C-G7G7 Beams and girders with web openings

Web openings may be used to accommodate various mechanical, electrical, and other systems. Strength limit states, including local buckling of the compression flange or of the web, local buckling or yielding of the tee-shaped compression zone above or below the opening, lateral buckling and moment-shear interaction, or serviceability may control the design of a flexural member with web openings. The location, size, and number of openings are important and empirical limits for them have been identified. One general procedure for assessing these effects and the design of any needed reinforcement for both steel and composite beams is given in the ASCE Specification for Structural Steel Beams with Web Openings (ASCE, 1999), with background information provided in AISC Design Guide 2, Steel and Composite Beams with Web Openings (Darwin, 1990), and in ASCE (1992a, 1992b).