Steel Frame Design Manual: New Zealand 3404-1997

Steel Frame Design Manual
New Zealand 3404-1997

Steel Frame
Design Manual
New Zealand 3404-1997
For SAP2000®
ISO SAP112118M23 Rev. 0

Proudly developed in the United States of America November 2018
Copyright
Copyright  Computers and Structures, Inc., 1978-2018

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DISCLAIMER
CONSIDERABLE TIME, EFFORT AND EXPENSE HAVE GONE INTO THE

DEVELOPMENT AND DOCUMENTATION OF THIS SOFTWARE. HOWEVER,
THE USER ACCEPTS AND UNDERSTANDS THAT NO WARRANTY IS
EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED BY THE DEVELOPERS OR THE DISTRIBUTORS ON
THE ACCURACY OR THE RELIABILITY OF THIS PRODUCT.
THIS PRODUCT IS A PRACTICAL AND POWERFUL TOOL FOR STRUCTURAL

DESIGN. HOWEVER, THE USER MUST EXPLICITLY UNDERSTAND THE BASIC
ASSUMPTIONS OF THE SOFTWARE MODELING, ANALYSIS, AND DESIGN
ALGORITHMS AND COMPENSATE FOR THE ASPECTS THAT ARE NOT
ADDRESSED.
THE INFORMATION PRODUCED BY THE SOFTWARE MUST BE CHECKED BY A

QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED ENGINEER. THE ENGINEER MUST
INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE RESULTS AND TAKE PROFESSIONAL
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE INFORMATION THAT IS USED.
Contents
1 Introduction
1.1 Organization 1-2
1.2 Recommended Reading/Practice 1-3
2 Modeling, Analysis and Design Prerequisites
2.1 Check and Design Capability 2-1
2.2 Analysis Sections vs. Design Sections 2-2
2.3 Design and Check Stations 2-3
2.4 Demand/Capacity Ratios 2-4
2.5 Design Load Combinations 2-5
2.6 Second Order P-Delta Effects 2-6
2.7 Member Unsupported Lengths 2-8
i
Steel Frame Design NZS 3404-1997
2.8 Effective Length Factor (ke) 2-10
2.9 Effect of Breaking a Member into Multiple Elements 2-14
2.10 Supported Framing Types 2-16
2.11 Frame Design Procedure Overwrites 2-16
2.12 Interactive Design 2-17
2.13 Automated Iterative Design 2-17
2.14 Choice of Units 2-18
3 Steel Frame Design Using NZS 3404-1997
3.1 Notations 3-1
3.2 Design Preferences 3-6
3.3 Overwrites 3-8
3.4 Design Load Combination 3-14
3.5 Classification of Sections for Local Buckling 3-16
3.6 Calculation of Factored Forces and Moments 3-28
3.7 Calculation of Nominal Strengths 3-32

3.7.1 Nominal Flexural Capacities 3-32
3.7.2 Nominal Shear Capacities 3-39
3.7.3 Nominal Compressive Capacities 3-43
3.7.4 Nominal Tensile Capacity 3-49
3.8 Members Subjected to Combined Forces 3-50

3.8.1 Section Capacity 3-50
ii
Contents
3.8.2 Member Capacity 3-53
3.9 Shear Check 3-57
4 Design Output
4.1 Display Design Information on the Model 4-2
4.2 Display Design Information in Tables 4-4
4.3 Display Detailed Member Specific Information 4-9
4.4 Save or Print Design Information as Tables 4-13
4.5 Error and Warning Messages 4-15
Appendix A Supported Design Codes
Bibliography
iii
Chapter 1
Introduction
The design/check of steel frames is seamlessly integrated within the pro-

gram. Initiation of the design process, along with control of various design
parameters, is accomplished using the Design menu.
Automated design at the object level is available for any one of a number of
user-selected design codes, as long as the structures have first been modeled
and analyzed by the program. Model and analysis data, such as material
properties and member forces, are recovered directly from the model data-
base, and are used in the design process in accordance with the user defined
or default design settings. As with all design applications, the user should
carefully review all of the user options and default settings to ensure that
the design process is consistent with the user’s expectations.
Steel frame design/check consists of calculating the flexural, axial, and shear
forces or stresses at several locations along the length of a member, and then
comparing those calculated values with acceptable limits. That comparison
produces a demand/capacity ratio, which typically should not exceed a val-
ue of one if code requirements are to be satisfied. The program follows the
same review procedures when it is checking a user-specified shape or when
checking a shape selected by the program from a predefined list. The pro-
gram does not do the connection design. However, it calculates the design
basis forces for connection design.
1-1
Program output can be presented graphically on the model, in tables for

both input and output data, or in calculation sheets prepared for each mem-
ber. For each presentation method, the output is in a format that allows the
engineer to quickly study the stress conditions that exist in the structure,
and in the event the member is not adequate, aid the engineer in taking ap-
propriate remedial measures, including altering the design member without
re-running the entire analysis.
The program supports a wide range of steel frame design codes, including
many national building codes. Appendix A provides a list of supported steel
frame design codes. However, this manual is dedicated to the use of the
menu option "NZS 3404-1997." This option covers the “NZS 3404-1997 New
Zealand Standard Steel Structures” (NZS 1997). The implementation co-
vers loading and load combinations from "AS/NZS 1170.0:2002 Australi-
an/New Zealand Standard, Part 0 : General Principals” (SA/SNZ 2002).
Currently, the software does not automate the following:
 The validity of the analysis method. The user must verify the suitability
of the specified analysis method. The code requires, for instance, that
the Second Order Elastic Analysis Method be used when a ratio of the
second order moments to the first order moments exceeds 1.4. This
check currently must be performed by the user.
 P-Δ analysis. Since many different codes are supported by the software
and not all require a P-Δ analysis, the user must specify that a P-Δ anal-
ysis be performed during the analysis phase so that the proper member
forces are available for use in the design phase.
1.1 Organization
This manual is designed to help you quickly become productive using the
NZS 3404-1997 steel frame design option. Chapter 2 addresses prerequisites
related to modeling and analysis for a successful design in accordance with
NZS 3404-1997. Chapter 3 provides detailed descriptions of the specific re-
quirements as implemented in NZS 3404-1997. The appendix identifies the
code supposed in the program.
1-2 Organization
Chapter 1 Introduction
1.2 Recommended Reading/Practice

It is strongly recommended that you read this manual and review any appli-
cable "Watch & Learn" SeriesTM tutorials, which are found on our web site,
http://www.csiamerica.com, before attempting to design a steel frame. Ad-
ditional information can be found in the on-line Help facility available from
within the program.
Recommended Reading/Practice 1 - 3
Chapter 2
Modeling, Analysis and Design Prerequisites
This chapter provides an overview of the basic assumptions, design precon-

ditions, and some of the design parameters that affect the design of steel
frames.
For referring to pertinent sections of the corresponding code, a unique pre-

fix is assigned for each code.
• Reference to the NZS 3404-1997 code is identified with the prefix

"NZS."
• Reference to the AS/NZS 1170.0:2002 code is identified with the prefix
"AS/NZS."
2.1 Check and Design Capability

The program has the ability to check adequacy of a section (shape) in ac-
cordance with the requirements of the selected design code. Also the pro-
gram can automatically choose (i.e., design) the optimal (i.e., least weight)
sections from a predefined list that satisfies the design requirements.
To check adequacy of a section, the program checks the demand/capacity

("D/C") ratios at a predefined number of stations for each design load com-
bination. It calculates the envelope of the D/C ratios. It also checks the oth-
2-1
er requirements on a pass or fail basis. If the capacity ratio remains less than
or equal to the D/C ratio limit, which is a number close to 1.0, and if the
section passes all the special requirements, the section is considered to be
adequate; otherwise the section is considered to have failed. The D/C ratio
limit is taken as 0.95 by default. However, this value can be overwritten in
the Preferences (Chapter 3).
To choose (design) the optional section from a predefined list, the program
first orders the list of sections in increasing order of weight per unit length.
Then it starts checking each section from the ordered list, starting with the
one with the least weight. The procedure for checking each section in this
list for adequacy is exactly the same as described in the preceding para-
graph. The program will evaluate each section in the list until it finds the
least weight section that passes the code checks. If no section in the list is
acceptable, the program will use the heaviest section but flag it as being
overstressed.
To check adequacy of an individual section, the user must assign the section
using the Assign menu. In that case, both the analysis and design sections
will be changed.
To choose the optimal section, the user must first define a list of steel sec-
tions, the Auto Select sections list. The user must next assign this list, in the
same manner as any other section assignment, to the frame members to be
optimized. The program will use the median section by weight when doing
the initial analysis. Refer to the program Help for more information about
Auto Select section lists.
2.2 Analysis Sections vs. Design Sections

Analysis sections are those section properties used to analyze the model
when an analysis is run. The design section is whatever section is used in
the steel frame design. It is possible for the last used analysis section and the
current design section to be different. For example, an analysis may be run
using a W18X35 beam, and then in the design, it may be found that a
W16X31 beam worked. In that case, the last used analysis section is the
W18X35 and the current design section is the W16X31. Before the design
2-2 Analysis Sections vs. Design Sections

Chapter 2 Design Algorithms
process is complete, verify that the last used analysis section and the current
design section are the same. Refer to the program Help for more infor-
mation about completing this task.
The program keeps track of the analysis section and the design section sepa-
rately. Note the following about analysis and design sections:
 Assigning a frame section property assigns the section as both the analy-
sis section and the design section.
 Running an analysis always sets the analysis section to be the same as

the current design section.
 Assigning an Auto Select section list to a frame object initially sets the
analysis and design section to be the section in the list with the median
weight.
 Unlocking a model deletes the design results, but it does not delete or
change the design section.
 Altering the Design Combinations in any way deletes the design results,
but does not delete or change the design section.
 Altering any of the steel frame design preferences deletes the design re-
sults, but does not delete or change the design section.
2.3 Design and Check Stations

For each design combination, steel frame members (beams, columns, and
braces) are designed (optimized) or checked at a number of locations (sta-
tions) along the length of the object. The stations are located at equally
spaced segments along the clear length of the object. By default, at least
three stations will be located in a column or brace member, and the stations
in a beam will be spaced at most 0.5 meter apart (2 feet if the model has
been created in US units). The user can overwrite the number of stations in
an object before the analysis is run using the Assign menu. The user can re-
fine the design along the length of a member by requesting more stations.
Design and Check Stations 2-3

2.4 Demand/Capacity Ratios

Determination of the controlling D/C ratios for each steel frame member
indicates the acceptability of the member for the given loading conditions.
The steps for calculating the D/C ratios are as follows:
 The factored forces are calculated for axial, flexural, and shear at each
defined station for each design combination. The bending moments are
calculated about the principal axes. For I-Shape, Box, Channel, T-Shape,
Double-Angle, Pipe, Circular, and Rectangular sections, the principal
axes coincide with the geometric axes. For Single-Angle sections, the
design considers the principal properties. For General sections, it is
assumed that all section properties are given in terms of the principal
directions.
For Single-Angle sections, the shear forces are calculated for directions
along the geometric axes. For all other sections, the program calculates
the shear forces along the geometric and principal axes.
 The nominal capacities are calculated for compression, tension, bending

and shear based on the equations provided later in this manual. For
flexure, the nominal capacities are calculated based on the principal ax-
es of bending. For the I-Shape, Box, Channel, Circular, Pipe, T-Shape,
Double-Angle and Rectangular sections, the principal axes coincide
with their geometric axes. For the Angle sections, the principal axes are
determined and all computations related to flexural stresses are based on
that.
The nominal capacities for shear is calculated along the geometric axes
for all sections. For I-Shape, Box, Channel, T-Shape, Double-Angle,
Pipe, Circular, and Rectangular sections, the principal axes coincide
with their geometric axes. For Single-Angle sections, principal axes do
not coincide with the geometric axes.
 Factored forces are compared to nominal capacities to determine D/C

ratios. In either case, design codes typically require that the ratios not
exceed a value of one. A D/C ratio greater than one indicates a member
that has exceeded a limit state.
2-4 Demand/Capacity Ratios

2.5 Design Load Combinations

The design load combinations are the various combinations of the
prescribed analysis cases for which the structure needs to be checked. The
program creates a number of default design load combinations for steel
frame design. Users can add their own design combinations as well as
modify or delete the program default design load combinations. An
unlimited number of design load combinations can be specified.
To define a design load combination, simply specify one or more analysis

cases, each with its own scale factor. The scale factors are applied to the
forces and moments from the analysis cases to form the factored design
forces and moments for each design load combination.
For normal loading conditions involving static dead load (DL), live load
(LL), wind load (WL), earthquake load (EL), and dynamic response spec-
trum load (EL), the program has built-in default design combinations for the
design code. These are based on the code recommendations.
The default design combinations assume all static load response cases de-
clared as dead or live to be additive. However, each static load case declared
as wind, earthquake, or response spectrum cases, is assumed to be non-
additive with other loads and produces multiple lateral combinations. Also
static wind, earthquake and notional load responses produce separate design
combinations with the sense (positive or negative) reversed. The notional
load cases are added to load combinations involving gravity loads only.
For other loading conditions involving moving load, time history, pattern
live load, separate consideration of roof live load, snow load, and the like,
the user must define the design load combinations in lieu of or in addition
to the default design load combinations. If notional loads are to be com-
bined with other load combinations involving wind or earthquake loads,
the design load combinations should be defined in lieu of or in addition to
the default design load combinations.
For multi-valued design combinations, such as those involving response

spectrum, time history, moving loads and envelopes, where any corre-
spondence
Design Load Combinations 2-5

between forces is lost, the program automatically produces sub-

combinations using the maxima/minima values of the interacting forces.
Separate combinations with negative factors for response spectrum analysis
cases are not
required because the program automatically takes the minima to be the
negative of the maxima response when preparing the sub-combinations de-
scribed previously.
The program allows live load reduction factors to be applied to the member
forces of the reducible live load case on a member-by-member basis to re-
duce the contribution of the live load to the factored responses.
2.6 Second Order P-Delta Effects

Modern design provisions are based on the principle that the member forces
are calculated by a second-order elastic analysis, where the equilibrium is
satisfied on the deformed geometry of the structure. The effects of the loads
acting on the deformed geometry of the structure are known as the second-
order or the
P-Delta effects.
The P-Delta effects come from two sources: global lateral translation of the
frame and the local deformation of members within the frame.
Consider the frame object shown in Figure 2-1, which is extracted from a
story level of a larger structure. The overall global translation of this frame
object is indicated by ∆. The local deformation of the member is shown as δ.
The total second order P-Delta effects on this frame object are those caused
by both ∆ and δ.
The program has an option to consider P-Delta effects in the analysis. When
you consider P-Delta effects in the analysis, the program does a good job of
capturing the effect due to the ∆ deformation (P-∆ effect) shown in Figure
2-1, but it does not typically capture the effect of the δ deformation (P-δ
effect), unless, in the model, the frame object is broken into multiple ele-
ments over its length.
2-6 Second Order P-Delta Effects

In design codes, required strengths are usually required to be determined

using a second-order analysis that considers both P-∆ and P-δ effects. Ap-
proximate second-order analysis procedures based on amplification of
responses from first-order analysis for calculating the required flexural
strengths are common in current design codes and have the following gen-
eral form:
∆
Original position of frame
element shown by vertical
line δ
Final deflected position of the
frame element that includes the
global lateral translation, ∆, and
the local deformation of the
Position of frame element
element, δ
as a result of global lateral
translation, ∆, shown by
dashed line
δ
Figure 2-1 P-∆ and P-δ effects
M CAP δ b ( M nt + δ s M lt )
= (NZS 4.4.3, App. E, App. F)
where,
M CAP = Required flexural design capacities
M nt = Required flexural capacities from first-order analysis of the

member assuming no translation of the frame (i.e., associated
with the δ deformation in Figure 2-1)
Second Order P-Delta Effects 2-7

M lt = Required flexural capacities from first-order analysis of the

member as a result of lateral translation of the frame only (i.e.,
associated with the ∆ deformation in Figure 2-1)
δs = Unitless amplification factor multiplying M lt
δb = Unitless amplification factor multiplying ( M nt + δ s M lt )
In the NZS 3404-1997 code, a rigorous second order analysis (NZS

4.4.2.1(a)) or the amplification of first order analysis results to estimate the
effect of second order effects (NZS 4.4.2.1(b)) is required. The program has
the capability of performing both. In the first case, the required strengths
are determined directly from the analysis results without any amplification
factor δs (i.e., δs is equal to 1). However, these amplification factors can al-
ways be overwritten by the user on a member-by-member basis, if desired,
using the overwrite option.
To properly capture the P-δ effect in a finite element analysis, each element,
especially column elements, must be broken into multiple finite elements,
which is not really desired for other reasons. Although a single element per
member can capture the P-δ effect to some extent, the program considers
that inadequate. The program thus uses the δb factor even if the analysis
considers the P-∆ effects. This is a conservative approach.
Thus, in general, the steel frame design feature requires consideration of

