Factored design shear force of friction bolts
Applied transverse shear
Shear resistance in tension field
Total load
Uniform pressure from below on the slab base due to axial compression under the
factored load
Width of tension field
Torsional index
Elastic section modulus

13

Zec
Zet
Zp
Zv
yg
ys

Elastic section modulus of the member with respect to extreme compression fibre
Elastic section modulus of the member with respect to extreme tension fibre
Plastic section modulus
Contribution to the plastic section modulus of the total shear area of the cross section
Distance between point of application of the load and shear centre of the cross section
Co-ordinate of the shear centre in respect to centroid

Imperfection factor
t
Coefficient of thermal expansion
M
Ratio of smaller to the larger bending moment at the ends of a beam column
My,Mz Equivalent uniform moment factor for flexural buckling for y-y and z-z axis
respectively
MLT Equivalent uniform moment factor for lateral torsional buckling

Stress reduction factor due to buckling under compression

Stress reduction factor,, at fym
m

LT

b
m
L

Strength reduction factor for lateral torsion buckling of a beam

Storey deflection
Moment amplification factor for braced member
Moment amplification factor
Horizontal deflection of the bottom of storey due to combined gravity and notional
load
Load amplification factor
Horizontal deflection of the top of storey due to combined gravity and notional load
Moment amplification factor for sway frame
Inclination of the tension field stress in web
Unit weight of steel
Partial safety factor for load
Partial safety factor for material
Partial safety factor against yield stress and buckling
Partial safety factor against ultimate stress
Partial safety factor for bolted connection with bearing type bolts
Partial safety factor for bolted connection with HSFG bolts
Partial safety factor depending upon the type of failure as prescribed in this
specification
Partial safety factor for fatigue load
Partial safety factor for fatigue strength
Partial safety factor against shear failure
Partial safety factor for strength of weld
Partial safety factor for strength
Yield stress ratio, (250/fy) 1/2
Non dimensional slenderness ratio = (KL/r) / 2 E / f y = f y / fcc = Py / Pcc

cr
e
scr

Elastic buckling load factor

Equivalent slenderness ratio
Elastic buckling load factor of each storey

p
U
s

f
m
m0
m1
mb
mf
mi
fft
mft
mv
mw
s

14


c
f
r

b
ab
cr
f
fmax
fn
v

Poissons ratio
Correction factor
Coefficient of friction (slip factor)
Capacity reduction factor
Ratio of the rotation at the hinge point to the relative elastic rotation of the far end of
the beam segment containing plastic hinge
Unit mass of steel
Actual shear stress range for the detail category
Buckling shear stress
Permissible shear stress at the service load
Elastic critical shear stress
Fatigue shear stress range
Highest shear stress range
Fatigue shear stress range at NSC cycle for the detail category
Actual shear stress at service load
Ratio of the moments at the ends of the laterally unsupported length of a beam
Frame buckling load factor

Note: the subscript y, z denotes the y-y and z-z axes of the section, respectively. For
symmetrical sections, y-y denotes the minor principal axis whilst z-z denotes the major
principal axis.
1.4 Reference to other Standards All the standards referred to in this code are listed
below with the current year of latest editions. However latest version shall be used, as and
when these are updated.
IS:
456-2000
513-1994
786-1967
801-1975
806-1968
808-1989

Code of practice for plain and reinforced concrete (fourth revision)

Cold-rolled low carbon steel sheets and strips (fourth revision)
SI supplement to Indian Standard conversion factors and conversion tables
(first revision)
Code of practice for use of cold-formed light gauge steel structural members
in general building construction (first revision)
Code of practice for use of steel tubes in general building construction (first
revision)

812-1957

Dimensions for hot-rolled steel beam, column, channel and angle sections
(third revision)
Glossary of terms relating to welding and cutting of metals

813-1986

Scheme of symbols for welding

814-1991

Covered electrodes for manual metal arc welding of carbon and carbon
manganese steel (fifth revision)

816-1969

Code of practice for use of metal arc welding for general construction in mild
steel (first revision)
15

817-1966

Code of practice for training and testing of metal arc welders

819-1957

Code of practice for resistance spot welding for light assemblies in mild steel

875-1987

Code of practice for design loads (other than earthquake) for buildings and
structures:
Dead loads unit weights of building materials and stored materials (second
revision)

Part 1
Part 2

Imposed loads (second revision)

Part 3

Wind loads (second revision)

Part 4

Snow loads (second revision)

Part 5

Special loads and load combinations (second revision)

919-1993

ISO systems of limits and fits:

Part 1

Bases of tolerance, deviations and fits (second revision)

Part 2

Tables of standard tolerance grades and limit deviations for holes and shafts
(first revision)

962-1989

Code of practice for architectural and building drawings (second revision)

1024-1999

Code of practice for use of welding in bridges and structures subject to

dynamic loading (second revision)

1030-1998
1079-1994
1148-1982

Carbon steel castings for general engineering purposes (fifth revision)

Hot rolled carbon steel sheets and strips specifications (fifth revision)
Specification for hot-rolled rivet bars (upto 40 mm dia) for structural purposes
(third revision)

