Structural Steel Design Exam 2025
More material farther from the centroid causes a larger moment of inertia which leads to more
resilience against bending moments. - ANSWER a) In about 1 sentence, explain why the flange is
typically thicker than the web of a W-Shape steel member.
Stocky sections are used as compression members because the strong and weak axis of inertia are
similar giving it similar strength about both axis. Deeper sections are used for beams because it gives it a
larger strong axis moment of inertia - ANSWER b) In about 1 to 2 sentences, explain why stockier
sections are typically used as compression members, whereas deeper sections are typically used for
beams.
A36, because A514 is quenched giving it higher strength and making it more brittle. - ANSWER c) Which
grade of steel would have higher ductility: A514 quenched and tempered allow steel OR A36 steel?
Why?
yield shear strength is about .6 yield strength in tension (per AISC) - ANSWER d) Relate the yield strength
of steel in shear to its yield strength in tension?
Strength-ability for a member to resist forces
stiffness-low deformations with applied loads
reliability- designed with low probablity of failure - ANSWER e) Structural engineers must ensure the
strength, stiffness, and reliability of building structures. Provide brief (no more than 1 sentence)
definitions for each of these three terms.
ASD relies on 1 safety factor to account for uncertainty in load and resiliance, and represents worst case
loads.
LRFD relies on amplified load combinations that account for load uncertainty and it reduces the
members strength to account for resistance uncertainty. LRFD loads are amplified and not the actual
, worst case. - ANSWER f) In about 1 to 2 sentences, explain the key similarities and differences between
Allowable Stress Design (ASD) and Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD).
1.) Material Strength Variations
2.) loads are unpredictable and not on center
3.) Stresses introduced during fabrication and erection - ANSWER g) List 3 reasons why it is not possible
to accurately predict the failure of structural steel components in a building. (Hine: List reasons why we
include safety or resistance factors in our design).
Tensile yield
Tensile rupture
Tensile block shear rupture - ANSWER h) List 3 strength limit states of a steel tension member.
1.) Tension member of a truss
2.) Bracing member - ANSWER i) List 2 examples of structural components that may be designed as a
tension member.
Flexural buckling
Torsional buckling
Flexural torsional bucking
local buckling
A C shape considers Flexural buckling, Flexural Torsional buckiling, and Local buckling. - ANSWER k) List 4
limit states of a steel compression member. Which limit states must be considered for a Cshape?
Elastic moment-moment that does not exceed yield and can recover.
Plastic moment- moment that exceeds yield from the extreme fiber to the neutral axis to form a plastic
hinge. - ANSWER l) Define 1) elastic moment, and 2) plastic moment of a steel beam.
More material farther from the centroid causes a larger moment of inertia which leads to more
resilience against bending moments. - ANSWER a) In about 1 sentence, explain why the flange is
typically thicker than the web of a W-Shape steel member.
Stocky sections are used as compression members because the strong and weak axis of inertia are
similar giving it similar strength about both axis. Deeper sections are used for beams because it gives it a
larger strong axis moment of inertia - ANSWER b) In about 1 to 2 sentences, explain why stockier
sections are typically used as compression members, whereas deeper sections are typically used for
beams.
A36, because A514 is quenched giving it higher strength and making it more brittle. - ANSWER c) Which
grade of steel would have higher ductility: A514 quenched and tempered allow steel OR A36 steel?
Why?
yield shear strength is about .6 yield strength in tension (per AISC) - ANSWER d) Relate the yield strength
of steel in shear to its yield strength in tension?
Strength-ability for a member to resist forces
stiffness-low deformations with applied loads
reliability- designed with low probablity of failure - ANSWER e) Structural engineers must ensure the
strength, stiffness, and reliability of building structures. Provide brief (no more than 1 sentence)
definitions for each of these three terms.
ASD relies on 1 safety factor to account for uncertainty in load and resiliance, and represents worst case
loads.
LRFD relies on amplified load combinations that account for load uncertainty and it reduces the
members strength to account for resistance uncertainty. LRFD loads are amplified and not the actual
, worst case. - ANSWER f) In about 1 to 2 sentences, explain the key similarities and differences between
Allowable Stress Design (ASD) and Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD).
1.) Material Strength Variations
2.) loads are unpredictable and not on center
3.) Stresses introduced during fabrication and erection - ANSWER g) List 3 reasons why it is not possible
to accurately predict the failure of structural steel components in a building. (Hine: List reasons why we
include safety or resistance factors in our design).
Tensile yield
Tensile rupture
Tensile block shear rupture - ANSWER h) List 3 strength limit states of a steel tension member.
1.) Tension member of a truss
2.) Bracing member - ANSWER i) List 2 examples of structural components that may be designed as a
tension member.
Flexural buckling
Torsional buckling
Flexural torsional bucking
local buckling
A C shape considers Flexural buckling, Flexural Torsional buckiling, and Local buckling. - ANSWER k) List 4
limit states of a steel compression member. Which limit states must be considered for a Cshape?
Elastic moment-moment that does not exceed yield and can recover.
Plastic moment- moment that exceeds yield from the extreme fiber to the neutral axis to form a plastic
hinge. - ANSWER l) Define 1) elastic moment, and 2) plastic moment of a steel beam.