P-Delta effects in the analysis before the check/design is performed. Alt-
hough one element per line object is generally adequate to capture the P-∆
effect, it is recommended to use more than one element per line object for
the cases where both P-∆ and P-δ effects are to be considered. However, ex-
plicit manual breaking of the member into elements has other consequences
related to member end moments and unbraced segment end moment. It is
recommended that the members be broken internally by the program. In
this way, the member is
recognized as one unit, the ends of the members are identified properly, and
the P-∆ and P-δ effects are captured better.
2-8 Second Order P-Delta Effects

2.7 Member Unsupported Lengths

The column unsupported lengths are required to account for column slen-
derness effects for flexural buckling and for lateral-torsional buckling. The
program automatically determines the unsupported length ratios, which are
specified as a fraction of the frame object length. Those ratios times the
frame object lengths give the unbraced lengths for the member. Those ratios
also can be overwritten by the user on a member-by-member basis, if de-
sired, using the design overwrite option.
The unsupported length for minor direction bending or for lateral-torsional

buckling also can be defined more precisely by using precise bracing points
in the Lateral Bracing option on the Design menu. This allows the user to
define the lateral bracing of the top, bottom, or both flanges. The bracing
can be a point brace, or continuous bracing is considered enough for flexur-
al buckling in the minor direction. The unbraced length of the compression
flange is determined based on the current moment diagram to determine
the lateral-torsional buckling length, lLTB. This exact method of bracing def-
inition does not allow the user to define unbraced lengths for major direc-
tion bending.
Two unsupported lengths, l33 and l22, as shown in Figure 2-2 are to be con-
sidered for flexural buckling. These are the lengths between support points
of the member in the corresponding directions. The length l33 corresponds
to instability about the 3-3 axis (major axis), and l22 corresponds to instabil-
ity about the 2-2 axis (minor axis). The length lLTB not shown in the figure,
is also used for lateral-torsional buckling caused by major direction bending
(i.e., about the 3-3 axis).
Member Unsupported Lengths 2-9

Figure 2-2 Unsupported lengths l33 and l22
In determining the values for l22 and l33 of the members, the program recog-
nizes various aspects of the structure that have an effect on these lengths,
such as member connectivity, diaphragm constraints, and support points.
The program automatically locates the member support points and evaluates
the corresponding unsupported length.
It is possible for the unsupported length of a frame object to be evaluated by

the program as greater than the corresponding member length. For exam-
ple, assume a column has a beam framing into it in one direction, but not
the other, at a floor level. In that case, the column is assumed to be support-
ed in one direction only at that story level, and its unsupported length in
the other direction will exceed the story height.
By default, the unsupported length for lateral-torsional buckling, lLTB, is tak-

en to be equal to the l22 factor. Similar to l22 and l33, lLTB can be overwritten.
If the unsupported length is defined using the precise bracing point

definition and if it is also overwritten in the overwrites, the value used in
the design overwrites prevails. If the unsupported length is defined using
the precise bracing point definition and if it is not overwritten in the
2 - 10 Member Unsupported Lengths

overwrites, the value used in the bracing point definition governs. If the
unsupported length is defined using neither the bracing point definition nor
an overwrite, the program calculated value will be used.
2.8 Effective Length Factor (ke)

The effective length method for calculating member axial compressive
strength has been used in various forms in several stability based design
codes. The method originates from calculating effective buckling lengths, le,
and is based on elastic/inelastic stability theory. The effective buckling
length is used to cal-culate an axial compressive strength, Nc, through an
empirical column curve that accounts for geometric imperfections,
distributed yielding, and residual stresses present in the cross-section.
There are two types of ke -factors in the NZS 3404-1997 code. The first type
of ke -factor is used for calculating the Euler axial capacity assuming that all
of the beam-column joints are held in place, i.e., no lateral translation is al-
lowed. The resulting axial capacity is used in calculation of the δ b factor.
This ke -factor is named as keb in the code. This keb factor is always less
than 1 and is not calculated. By default the program uses the value of 1 for
keb . The program allows the user to overwrite keb on a member-by-member
basis.
The other ke -factor is used for calculating the Euler axial capacity assuming
that all the beam-column joints are free to sway, i.e., lateral translation is al-
lowed. This ke -factor is named as kes in the code. This kes is always greater
than 1 if the frame is a sway frame. The program calculates the kes factor
automatically based on sway condition. The program also allows the user to
overwrite kes factors on a member-by-member basis. The same kes factor is
supposed to be used in calculation of the δ s factor. However the program
does not calculate δ s factors and relies on the overwritten values.
Both keb and kes have two values: one for major direction and the other for
minor direction, kebminor , kebmajor , kesminor , kesmajor .
Effective Length Factor (ke) 2 - 11

The kes -factors are supposed to be obtained from figures given in the code
(NZS Figure 4.8.3.3(b)4.6.3.3(b)). However in absence of the exact mathe-
matical form, either explicit or implicit, the program calculates the
kes -factor from its basic principle, which is described here. The resulting
kes matches very closely with the figure given in the code (NZS Figure
4.8.3.3.(b)). The same method is used for AISC codes.
The kes -factor algorithm has been developed for building-type structures,
where the columns are vertical and the beams are horizontal, and the be-
havior is basically that of a moment-resisting frame for which the kes -factor
calculation is relatively complex. For the purpose of calculating kes -factor,
the objects are identified as columns, beams, and braces. All frame objects
parallel to the Z -axis are classified as columns. All objects parallel to the
X - Y plane are classified as beams. The remainders are considered to be
braces.
The beams and braces are assigned a kes -factor of unity. In the calculation
of the kes -factor for a column object, the program first makes the following
four stiffness summations for each joint in the structural model:
Scx = ∑  c c  Sbx = ∑  b b 
EI EI
 Lc  x  Lb  x
Scy = ∑  c c  Sb y = ∑  b b 
EI EI
 Lc  y  Lb  y
where the x and y subscripts correspond to the global X and Y directions

and the c and b subscripts refer to column and beam. The local 2-2 and 3-3
terms EI 22 L22 and EI 33 L33 are rotated to give components along the
global X and Y directions to form the ( EI L ) x and ( EI L ) y values. Then for
each column, the joint summations at END-I and the END-J of the member
are transformed back to the column local 1-2-3 coordinate system, and the
G -values for END-I and the END-J of the member are calculated about the
2-2 and 3-3 directions as follows:
2 - 12 Effective Length Factor (ke)

S I c 22 S J c 22
G I 22 = G J 22 =
S I b 22 S J b 22
S I c 33 S J c 33
G I 33 = G J 33 =
S I b 33 S J b 33
If a rotational release exists at a particular end (and direction) of an object,

the corresponding value of G is set to 10.0. If all degrees of freedom for a
particular joint are deleted, the G -values for all members connecting to
that joint will be set to 1.0 for the end of the member connecting to that
joint. Finally, if G I and G J are known for a particular direction, the col-
umn kes -factors for the corresponding direction is calculated by solving the
following relationship for α:
α 2 G I G J − 36 α
=
6(G + G )
I J
tan α
from which kes = π/α. This relationship is the mathematical formulation for
the evaluation of kes -factors for moment-resisting frames assuming sidesway
to be uninhibited. For other structures, such as braced frame structures, the
kes -factors for all members are usually unity and should be set so by the us-
er. The following are some important aspects associated with the column
kes -factor algorithm:
 An object that has a pin at the joint under consideration will not enter
the stiffness summations calculated as described in the preceding text.
An object that has a pin at the far end from the joint under considera-
tion will contribute only 50% of the calculated EI value. Also, beam
members that have no column member at the far end from the joint un-
der consideration, such as cantilevers, will not enter the stiffness sum-
mation.
 If no beams frame into a particular direction of a column member, the
associated G-value will be infinity. If the G-value at any one end of a
column for a particular direction is infinity, the kes -factor
corresponding to that direction is set equal to unity.
Effective Length Factor (ke) 2 - 13

 If rotational releases exist at both ends of an object for a particular di-

rection, the corresponding kes -factor is set to unity.
 The automated kes -factor calculation procedure can occasionally gener-

ate artificially high kes -factors, specifically under circumstances involv-
ing skewed beams, fixed support conditions, and under other conditions
where the program may have difficulty recognizing that the members
are laterally supported and kes -factors of unity are to be used.
 All kes -factors produced by the program can be overwritten by the user.
These values should be reviewed and any unacceptable values should be
replaced.
 The beams and braces are assigned kes -factors of unity.
The keb -factors are supposed to be obtained from figures given in the code
(NZS Figure 4.8.3.3(a)). However in absence of the exact mathematical
form, the program calculates the keb -factor from its basic principle. This is
similar to the determination of the kes -factor, except that the keb -factor for
the corresponding direction is calculated by solving the following relation-
ship for α:
G1G J 2 G J + G J  α  tan ( α 2 )
α + 1 − + − 1 =0
4 2  tan α  (α 2)
where,
π
keb = .
α
If the member is assigned with a framing type of sway frame, keb is used for
δb calculation, and kes is used for Nc calculation. If the member is assigned
with a framing type of Braced frame, keb is used for both δb and Nc calcula-
tion.
2 - 14 Effective Length Factor (ke)

2.9 Effect of Breaking a Member into Multiple Elements

The preferred method is to model a beam, column or brace member as one
single element. However, the user can request that the program break a
member internally at framing intersections and at specified intervals. In this
way, accuracy in modeling can be maintained at the same time that de-
sign/check specifications can be applied accurately. There is special empha-
sis on the end forces (moments in particular) for many different aspects of
beam, column, and brace design. If the member is manually meshed (bro-
ken) into segments, maintaining the integrity of the design algorithm be-
comes difficult.
Manually breaking a column member into several elements can affect many
things during design in the program.
1. The unbraced length: The unbraced length is really the unsupported

length between braces. If no intermediate brace is present in the mem-
ber, the unbraced length is typically calculated automatically by the
program from the top of the flange of the beam framing the column at
the bottom to the bottom of the flange of the beam framing the column
at the top. The automatically calculated length factor typically becomes
less than 1. If there are intermediate bracing points, the user should
overwrite the unbraced length factor in the program. The user should
choose the critical (larger) one. Even if the user breaks the element, the
program typically picks up the unbraced length correctly, provided that
there is no intermediate bracing point.
2. ke-factor: Even if the user breaks the member into pieces, the program
typically can pick up the ke-factors correctly. However, sometimes it
can not. The user should note the ke-factors. All segments of the mem-
ber should have the same ke-factor and that factor should be calculated
based on the entire member. If the calculated ke-factor is not reasonable,
the user can overwrite the ke-factors for all the segments.
3. Cm factor: The Cm factor should be based on the end moments of un-

braced lengths of each member and should not be based on the end
moments of the segment (NZS 4.4.3.2). The program already calculates
the Cm factors based on the end moments of unbraced lengths of each
Effect of Breaking a Member into Multiple Elements 2 - 15

member. If the member is broken, the program calculated Cm factor is

conservative. If this conservative value is acceptable, no action is re-
quired by the user. If it is not acceptable, the user can calculate the Cm
factor manually for the critical combination and overwrite its value for
that segment.
4. αm factor: The αm factor should be based on the end moments of un-

braced lengths of each segment and should not be based on the end
moments of the member (NZS 5.6.1.1). The program already calculates
the αm factors based on the end moments of unbraced lengths of each
segment. If the broken segments do not represent the brace-to-brace
unsupported length, the program calculated αm factor is conservative. If
this conservative value is acceptable, no action is required by the user. If
it is not acceptable, the user can calculate the αm factor manually for the
critical combination and overwrite its value for that segment.
5. δb factor: This factor amplifies the factored moments for the P-δ effect
(NZS 4.4.2.1, App. F). In its expression, there are the Cm factor and the
Euler Buckling capacity Nomb. If the user keeps the unbraced length rati-
os (l33 and l22) and the ke-factors (ke,33 and ke,22) correct, the δb factor
would be correct. If the axial force is small, the δb factor can be 1 and
have no effect with respect to modeling the single segment or multi-
segment element.
6. δs factor: The program does not calculate the δs factor. The program
assumes that the user turns on the P-∆ feature. In such cases, δs can be
taken as equal to 1. That means that modeling with one or with multi-
ple segments has no effect on this factor.
If the user models a column with a single element and makes sure that the
l-factors and ke-factors are correct, the effect of δb and δs will be picked up
correctly. The factors Cm and αm will be picked up correctly if there is no
intermediate bracing point. The calculated Cm and αm factors will be slightly
conservative if there are intermediate bracing points.
If the user models a column with multiple elements and makes sure that
l-factors and ke-factor are correct, the effect of δb and δs will be picked up
correctly. The factors Cm and αm will be picked up correctly if the member
2 - 16 Effect of Breaking a Member into Multiple Elements

is broken at the bracing points. The calculated Cm and αm factors will be

conservative if the member is not broken at the bracing points.
2.10 Supported Framing Types

The code (NZS 3404-1997) recognizes the following types of framing
systems.
Framing Type References
Sway Frame NZS 4.4.3.3

Braced Frame NZS 4.4.3.2
2.11 Frame Design Procedure Overwrites

The structural model may contain frame elements made of several structural
materials: steel, concrete, aluminum, cold-formed steel and other materials.
The program supports separate design procedures for each material type. By
default the program determines the design procedure from the material of
the frame member.
The program allows the user to turn the design of specific members off and
on by selecting No Design or Default from material. Overwriting the design
procedure can be accessed from the Design menu > Overwrite Frame Design
Procedure command.
ETABS supports both regular steel frame design and composite beam design.
The determination of design procedure is different. If the material is
concrete, the design procedure is concrete. If the material is steel, the
default design procedure can be steel frame design or composite beam
design. If the section is of steel material, and the member satisfies a host of
other criteria, such as the member is horizontal (beam), it supports a filled
deck or slab, it is an I-shaped member, it is hinged at both ends and so on,
then the default design procedure is taken as composite beam design;
otherwise, the default design procedure is taken as steel frame design.
ETABS allows the user to overwrite a steel member frame design procedure
to steel frame design, composite beam design, default, or no design. Change
Supported Framing Types 2 - 17

the design procedure by selecting the member(s) and clicking the Design
menu > Overwrite Frame Design Procedure command. A change in design
will be successful only if the design procedure is valid for that member, i.e.,
the program will not allow the user to change the design procedure for a
steel frame object to concrete frame design.
2.12 Interactive Design

Interactive Design command is a powerful mode that allows the user to re-
view the design results for any steel frame design and interactively revise
the design assumptions and immediately review the revised results. Note
that a design must have been run for the interactive design mode to be
available. Refer to the program Help for more information about interac-
tive design.
2.13 Automated Iterative Design

If Auto Select sections have been assigned to frame objects, ETABS can au-
tomatically perform the iterative steel frame design process. To initiate the
process, first use the Design menu > Steel Frame Design > Preferences com-
mand and set the maximum number of auto iterations to the maximum
number of design iterations the program is to run automatically. Next, run
the analysis. Then, begin the design process, making sure that no objects
are
selected.
The program will then start the cycle of (1) performing the design, (2) com-
paring the last-used Analysis Sections with the Design Sections, (3) setting
the Analysis Sections equal to the Design Sections, and (4) rerunning the
analysis. This cycle will continue until one of the following conditions has
been met:
 The Design Sections and the last-used Analysis Sections are the same.
 The number of iterations performed is equal to the number of iterations

specified for the maximum number on the Preferences form.
2 - 18 Interactive Design
Currently, this feature is absent in SAP2000.
2.14 Choice of Units

English as well as SI and MKS metric units can be used for input. The codes
are based on a specific system of units. All equations and descriptions pre-
sented in the subsequent chapters correspond to that specific system of units
unless otherwise noted. For example, the NZS 3404-1997 code is published in
newton-millimeter-second units. However, any system of units can be used to
define and design a structure in the program.
Choice of Units 2 - 19
Chapter 3
Steel Frame Design Using NZS 3404-1997
This chapter provides a detailed description of the algorithms used by the

program in the design/check of structures in accordance with " NZS 3404-
1997 New Zealand Standard Steel Structures" (NZS 1997). The implemen-
tation covers load combinations from "AS/NZS 1170.0:2002 Australian/New
Zealand Standard Structural Design Actions, Part 0: General Principle”
(SA/SNZ 2002a), which are described in section 3.4 Design Loading Combi-
nations in this chapter. The wind loading is based on "AS/NZS 1170.2:2002
Australian/New Zealand Standard Structural Design Actions Part 2: Wind
Actions” (SA/SNZ 2002b). The earthquake loading based on “NZS 1170.5-
2004 New Zealand Standard Structural Design Actions Part 5; Earthquake
Actions in New Zealand” (NZS 2004) has been described in a separate doc-
ument entitled “CSI Lateral Load Manual” (CSI 2007).
 Reference to the NZS 3404-1997 code is identified with the prefix “NZS.”
 Reference to the AS/NZS 1170.0:2002 code is identified with the prefix

