Curtin University of Technology

Department of Civil Engineering

CIVIL AND STRUCTURAL DESIGN 366

Steel Design – Practice Problems (Past exam paper questions)
Portal Frames
Question 1

A portal frame analysis has been carried out, based on the assumption that the
columns and rafters are to be fabricated from the same section. Refer to figure 1 for
the critical ultimate bending moment diagrams for the rafters obtained from this
analysis.

It has been assumed that purlins and girts are to be located at 1.2m centres, as shown
in figure 3. Assume that axial loads are insignificant.

a) Determine the lightest appropriate rafter size based on the moments causing
compression in the outside flange, using a grade 300 UB section. Determine
the moment modification factors (αm) based on the relevant bending moment
diagrams. Indicate what effective lengths have been used in your calculations
and how they were determined.

b) Check the performance of the member determined above, with flybraces as

shown in figure 3, based on the moments causing compression to the inside
flange. Determine the moment modification factors (αm) based on the
relevant bending moment diagrams. Indicate what effective lengths have
been used in your calculations and how they were determined.

c) Make general comments about the possible design and cost implications of
using a heavier section for the portal frame.

Kerri Bland - Lecturer 1

Curtin University of Technology
Department of Civil Engineering

CIVIL AND STRUCTURAL DESIGN 366

Steel Design – Practice Problems (Past exam paper questions)
Portal Frames

FIGURE 1
Not to scale

Kerri Bland - Lecturer 2

Curtin University of Technology
Department of Civil Engineering

CIVIL AND STRUCTURAL DESIGN 366

Steel Design – Practice Problems (Past exam paper questions)
Portal Frames
Question 2

A portal frame analysis has been carried out, based on the assumption that the
columns and rafters are to be fabricated from the same section. Refer to figure 2 for
the critical ultimate bending moment diagrams for the columns obtained from this
analysis.

It has been assumed that purlins and girts are to be located at 1.2m centres, as shown
in figure 3. Assume that column axial loads are insignificant.

a) Determine the lightest appropriate column size based on the moments causing
compression in the outside flange, using a grade 300 UB section. Determine
the moment modification factors (αm) based on the relevant bending moment
diagrams. Indicate what effective lengths have been used in your calculations
and how they were determined.

b) Check the performance of the member determined above, with flybraces as

shown in figure 3, based on the moments causing compression to the inside
flange. Determine the moment modification factors (αm) based on the
relevant bending moment diagrams. Indicate what effective lengths have
been used in your calculations and how they were determined.

c) Discuss the possible design and cost implications of using a heavier section
for the columns.

Kerri Bland - Lecturer 3

Curtin University of Technology
Department of Civil Engineering

CIVIL AND STRUCTURAL DESIGN 366

Steel Design – Practice Problems (Past exam paper questions)
Portal Frames

FIGURE 2
Not to scale

Kerri Bland - Lecturer 4

Curtin University of Technology
Department of Civil Engineering

CIVIL AND STRUCTURAL DESIGN 366

Steel Design – Practice Problems (Past exam paper questions)
Portal Frames
Question 3
A portal frame analysis has been carried out, based on the assumption that the
columns and rafters are to be fabricated from the same section and that there are no
haunches. Refer to Figures 3B and 3C (following) for the loading diagrams
(indicating direction of loading at the purlins and girts) for three critical load cases
and the ultimate bending moment diagrams for the frames obtained from analysis of
the three load cases.
Purlins and girts are located at 1.2m centres, as shown in Figure 3A. Assume that
column and rafter axial loads are insignificant. Determine moment modification
factors (αm) based on the relevant bending moment diagrams as necessary. Indicate
what effective lengths have been used in your calculations and how they were
determined.
a) Explain where the critical part of the frame is (and why it is critical) and use
that to determine an appropriate member size using a Grade 300 UB section
(use the same member for the columns and rafters).
b) Determine the flybrace spacing required for the columns and the rafter using
the member chosen in part (a). Show your proposed flybrace locations for the
columns and rafter on Figure 3A below.
c) Discuss the possible design implications of using a section two members
lower (ie smaller/lighter) in the tables for the column (no actual figures
required).
d) Discuss the possible design and cost implications of using a section two
members higher (ie bigger/heavier) for the column (no actual figures
required).

