"TORSION9" --- SIMPLIFIED TORSION ANALYSIS FOR STEEL BEAMS

Program Description:
"TORSION9" is a spreadsheet program written in MS-Excel for the purpose of simplified analysis and code
checking of steel beams subjected to torsional loading. Specifically, six (6) different beam and loading
configurations can be analyzed / code checked per the AISC 9th Edition Allowable Stress Design (ASD) Manual.
Both actual and allowable stresses are computed, with the final result being a computed "stress ratio" of actual
stress/allowable stress. Finally, the total angle of twist resulting from the torsional loading is determined.
This program is a workbook consisting of seven (7) worksheets, described as follows:

Worksheet Name

Description

Doc
Cantilever - Ecc. Conc. Load
Simple Span - Ecc. Conc. Load
Cont. Span - Ecc. Conc. Load
Cantilever - Ecc. Unif. Load
Simple Span - Ecc. Unif. Load
Cont. Span - Ecc. Unif. Load

This documentation sheet

Cantilever Beam with Eccentric Concentrated Load at Free End
Simple Span Beam with Eccentric Concentrated Load Applied at Midspan
Continuous Beam with Eccentric Concentrated Load Applied at All Midspans
Cantilever Beam with Eccentric Uniformly Distributed Load
Simple Span Beam with Eccentric Uniformly Distributed Load
Continuous Beam with Eccentric Uniformly Distributed Load on All Spans

Program Assumptions and Limitations:

1. The simplified torsion analysis used is this program is based on the following reference:
USS Steel Design Manual (1981), Chapter 7: Torsion (Figures 7.9 & 7.10, pages 157-169),
by: R.L. Brockenbrough & B.G. Johnston
2. This program is valid for AISC W, S, M, and HP shapes.
3. This program uses the database of member dimensions and section properties from the "AISC Shapes
Database", Version 3.0 (2001) as well as the AISC 9th Edition (ASD) Manual (1989).
4. This program follows the procedures and guidelines of the AISC 9th Edition Allowable Stress (ASD) Manual
(1989).
5. When the value of 'Lb' is input = 0 (or actually <= 1.0 ft.), this program will use a value = 1.0 ft.
6. This program utilizes an "Allowable Stress Increase Factor" (ASIF) which is a multiplier of any of the
calculated allowable stresses Fa, Fbx, and Fby and also the Euler column buckling stresses F'ex and F'ey.
It is used and appears ONLY in the stress ratio calculation. Typically a value of 1.0 may be used. However, a
value of 1.333 may be used for load combinations which include wind or seismic loads.
7. This program does not calculate or check shear or deflection in member
8. This program does not consider deduction for holes in members subjected to tension.
9. This program contains numerous comment boxes which contain a wide variety of information including
explanations of input or output items, equations used, data tables, etc. (Note: presence of a comment box
is denoted by a red triangle in the upper right-hand corner of a cell. Merely move the mouse pointer to the
desired cell to view the contents of that particular "comment box".)

"TORSION9.xls" Program
Version 1.0

SIMPLIFIED TORSION ANALYSIS FOR STEEL BEAMS

Job Name:
Job Number:

Cantilever Beam with Eccentric Concentrated Load Applied at Free End

For W, S, M, and HP Shapes and Per AISC 9th Edition (ASD) Manual
Subject:
Originator:
Checker:

Input Data:
Member Size:
Select:

bf/(2*tf) =
d/tw =
h=
h/tw =
kc =

W8x24

W44x230

X-axis Bend
Member Loading:
P=
0.900
e = 12.0000
Design Parameters:
Fy =
36.00
L=
6.000
Lb =
12.000
Cb =
1.00
ASIF =
1.000
Member Properties:
A=
7.08
d=
7.930
tw =
0.245
bf =
6.500
tf =
0.400
rt =
1.760
d/Af =
3.05

kips
in.

ksi
ft.
ft.

in.^2
in.
in.
in.
in.
in.