“AS/NZS.”
3.1 Notations
The various notations used in this chapter are described herein.
3-1
Steel Frame Design Manual NZS 3404-1997
A Area of cross-section, mm2

Ag Gross area of a cross-section, mm2
An Net area of a cross-section, mm2
Aw Gross sectional area of a web, mm2
bf Width of flange, mm
bw Web depth, mm
d Depth of a section, mm
de Effective outside diameter of a circular hollow section, mm
df Distance between flange centroids, mm
dp Clear transverse dimension of a web panel, or

Depth of deepest web panel in a length, mm
d1 Clear depth between flanges ignoring fillets or welds, mm
d2 Twice the clear distance from the neutral axes to the com-
pression flange, mm
E Young’s modulus of elasticity, MPa
e Eccentricity, mm
F Action in general, force or load, N
fu Tensile strength used in design, MPa
fy Yield stress used in design, MPa

G Shear modulus of elasticity, MPa, or
Nominal dead load
I Second moment of area of a cross-section, mm4
Icy Second moment of area of compression flange about the sec-
tion minor principal y-axis, mm4
Iw Warping constant for a cross-section, mm6
Ix I about the cross-section major principal x-axis, mm4
3-2 Notations
Chapter 3 Steel Frame Design Using NZS 3404-1997
Iy I about the cross-section minor principal y-axis, mm4

J Torsion constant for a cross-section, mm4
ke Member effective length factor
kf Form factor for members subject to axial compression
kl Load height effective length factor
kr Effective length factor for restraint against lateral rotation

l Span, or member length, or segment or sub-segment length,
mm
l22, l33 Laterally unbraced length of member for major and minor
axes bending, mm
le /r Geometrical slenderness ratio
Mb Nominal member moment capacity, N-mm
Mbx Mb about major principal x-axis, N-mm

Mcx Lesser of Mix and Mox, N-mm
Mi Nominal in-plane member moment capacity, N-mm
Mix Mi about major principal axis, N-mm
Miy Mi about minor principal axis, N-mm
Mo Reference elastic buckling moment for a flexural member,
N-mm
Moa Amended elastic buckling moment for a member subjected to
bending, N-mm
Mob Elastic buckling moment determined using an elastic buckling
analysis, N-mm
Moo Reference elastic buckling moment obtained using le = l,
N-mm
Mos Mob for a segment, fully restrained at both ends, unrestrained
against lateral rotation and loaded at shear centre, N-mm
Notations 3-3
Mox Nominal out-of-plane member moment capacity about major

principal x-axis, N-mm
Mrx Ms about major principal x-axis reduced by axial force,
N-mm
Mry Ms about minor principal y-axis reduced by axial force,
N-mm
Ms Nominal section moment capacity, N-mm
Msx Ms about major principal x-axis, N-mm

Msy Ms about the minor principal y-axis, N-mm
Mtx Lesser of Mrx and Mox, N-mm
M* Design bending moment, N-mm
Nc Nominal member capacity in compression, N
Ncy Nc for member buckling about minor principal y-axis, N

Nom Elastic flexural buckling load of a member, N
Nomb Nom for a braced member, N

Noms Nom for a sway member, N
Ns Nominal section capacity of a compression member, or
Nominal section capacity for axial load, N
Nt Nominal section capacity in tension, N
N* Design axial force, tensile or compressive, N
Q Nominal live load
r Radius of gyration, mm
ry Radius of gyration about minor principle axis, mm
S Plastic section modulus, mm3
t Flat thickness, or wall thickness of a circular hollow section,
mm
3-4 Notations
tf Thickness of a flange, mm
tp Thickness of a plate, mm
tw Thickness of a web, mm
Vb Nominal shear buckling capacity of a web, N
Vu Nominal shear capacity of a web with a uniform shear stress

distribution, N
Vv Nominal shear capacity of a web, N
Vvm Nominal web shear capacity in the presence of bending moment,

N
Vw Nominal shear yield capacity of a web, N
V* Design shear force, N
yo Coordinate of shear centre, mm
Z Elastic section modulus, mm3
Zc Ze for a compact section, mm3
Ze Effective section modulus, mm3
αb Compression member section constant
αc Compression member slenderness reduction factor
αm Moment modification factor for bending
αl, αlc, αmc Factors for bending defined in Appendix H of NZS 3404
αs Slenderness reduction factor
αst Reduction factor for members of varying cross-section
αv Shear buckling coefficient for a web
βe Modifying factor to account for conditions at the far ends of

beam members
βm Ratio of smaller to larger bending moment at the ends of a
member
Notations 3-5
ξ Compression member factor defined in NZS Clause 6.3.3

η Compression member imperfection factor (NZS 6.3.3)
λ Slenderness ratio
λe Plate element slenderness
λep Plate element plasticity slenderness limit
λey Plate element yield slenderness limit
λn Modified compression member slenderness
λs Section slenderness
λsp Section plasticity slenderness limit
λsy Section yield slenderness limit
λew Slenderness limit for Too slender section

υ Poisson’s ratio, 0.25
φ Capacity factor
3.2 Design Preferences

The steel frame design preferences are basic assignments that apply to all of
the steel frame members. Tables 3-1 list steel frame design preferences for
"NZS 3404-1997." Default values are provided for all preference items. Thus,
it is not necessary to specify or change any of the preferences. However, at
least review the default values to ensure they are acceptable. Some of the
preference items also are available as member-specific Overwrite items. The
overwrites are described in the next section. Overwritten values take prece-
dence over the preferences. Refer to the program Help for information
about changing Preferences.
Table 3-1: Steel Frame Design Preferences

Item Possible Values Default Value Description
Design Code Design codes NZS 3404-1997 The selected design code. Subsequent design is based on
available in the this selected code. The default values shown below
current version appear when NZS 3404-1997 is selected as the Design
Code.
3-6 Design Preferences


Multi-Response Envelopes, Envelopes Indicates how results for multivalued cases (Time histo-
Case Design Step-by-Step, ry, Nonlinear static or Multi-step static) are considered
Last Step, in the design. Envelope considers enveloping values for
Envelopes – All, Time History and Multi-step static and last step values
Step-by-Step All for Nonlinear static. Step-by-Step considers step-by-
step values for Time History and Multi-step static and
last step values for Nonlinear static. Last Step considers
last values for Time History, Multi-step static and Non-
linear static. Envelope - All considers enveloping val-
ues for Time History, Multi-step static and Nonlinear
static. Step-by-Step - All considers step-by-step values
for Time History, Multi-step static and Nonlinear static.
Step-by-Step and Step-by-Step - All default to the corre-
sponding Envelope if more then one multi-valued case is
present in the combo.
Framing Type Sway, Braced Sway Frame This item is used for ductility considerations in the de-
sign.
Structural Analysis General 2nd Order, General 2nd Indicates the analysis method used to check/design the
Method Amplified 1st Order steel members. The design module does not verify the
Order acceptability of the selected analysis method. See sec-
tions 4.1, 4.3, 4.4.2, and Appendix E of the "NZS 3404-
1997" code for details. The user is expected to verify the
acceptability of the selected method. The user is ex-
pected to set the appropriate notional loads.
Steel Type Hot Rolled, Hot Rolled Indicates the residual stress level in the structural sec-
Hot Finished, tion. This affects plasticity limit and yield limit of plate
Cold Formed, element slenderness values. Eventually this can affect
Stress Relieved, moment capacity and axial compression capacity
Lightly Welded, through modification on Ze and Aeff. "Hot Rolled" and
Heavily Welded "Hot Finished" are used synonymously in this program.
"Cold Formed" is meant as cold-formed and not stress-
relieved. "Stress Relieved" is meant as cold-formed and
stress-relieved. Welded H and I sections are assumed to
be fabricated from flame-cut plates. See sections 5.2.2,
6.2.4, 6.3.3, and Tables 5.2, 6.2.4, 6.3.3(1), and 6.3.3(2) of
"NZS 3404-1997" code for details.
Capacity Factor Capacity factor for strength limit state. See section 3.3
≤1.0 0.9
Phi (Bending) and Table 3.3 of “NZS 3404-1997” for details.
≤1.0 0.9
Phi (Compression) and Table 3.3 of “NZS 3404-1997” for details.
Capacity Factor,
Capacity factor for strength limit state. See section 3.3
Phi (Tension ≤1.0 0.9
and Table 3.3 of “NZS 3404-1997” for details.
Yielding)
Design Preferences 3-7


Capacity Factor
Capacity factor for strength limit state. See section 3.3
Phi (Tension- ≤1.0 0.9
and Table 3.3 of “NZS 3404-1997” for details.
Fracture)
≤1.0 0.9
Phi (Shear) and Table 3.3 of “NZS 3404-1997” for details.
Consider Yes, No No Toggle to consider the deflection limit (Yes) or not to

Deflection? consider the deflection limit (No) in design.
DL Limit, L/ ≥0 120 Deflection limit for dead load. Inputting 120 means that
the limit is L/120. Inputting zero means no check will be
made of this item.
Super DL+LL ≥0 120 Deflection limit for superimposed dead plus live load.
Limit, L/ Inputting 120 means that the limit is L/120. Inputting
zero means no check will be made of this item.
Live Load Limit, L/ ≥0 360 Deflection limit for superimposed live load. Inputting
360 means that the limit is L/360. Inputting zero means
no check will be made of this item.
Total Limit, L/ ≥0 240 Deflection limit for total load. Inputting 240 means that
made of this item.
Total-Camber ≥0 240 Limit for net deflection. Camber is subtracted from the
Limit, L/ total load deflection to get net deflection. Inputting 240
means that the limit is L/240. Inputting zero means no
check will be made of this item.
Pattern Live Load ≤1.0 0.75 The live load factor for automatic generation of load
Factor combinations involving pattern live loads and dead
loads.
Demand/Capacity ≤1.0 0.95 The demand/capacity ratio limit to be used for accepta-
Ratio Limit bility. D/C ratios that are less than or equal to this value
are considered acceptable.
3.3 Overwrites
The steel frame design Overwrites are basic assignments that apply only to
those elements to which they are assigned. Table 3-2 lists steel frame design
overwrites for "NZS 3404-1997." Default values are provided for all Over-
write items. Thus, it is not necessary to specify or change any of the Over-
writes. However, at least review the default values to ensure they are ac-
3-8 Overwrites
ceptable. When changes are made to Overwrite items, the program applies
the changes only to the elements to which they are specifically assigned.
Overwritten values take precedence over the Preferences. Refer to the pro-
gram Help for information about changing Overwrites.
Table 3-2 Steel Frame Design Overwrites for NZS 3404-1997

Current De- Any defined The design section for the selected frame object. When this
Analysis section
sign Section steel section Overwrite is applied, any previous auto select section assigned
to the frame object is removed.
Fame Type Sway, Braced From This item is used for ductility considerations in the design.
Preferences
Steel Type Hot Rolled, Hot Rolled The steel type selection will effect the plate element slender-
Hot Finished, ness limits as described in NZS 3404-1997, Table 5.2.
Cold Formed,
Stress Relieved,
Lightly Welded,
Heavily Welded
Consider Yes, No From Toggle to consider the deflection limit (Yes) or not to consid-
Deflection? Preferences er the deflection limit (No) in design.
Deflection Ratio, Both Choose to consider deflection limit as an absolute, as a divisor

Check Type Absolute, of the beam length, as both, or with no deflection limit.
Both
DL Limit, L/ ≥0 From Deflection limit for dead load. Inputting 120 means that the
Preferences limit is L/120. Inputting zero means no check will be made of
this item.
Super DL+LL ≥0 From Prefer- Deflection limit for superimposed dead plus live load. Input-
Limit, L/ ences ting 120 means that the limit is L/120. Inputting zero means
no check will be made of this item.
Live Load ≥0 360 Deflection limit for superimposed live load. Inputting 360
Limit, L/ means that the limit is L/360. Inputting zero means no check
will be made of this item.
Total Limit, L/ ≥0 240 Deflection limit for total load. Inputting 240 means that the
limit is L/240. Inputting zero means no check will be made of
this item.
Total-Camber ≥0 240 Limit for net deflection. Camber is subtracted from the total
Limit, L/ load deflection to get net deflection. Inputting 240 means that
made of this item.
Overwrites 3-9

DL Limit, abs ≥0 120 Deflection limit for dead load. Inputting 120 means that the
limit is L/120. Inputting zero means no check will be made of
this item.
Super DL+LL ≥0 1. Deflection limit for superimposed dead plus live load. Input-
Limit, abs ting zero means no check will be made of this item.
Live Load ≥0 1. Deflection limit for superimposed live load. Inputting zero
Limit, abs means no check will be made of this item.
Total Limit, ≥0 1. Deflection limit for total load. Inputting zero means no check
abs will be made of this item.
Total–Camber ≥0 1. Deflection limit for net deflection. Camber is subtracted from

Limit, abs the total load deflection to get net deflection. Inputting zero
means no check will be made of this item.
Specified The specified amount of camber to be reported in the design

≥0 0
Camber output and to be used in the net deflection check.
Net Area to The ratio of the net area at the end joint to gross cross-
≥0 1.0
Total Area sectional area of the section. This ratio affects the design of
Ratio axial tension members. Specifying zero means the value is the
program default, which is 1.
Live Load The reducible live load is multiplied by this factor to obtain
≥0 Calculated
Reduction the reduced live load for the frame object. Specifying zero
Factor means the value is program determined.
Unbraced Unbraced length factor for buckling about the frame object
≥0 Calculated
Length Ratio major axis; specified as a fraction of the frame object length.
(Major) This factor times the frame object length gives the unbraced
length for the object. Specifying zero means the value is pro-
gram determined. For symmetrical sections, major bending is
bending about the local 3-axis. For unsymmetrical sections
(e.g., angles) major bending is the bending about the section
principal axis with the larger moment of inertia.
Unbraced Unbraced length factor for buckling about the frame object
≥0 Calculated
Length Ratio minor axis; specified as a fraction of the frame object length.
(Minor) This factor times the frame object length gives the unbraced
length for the object. Specifying zero means the value is
program determined. For symmetrical sections, major
bending is bending about the local 2-axis. For unsymmetrical
sections (e.g., angles) major bending is the bending about the
section principal axis with the larger moment of inertia.
3 - 10 Overwrites

Unbraced Unbraced length factor for lateral-torsional buckling for the

≥0 L22
Length Ratio frame object; specified as a fraction of the frame object length.
(LTB) This factor times the frame object length gives the unbraced
length for the object. Specifying zero means the value is
program determined.
Effective Effective length factor for buckling about the frame object
≥0 1.0
Length Factor major axis with an assumption that the frame is braced at the
(Ke Major joints against sidesway. This item is specified as a fraction of
Braced) the frame object length. Multiplying the frame object length
with this factor gives the effective length for the object.
Specifying 0 means the value is program determined. For
beam design, this factor is always taken as 1 regardless of
what may be specified in the overwrites. This factor is used
for the B1 factor. For symmetrical sections major bending is
≥0 1.0
Length Factor minor axis with an assumption that the frame is braced at the
(Ke Minor joints against sidesway. This item is specified as a fraction of
Braced) the frame object length. Multiplying the frame object length
with this factor gives the effective length for the object.
Specifying 0 means the value is program determined. For
beam design, this factor is always taken as 1 regardless of
what may be specified in the overwrites. This factor is also
used for determining the effective length for lateral-torsional
buckling. This factor is used for the B1 factor. For
symmetrical sections minor bending is bending about the
local 2-axis. For unsymmetrical sections (e.g., angles) minor
bending is the bending about the section principal axis with
the smaller moment of inertia.
≥0 1.0
Length Factor major axis. This item is specified as a fraction of the frame
(Ke Major object length. Multiplying the frame object length with this
Sway) factor gives the effective length for the object. Specifying 0
means the value is program determined. For beam design, this
factor is always taken as 1 regardless of what may be specified
in the overwrites. For symmetrical sections major bending is
Overwrites 3 - 11