Figure 3A
Portal Frame arrangement
Show proposed flybrace spacing on this diagram.

Kerri Bland - Lecturer 5

Curtin University of Technology
Department of Civil Engineering

CIVIL AND STRUCTURAL DESIGN 366

Steel Design – Practice Problems (Past exam paper questions)
Portal Frames

Loading Diagram – Load Case 1

Ultimate Permanent and Imposed Actions (kN)

Loading Diagram – Load Case 2

Ultimate Permanent and Wind Actions – Along
the building (kN)

Loading Diagram – Load Case 3

Ultimate Permanent and Wind Actions – Across the
building (R to L) (sway action) (kN)
Assume similar loads can occur in the opposite direction also (L to R)

Figure 3B
Loading Diagrams for Three Critical Load Cases
Loads applied at purlin and girt locations

Kerri Bland - Lecturer 6

Curtin University of Technology
Department of Civil Engineering

CIVIL AND STRUCTURAL DESIGN 366

Steel Design – Practice Problems (Past exam paper questions)
Portal Frames

-203.5
-303.4

-112.9
-219.1
-126.5

-31.8
152.5
101.1
193.7
224.6

39.6
245.1
255.1
243.2
254.4
-43.5

221.4
189.1
146.3
-303.4
29.8
93.2
-219.1
-277.9
-196.5 -249.6
-172.0 -218.8
-145.9 -185.8
-118.4 -151.0
-89.8 -114.6
-60.4 -77.0
Bending Moment Diagram – Load Case 1 -38.7
-30.3
Ultimate Permanent and Imposed Actions (kNm)
0 0

125.8
193.5
66.1
14.4
132.6
201.1

193.5
72.3

-96.5
-66.7
-29.8
-119.4

138.1
-145.0
-135.6
-147.9
-133.9
-144.2
-116.9
-93.2

201.1
-25.0
-62.6
19.8

145.9 91.8
99.9 54.1
65.5 24.9
33.7 3.9

13.1 -9.1
0.7 -14.0
Bending Moment Diagram – Load Case 2
-3.7 -11.0
Ultimate Permanent and Wind Actions – Along
0 the building (kNm) 0
-175.4
-124.4

400.8
522.1
188.1
289.5
96.7
15.1
-63.9

522.1
-56.6
-118.7

499.6
-213.9
-171.1

-63.9
-247.2
-285.4
-271.0
-290.4
-286.0
-217.1
-249.4
-272.4

-82.0 469.4
-92.6 431.3
-95.9 384.7
-91.7 329.0

-80.2 263.6
-61.1 Bending Moment Diagram – Load Case 3 187.6
-34.5 Ultimate Permanent and Wind Actions – 100.1
Across the building (R to L)(sway action) (kN)
0 Assume similar(almost mirror image) moments occur when 0
wind comes from the opposite direction

Figure 3C
Bending Moment Diagrams for Three Critical Load Cases
Moments shown at purlin and girt locations and drawn on the tension side
Kerri Bland - Lecturer 7
 Curtin University of Technology
Department of Civil Engineering

CIVIL AND STRUCTURAL DESIGN 366

Steel Design – Practice Problems (Past exam paper questions)
Portal Frames
Question 4

Due to a change in the use of an existing industrial shed structure, it has been
proposed to add a travelling crane to the building. Our client has asked if it is
possible for the new crane to be supported by the existing portal frame structure as
this will probably be cheaper than adding in new columns to support the crane.