Ix =
Sx =
Iy =
Sy =
J=
Cw =
wt./ft. =

82.70
20.90
18.30
5.63
0.346

in.^4

259.0
24

in.^6

in.^3
in.^4
in.^3
in.^4

Lc =
Lu =
Lb/rt =
fa/Fy =
Mx =
fbx =
Is Lb<=Lc?
Is d/tw<=allow?
Is b/t<=65/SQRT(Fy)?
Is b/t>95/SQRT(Fy)?
Eqn. F1-1: Fbx =
Eqn. F1-3: Fbx =
Eqn. F1-5: Fbx =
Reference for Torsion Analysis:
F1-6: Fbx =
USS Steel Design ManualEqn.
(1981)
Eqn.
Chapter 7: Torsion (Figures 7.9 F1-7:
& 7.10) Fbx =
Fbx =
by: R.L. Brockenbrough &Eqn.
B.G. F1-8:
Johnston
Fbx =
Use: Fbx =

plf

W40x298

Torsion (La
Results:
X-axis Bending:
Mx =
5.83
fbx =
3.35
Lb/rt =
81.82
Fbx =
21.60

ft-kips
ksi
ksi

a=
Mt =
fby =
Fby =

Mx = P*L + wb*L^2/2 (wb = beam self weight)

fbx = Mx*12/Sx
Note: Lc = 6.86 ft., Lu = 15.18 ft.
Fbx = 12000*Cb/(Lb*12*d/Af) <= 0.60*Fy

W40x249

Stress Ratio
S.R. =
W40x221

Torsion (Lateral Flange Bending):

a=
44.03
in.
Mt =
4.88
ft-kips
fby =
20.79
ksi
Fby =
27.00
ksi

a = SQRT(E*Cw/(G*J)) (where: E = 29000 ksi, G = 11200 ksi)

Mt = (P*e*a/df*TANH(L*12/a))/12 (where: df = d-tf)
fby = Mt*12/(Sy/2) Note: use only 1/2 of Sy
Fby = 0.75*Fy

Angle of Tw

W40x199
W40x192
W40x183
W40x174

Stress Ratio:
S.R. =

W40x167

0.925

S.R. = fbx/(ASIF*Fbx) + fby/(ASIF*Fby) <= 1.0

W40x149
W36x848

Angle of Twist:
=

4.981

deg.

= (P*e*a/(J*G)*(L*12/a-TANH(L*12/a)))*180/

W36x798
W36x720
W36x650

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Version 1.0
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"TORSION9.xls" Program
Version 1.0

SIMPLIFIED TORSION ANALYSIS FOR STEEL BEAMS

Simple Span Beam with Eccentric Concentrated Load Applied at Midspan
For W, S, M, and HP Shapes and Per AISC 9th Edition (ASD) Manual
Job Name:
Subject:
Job Number:
Originator:
Checker:
Input Data:
Member Size:
Select:

bf/(2*tf) =
d/tw =
h=
h/tw =
kc =

W8x24

W44x230

X-axis Bend
Member Loading:
P=
2.250
e=
6.0000
Design Parameters:
Fy =
36.00
L=
20.000
Lb =
20.000
Cb =
1.00
ASIF =
1.000
Member Properties:
A=
7.08
d=
7.930
tw =
0.245
bf =
6.500
tf =
0.400
rt =
1.760
d/Af =
3.05

kips
in.

ksi
ft.
ft.

in.^2
in.
in.
in.
in.
in.

Ix =
Sx =
Iy =
Sy =
J=
Cw =
wt./ft. =

82.70
20.90
18.30
5.63
0.346

in.^4

259.0
24

in.^6

in.^3
in.^4
in.^3
in.^4

Lc =
Lu =
Lb/rt =
fa/Fy =
Mx =
fbx =
Is Lb<=Lc?
Is d/tw<=allow?
Is b/t<=65/SQRT(Fy)?
Is b/t>95/SQRT(Fy)?
Eqn. F1-1: Fbx =
Eqn. F1-3: Fbx =
Eqn. F1-5: Fbx =
Eqn. F1-6: Fbx =
Reference for Torsion Analysis:
F1-7: Fbx =
USS Steel Design ManualEqn.
(1981)
Eqn.
Chapter 7: Torsion (Figures
7.9 F1-8:
& 7.10) Fbx =
Fbx =
by: R.L. Brockenbrough & B.G. Johnston
Use: Fbx =

plf

W40x298

Torsion (La
Results:
X-axis Bending:
Mx =
12.45
fbx =
7.15
Lb/rt =
136.36
Fbx =
16.39

ft-kips
ksi
ksi

a=
Mt =
fby =
Fby =

Mx = P*L/4 + wb*L^2/8 (wb = beam self weight)

fbx = Mx*12/Sx
Note: Lc = 6.86 ft., Lu = 15.18 ft.
Fbx = 12000*Cb/(Lb*12*d/Af) <= 0.60*Fy