≥0 1.0
Length Factor minor axis. This item is specified as a fraction of the frame
(Ke Minor object length. Multiplying the frame object length with this
Sway) factor gives the effective length for the object. Specifying 0
means the value is program determined. For beam design, this
factor is always taken as 1 regardless of what may be specified
in the overwrites. This factor is also used for determining the
effective length for lateral-torsional buckling. For
Twist Re- Twist restraint effective length factor for members subjected
≥0 Program
straint Factor to flexure. It is unitless. It affects lateral-torsional buckling
Determined
for LTB (Kt) capacity, Mb by affecting Mo and alpha_s. Its value depends
on lateral or rotational restraints and section slenderness b/t
or d/t. Specifying 0 means the value is program default which
is 1. See section 5.6.3 and Table 5.6.3(1) of the "NZS 3404-
1997" code for details.
Lateral Rota- Lateral rotation restraint effective length factor for members
≥0 Program
tion Restraint subjected to flexure. It is Unitless. It affects lateral-torsional
Determined
Factor (Kr) buckling capacity, Mb by affecting Mo and alpha_s. Its value
depends on lateral or rotational restraints. Specifying 0 means
the value is the program default. See Section 5.6.3 and Table
5.6.3(3) of the “NZS 3404-1997” code for details.
Load Height Load height effective length factor for members subjected to
≥0 Program
Factor for LTB flexure. It is Unitless. It affects lateral-torsional buckling
Determined
(Kl) capacity, Mb by affecting Mo and alpha_s. Its value depends
on lateral or rotational restraints. Specifying 0 means the
value is the program default. See Section 5.6.3 and Table
5.6.3(2) of the “NZS3404-1997” code for details.
Moment Unitless factor for nonuniform moments, Cm for major axis
≥0 Program
Coefficient bending, used in determining the Delta_b factor. It captures
Determined
(Cm Major) the effect of non-uniform moment distribution along the
length. Specifying 0 means the value is program determined.
See section 4.4.3.2 and Appendix E of the "NZS 3404-1997"
code for details. For symmetrical sections major bending is
3 - 12 Overwrites

Moment Unitless factor for nonuniform moments, Cm for minor axis

≥0 Program
Coefficient bending, used in determining the Delta_b factor. It captures
Determined
(Cm Minor) the effect of non-uniform moment distribution along the
length. Specifying 0 means the value is program determined.
See section 4.4.3.2 and Appendix E of the "NZS 3404-1997"
code for details. For symmetrical sections minor bending is
(e.g., angles) minor bending is the bending about the section
principal axis with the smaller moment of inertia.
Moment Moment modification factor for distribution of bending
≥0 Calculated
Modification moments in a member subjected to flexure. It is unitless. It
Factor (Al- captures the effect of non-uniform moment distribution along
pha_m) the length. Program determined value means it is calculated
for each element for each load combination uniquely.
Specifying 0 means the value is program determined. See
sections 5.6.1.1 and 5.6.2 and Tables 5.6.1 and 5.6.2 of "NZS
3404-1997" code for details.
Slenderness Slenderness reduction factor for a member subjected to flex-
≥0 Calculated
Reduction ure. It is unitless. Program determined value means it is cal-
Factor culated for each element for each load combination uniquely.
(Alpha_s) Specifying 0 means the value is program determined. See
section 5.6.1.1 of the "NZS 3404-1997" code for details.
NonSway Unitless moment magnification factor for major axis bending
≥0 Calculated
Moment Fac- moment of a braced member. Specifying 0 means the value is
tor (Db Major) program determined. Program determined value means it is
calculated for each element for each load combination
uniquely. See section 4.4.3.2 and Appendix E and F of the
"NZS3404-1997" code for details. For symmetrical sections
major bending is bending about the local 3-axis. For unsym-
metrical sections (e.g., angles) major bending is the bending
about the section principal axis with the larger moment of
inertia.
NonSway Unitless moment magnification factor for minor axis bending
≥0 Program
Moment Fac- moment of a braced member. Specifying 0 means the value is
Determined
tor (Db Minor) program determined. Program determined value means it is
calculated for each element for each load combination
uniquely. See section 4.4.3.2 and Appendix E and F of the
"NZS 3404-1997" code for details. For symmetrical sections
minor bending is bending about the local 2-axis. For unsym-
metrical sections (e.g., angles) minor bending is the bending
about the section principal axis with the smaller moment of
inertia.
Overwrites 3 - 13

Sway Moment Unitless moment magnification factor for major axis bending
≥0 1.0
Factor moment of a sway member. Specifying 0 means the value is
(Ds Major) program default which is 1. The program determined value is
taken as 1 because it is assumed that P-Delta effects were
specified to be included in the analysis, and thus no further
magnification is required. See section 4.4.3.3 and Appendix E
and F of the "NZS 3404-1997" code for details. For
symmetrical sections major bending is bending about the
local 3-axis.For unsymmetrical sections (e.g., angles) major
the larger moment of inertia.
Sway Moment Unitless moment magnification factor for minor axis bending
≥0 1.0
Factor moment of a sway member. Specifying 0 means the value is
(Ds Minor) program default which is 1. The program determined value is
taken as 1 because it is assumed that P-Delta effects were
specified to be included in the analysis, and thus no further
magnification is required. See section 4.4.3.3 and Appendix E
and F of the "NZS 3404-1997" code for details. For
Form Factor 1 Form factor for members subjected to axial compression. It is
1
(Kf) <1 unitless. Its value is 1 for compact sections and less than one
for non-compact and slender sections. Specifying 0 means the
value is program determined. See sections 6.2.1, 6.2.2, and
6..3.3 of the "NZS 3404-1997" code for details.
Axial Capacity ≤1 Correction factor for distribution of forces for members

1
Connection subjected to axial tension. It is unitless. Its value depends on
Factor (kte) the connections and can be less than or equal to one for any
sections. Specifying 0 means the value is program default
which is 1. See sections 7.2, 7.3.1, and 7.3.2 and Table 7.3.2 of
the "NZS 3404-1997" code for details.
Yield Stress, Material yield strength used in the design/check. Specifying

≥0 Program
Fy zero means the value is program determined. The program
Determined
determined value is taken from the material property assigned
to the frame object.
Compressive Allowable axial compressive capacity. Specifying zero means
≥0 Program
Capacity, Nc the value is program determined.
Determined
Tensile Allowable axial tensile capacity. Specifying zero means the
≥0 Program
Capacity, Pnt value is program determined.
Determined
3 - 14 Overwrites

Major Bending Program Allowable bending moment capacity in major axis bending.
≥0
Capacity, Specifying 0 means the value is program determined. For
Determined
Ms33 symmetrical sections major bending is bending about the
local 3-axis. For unsymmetrical sections (e.g., angles) major
Minor Bend- Allowable bending moment capacity in minor axis bending.
≥0 Program
ing Capacity, Specifying 0 means the value is program determined. For
Determined
Ms22 symmetrical sections minor bending is bending about the
Major Bending Allowable critical moment capacity for major axis bending.
≥0 Program
Capacity, Specifying 0 means the value is program determined. For
Determined
Mb33 symmetrical sections major bending is bending about the
local 3-axis. For unsymmetrical sections (e.g., angles) major
Major Shear Allowable shear capacity force for major direction shear.
≥0 Program
Capacity, Vu2 Specifying 0 means the value is program determined. For
Determined
symmetrical sections major shear is shear in the local 2-axis
direction. For unsymmetrical sections (e.g., angles) major
shear is the shear associated with major bending. Note that
major bending is the bending about the section principal axis
with the larger moment of inertia.
Minor Shear Allowable shear capacity force for minor direction shear.
≥0 Program
Capacity, Vu3 Specifying 0 means the value is program determined. For
Determined
symmetrical sections minor shear is shear in the local 3-axis
direction. For unsymmetrical sections (e.g., angles) minor
shear is the shear associated with minor bending. Note that
minor bending is the bending about the section principal axis
with the smaller moment of inertia.
De- The stress ratio limit to be used for acceptability. Stress ratios
≥0 Program
mand/Capacit that are less than or equal to this value are considered
Determined
y Ratio Limit acceptable. Specifying zero means the value is program
determined.
3.4 Design Load Combination

The design load combinations are the various combinations of the pre-
scribed load cases for which the structure is to be checked. The program
creates a number of default design load combinations for steel frame design.
Design Load Combination 3 - 15

Users can add their own design load combinations as well as modify or de-
lete the program default design load combinations. An unlimited number of
design load combinations can be specified.
To define a design load combination, simply specify one or more load cases,
each with its own scale factor. The scale factors are applied to the forces and
moments from the load cases to form the factored design forces and mo-
ments for each design load combination. There is one exception to the pre-
ceding. For spectral analysis modal combinations, any correspondence be-
tween the signs of the moments and axial loads is lost. The program uses
eight design load combinations for each such loading combination specified,
reversing the sign of axial loads and moments in major and minor direc-
tions.
As an example, if a structure is subjected to dead load, D, and live load, L,

only, the NZS 3404-1997 design check may need one design load combina-
tion only, namely, 1.2D + 1.5L. However, if the structure is subjected to
wind, earthquake, or other loads, numerous additional design load combina-
tions may be required.
For NZS 3404-1997, if a structure is subjected to dead (D), live (L), wind
(W), and earthquake (E) loads, and considering that wind and earthquake
forces are reversible, the following load combinations may need to be de-
fined (NZS 3.2.3, 4.3.3, AS/NZS Part 0 4.2.2):
1.35D (AS/NZS, 4.2.2(a))

1.2D + 1.5L (AS/NZS, 4.2.2(b))
0.9D ± 1.0W (AS/NZS, 4.2.2(e))
1.2D ± 1.0W (AS/NZS, 4.2.2(d))
1.2D + 0.4L ± 1.0W (AS/NZS, 4.2.2(d))
1.0D ± 1.0E (AS/NZS, 4.2.2(f))

1.0D + 0.3L ± 1.0E (AS/NZS, 4.2.2(f))
Note that the 0.3 or 0.4 factor on the live load in three of the combinations
is not valid for live load representing storage areas (AS/NZS Part 0 4.2.2, Ta-
ble 4.1).
3 - 16 Design Load Combination

These are also the default design load combinations in the program when-
ever the NZS 3404-1997 code is used.
Two types of live load are used in the program, i.e., Live (L) and Reduced
Live (LR). Live loads are non-reducible and this load should be used for de-
fining sustained loadings, such as storage, car parking, mechanical plant,
and the like, and Reduced Live should be used for transient live loads.
The program allows live load reduction factors to be applied to the member
forces of the reducible live load case on a member-by-member basis to re-
duce the contribution of the live load to the factored responses.
The user should use other appropriate design load combinations if roof live
load is separately treated, or if other types of loads are present.
The combinations described herein are the default loading combinations

only. They can be deleted or edited as required by the design code or engi-
neer-of-record.
3.5 Classification of Sections for Local Buckling

The nominal strengths for flexure are dependent on the classification of the
section as Compact, Non-Compact, Slender, or Too Slender. Compact sec-
tions are capable of developing the full plastic strength before local buckling
occurs. Non-Compact sections can develop partial yielding in compression
and buckle inelastically before reaching fully plastic stress distribution.
Slender sections buckle elastically before any of the elements yield under
compression.
Sections are classified as Compact, Non-Compact, or Slender sections in ac-

cordance with Section 5.2.2 of the code (NZS 5.2.2). For a section to qualify
as Compact, its flanges must be continuously connected to the web or webs
and the width-thickness ratios of its compression elements must not exceed
the plasticity limit, λ ep from Table 5.2 of the code.
λ e ≤ λ ep (for all elements) (NZS 5.2.2, 5.2.3, Table 5.2).
If the width-thickness ratio of one or more compression elements exceeds

λ ep , but does not exceed λ ey from Table 5-2, the section is Non-Compact.
Classification of Sections for Local Buckling 3 - 17

λ e ≤ λ ey (all) (NZS 5.2.2, 5.2.4, Table 5.2)

λ ep < λ e ≤ λ ey (any) (NZS 5.2.2, 5.2.4, Table 5.2)
If the width-thickness ratio of any element exceeds λ ey but does not exceed
λ ew , the section is Slender.
λ e ≤ λ ew (all) (NZS 5.2.2, 5.2.5, Table 5.2)
λ ey < λ e ≤ λ ew (any) (NZS 5.2.2, 5.2.5, 5.10.1)
If the width-thickness ratio of any element exceeds λ ew , the section is con-
sidered Too Slender.
λ e > λ ew (any) (NZS 5.2.2, 5.10.1)
The values of λ ep , λey, and λew, as implemented in the program are taken
from Table 3-4 (NZS 5.2.2, 5.10.1, Table 5.2). In that table, all expressions of
λep and λey are taken from NZS Section 5.2.2 and NZS Table 5.2. The limit
demar-cating Slender and Too Slender has been identified as λew in this
document. The expression of λew for I-Shape, Double Channel, Channel,
and T-Shape sections is taken from NZS section 5.10.1.
Section classification is done differently for bending about major and minor
axes. For example, when a double symmetric I-Shaped member goes
through major axis bending, its compression flange sustains a uniform com-
pression. Whereas the same member when subjected to a minor axis bend-
ing moment, the flanges sustain a non-uniform compression as the stress
will be maximum at the tip and zero at the edge that connects the web. In
these two cases the value of λep, λey, and λew will be different because of uni-
form and non-uniform stress conditions. Accordingly the program classifies
the individual sections in accordance with Table 3-4 for major axis bending,
and Table 3-5 for minor axis bending. Tables 3-4 and 3-5 focus mostly on
the width-thickness ratios, number of longitudinal edge supported and
stress condition. Actual λep, λey, and λew are taken from Table 3-3.
Table 3-3 Values of Plate Element Slenderness Limits (Table NZS 5.2)
Residual
Plate Longitudinal stresses Plasticity Yield Too Slender
Stress Condition
element edges (see limit limit limit
type supported Notes) (λep) (λey) (λew)
SR 10 16 90
Flat One Uniform compression
HR 9 16 90
3 - 18 Classification of Sections for Local Buckling

Table 3-3 Values of Plate Element Slenderness Limits (Table NZS 5.2)
Residual
Plate Longitudinal stresses Plasticity Yield Too Slender
Stress Condition
element edges (see limit limit limit
type supported Notes) (λep) (λey) (λew)
LW, CF 8 15 90
HW 8 14 90
Non-Uniform Compression SR 10 25 90
- Maximum compression at HR 9 25 90
unsupported edge, zero LW, CF 8 22 90
stress or tension at support- HW 8 22 90
ed edge
SR 30 45 180
HR 30 45 180
Uniform compression
LW, CF 30 40 180
Both HW 30 35 180
Non-Uniform Compression Any 45* 60* No Limit
- Compression at one edge, Any 82** 130** No Limit
tension at the other edge Any - 180 No Limit
SR 50 120 No Limit
HR, CF 50 120 No Limit
Circular hollow sections Any
LW 42 120 No Limit
HW 42 120 No Limit
Notes:
SR Stress relieved LW Lightly welded longitudinally (residual stress < 40 MPa)
HR Hot-rolled or hot-finished HW Heavily welded longitudinally (residual stress ≥ 40 MPa)
CF Cold formed
*
These limits are applicable to hollow section member
**
These limits are applicable to double symmetric I-section
The tables use the variables bf, tf, tw, b, t, do, d, h, and so on. The variables b,
d, do, and t are explained in the respective figures inside the table. The vari-
ables bf, tf, h, and tw are explained in Figure 3-1.

