A Beginner's Guide to the Steel Construction Manual, 13th ed. (old)

Chapter 8 - Bending Members

© 2006, 2007, 2008 T. Bartlett Quimby

Introduction


Flexure


Shear


Deflection


Misc. Limit States


Beam Design

Chapter Summary

Example Problems

Homework Problems

References


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Section 8.4

Beam Deflection

Last Revised: 11/04/2014

Deflection is not a strength limit state and, as a result, is not specifically covered in the SCM.  However, deflection is a critical serviceability limit state for many structures. 

Beam deflections are determined by principles of mechanics and structural analysis.  The computations are often very involved, particularly if there is more than one type of load applied to the beam, or if the beam is part of a structure that is also undergoing deflection that adds rigid body motions to the beam.

The amount of deflection permitted in a structure is project dependent and is subject to considerable engineering judgment.  While the SCM does not provided specific guidance in the area of deflections, there are other resources that do.  These are covered in this section.

Related to deflections is the important topic of vibrations.  Deflections and vibrations are related in the sense that both are functions of member stiffness. As this is a course for beginning steel designers, the subject of vibration is not covered in this text.

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