1149-1982

High tensile steel rivet bars for structural purposes (third revision)

1200-1992

(Part 1 to 28) Methods of measurement of building and civil engineering

works

1261-1959

Code of practice for seam welding in mild steel

1278-1972

Specification for filler rods and wires for gas welding (second revision)

1323-1982

Code of practice for oxy-acetylene welding for structural work in mild steels
(second revision)

1363-1992

Hexagon head bolts, screws and nuts of product grade C:

Part 1

Hexagon head bolts (size range M5 to M64) (third revision)

Part 2

Hexagon head screws (size range M5 to M64) (third revision)

Part 3

Hexagon nuts (size range M5 to M64) (third revision)

1364-1992

Hexagon head bolts screws and nuts of product grades A and B:

Part 1

Hexagon head bolts (size range M1.6 to M64) (third revision)

Part 2

Hexagon head screws (size range M1.6 to M64) (third revision)

16

Part 3

Hexagon nuts (size range M1.6 to M64) (third revision)

Part 4

Hexagon thin nuts (chamfered) (size range M1.6 to M64) (third revision)

Part 5

Hexagon thin nuts (unchamfered) (size range M1.6 to M10)(third revision)

1367-1992

(Parts 1 to 18) Technical supply conditions for threaded steel fasteners

1387-1993

Specification for general requirements for the supply of metallurgical

materials (second revision)

1393-1961

Code of practice for training and testing of oxy-acetylene welders

1395-1982

Low and medium alloy steel covered electrodes for manual metal arc welding
(third revision)

1477-2000

Code of practice for painting of ferrous metals in buildings:

Part 1
1477-1971
Part 2

Pre-treatment (second revision)

Code of practice for painting of ferrous metals in buildings:
Painting (first revision)

1608-1995

Specification for mechanical testing of metals-Tensile testing (second

revision)

1641-1988

Code of practice for fire safety of buildings (general): General principles of

fire grading and classification (first revision)

1642-1989

Code of practice for fire safety of buildings (general): Details of construction

(first revision)

1643-1988

Code of practice for fire safety of buildings (general): Exposure hazard (first
revision)

1644-1988

Code of practice for fire safety of buildings (general): Exit requirements and
personal hazard (first revision)
Rolling and cutting tolerance for hot rolled steel products (fourth revision)

1852-1985
1875-1992
1885-1967
Part 15
1893-2002

Specification for carbon steel billets, blooms, slabs and bars for forgings (fifth
revision)
Electro technical vocabulary
Primary cells and batteries
Criteria for earthquake resistant design of structures (fifth revision)

1928-1961

Specification for boiler rivets (12 to 48mm diameter)

1929-1982

Specification for hot forged steel rivets for hot closing (12 to 36mm diameter)
(first revision)

1977-1996
1990-1973

Specification for low tensile structural steels (third revision)

Steel rivet and stay bars for boilers (first revision)

2002-1992

Steel plates for pressure vessels for intermediate and high temperature service
including boilers (second revision)

17

2062-1999

Specification of steel for general structural purposes (fifth revision)

2155-1982

Specification for cold forged solid steel rivets for hot closing (6 to 16mm
diameter) (first revision)

2708-1993

1.5 percent manganese steel castings for general engineering purpose (third
revision)

2985-1990

Specification for steel castings for ships structure (third revision)

2986-1990

Specification for steel castings for marine engines and boilers (second
revision)

3039-1988

Structural steel for construction of hulls of ships (second revision)

3613-1974

Acceptance tests for wire flux combination for submerged arc welding (first
revision)

3640-1982

Specification for Hexagon fit bolts (first revision)

3757-1985

Specification for high strength structural bolts (second revision)

4000-1992
4326-1993
4923-1997

Code of practice for high strength bolts in steel structures (first revision)
Code of practice for earthquake resistance design and construction of
buildings (second revision)
Hollow mild steel sections for structural use (second revision)

5369-1975

General requirements for plain washers and lock washers (first revision)

5370-1969

Specification for plain washers with outside diameter 3 inside diameter

5372-1975

Taper washer for channels (ISMC) (first revision)

5374-1975
6240-1999

Taper washers for I-beams (ISMB) (first revision)

Specifications for hot rolled steel plate (upto 6 mm) sheet and strip for the
manufacture of low pressure liquefiable gas cylinders (third revision)
Welding rods and bare electrodes for gas shielded arc welding of structural
steel (first revision)

6419-1996
6560-1996

Molybdenum & chromium-molybdenum low alloy steel welding rods and

bare electrodes for gas shielded arc welding (first revision)

6610-1972

Specifications for heavy washers for steel structures

6623-1985

Specifications for high strength structural nuts (first revision)

6639-1972

Specifications for hexagonal bolts for steel structures

6649-1985

Specification for hardened and tempered washers for high strength structural
bolts and nuts (first revision)

7205-1974

Specifications for safety code for erection of structural steelwork

7215-1974

Specifications for tolerances for fabrication of steel structures

7280-1974

Specifications for bare wire electrodes for submerged arc welding of structural
steels