Table 3-4 Width-Thickness Ratios, Edge Supports, and Stress Uniformity of

Compression Elements for Classification of Sections When Subjected
to Flexure about the Major Axis
Element
Section Description Slenderness Number of Sup- Stress
Type of Element Example (λe) ported Edges Condition
Flexural compression  b f − tw  f y
of flanges of rolled   One Uniform
I-Shapes  2t f  250
Doubly Symmetric
I-Shape
in flanges of built-up   One Uniform
 h  fy
Flexure in web t  Two Non-Uniform
 w  250
Flexural Compression  b f − tw  f y
Singly Symmetric
I-Shapes
in flanges of   One Uniform
built-up I-Shapes  2t f  250
hp
hc
2 pna
2
h  h  fy
Flexure in Web cg  t  250 Two Non-Uniform
 w
tw
Flexural
Channel
 b f − tw  f y
compression in flang-   One Uniform
es  t f  250


Element
 h  fy
Flexure in web   Two Non-Uniform
 tw  250
Flexural  b f − tw  f y
Double Channel
compression in   One Uniform

flanges  t f  250
 h  fy
Flexure in web  t  250 Two Non-Uniform
 w
Flexural compression  b  fy
 t  250 Two Uniform
of flanges
 
Box
 h  fy
Flexure in web  t  250 Two Non-Uniform
 
  One Uniform
in flanges
T-Shape
 2t f  250
Flexural compression  d − tf  fy
  One Non-Uniform
in stems  tw  250
 t  250 One Uniform
Double Angle
in leg
 
Flexural  b  fy
 t  250 One Non-Uniform
compression in leg
 
Angle

in any leg
 


Element
 do  fy
Pipe
Flexural compression t  250

 
Round
---- ---- ---- Assumed Compact
Bar
Rectan-
gular
General ---- ---- ---- Assumed Compact
SD
Section
of flanges of rolled   One Non-Uniform
Doubly Symmetric
I-Shape
in flanges of built-up   One Non-Uniform
I-Shape (con’d)
Symmetric
Doubly
 h  fy
Flexure in web   Two Non-Uniform
 tw  250
Singly Symmet-
Flexural Compression
I-Shapes
 b f − tw  f y
of flanges of rolled   One Non-Uniform
ric


Element
in flanges of built-up   One Non-Uniform
 b f − tw  f y
Flexure in Web   Two Non-Uniform
 2t f  250
compression in flang-   One Non-Uniform
es  t f  250
Channel
 h  fy
Flexure in web  t  250 Two Uniform
 w
Double Channel
compression   One Non-Uniform

in flanges  t f  250
 h  fy
 w
Flexural compression
 b  fy
of flanges under major  t  250 Two Non-Uniform
axis bending  
Box
 h  fy
 


Element
  One Non-Uniform
in flanges
T-Shape
 tw  250
 d − tf  fy
Compression in stems   One Non-Uniform
 tw  250
Any type of  b  fy
 t  250 One Non-Uniform
Double Angle
compression in leg
 
compression in leg
 
Angle
 t  250 One Non-uniform

in any leg
 
Flexural  do  fy
Pipe
compression t  250
 
Round
Bar
Rectan-
gular
SD
Section

bf bf b ft
hp 2
hc 2
PNA
tw
bw d df
tw bw= d − 2 t f ( ) NA
h
tw
tf tf
b b b fc
s bf bf
tw b b
( )
bw= d − 2 t f bw d
tw
bw= d − 2 t f( ) bw tw d
tw
tf tf
tf
b bf
bf
b
bf bf
s
tf
t tf
d bu h b
tw b d
b
tw
Axes Conventions
2, y
2-2 is the cross section axis
parallel to the webs, the
do t longer dimension of tubes,
d the longer leg of single 3, x 3, x
angles, or the side by side
legs of double anges. This is
the same as the y-y axis.
2, y
3-3 is orthogonal to 2-2. This is
the same as the x-x axis.
Figure 3-1 NZS 3404-1997 Definition of Geometric Properties

In classifying web slenderness of I-Shape, Box, Channel, Double Channel,

and all other sections, it is assumed there are no intermediate stiffeners. The
code provides a limit on web slenderness for unstiffened web in Clause
5.10.1. This document refers to that limit as λew and uses it as a limit of Too
Slenderness. When λe exceeds λew, the web slenderness limit at unstiffened
condition, the program reports that the section is Too Slender.
For sections with flat compression elements, the plate element slenderness
is taken as follows:
 b  fy
λ e =  (NZS 5.2.2)
 t  250
For flat compression elements supported on only one edge parallel to the
direc-tion of compression force, b is taken as the clear width of the element
outstand from the face of the supporting plate elements. For flat
compression elements supported along two edges parallel to the direction of
the compression force, b is taken as the clear width of the element between
the faces of supporting plate elements (NZS 5.2.2). For all flat compression
elements t is taken as the element thickness (NZS 5.2.2).
For circular hollow sections, the element slenderness, λe, and equivalent
section slenderness, λs , is taken as follows:
 d  fy 
λ s =λ e = o   (NZ 5.2.2)
 t  250 
where do is the outside diameter of the section.
The nominal strength for axial compression also depends on the classifica-
tion of section. In this mode, however, the sections are classified as either
Compact or Slender in accordance with the code (NZS 6.2.3). For a section
to qualify as Compact, the following condition should be satisfied:
λe ≤ λey (all elements) (NZS 6.2.3)
If the preceding condition is not satisfied, the section is considered to be
Slender.

The value of λey for the axial mode is taken from Table 3-6 in accordance
with the code (NZS 6.2.4, Table 6.2.4). For sections with flat plate elements,
this limit λey is the same as that in NZS Table 5.2. However for pipe sec-
tions, the values differ.
The slenderness of a flat plate element, λe, is calculated as follows:
b  fy 
λe =   (NZS 6.2.3)
t  250 
For circular hollow sections, the element slenderness, λe, is calculated as fol-
lows:
 d   fy 
λe =  o    (NZS 6.2.3)
 t   250 
The preceding two expressions of λe are exactly the same as those given for
the flexural mode (NZS 6.2.3, 5.2.2). Also the values of b, t, and do are the
same as those described earlier in this section.
The program clarifies the individual sections in accordance with Table 3-7
for axial compression. This table focuses on the width-thickness ratios,
number of longitudinal edges supported, and stress condition. Actual λey is
taken from Table 3-6.
Table 3-6 Values of Plate Element Yield Slenderness Limit (NZS Table
6.2.4)
Longitudinal Residual Yield
Plate
edges stresses slenderness
element type
supported (see Notes) limit, λey
SR 16
HR 16
One (Outstand)
LW, CF 15
HW 14
Flat
SR 45
HR 45
Both
LW, CF 40
HW 35
SR 82
HR 82
Circular hollow sections
LW, CF 82
HW 82

Notes:
SR Stress relieved LW Lightly welded longitudinally (residual stress < 40
MPa)
HR Hot-rolled or hot-finished HW Heavily welded longitudinally (residual stress ≥ 40
MPa)
CF Cold formed

Compression Elements for Classification Sections When Subjected to
Axial Compression
Section Description of Element Slenderness Number of Sup- Stress
Type Element Example (λe) ported Edges Condition
Doubly Symmetric
I-Shape
 h  fy
Flexure in web t  Two Uniform
 w  250
 2t f  250
Singly Symmetric
I-Shapes
I-Shapes


Axial Compression
 h  fy
Flexure in Web   Two Uniform
 tw  250
Flexural
Channel
 b f − tw  f y
compression in flang-   One Uniform
es  2t f  250
 h  fy
 w
(continued)
Channel
compression   One Uniform
in flanges  t f  250
 h  fy
 w
Flexural compression
 b  fy
of flanges under major  t  250 Two Uniform
axis bending  
Box
 h  fy
Flexure in web   Two Uniform
 t  250
  One Uniform
in flanges
T-Shapes
 2t f  250
 d − tf  fy
Compression in stems   One Uniform
 tw  250


Axial Compression
Double Angle
compression in leg
 
compression in leg
 
Angle

in any leg
 
Axial only
(con’d)
 b  fy
Angle
compression  t  250 One Uniform

in any leg  
Flexural  do  fy
Pipe
compression t  250
 
Round
Bar
Rectan-
gular
SD
Section
3.6 Calculation of Factored Forces and Moments

The factored member loads that are calculated for each load combination
are N*, M*33, M*22, V*2, V*3 and T* corresponding to factored values of the axial
load, the major and minor moments and shears, and torsion, respectively.
These factored loads are calculated at each of the previously defined sta-
tions.
3 - 30 Calculation of Factored Forces and Moments

The factored forces can be amplified to consider second order effects, de-
pending on the choice of analysis method chosen in the Preferences. If the
analysis method is chosen to be General Second Order Elastic Analysis, it is
assumed that the analysis considers the influence of second-order effects (P-
∆ and P-δ effects); hence the analysis results are used without amplification
(NZS 4.4.2.1(a), App E, App F). Second-order effects due to overall sway of
the structure can usually be accounted for, conservatively, by considering
the second-order effects on the structure under one set of loads (usually the
most severe gravity load case), and performing all other analyses as linear
using the stiffness matrix developed for this one set of P-delta loads (see also
White and Hajjar 1991). For a more accurate analysis, it is always possible to
define each loading combination as a nonlinear load case that considers on-
ly geometric nonlinearities. For both approaches, when P-δ effects are ex-
pected to be important, use more than one element per line object.
If the analysis method considers only Second Order Analysis by Amplified

First Order Analysis (NZS 4.4.2.1(b)), it is assumed that the analysis does
not consider the influence of second order effects (P-∆ and P-δ). Hence the
analysis results are amplified using δb and δs factors using the following ap-
proximate second-order analysis for calculating the required flexural
strengths in members of lateral load resisting systems. The required second-
order flexural strength, M*, is determined as follows:
M* = δb (M*fb + δs M*fs) Sway Frames (NZS 4.4.2.1(b), 4.4.3.3, App F)
M* = δb (M*fb + M*fs) Braced Frames(NZS 4.4.2.1(b), 4.4.3.2, App F)
where,
Cm
=δb ≥ 1, and (NZS 4.4.3.2)
 N* 
1−  
 N omb 
0.95
=δs ≥ 1, (NZS 4.4.3.3)
∆ s ΣN *
1−
hs ΣV *
where,
Calculation of Factored Forces and Moments 3 - 31

M* = required second-order flexural strength using load combina-

tions, N-mm
M*fb = first-order factored moment using the design load combina-

tions, assuming there is no lateral translation of the frame, N-
mm
M*fs = first-order factored moment using the design load combina-

tions caused by lateral translation of the frame only, N-mm
N* = required second-order axial strength using load combinations,

N
ΣN* = total vertical load supported by the story, including gravity

column loads, N
ΣV* = total story shear, N
∆s = lateral strong drift, mm
hs = strong height, mm
Cm = a coefficient assuming no lateral translation of the frame,

whose value is taken as follows:
(i) For beam-columns not subject to transverse loading

between supports in the plane of bending,
Cm= 0.6 − 0.4βm ≤ 1.0 (NZS 4.4.3.2)
M
βm = a
Mb
where, Ma and Mb, calculated from a first-order analysis,

are the smaller and larger moments, respectively, at the
ends of that portion of the member unbraced in the
plane of bending under consideration. M a M b is posi-
tive when the member is bent in reverse curvature, neg-
ative when bent in single curvature.
3 - 32 Calculation of Factored Forces and Moments

(ii) For beam-columns subjected to transverse loading be-

tween supports, the value of Cm is conservatively taken
as 1.0 for all cases (NZS 4.4.3.2.4(a)).
When Mb is zero, Cm is taken as 1.0, the program defaults

Cm to 1.0, if the unbraced length is more than actual mem-
ber length. The user can overwrite the value of Cm for any
member. Cm can be expressed as follows:
1.00, if length is more than actual length,


1.00, if tension member,

Cm = 1.00, if both ends unrestrained,

0.6 − 0.4βm , if no transverse loading, and
1.00, if transverse loading is present.
(NZS 4.4.3.2)
Nomb = elastic critical buckling resistance of the member in the

plane of bending, calculated based on the assumption of zero
side-sway, N
π2 EI
N omb = (NZS 4.8.2)
( kebl )
2
where,
E = modulus of elasticity of steel, typically 200,000 MPa
I = moment of inertia in the plane of bending, mm4
l = story height, mm
keb = effective length factor in the plane of bending, calcu-

lated based on the assumption of no lateral transla-
tion. It is calculated following the procedure given in
Chapter 2. The Overwrites can be used to change the
value of keb for the major and minor directions.
Calculation of Factored Forces and Moments 3 - 33

In the expression of δb, the required axial force N* is used based on its first
order value. The magnification factor δb must be a positive number.
Therefore, N* must be less than Nomb. If N* is found to be greater than or
equal to Nomb a failure condition is declared.
If the program assumptions are not satisfactory for a particular structural

model or member, the user has the choice to explicitly specify the values of
δb for any member.
Currently, the program does not calculate the δs factor. The user is required
to overwrite the values of δs for the members, if the Amplified First Order
Method is used. The program prefers that the user would use the General
Second Order Elastic Analysis method
However, it is assumed that P-∆ analysis reasonably captures the effect of P-

∆ only. In order to capture the effect of P-δ, the program conservatively
amplifies the second order moment with the δb factor only.
M* = δb M*m (NZS 4.4.2.1, App E)
This is similar to assuming a braced condition.
3.7 Calculation of Nominal Strengths

The nominal strengths in compression, tension, bending, and shear are
computed for Compact, Noncompact, and Slender members in accordance
with the following sections. The nominal flexural strengths for all shapes of
sections are calculated based on their principal axes of bending. For the
Rectangular, I-Shape, Box, Channel, Double Channel, Circular, Pipe, T-
Shape, and Double Angle sections, the principal axes coincide with their
geometric axes. For the Single Angle sections, the principal axes are deter-
mined and all computations except shear are based on that.
For all sections, the nominal shear strengths are calculated for directions
aligned with the geometric axes, which typically coincide with the princi-
pal axes. Again, the exception is the Single Angle section.
If the user specifies nonzero nominal capacities for one or more of the mem-
bers on the Steel Frame Overwrites form, those values will override the cal-
3 - 34 Calculation of Nominal Strengths

culated values for those members. The specified capacities should be based on
the principal axes of bending for flexure, and the geometric axes for shear.
3.7.1 Nominal Flexural Capacities

This section applies to members subject to simple bending about one princi-
pal axis. The members are assumed to be loaded in a plane parallel to a prin-
cipal axis that passes through the shear center, or restrained against twist-
ing. Normally a member subjected to pure bending about the major princi-
pal axis (x-axis or 3-3 axis) should satisfy the following conditions:
M x* ≤ φM sx (NZS 5.1)
M x* ≤ φM bx (NZS 5.1)
Normally a member subjected to pure bending about the minor principal

axis (y-axis or 2-2 axis) should satisfy the following condition:
M *y ≤ φM sy (NZS 5.1)
where,
M *x = The design bending moment about the x-axis (major principal

axis, 3-3 axis).
M *y = The design bending moment about the y-axis (minor principal

axis, 2-2 axis).
φ = The capacity factor for flexure.
Msx = The nominal section moment capacity about the x-axis.
Msy = The nominal section moment capacity about the y-axis
Mbx = The nominal member moment capacity about the x-axis.
Members subjected to combined actions of axial forces, bending moments,

and shear forces are checked using interaction equations described later in
this chapter. These equations use Msx, Msy, and Mbx extensively.
Calculation of Nominal Strengths 3 - 35

3.7.1.1 Section Moment Capacity for Bending About a Principal Axis

For bending about a principal axis, the section moment capacity is calculat-
ed as follows,
M sx = f y Z ex (NZS 5.2.1)
M sy = f y Z ey (NZS 5.2.1)
where the effective section modulus, Ze, is calculated as follows:
For compact, noncompact, and slender sections comprised of flat plate

elements, such as I-Shape, Box, Channel, Double Channel, T-Shape, Angle,
Double Angle sections and hollow pipe sections, Ze is calculated as follows:
For sections that satisfy λs ≤ λsp (compact sections), the effective section
modulus, Ze, is taken as follows:
Ze = min{ S, 1.5Z}, (NZS 5.2.3)
where,
S = Plastic section modulus, and
Z = Elastic section modulus.
The program uses the S and Z values based on gross section property. No
adjustment for holes is done.
For sections that satisfy λsp < λs ≤ λsy (non-compact sections), the effective-
ness section modulus, Ze, is calculated as follows:
 λ sy − λ s  
Ze =
Z +   ( Zc − Z ) (NZS 5.2.4)
 λ sy − λ sp  
where Zc is the effective section modulus Ze for the compact section speci-
fied in the preceding text.
Zc = min{ S, 1.5Z} (NZS 5.2.3)

For sections with flat plate elements in uniform compression that satisfy λs > λsy
(slender sections), the effective section modulus, Ze, is calculated as follows:
 λ sy 
Ze = Z   (NZS 5.2.5)
 λs 
For a section whose slenderness is determined by the value calculated for a

flat plate element with maximum compression at an unsupported edge and
zero stress or tension at the other edge and that satisfies λs > λsy, the effec-
tive section modulus, Ze, is calculated as follows:
2
 λ sy 
Ze = Z   (NZS 5.2.5)
 λs 
For circular hollow sections (pipe) that satisfy λs > λsy, the effective section
modulus is taken as the lesser of the following two values:
 λ sy 
Ze = Z   and (NZS 5.2.5)
 λs 
2
 2λ sy 
Ze = Z   (NZS 5.2.5)
 λs 
For solid circular sections, Ze is always calculated assuming compact section.
Ze = min{ S, 1.5Z} (NZS 5.2.3)
For solid rectangular sections, general sections, and the Section Designer
sections, Ze is calculated conservatively as follows:
Ze = Z
Ze is calculated for major and minor axis bending separately using the ap-
propriate values of (Z22, S22) or (Z33, S33) pairs.