W40x249

Stress Ratio
S.R. =
W40x221

Torsion (Lateral Flange Bending):

a=
44.03
in.
Mt =
3.26
ft-kips
fby =
13.90
ksi
Fby =
27.00
ksi

a = SQRT(E*Cw/(G*J)) (where: E = 29000 ksi, G = 11200 ksi)

Mt = (P*e*a/(2*df)*TANH(L*12/(2*a)))/12 (where: df = d-tf)
fby = Mt*12/(Sy/2) Note: use only 1/2 of Sy
Fby = 0.75*Fy

Angle of Tw

W40x199
W40x192
W40x183
W40x174

Stress Ratio:
S.R. =

W40x167

0.951

S.R. = fbx/(ASIF*Fbx) + fby/(ASIF*Fby) <= 1.0

W40x149
W36x848

Angle of Twist:
=

7.620

deg.

= (P*e*a/(2*J*G)*(L*12/(2*a)-TANH(L*12/(2*a))))*180/

W36x798
W36x720
W36x650

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Version 1.0
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"TORSION9.xls" Program
Version 1.0

SIMPLIFIED TORSION ANALYSIS FOR STEEL BEAMS

Continuous Span Beam with Eccentric Concentrated Load Applied at All Midspans
For W, S, M, and HP Shapes and Per AISC 9th Edition (ASD) Manual
Job Name:
Subject:
Job Number:
Originator:
Checker:
Input Data:
Member Size:
Select:

bf/(2*tf) =
d/tw =
h=
h/tw =
kc =

W8x24

W44x230

X-axis Bend
Member Loading:
P=
4.000
e=
8.0000
Design Parameters:
Fy =
36.00
L=
10.000
Lb =
10.000
Cb =
1.00
ASIF =
1.000
Member Properties:
A=
7.08
d=
7.930
tw =
0.245
bf =
6.500
tf =
0.400
rt =
1.760
d/Af =
3.05

kips
in.

ksi
ft.
ft.

in.^2
in.
in.
in.
in.
in.

Ix =
Sx =
Iy =
Sy =
J=
Cw =
wt./ft. =

82.70
20.90
18.30
5.63
0.346

in.^4

259.0
24

in.^6

in.^3
in.^4
in.^3
in.^4

Lc =
Lu =
Lb/rt =
fa/Fy =
Mx =
fbx =
Is Lb<=Lc?
Is d/tw<=allow?
Is b/t<=65/SQRT(Fy)?
Is b/t>95/SQRT(Fy)?
Eqn. F1-1: Fbx =
Eqn. F1-3: Fbx =
Eqn. F1-5: Fbx =
Eqn. F1-6: Fbx =
Reference for Torsion Analysis:
F1-7: Fbx =
USS Steel Design ManualEqn.
(1981)
Eqn.
Chapter 7: Torsion (Figures
7.9 F1-8:
& 7.10) Fbx =
Fbx =
by: R.L. Brockenbrough & B.G. Johnston
Use: Fbx =

plf

W40x298

Torsion (La
Results:
X-axis Bending:
Mx =
7.19
fbx =
4.13
Lb/rt =
68.18
Fbx =
21.60

ft-kips
ksi
ksi

Mx = 0.175*P*L + 0.08*wb*L^2 (wb = beam self weight)

fbx = Mx*12/Sx
Note: Lc = 6.86 ft., Lu = 15.18 ft.
Fbx = 12000*Cb/(Lb*12*d/Af) <= 0.60*Fy

a=
Mt =
fby =
Fby =
W40x249

Stress Ratio
S.R. =
W40x221

Torsion (Lateral Flange Bending):

a=
44.03
in.
Mt =
4.62
ft-kips
fby =
19.69
ksi
Fby =
27.00
ksi

a = SQRT(E*Cw/(G*J)) (where: E = 29000 ksi, G = 11200 ksi)

Mt = (P*e*a/(2*df)*TANH(L*12/(4*a)))/12 (where: df = d-tf)
fby = Mt*12/(Sy/2) Note: use only 1/2 of Sy
Fby = 0.75*Fy

Angle of Tw

W40x199
W40x192
W40x183
W40x174

Stress Ratio:
S.R. =

W40x167

0.920

S.R. = fbx/(ASIF*Fbx) + fby/(ASIF*Fby) <= 1.0

W40x149
W36x848

Angle of Twist:
=

1.853

deg.