18

7307-1974
Part 1

Specifications for approval tests for welding procedures:

fusion welding of steel

7310-1974

Specifications for approval tests for welders working to approved welding

procedures:
fusion welding of steel

Part 1
7318-1974
Part 1
Part 2

Approval tests for welders when welding procedure approval is not required:
fusion welding of steel
tig or mig welding of aluminum and its alloys

7557-1982

Specification for steel wire (upto 20 mm) for the manufacture of cold forged
rivets (first revision)

8000-1985

Geometrical tolerancing on technical drawings:

Part 1
8000-1992

tolerances of form, orientation, location and run out, and appropraiate

geometrical definitions (first revision)
Geometrical tolerancing on technical drawings:

Part 2

maximum material principles (first revision)

Part 3

dimensioning and tolerancing of profiles (second revision)

8000-1976
Part 4

Geometrical tolerancing on technical drawings:

practical examples indications on drawings

8500-1991

Specifications for structural steel-micro alloyed (medium and high strength

qualities)

8976-1978

Guide for preparation and arrangement of sets of drawings and parts lists

9077-1979

Code of practice for corrosion protection of steel reinforcement in RB and

RCC construction

9172-1979

Recommended design practice for corrosion protection of steel structures

9295-1983

Specification for steel tubes for idlers for belt conveyors (first revision)

9595-1996

Recommendations for metal arc welding of carbon and carbon manganese

steels (first revision)
Specifications for hot rolled steel strip for welded tubes and pipes (first
revision)

10748-1995
11384-1985

Code of practice for composite construction in structural steel and concrete

12778-1989

Hot rolled steel parallel flange beam and column sections-Dimensions

12779-1989

Rolling and cutting tolerances for hot rolled parallel flange beam and column
sections

12843-1989

Tolerances for erection of steel structures

19

International Standards:
AISC-1999

Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) Specification for Structural

Steel Buildings, American Institute of Steel Construction, INC, Chicago,
Illinois.

AS 4100-1998 Steel Structures (second edition), Standards

Association of Australia), Homebush, NSW 2140.

Australia

(Standards

BS 5950-2000 Structural Use of Steelwork in Buildings:

Part1 Code of practice for design in simple and continuous construction: hot
rolled sections, British Standards Institution, London.
CAN/CSA-S16.1-94 Limit States Design of Steel Structures, Canadian Standards
Association, Rexdale (Toronto), Ontario, Canada M9W 1R3.
ENV 1993-1-1:1992 Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures:
Part 1-1

General rules and rules for buildings

1.5 Units For the purpose of design calculations the following units are recommended

Forces and Loads kN, kN/m, kN/m2

Unit Mass kg/m3

Unit Weight kN/m3

Stresses and Strengths N/mm2 (= MN/m2 or MPa)

Moments (bending, etc.) kNm

For conversion of system of units to another system, IS: 786 (Supplement) may be referred
1.6 Standard Dimensions, Form and Weight The dimensions, form, weight, tolerances
of all rolled shapes, all rivets, bolts, nuts, studs, and welds and other members used in any
steel structure shall conform to IS: 808 and IS: 1852, wherever available.
1.7 Plans and Drawings
1.7.1 Plans, drawings and stress sheet shall be prepared according to IS 8000, IS 8976
and IS: 962.
1.7.1.1 Plans The plans (design drawings) shall show the sizes, sections, and the
relative locations of the various members. Floor levels, column centres, and offsets shall be
dimensioned. Plans shall be drawn to a scale large enough to convey the information
adequately. Plans shall indicate the type of construction to be employed; and shall be
supplemented by such data on the assumed loads, shears, moments and axial forces to be
resisted by all members and their connections, as may be required for the proper preparation
of shop drawings. Any special precaution to be taken in the erection of structure, from the
design consideration shall also be indicated in the drawing.
1.7.1.2 Shop Drawings Shop drawings, giving complete information necessary for
the fabrication of the component parts of the structure including the location, type, size,
length and detail of all welds and fasteners shall be prepared in advance of the actual
fabrication. They shall clearly distinguish between shop and field rivets, bolts and welds. For
20

additional information to be included on drawings for designs based on the use of welding,
reference shall be made to appropriate Indian Standards. Shop drawings shall be made in
conformity with IS: 962. A marking diagram allotting distinct identification marks to each
separate part of steel work shall be prepared. The diagram shall be sufficient to ensure
convenient assembly and erection at site.
1.7.2 A symbol used for welding on plans and shop drawings shall be according to IS:
813.
1.8 Convention for Member Axes
y

Unless otherwise specified convention used for member axes is as follows:

x-x

along the member

y-y an axis of the cross section

axis perpendicular to the flanges

axis perpendicular to smaller leg in angle section

z-z an axis of the cross section

y

axis parallel to flanges

axis parallel to smaller leg in angle section

u-u

major axis (when it does not coincide with y-y or z-z axis)

v-v

minor axis (when it does not coincide with y-y or z-z axis)

v
z
u

21

z
v
y