3.7.1.2 Member Moment Capacity of Segments with Arbitrary Lateral

Restraint
The nominal member moment capacity of a flexural member is calculated as
follows:
M b =α m α s M s ≤ M s (NZS 5.6.1.1(1))
where,
αm = A moment modification factor.
αs = A slenderness reduction factor.
Ms = The nominal section moment capacity.
The moment modification factor, αm, is taken as follows:
1.7 M *m
=αm ≤ 2.5 (NZS 5.6.1.1(2))
( ) + ( ) + ( ) 
 * 2 2 2
 M 2 M 3* M *4
where,
M *m = Maximum design bending moment in the segment.
M2* , M *4 = Design bending moment at the quarter points of the seg-

ment.
M3* = Design bending moment at the midpoint of the segment.
If the segment is unrestrained at one end (cantilever), the program deter-

mined value for the factor αm, in accordance with NZS 5.6.1.1(2), does not
remain correct. In that case αm should be taken from NZS Table 5.6.2. The
user should overwrite αm for cantilevers. The program also defaults αm to 1.0
if the minor unbraced length, l22, is redefined to be more than the length of
the member by the user or the program, i.e., if the unbraced length is longer
than the member length. The Overwrites can be used to change the value of
αm for any member
The slenderness reduction factors αs, is calculated as follows:

  M 2   M 

=α s 0.6   s  + 3  −  s  (NZS 5.6.1.1(3))
 Moa    Moa 
   
in which Moa is taken as
Moa = Mo, where Mo is the reference buckling moment
For doubly symmetric I-Shape, Channel, Double Channel, T-Shape, Angle,

Double Angle, Box, and Pipe sections, the reference buckling moment, Mo,
is determined as follows:
 π2 EI y   π2 EI  
M= =
M   GJ +  2 w
 l    (NZS 5.6.1.1(4))
 le2 
oa o
  e   
where,
E, G are the elastic Young's and shear moduli,
Iy, J and Iw are section constants,
Iw = 0 for angle sections (NZS 5.6.1.3)
Iw = 0 for rectangular box and circular tube sections (NZS 5.6.1.4)
Iw = 0 for tee sections (NZS 5.6.1.6)
le is the effective length for lateral torsional buckling determined in

accordance with NZS 5.6.3, which is described later.
For singly-symmetric I-Shapes, Mo is determined as follows:
 π2 EI y    π2 EI w   β2x π2 EI y  β  π2 EI y 
=  2  ( GJ ) +  +  + x  2 
 l 2   4 l 2
Mo
    
 le    e   e   2  le 
(NZS 5.6.1.2.1)
where, the monosymmetric section constant, β x, is defined as:

 2 I cy  
=β x 0.8d f   − 1 (NZS 5.6.1.2.2)

 I y  
where,
df = The distance between flange centroids.
Icy = The moment of inertia of the compression flange about the

section minor principal y-axis.
The effective length for lateral torsional buckling, le, of a segment or sub-
segment is determined as follows:
le = kt kl kr lLTB (NZS 5.6.3)
where,
kt = A twist-resistant factor given in NZS Table 5.6.3(1).
kl = A load height factor given in NZS Table 5.6.3(2).
kr = A lateral rotation restraint factor given in NZS Table

5.6.3(3).
lLTB = The segment length between two lateral restraints.
The procedure to determine lLTB is described in the section entitled Member

Unsupported Length in Chapter 2. This length factor can be overwritten.
The kt, kl, and kr values should be based on NZS Tables 5.6.3(1), 5.6.3(2),
5.6.3(3). The default values for kt and kr are 1.0. k1 is taken as 1.4. The pro-
gram does not calculate them. The user is expected to overwrite them.
The procedure for calculating Mb can be simplified for full lateral restraint
segments. In such cases, le r satisfies certain upper limits (NZS 5.3.2.4).
Since the unbraced length is small, the moment capacity in such case reach-
es Msx. However, the program uses the general expression for arbitrary
braced segments.
The program allows program determination of unbraced length lLTB, over-

writing the length factor, or overwriting the precise bracing points. This has

been discussed in the section entitled Member Unsupported Length in

Chapter 2. The user should use judgment to match the program definition
of bracing points with the code specified bracing points (NZS 5.4).
For nonprismatic members, the determination of Mb involves
(i) the properties of minimum cross section, or

(ii) the reduction of Mo with a factor αst.
However, the program has yet to implement this clause. Rather, the pro-
gram takes the section properties at any cross-section by interpolation and
then uses that section property, assuming prismatic section. The user should
check the validity of this assumption.
If the member is subjected to bending moment about the non-principal axis,

the bending moment is resolved about the principal axis. Then the program
goes through the interaction of combined forces and moment checks (NZS
5.7.1, 5.7.2).
3.7.2 Nominal Shear Capacities

The nominal shear strengths are calculated for shears along the geometric
axes for all sections. For I-Shape, Box, Channel, Double Channel, T-Shape,
Double Angle, Pipe, Circular and Rectangular sections, the principal axes
coincide with their geometric axes. For Angle sections, principal axes do not
coincide with their geometric axes.
In calculating nominal capacities for shear, Vv , it is assumed no intermedi-

ate stiffeners are used to enhance the shear strength of a section (NZS
5.10.1).
Since the program does not design web stiffeners, it assumes the web is al-
ways unstiffened. The unstiffened web should always satisfy the following
slenderness limits:
d1 fy
≤ 180 if web bounded on two sides (NZS 5.10.1)
t 250

d1 fy
≤ 90 if web bounded on one side (NZS 5.10.1)
t 250
where,
d1 is the clear depth of the web between flanges, ignoring fillets and
welds,
t is the thickness of the web.
All sections consisting of flat plate elements, such as I-Shape, Box, Channel,
Double Channel, T-Shape, Angle, Double Angle sections are checked for
this limit as appropriate. This is described earlier in the section entitled
Classification of Section for Local Buckling. If any section violates the ap-
propriate limit, it is declared as Too Slender, and a further check is not
done.
The program assumes that the shear stress distribution is uniform through
the web of the member. For members with unequal flanges, varying web
thickness, or holes, the user will need to check shear capacity independent-
ly.
3.7.2.1 Shear Capacity in the Major Direction

A member subject to design shear force, V*, along the major direction (2-2
axis or y-axis) should satisfy the following condition:
V* ≤φVv (NZS 5.11.1)
where,
φ = The capacity factor, which is 0.9 by default. It can be modified

in the preferences.
Vv = The nominal shear capacity of the web in the major geometric
axis.
V* = The design shear force in the major geometric axis.

3.7.2.2 Uniform Shear Stress Distribution

The nominal shear capacity, Vv, of a web is taken as follows:
Vv = Vu (NZS 5.11.2)
where, Vu is the nominal shear capacity of the web assuming approximately

uniform shear stress distribution. For shapes with well defined web, such as
I-Shape, Box, Channel, Double Channel, and T-Shape sections, Vu is calcu-
lated as follows:
dp 82
When ≤
tw  fy 
 
 250 
Vu = Vw, (NZS 5.11.2)
where,
Vw = 0.6 fyAw (NZS 5.11.4)
Aw is the gross sectional area of the web. It is taken as follows:
dt w for I-Shape sections,

dt for Channel sections,
 w
Aw =  dt w for T-Shape sections, (NZS 5.11.4)
2 dt for Double Channel sections, and
 w
2ht w for Box sections.
d 82
When >
tw  fy 
 
 250 
Vu = Vb (NZS 5.11.2)
Vb = αv Vw (NZS 5.11.5.1)

2
 
 
 82 
αv =   ≤1 (NZS 5.11.5.1)
  dp   fy  
 t   
 w   250  
For Pipe sections, Vu is calculated as follows:
Vu = 0.36 fy Ae (NZS 5.11.2, 5.11.4)
Ae = max(An, 0.9Ag) (NZS 5.11.4)
For angle and double-angle sections, Vv for one of the geometric axis is tak-
en as follows:
Vu = Vw = 0.6 fy Aw (NZS 5.11.2, 5.11.4)
bt angle section (NZS 5.11.4)

Aw = 
2bt , double angle section (NZS 5.11.4)
For solid circular sections, rectangular, and general sections and Section
Designer sections, Vv for the major axis is taken as follows:
Vu = Vw = 0.6 fy Aw, (NZS 5.11.2, 5.11.4)
where Aw is the shear area obtained from elastic shear distribution.
When the bending moment is significant (M* > 0.75φMs), the shear capacity
is reduced as follows:
Vvm = Vv for M* ≤ 0.75φMs (NZS 5.12.2)
  1.6 M *  
= Vv 2.2 −   0.75φMs ≤ M* ≤ φMs (NZS 5.12.2)
  φM s  
where,
Vvm = The reduced nominal shear capacity of the web.
Vv = The nominal shear capacity of a web in shear alone.

Ms = The nominal section moment capacity.
3.7.2.3 Shear Capacity in the Minor Direction

The nominal shear strength, Vv, for minor direction shear in I-Shapes, Box-
es, Channels, Double Channels, and T-Shapes is calculated in the same way
as for major direction, except Aw and h t w are taken as follows.
Aw is taken as follows:
2 b f t f for I-Shape sections,


2 b f t f for Channel sections,

Aw = b f t f for T-Shape sections,

 4b f t f for Double Channel sections, and

2 b f t f for Box sections.
Vu is calculated in the same way as that for major direction shear, except
that h t w is taken as follows:
b f ( 2t f ) for I-Shape sections,


b f tf for Channel sections,
h 
= b f tf for T-Shape sections,
tw 
b f 2t f for Double Channel sections, and
b f tf for Box sections.

The nominal shear capacity, Vv, for minor direction shears in Double Angle,
Angle, Rectangular, Circular, Pipe, and General sections and Section De-
signer sections is calculated in the same way as that for major direction
shear, except that Aw and Vw are taken approximately.
3.7.3 Nominal Compressive Capacities

Normally a concentrically loaded member subjected to a design axial force,
N*, should satisfy the following two conditions:
N* ≤ φ Ns (NZS 6.1)

N* ≤ φ Nc (NZS 6.1)
where,
φ = The capacity factor for axial compression. It is equal to 0.9 by

default (NZS Table 3.3). However, it can be modified by the
user through the preferences.
Ns = The nominal section capacity in compression.
Nc = The nominal member capacity in compression.
Members subjected to combined actions of axial compression, bending

moment, and shear forces are checked using interaction equations described
later in this chapter. These equations use both Ns and Nc extensively.
3.7.3.1 Nominal Section Capacity

The nominal section capacity, Ns, of a concentrically loaded compression
member is given as follows:
Ns = kf An fy (NZS 6.2.1)
where,
An = The net area of the cross-section.
kf = The form factor. It is calculated as follows:
Aeff
= (NZS 6.2.2)
Ag
where,
Aeff = The effective area of the whole section, and
Ag = The gross area of the section.
An = The net area of the cross-section. It is obtained by deducting

from the gross area the sectional area of all penetrations and
holes, including fastener holes (NZS 9.1.10). It is set equal to Ag

by default. The program allows the user to overwrite An Ag ,

namely the net area of the total area ratio. By default its value
is 1. A value smaller than or equal to 1 is expected.
For sections comprised of flat plate elements, such as I-Shape, Box, Channel,
Double Channel, T-Shape, Angle, and Double Angle sections, the effective
area of the whole section, Aeff, is calculated as the summation of effective
areas of all the individual flat plate elements.
Aeff = Ag − Σ(b − be)t (NZS 6.2.2)
where, the effective width of the individual flat plate elements, be, is calcu-
lated as:
 λ ey 
=be b  ≤b (NZS 6.2.4)
 λe 
The yield slenderness limit, λey, has been described earlier. It is taken from
NZS Table 6.2.4, which has been reproduced earlier in this document in the
section entitled Classification of Section for Local Buckling. Similarly, the
clear width of the individual flat plate elements, b, and the element slen-
derness, λe, have been described earlier.
For pipe sections, the effective area of the section, Aeff, is calculated as fol-
lows:
π 2
d e − ( d e − 2t )  (NZS 6.2.4)
2
Aeff= 
4
where,
 λ ey  3λ ey 
2

d e = min d o , do   , do  (NZS 6.2.4.4)
 λe  λe  
The yield slenderness limit, λey, the element slenderness λe, and the outside
diameter do have been described in the section entitled Classification of Sec-
tions for Local Buckling.

Since, for axially compact sections λe ≤ λey, for all flat plate or circular ele-
ments,
Aeff = Ag (axially compact sections) (NZS 6.2.4)

Aeff < Ag (axially slender sections) (NZS 6.2.4)
This means that for axially compact sections, kf = 1 and for all slender sec-
tions kf ≤ 1.
kf = 1 (axially compact sections)

kf ≤ 1 (axially slender sections)
For rectangular, circular, general, and Section Designer sections, kf factors

are not calculated and assumed to be 1.
The kf factor can be overwritten for any section.
3.7.3.2 Nominal Member Capacity

The nominal member capacities are determined using the geometric slen-
derness ratios and effective lengths described in the following subsections
and in Section 2.7.
The nominal member capacity, Nc, for a member having a constant cross
section is calculated as follows:
Nc = αc Ns ≤ Ns (NZS 6.3.3)
where,
Ns = the nominal section capacity, determined as described

previously in accordance with NZS 6.2.1 (NZS 6.2.1)
αc = the member slenderness reduction factor,
  2 
 90   
= ξ 1 − 1 −    (NZS 6.3.3)
   ξλ   


2
 λ 
  +1+ η
ξ =  90  (NZS 6.3.3)
2
 λ 
2 
 90 
η = 0.00326 (λ − 13.5) ≥ 0 (NZS 6.3.3)
λ = λn + αaαb (NZS 6.3.3)
le fy
λn = kf (NZS 6.3.3)
r 250
2100 ( λ n − 13.5 )
αa = (NZS 6.3.3)
λ 2n − 15.3λ n + 2050
αb = The appropriate member section constant, given in NZS Ta-

bles 6.3.3.(1) and 6.3.3.(2). However, the program depends on
user overwrites.
kf = The form factor described previously.
If the kf factor is equal to 1.0, the αb factor is taken from Table 3-8 (NZS Ta-
ble 6.3.3(1)). If the kf factor is less than 1.0, the αb factor is taken from Ta-
ble 3-9 (NZS Table 6.3.3(1)). There is a minor exception in Table 3-8 from
the original NZS Table 6.3.3(1). For welded H and I sections, flanges and
webs are assumed to be fabricated from flame-cut plates.
Table 3-8 Values of Member Section Constant (αb) for kf = 1.0

(NZS Table 6.3.3(1))
Compression member
Section description
section constant, αb
– Hot-formed RHS and CHS
− 1.0
– Cold-formed (stress relieved) RHS and CHS
− 0.5 – Cold-formed (non-stress relieved) RHS and CHS
– Hot-rolled UB and UC sections
(flange thickness up to 40 mm)
0
– Welded H and I sections fabricated from flame-cut plates*
– Welded box sections
0.5 – Tees flame-cut from universal sections, and angles

– Hot-rolled channels
– Weld H and I sections fabricated from as-rolled plates*
– Other sections not listed in this Table
(flange thickness over 40 mm)
1.0
– Welded H and I sections fabricated from as-rolled plates*
(flange thickness over 40 mm)
*Note: For welded H and I sections, flanges and webs are assumed to be fabricated
from flame-cut plates.
Table 3-9 Values of Member Section Constant (αb) for kf < 1.0
(NZS Table 6.3.3(1))
Compression member
section constant, αb Section description
– Hot-formed RHS and CHS
− 0.5 – Cold-formed RHS and CHS (stress relieved)
– Cold-formed RHS and CHS (non-stress relieved)
0 (flange thickness up to 40 mm)
– Welded box sections
– Weld H and I sections
0.5
1.0 – Other sections not listed in this Table
For compression members, the effective lengths, le, are determined as,
le = kel
where the effective length factor ke takes the form keb (effective length fac-
tor for braced condition, keb ≤ 1) or kes (effective length factor for sway con-
dition, kes > 1) depending on whether the P-∆ analysis is performed and
whether the member is declared to be a Braced Frame or Sway Frame.
keb if P-∆ analysis is done for Braced or Sway frames,


ke = keb, if Braced frames,
k
 es , if Sway frames and P-∆ analysis is not done.
(NZS 6.3.2, 4.8.3.3, App G)

If the user overwrites the keb and kes, the appropriate overwritten values are
used.
The nominal member capacity for axial compression, Nc , depends on the

slenderness ratio, ke l r , where
ke l k l k l 
= max  e33 33 , e 22 22  .
r  r33 r22 
For all sections except Single Angles, the principal radii of gyration r22 and
r33 are used. For Single Angles, the minimum (principal) radius of gyration,
rz , is used instead of r22 and r33 , conservatively, in computing ke l r . ke33 and
ke22 are two values of ke for the major and minor axes of bending.
For members having variable cross-sections, the nominal member capacity,

Nc, should be determined using procedures described in the section for
prismatic sections, with the following exception:
(a) The nominal section capacity, Ns, is the minimum value for all
cross-sections along the length of the member, and
(b) The modified member slenderness, λn, given earlier in this section
(NZS 6.3.3) is replaced by the following:
 N 
λn = 90  s  (NZS 6.3.4)
 N om 
where Nom is the elastic flexural buckling load of the member in axi-
al compression determined using a rational elastic buckling analysis.
However, the program has yet to implement this clause. The program takes
the section properties of any cross-section by interpolation and then uses
this section property assuming prismatic section. The user should check the
validity of this assumption.
3.7.4 Nominal Tensile Capacity

This section applies to the members subject to axial tension.