The columns and rafters of the existing portal frame are fabricated from Grade 300
530UB82.0 sections. The purlins and girts are located at 1.2m centres. Refer to
Figure 4A for the existing portal frame arrangement including existing fly brace
locations. Refer to Figure 4B for the ultimate permanent and imposed actions which
includes the worst arrangement of actions from the new crane. Refer to Figure 4C for
the ultimate bending moments and axial loads for this load case obtained from a
second order analysis. Note that all bending moments for this load case have
changed from their original design moments due to the addition of the crane actions.

a) In order to determine whether the crane can be supported by the existing portal
frame structure, it is necessary to check that all critical areas have sufficient
member capacity.

b) As the axial loads in the columns have increased significantly it is necessary to

check all critical sections of the portal frame for combined actions.
-224.0

Negligible axial load in rafters -325.9

-133.4
-221.1

-51.3
-129.5

136.0
178.2
210.6

21.6
232.1
243.1
233.2
243.4
-47.5

83.6
212.4
181.1
139.3

-325.9
24.8
87.2

-221.1
-275.2
86.1
86.1

-195.5 -224.6
-183.0 -168.0 -174.0 -309.0

-152.5 -257.5
-122.0 -206.0
356.1
116.1

-91.5 -154.5
-61.0 -103.0
-30.5 -51.5
0
Figure 4C 0 -303.4
Bending Moment Diagram and Axial Forces
Due to Ultimate Permanent and Imposed Actions
Moments (kNm) shown at purlin and girt locations and drawn on the tension side
Axial loads (compression) shown in italics (kN)

Kerri Bland - Lecturer 8

Curtin University of Technology
Department of Civil Engineering

CIVIL AND STRUCTURAL DESIGN 366

Steel Design – Practice Problems (Past exam paper questions)
Portal Frames

Rafters and Columns

530UB82.0
Proposed travelling crane to be
connected to portal frame at these
locations. Assume lateral restraint is
provided to the frame at these points.

Figure 4A
Portal Frame arrangement
Existing flybrace locations denoted by .

-30kN -270kN

0.5m offset 0.5m offset

Figure 4B
Loading Diagrams
Ultimate Permanent and Imposed Actions (kN)
Loads applied at purlin and girt locations

Kerri Bland - Lecturer 9

Curtin University of Technology
Department of Civil Engineering

CIVIL AND STRUCTURAL DESIGN 366

Steel Design – Practice Problems (Past exam paper questions)
Portal Frames
Answers

Q1
a) 410UB53.7 (φMs = 305 kNm, φMb = 305 kNm, Le = 1.2m, αm = 1.10)
b) 410UB53.7 with flybracing shown does work. Checked LH segment for both
load cases, and central segment for first load case only.
c) Heavier section – higher cost per portal frame. May be able to reduce number
of flybraces, therefore reduce the cost slightly.

Q2
a) 360UB44.7 (φMs = 222 kNm, φMb = 222 kNm, Le = 1.2m, αm = 1.16)
b) 360UB44.7 with flybracing shown does work. Checked top segment for both
load cases, and middle segment for first load case only.
c) Heavier section – higher cost per portal frame. May be able to reduce number
of flybraces, therefore reduce the cost slightly.

Q3
a) RH knee – highest positive and negative moments. Column portion worst as
alpha m is lowest. 530UB82.0 required (For column: φMs = 558 kNm, φMb
= 558 kNm, Le = 1.2m, αm = 1.02)
b) Flybraces for rafter – 4 flybraces required, evenly spaced (ie at every 4th
purlin) works.
Flybraces for column – 1 flybraces required, five girts (6.0m) from the
column base.
c) The frame would fail – section capacity exceeded.
d) Heavier section – higher cost per portal frame. May be able to reduce number
of flybraces, therefore reduce the cost slightly.

Q4
a) RH knee – highest positive and negative moments. Column portion worst as
alpha m is lowest. 530UB82.0 required (For column: φMs = 558 kNm, φMb
= 558 kNm, Le = 1.2m, αm = 1.02)
b) Flybraces for rafter – 4 flybraces required, evenly spaced (ie at every 4th
purlin) works.
Flybraces for column – 1 flybraces required, five girts (6.0m) from the
column base.
c) The frame would fail – section capacity exceeded.
d) Heavier section – higher cost per portal frame. May be able to reduce number
of flybraces, therefore reduce the cost slightly.

Kerri Bland - Lecturer 10