Normally a concentrically loaded member subjected to a design axial tensile

force, N*, should satisfy the following conditions:
N*≤ φNt (NZS 7.1)
where,
φ = The capacity factor for axial compression. It is equal to 0.9 by

default (NZS Table 3.3). However, it can be overwritten by
the user through the preferences.
Nt = The nominal section capacity in tension.
The nominal section capacity of a tension member is calculated as follows:
Nt = min(Ag fy, 0.85kte An fu) (NZS 7.2)
where,
Ag = The gross area of the cross-section,
fy = The yield stress used in design,
kte = The correction factor for distribution of forces. It depends on

connection configuration and shape (NZS 7.3). It is set to 1.0
and can be overwritten by the user.
An = The net area of the cross-section. It is obtained by deducting

from the gross area the sectional area of all penetrations and
holes, including fastener holes (NZS 9.1.10). It is set equal to
Ag. The program allows the user to overwrite An /Ag, namely
the net area of the total area ratio. By default, its value is 1. A
value smaller than or equal to 1 is expected.
fu = The tensile strength used in design.
3.8 Members Subjected to Combined Forces

Previous sections of this design manual address members subject to only
one type of force, namely axial tension, axial compression, flexure, or shear.
3 - 52 Members Subjected to Combined Forces

This section addresses the design of members subject to a combination of

two or more of the individual forces. Both the section capacities and mem-
ber capacities are considered.
In the calculation of the demand/capacity (D/C) ratios, first, for each station
along the length of the member, the actual member force/moment compo-
nents are calculated for each design combination. Then, the corresponding
capacities are calculated. Then, the D/C ratios are calculated at each station
for each member under the influence of each of the design combinations.
The controlling D/C ratio is then obtained, along with the associated station
and design combination. A D/C ratio greater than the D/C ratio limit
(whose default value is 1.0) indicates exceeding a limit state.
During the design, the effect of the presence of bolts or welds is not consid-
ered.
3.8.1 Section Capacity

From the factored axial loads and bending moments at each station and the
factored strengths for axial tension and compression and major and minor
axis bending, a D/C ratio is produced for each of the load combinations as
follows.
3.8.1.1 Uniaxial Bending About the Major Axis

For uniaxial bending about the x-axis (section major axis), the following
condition is checked:
M x*
≤1 (NZS 8.3.2)
φM rx
where,
φ = The capacity factor (NZS Table 3.3).
Mrx = The nominal section moment capacity, reduced by axial

force.
Members Subjected to Combined Forces 3 - 53

Msx, Msy = The nominal section moment capacities about the x- and
y-axes respectively.
Ns = The nominal section axial load capacity.
For doubly symmetric I sections and rectangular and square hollow sections
that are compact and either have a form factor (kf) of unity or are in tension
(NZS 8.1.5), Mrx is calculated as follows:
 N* 
M=
rx 1.18M sx 1 −  ≤ M sx (NZS 8.3.2.2)
 φN s 
For all other sections, Mrx is calculated as follows:
 N* 
=
M rx M sx 1 −  (NZS 8.3.2.1)
 φN s 
3.8.1.2 Uniaxial Bending About the Minor Axis

For uniaxial bending about the y-axis (section minor axis), the following
condition is checked:
M *y
≤ 1.0 (NZS 8.3.3)
φMry
where,
φ = The capacity factor.
Mry = The nominal section moment capacity reduced by the axial

tensile or compressive force.
Mry is calculated by one of the following as appropriate:
(a) For doubly symmetric I sections that are compact and either
have a form factor (kf) of unity or are in tension (NZS 8.1.5):

  * 2 
N
M ry = 1.19 M sy 1 −    ≤ M sy (NZS 8.3.3.2)
  φN s  
(b) For rectangular and square hollow sections that are compact and
either have a form factor (kf) of unity or are in tension (NZS
8.1.5):
  N* 
M ry= 1.18M sy 1 −    ≤ M sy (NZS 8.3.3.2)
  φN s  
(c) For all other cases,
  N* 
=
M ry M sy 1 −   (NZS 8.3.3.1)
  φN s  
3.8.1.3 Biaxial Bending

For biaxial bending of a compression member the following condition is
checked:
N* M *x M *y
+ + ≤1 (NZS 8.3.4.1)
φN s φM sx φM sy
In addition, to use the preceding equation for doubly symmetric I sections

and rectangular and square hollow sections, the following ratio is also calcu-
lated. However, the equation that gives the smaller ratio is used (NZS
8.3.4.2):
γ γ
 M *x   M *y 
  +  ≤1 (NZS 8.3.4.2)
 φM rx   φM ry 

where Mrx and Mry are calculated in accordance with clause 8.3.3.2, and
they are described earlier, and
 N* 
=
γ 1.4 +   ≤ 2.0 (NZS 8.3.4.2)
 φN s 

3.8.2 Member Capacity

For bending about a single axis or bending about both axes, the program
checks each member for the conditions described below for in-plane and
out-of-plane capacities.
3.8.2.1 In-Plane Bending Capacity

For a compression member bent about a principal axis, the following condi-
tion is evaluated:
M*
≤ 1.0 (NZS 8.4.2.2)
φM i
where,
M* = The design bending moment about the principal axis.
Mi = The nominal in-plane member moment capacity.
 N* 
= M s 1 − 
 φN c 
Ms = The nominal section moment capacity for bending about the

same principal axis as the design bending moment.
N* = The design axial compressive force.
Nc = The nominal member capacity in axial compression determined

in accordance with Section 3.7.3 for buckling about the same
principal axis, with the effective length factor (ke) taken as 1.0
for both braced and sway members.
For doubly symmetric I sections, rectangular, and hollow box compact sec-
tions, Mi can be calculated as,
  
   1 + βm    N*   1 + βm  
3 3
N*
M i = M s  1 −    1 −  + 1.18   1 −  (NZS 8.4.2.2.2)
   2    φN c   2   φN c  

≤ Mrx or Mry as appropriate
where,
βm = The ratio of the smaller to the larger end bending mo-

ment, taken as positive when the member is bent in re-
verse curvature for members without transverse load, or
Mrx or Mry = The nominal section moment capacity about the appropri-
ate principal axis determined in accordance with the for-
mula given earlier in Section 3.8.1.1 and 3.8.1.2.
For tension members subjected to bending moments, this stress ratio is not
calculated for in-plane capacity (NZS 8.4.2.3).
3.8.2.2 Out-of-Plane Bending Capacity

For a member with axial compression and bending about the x-axis, the fol-
lowing condition is checked:
M *x
≤ 1.0 (NZS 8.4.4.1.1)
φM ox
where,
φ = The capacity factor (see Table 3.3).
Mox = The nominal out-of-plane member moment capacity.
 N* 
= M bx 1 − 
 φN cy
 
Mbx = The nominal member moment capacity of the member

without full lateral restraint and bent about the major
principal x axis, determined in accordance with Clause 5.6
using a moment modi-fication factor (αm) appropriate to the
distribution of design bending moments along the member.

Ncy = The nominal member capacity is axial compression, deter-

mined in accordance with Clause 6.3 for buckling about the
minor principal y-axis.
However, for members without transverse loads that are of compact doubly
symmetric I section and are fully or partially restrained at both ends, and
have a form factor (kf) of unity (NZS 8.1.5), Mox is calculated as follows:
 N*  N* 
M ox =
αbc M bxo 1 −  1−   ≤ M rx , (NZS 8.4.4.1.2)
   φN oz
 φN cy   
where,
1 − βm  1 + βm   
3
1 N*
= +   0.4 − 0.23  (NZS 8.4.4.1.2)
αbc 2  2   φ N cy 
Mbxo = The nominal member moment capacity without full lat-

eral restraint and with a uniform distribution of design
bending moment so that αm is unity, determined in ac-
cordance with NZS Clause 5.6.
Ncy = The nominal member capacity in axial compression, deter-

mined in accordance with Clause 6.3 for buckling about the
minor principal y-axis.
βm = The ratio of the smaller to the larger end bending moment,

taken as positive when the member is bent in reverse curva-
ture.
Noz = The nominal elastic torsional buckling capacity of the mem-

ber, calculated as follows:
GJ + ( π2 EI w l z2 )
N oz = (NZS 8.4.4.1.2)
(Ix + I y ) A
E, G = the elastic moduli
A, Iw, Ix, Iy, and J = the section constants

lz = the distance between partial or full torsional restraints
For a member with axial tension and bending about the x-axis, the follow-
ing condition is checked:
M x*
≤ 1.0 (NZS 8.4.4.2)
φM ox
where,
Mox = The nominal out-of-plane member moment capacity.
 N* 
= Mbx  1 +  ≤ Mrx (NZS 8.4.4.2)
 φN  t 
Mbx = The nominal member moment capacity, as defined previously.
Nt = The nominal section capacity in axial tension, as defined pre-

viously.
Mrx = The nominal section moment capacity reduced by axial force,

as defined previously.
3.8.2.3 Biaxial Bending Capacity

For compression members, the following unity check is evaluated:
1.4
 M *y 
1.4
 M *x 
  +  ≤1 (NZS 8.4.5.1)
 φM cx  
 φM iy 
where,
Mcx = The lesser of the nominal in-plane member moment capacity

(Mix) and the nominal out-of-plane member moment capacity
(Mox) for bending about the major principal x-axis. Mix and Mox
have been defined previously.

Miy = The nominal in-plane member moment capacity for bending

about the minor principal y-axis, as defined previously.
For tension members, the following unity check is evaluated:

1.4
 M *y 
1.4
 M *x 
  +  ≤1 (NZS 8.4.5.2)
 φM tx  
 φM ry 
where
Mtx = The lesser of the nominal section moment capacity (Mrx)

reduced by axial tension and the nominal out-of-plane member
moment capacity (Mox) for bending about the major principal x-
axis. Mrx and Mox have been defined previously.
Mry = The nominal section moment capacity reduced by axial tension,

as defined previously
3.9 Shear Check

From the factored shear force values and the factored shear strength values
at each station, for each of the load combinations, D/C ratios for shear in
major and minor directions are produced as follows:
Vf 2
, and
Vr 2
Vf 3
.
Vr 3
3 - 60 Shear Check
Chapter 4
Design Output
The program has the capacity to create design output in four major ways –
graphical display, file output, tabular display, and member specific detailed
design information.
The graphical display includes input and output design information for
members visible in the active window; the display can be sent directly to a
printer or saved to a file. The file output includes both summary and detail
design data that can be saved in RTF, HTML and plain text formats. The
tabular display output includes both summary and detail design data that can
be displayed or saved in many formats, including Excel, Access, RTF, HTML
and plain text. The member specific detailed design information shows the
details of the calculation.
The following sections describe some of the typical graphical display, file
output, tabular display output, and member specific detailed design infor-
mation. Some of the design information is very specific to the chosen steel
design code. This manual addresses "NZS 3404-1997" design code related
output information only.
4-1
4.1 Display Design Information on the Model

The graphical display of design output includes input and output design in-
formation for all steel frame members that are visible in the active window.
The graphical output can be produced in color or in gray-scaled screen dis-
play. The active screen display can be sent directly to the printer or saved to a
file in several formats.
Input and output design information for the NZS 3404-1997 code includes
the following.
Table 4-1 Graphical Display of Design Information

Design Input Information Design Output Information
 Design sections  P-M stress ratio values with members
color-coded based on the ratio
 Design framing type
 P-M colors and shear stress ratio val-
 Live load reduction factors
ues
 Unbraced length ratios, L-factors,
 P-M ratio colors and no values
for major and minor direction of bending,
and for lateral-torsional buckling  Identify the P-M failure
 Effective length factors for braced condition, k eb ,  Identify the shear failure
for major and minor directions of bending
 Identify all failures
 Effective length factors for sway condition,
k es -factors, for major and minor directions
of bending
 Effective length factors, k t , k r , and k l , for
lateral-torsional buckling
 c m factors for major and minor directions of
bending
 α m and α s factors for major direction of bending
 δ b factors for major and minor directions of
bending
 δ s factors for major and minor directions of
bending
 Yield stress, f y
 Nominal axial capacities (N s , N t )
 Nominal bending capacities (M s33 , M s22 , M b )
 Nominal shear capacities (V v2 , V v3 )
Note that only one of the listed items can be displayed on the model at a
time.
4-2 Display Design Information on the Model

Chapter 5 Design Output
Use the Design menu > Steel Frame Design > Display Design Info command to
plot design input and output values directly on the model. The Display Steel
Design Results form shown in Figures 4-1 and 4-2 will display.
Figure 4-1. Choice of design input data for display on the model
in the active window
Figure 4-2. Choice of design output data for display on the model
in the active window
Choose the Design Output or Design Input option. One item can be selected
from the drop-down list. For example, the P-M interaction ratios can be
displayed by choosing the Design Output option and selecting P-M Ratio
Colors & Values from the drop-down list. Click the OK button to display the
Display Design Information on the Model 4-3

PM-Ratio in the active window. A typical graphical display is shown in

Figure 4-3.
Figure 4-3. A typical graphical display
The graphics can be displayed in 3D or 2D mode. The standard view trans-

formations are available for all steel design information displays. Several
buttons on the toolbar can be used to switch between 3D and 2D views. Al-
ternatively, click the View menu and the Set 3D View or Set 2D View com-
mands.
The onscreen graphical display can be sent to printer using any of the fol-
lowing commands. Use the File menu > Print Graphics command to print the
active window. To capture the graphical display in a file for printing through
another application, use the File menu > Capture Enhanced Metafile com-
mand to create an .emf file, or use the File menu > Capture Picture command
to create a bitmap (.bmp) file. Create a screen capture of the active window
using the Alt+ Print Screen keyboard keys or create a screen capture of the
entire window using the Ctrl + Print Screen keyboard keys. Then use the
Ctrl+V keyboard keys to paste the saved image into Paint or other graphical
program.
By default the graphical displays are in color. It may be advantageous to view

or present the display in gray-scale graphics or using a white background.
Use the Options menu > Color command to set these options.
4-4 Display Design Information on the Model

4.2 Display Design Information in Tables

In addition to model definition and analysis results, the design information
for all steel frame members or for only selected members can be displayed in
tabular spreadsheet format. Currently, the program generates design sum-
mary data, PMM design details and shear design details. The tabular
spreadsheet output can be displayed by selecting the Display menu > Show
Tables command to access the Choose Tables for Display form, an example of
which is shown in Figure 4-4. That form can be used to choose which tables
or sets of tables are to be displayed.
The names of the tables are displayed in a tree structure, which can be col-
lapsed or expanded by clicking on an item in the tree. Click on the small
check boxes preceding the items to select those tables for display. If a branch
of the tree is selected, all of the tables under that branch are selected. The
selected set of tables can be saved as a Named Set using the Save Named Set
button. This named set can be used in the future for quick selection. If one or
more frame members are selected on the structural model before accessing
the Choose Tables for Display form, the Selection Only check box will be
checked when the form displays and, the program will display information
for the selected members only; uncheck the check box to display information
for all applicable members in the model. If the Show Unformatted check box
is checked, the numbers will be displayed unformatted, instead of being
displayed using a limited number of decimal digits. The unformatted option
provides higher precision output that can then be copied into other pro-
grams.
Display Design Information in Tables 4-5

Figure 4-4. Choice of design data tables for tabular display
Use the other buttons in the form to tailor the data display. For example,
click the Select Load Patterns button to specify which load patterns are to be
included in the display of model definition data; click the Select Load Case
and Modify/Show Options to specify which load cases are to be included and
how analysis results are displayed.
After selecting all of the tables for steel frame design and the display options,
click the OK button to display a form showing one of the selected design ta-
bles, with a drop-down list in the upper right-hand corner of the form that
can be used to select other tables for display. A typical design table is shown
in Figure 4-5.
4-6 Display Design Information in Tables

Figure 5-5. A typical tabular display of design data
Use the scroll bars on the bottom and right side of the tables to scroll right
and left or up and down if portions of the data table can not be displayed in
the form's display area. The columns can be resized by clicking the left
mouse button on the separator of the headers, holding down the left mouse
button and then dragging the mouse to the left or right. Reset the column
widths to their default values by selecting the Format-Filter-Sort menu >
Reset Default Column Widths command on the form. The table can be split
into two or more tables by clicking on the small black rectangular area near
the bottom-left corner of the table, holding down the left mouse button, and
then dragging the mouse button to the left or right. Repeat this process to
add more splits. Use the split and horizontal scroll bar to put two columns
side by side for easier comparison. The splits can be removed by selecting the
Format-Filter-Sort menu > Remove Splits command on the form. Alterna-
tively, remove the split by clicking, holding and dragging the left mouse
button to merge the split key to its original location.
Display Design Information in Tables 4-7

Select multiple consecutive columns by putting the cursor on the header,

holding down the mouse button, and then dragging the mouse button left or
right. Alternatively, depress the Shift key and click the left mouse button to
select a range of columns.
Each of the individual fields (columns) can be formatted. Fields with text
information can be set for specific types of alignment (center, left, right) and
to specific widths. In addition to setting the alignment and column widths,
fields with numeric data can be set for the maximum number of characters,
zero tolerance, number of decimal digits and so forth. The tables can be
formatted, filtered and sorted using multiple criteria accessed using the
Format-Filter-Sort menu on the form. Filtering and sorting features can be
useful in identifying critical cases. After specifying the table formatting in-
formation, save it to a format file that can be used in the future by selecting
the appropriate feature available under the Format-Filter-Sort menu.
The current table (i.e., the table in the active window) can be exported to
Excel, Access, .rtf., .html, and plain text formats. In both Excel spreadsheet
and Access database formats, the tables can have many columns, making the
tables very wide. In .rft and .html formats, the tables are split at convenient
points to make a reasonably printable document. In plain text format, the
tables can be saved with or without the splits. To export a table to Excel, for
example, select the File menu > Export Current Table > To Excel command.
The program will export the entire table to an Excel spreadsheet workbook
and will automatically open the file in MS Excel. Similarly, if the table is
exported to other formats, the default editor specific to that format will open
the document, provided that the editor is available in the computer. The ta-
ble will be saved in that format only if the relevant editor is not available.
Instead of exporting or displaying the currently displayed table, the entire set
of available tables can be exported and displayed in the afore-mentioned
formats by selecting the File menu and the appropriate submenu command.
With these exporting and display features, the tables can be saved in many
required formats and can be printed. Many other features of the design tables
are left for the user to discover by using the program.
The preceding description is for SAP2000. ETABS differs slightly.
4-8 Display Design Information in Tables

4.3 Display Detailed Member Specific Information

The program has the capability to display the design details for a specific
member. The information includes member identification, shape name, sec-
tion properties, design combination name, design combination forces, and
other design input data to check the design results. The information also in-
cludes stress ratios for P-M-M and other interactions, demand/capacity ratios
from shear, nominal strengths, design factors such as k e , braced, k e , sway, k t ,
k l , k r , α m , α s , δ b , δ s , k f , k t (axial), α b , z e , and so forth. The design details are
displayed in a summary form and also are displayed for a specific load com-
bination and for a specific station of a frame member.
When the design results are displayed on the model in the active window,
the detailed design information can be accessed by right clicking on the de-
sired frame member to display the Steel Stress Check Information form. Al-
ternatively, click the Design menu > Steel Frame Design > Interactive Steel
Frame Design command and then right click on the frame member. An ex-
ample of that form is shown in Figure 4-6.
The Steel Stress Check Information form identifies the frame members and
the analysis and design section, and includes a display area of mostly de-
mand/capacity ratio data and a set of buttons that access forms that provide
further details about the selected frame member. The display area reports the
load combinations, the stress check stations, the P-M-M interaction ratio
along with its axial and flexural components, and the shear stress ratios. The
load combination is reported by its name, while the station is reported by its
location, which is measured from the I-end of the column. The number of
reported line items in the text box is equal to the number of design combi-
nations multiplied by the number of stations. Only one line item is high-
lighted in blue when the form first displays. That item highlights the largest
demand/capacity ratio from P-M-M, major and minor shear or any other
considered interaction ratio, unless a line item(s) has design overstress or an
error. In that case, the item with the overstress or error will be selected and
highlighted. If many line items are overstressed or have an error, the last
among all such line items will be selected and highlighted.
Display Detailed Member Specific Information 4-9

Figure 4-6. A typical member specific steel stress check information summary
The stress check information is always reported for the design section. If the
member is assigned an individual section, the analysis and design section are
always the same. If the member is assigned an Auto Select Section (a list of
sections), the analysis and design section can be different, unless the design
has converged.
The Overwrites and Details buttons near the bottom of the Steel Stress Check
Information form can be used to access the Steel Frame Design Overwrites
form, and the Steel Stress Check Data form, which displays detailed infor-
mation about the selected frame element. While the latter form displays in-
formation in a non-editable format, the Overwrites form display the
overwrite data in editable format. This allows the user to enter an interactive
mode of design.
 Overwrites button. Click this button to access the Steel Frame Design
Overwrites form. Use that form to make revisions to the steel frame design
overwrites and then immediately review the new design results as a
4 - 10 Display Detailed Member Specific Information

summary using the Steel Stress Check Information form, or in detail by

clicking the Details button to access the Steel Stress Check Data form.
Clicking the OK button on the Steel Frame Design Overwrites form tem-
porarily saves any changes. To make the changes permanent, click the OK
button on the Steel Stress Check Information form. To disregard the
changes, click the Cancel button on the Steel Stress Check Information
form. An example of an Overwrites form is shown in Figure 4-7.
Figure 4-7. A typical member specific Steel Frame Design Overwrites form
 Details button. Click this button to access the Steel Stress Check Data form.
Use the form to review all of the design details for the highlighted item. An
example of a Steel Stress Check Data form is shown in Figure 4-8. The
Display Detailed Member Specific Information 4 - 11

information includes the member ID, load combo and station identifi-
cations, steel design sections, section properties, design combination forc-
es, stress ratios for P-M-M and other interactions, stress ratios for shear,
nominal strengths, and design factors such as, k e , braced, k e , sway, k t , k l ,
k r , α m , α s , δ b , δ s , k f , k t (axial), α b , z e , and so forth. Values that are not appli-
cable are reported as N/A. Similarly, N/C and N/N indicate an item is “Not
Calculated” and “Not Needed.”
Figure 4-8 A typical Steel Stress Check Data form
Before clicking the button, highlight an item for the desired design
station and design load combination in the Steel Stress Check Infor-
mation display area by clicking on the line. The data subsequently
displayed will relate to the highlighted item. By default, the most
critical line item is selected when the form first displays, as described
previously.
4 - 12 Display Detailed Member Specific Information

To increase or decrease the width of the Steel Stress Check Data form,
put the cursor near the right edge of the form, click the left mouse
button, and drag the mouse cursor towards the left or right. Similarly,
the height of the form can be increased or decreased.
The text in the form can be dragged in any direction by positioning the
cursor in the middle of the form, and then clicking the left mouse
button and dragging the text in the desired direction.
Use the Units drop-down list in the upper right-hand corner of the
form to change the units used to display the data. Data displayed on the
form can be sent directly to the printer by selecting the File menu >
Print command on the form. The program allows limited page setup
options using the Print Setup Command on the File menu on the form.
The Steel Stress Check Information form also includes a Tabular Data button
that when clicked displays member specific design details in a spreadsheet
type format. The tabular display of design information has been described in
the previous section. In that case, the information displayed is specific to the
selected member only. The tabular output is shown for all stations and all
design load combinations for the selected member. An example of design
details table that displays after clicking the Tabular Data button is shown in
Figure 4-9. This button is available in SAP2000, but not in ETABS.
Figure 4-9 Member specific design details in tabular format
Display Detailed Member Specific Information 4 - 13

4.4 Save or Print Design Information as Tables

In addition to model definition and analysis results, the design information
for all steel frame members or for selected frames only can be saved in tab-
ular format. Currently for NZS 3404-1997 code, the program saves design
summary data, PMM design details, and shear design details.
Save the file output by selecting the File menu > Print Tables command to
access the Choose Tables for Printing form. An example of that form is
shown in Figure 4-10. Use the options on the form to choose which table or
set of tables to save in a file or print. This form is very similar to the Choose
Tables for Display form, which has been described earlier in this chapter in
the "Display Design Information in Tables" section.
Figure 4-10 Choice of design tables for saving in a file or printing
4 - 14 Save or Print Design Information as Tables

The name of the tables are displayed in a tree structure, which can be col-
lapsed or expanded by clicking on an item in the tree. Click on the small
check boxes preceding the items to select those tables for printing or saving
to a file. If a branch of the tree is selected, all of the tables under that branch
are selected. When all options for printing or saving the data to file have
been specified, the settings can be saved as a Named Set using the Save
Named Set button. The Named Set can be easily recalled in the future, re-
ducing the need to reselect the options and ensuring that output is consistent
from one printing effort to another.
If one or more structural members are selected before the Choose Tables for
Printing form is accessed, the Selection Only check box will be checked, and
the program will save or print the data for the selected members only; un-
check the check box to save or print the data for all appropriate members.
The output can be generated in a variety of formats, including rich text

format (.rft), plain text with and without splits or page breaks (.txt), and
hyperlink text markup language (.htm) by choosing the appropriate option
on the right side of the form.
Printed output can be specified to have a landscaped orientation, in which

the width of the resulting printout on a given page is longer than the height
of the printout.
Filtering criteria can be applied if those criteria were specified using the
Format-Filter-Sort menu > Format Table command when the selected data
tables were displayed using the Display menu > Show Tables command. The
output also can be specified to include a hyperlinked contents to facilitate
accessing specific areas of the printout.
There are other buttons on the form that do not affect saving or printing
design information. For example, the Select Load Patterns button affects only
saving/printing model definition data. The Select Load Cases and Modi-
fy/Show Options buttons affect only saving/printing analysis results.
After clicking all the necessary tables for steel frame design and all necessary
options, clicking the OK button will save/print the design tables.
Save or Print Design Information as Tables 4 - 15

Although the File name > Print Tables command path is dedicated for sav-
ing/printing design information, it is not the only path to do so. Design tables
can be saved in different formats using the path Display menu > Show Tables
command.
The preceding description applies to SAP2000. ETABS differs slightly.
4.5 Error and Warning Messages

Error messages and warnings may be displayed in the steel frame design
output. Those messages and warnings are assumed to be self explanatory.
4 - 16 Error and Warning Messages

Appendix A
Supported Design Codes
The program supports a wide range of steel frame design codes, including the
following:
 AISC-ASC 01
 AISC-ASD 89
 AISC 360-05/IBC 2006
 AISC-LRFD 99
 AISC-LRFD 93
 API-RP2A-LRFD 97
 API-RP2A-WSD 2000
 AS 4100-1998
 ASCE 10-97
 BS5950 90
 BS5950 2000
Appendix A - 1
Steel Frame Design NZS3404-1997
 Chinese 2002
 CSA-S16-09
 CAN/CSA-S16-01
 CISC 95
 Eurocode 3-2005
 Eurocode 3-1993
 Indian IS:800-1998
 Italian UNI 10011
 Norsok N-004
 NZS 3404-1997
 UBC97-ASD
 UBC97-LRFD
Among all of the listed design codes, ASCE 10-97, API-WSD 2000, and
API-LRFD 97 codes are available only in SAP2000. ETABS does not support
those codes. The "Chinese 2002" code is available only in the specialized
Chinese version of SAP2000 and ETABS. The specialized Indian version of
the programs support only the Indian IS 800-1998 code.
This is a growing list that gets outdated often.
Appendix A - 2
Bibliography
AISC, 2005a. ANSI/AISC 360-05: An American National Standard – Speci-

fication for Structural Steel Building. American Institute of Steel Con-
struction. One East Wacker Drive, Suite 700, Chicago, Illinois, 60601.
March 9.
AISC, 2005b. Commentary on the Specification for Structural Steel Build-

ings. American Institute of Steel Construction. One East Wacker Drive,
Suite 700, Chicago, Illinois, 60601. March 9.
Boresi, A. P., 1985. Advanced Mechanics of Materials. John Wiley & Sons
Inc. ISBN 0-471-88392-1.
CSI, 2009. Automatic Lateral Load Manual. Computers and Structures, Inc.,
1995 University Avenue, Berkeley, California, 94704.
IBC, 2006. International Building Code. International Code Council, 4051

West Flossmoor Road, Country Club Hills, Illinois, 60478. January.
SA, 1998. AS 4100-1998 Australian Standard Steel Structures. Standards

Australia (Standards Association of Australia), 1 The Crescent,
Homebush, NSW 2140, Australia. ISBN 07337 1981 3.
Bibliography - 1
SA, 2007. AS 1170.4-2007 Australian Standard Structural Design Actions,

Part 4 : Earthquake Actions in Australia. Standard Australia, GP Box
476, Sydney, NSW 2001, Australia. ISBN 07337 8349X.
SA/SNZ, 2002a. AS/NZS 1170.0:2002 Australian/New Zealand Standard

Structural Design Actions, Part 0 : General Principles. Jointly pub-
lished by Standards Australia International, Ltd., GPO Box 5420,
Sydney, NSW 2001, Australia, and Standards New Zealand, Private Bag
2439, Wellington, 6140, New Zealand. ISBN 07337 4469 9
SA/SNZ 2002b. AS/NZS 1170.2:2002 Australia/New Zealand Standard

Structural Design Action, Part 2 : Wind Actions. Jointly published by
Standards Australia International, Ltd., GPO Box 5420, Sydney, NSW
2001, Australia, and Standards New Zealand, Private Bag 2439, Wel-
lington, 6140, New Zealand. ISBN 07337 4473 3
SNZ, 2004. NZS 1170.5:2004 New Zealand Standard Structural Design

Actions, Part 5: Earthquake actions - New Zealand, Standards New
Zealand, Private Bag 2439, Wellington 6140, New Zealand. ISBN
1-86975-018-7
SNZ, 1997. NZS 3404-1997 New Zealand Steel Structures Standard.

Standards New Zealand, Private Bag 2439, Wellington 6140, New
Zealand.
White, D.L. and J. F. Hajjar, 1991. “Application of Second-Order Elastic

Analysis in LRFD: Research to Practice.” Engineering Journal, ACI,
Vol. 28, No. 4, pp. 133–148.
Bibliography - 2

Steel Frame Design Manual: New Zealand 3404-1997

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Steel Frame Design Manual

New Zealand 3404-1997

ISO SAP112118M23 Rev. 0

Copyright  Computers and Structures, Inc., 1978-2018

No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any

Further information and copies of this documentation may be obtained from:

Computers and Structures, Inc.

[email protected] (for general information)

CONSIDERABLE TIME, EFFORT AND EXPENSE HAVE GONE INTO THE

THIS PRODUCT IS A PRACTICAL AND POWERFUL TOOL FOR STRUCTURAL

THE INFORMATION PRODUCED BY THE SOFTWARE MUST BE CHECKED BY A

1.1 Organization 1-2

1.2 Recommended Reading/Practice 1-3

2 Modeling, Analysis and Design Prerequisites

2.1 Check and Design Capability 2-1

2.2 Analysis Sections vs. Design Sections 2-2

2.3 Design and Check Stations 2-3

2.4 Demand/Capacity Ratios 2-4

2.5 Design Load Combinations 2-5

2.6 Second Order P-Delta Effects 2-6

2.7 Member Unsupported Lengths 2-8

2.8 Effective Length Factor (ke) 2-10

2.9 Effect of Breaking a Member into Multiple Elements 2-14

2.10 Supported Framing Types 2-16

2.11 Frame Design Procedure Overwrites 2-16

2.12 Interactive Design 2-17

2.13 Automated Iterative Design 2-17

2.14 Choice of Units 2-18

3 Steel Frame Design Using NZS 3404-1997

3.1 Notations 3-1

3.2 Design Preferences 3-6

3.3 Overwrites 3-8

3.4 Design Load Combination 3-14

3.5 Classification of Sections for Local Buckling 3-16

3.6 Calculation of Factored Forces and Moments 3-28

3.7 Calculation of Nominal Strengths 3-32

3.8 Members Subjected to Combined Forces 3-50

3.8.2 Member Capacity 3-53

3.9 Shear Check 3-57

4.1 Display Design Information on the Model 4-2

4.2 Display Design Information in Tables 4-4

4.3 Display Detailed Member Specific Information 4-9

4.4 Save or Print Design Information as Tables 4-13

4.5 Error and Warning Messages 4-15

Appendix A Supported Design Codes

The design/check of steel frames is seamlessly integrated within the pro-

Program output can be presented graphically on the model, in tables for

Currently, the software does not automate the following:

1.2 Recommended Reading/Practice

This chapter provides an overview of the basic assumptions, design precon-

For referring to pertinent sections of the corresponding code, a unique pre-

• Reference to the NZS 3404-1997 code is identified with the prefix

2.1 Check and Design Capability

To check adequacy of a section, the program checks the demand/capacity

2.2 Analysis Sections vs. Design Sections

2-2 Analysis Sections vs. Design Sections

 Running an analysis always sets the analysis section to be the same as

2.3 Design and Check Stations

Design and Check Stations 2-3