= (P*e*a/(J*G)*(L*12/(4*a)-TANH(L*12/(4*a))))*180/

W36x798
W36x720
W36x650

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Version 1.0
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"TORSION9.xls" Program
Version 1.0

SIMPLIFIED TORSION ANALYSIS FOR STEEL BEAMS

Job Name:
Job Number:

Cantilever Beam with Eccentric Uniformly Distributed Load

For W, S, M, and HP Shapes and Per AISC 9th Edition (ASD) Manual
Subject:
Originator:
Checker:

Input Data:
Member Size:
Select:

bf/(2*tf) =
d/tw =
h=
h/tw =
kc =

W8x24

W44x230

X-axis Bend
Member Loading:
w=
0.300
e = 10.0000
Design Parameters:
Fy =
36.00
L=
6.000
Lb =
12.000
Cb =
1.00
ASIF =
1.000
Member Properties:
A=
7.08
d=
7.930
tw =
0.245
bf =
6.500
tf =
0.400
rt =
1.760
d/Af =
3.05

kips/ft.
in.

ksi
ft.
ft.

in.^2
in.
in.
in.
in.
in.

Ix =
Sx =
Iy =
Sy =
J=
Cw =
wt./ft. =

82.70
20.90
18.30
5.63
0.346

in.^4

259.0
24

in.^6

in.^3
in.^4
in.^3
in.^4

Lc =
Lu =
Lb/rt =
fa/Fy =
Mx =
fbx =
Is Lb<=Lc?
Is d/tw<=allow?
Is b/t<=65/SQRT(Fy)?
Is b/t>95/SQRT(Fy)?
Eqn. F1-1: Fbx =
Eqn. F1-3: Fbx =
Eqn. F1-5: Fbx =
Eqn. F1-6: Fbx =
Eqn. F1-7: Fbx =
Reference for Torsion Analysis:
F1-8: Fbx =
USS Steel Design ManualEqn.
(1981)
Chapter 7: Torsion (Figures 7.9 & 7.10) Fbx =
Use: Fbx =
by: R.L. Brockenbrough & B.G. Johnston

plf

W40x298

Torsion (La
Results:
X-axis Bending:
Mx =
5.83
fbx =
3.35
Lb/rt =
81.82
Fbx =
21.60

ft-kips
ksi
ksi

Mx = w*L^2/2 + wb*L^2/2 (wb = beam self weight)

fbx = Mx*12/Sx
Note: Lc = 6.86 ft., Lu = 15.18 ft.
Fbx = 12000*Cb/(Lb*12*d/Af) <= 0.60*Fy

a=
Mt =
fby =
Fby =
W40x249

Stress Ratio
S.R. =
W40x221

Torsion (Lateral Flange Bending):

a=
44.03
in.
Mt =
4.78
ft-kips
fby =
20.37
ksi
Fby =
27.00
ksi

(where: df = d-tf)
a = SQRT(E*Cw/(G*J))

(where: E = 29000 ksi, G = 11200 ksi)

Mt=(w/12*(L*12)*e*a/df*(TANH(L*12/a)+1/((L*12/a)*COSH(L*12/a))-a/(L*12)))/12

fby = Mt*12/(Sy/2) Note: use only 1/2 of Sy

Fby = 0.75*Fy

Angle of Tw

(Note: in equa
W40x192
W40x183
W40x174

Stress Ratio:
S.R. =

W40x167

0.910

S.R. = fbx/(ASIF*Fbx) + fby/(ASIF*Fby) <= 1.0

W40x149
W36x848

Angle of Twist:
=

W36x798

3.196

deg.

= (w/12*(L)*e*a/(J*G)*(L/(2*a)-TANH(L/a)-1/((L/a)*COSH(L/a))+a/(L)))*180/

W36x720

(Note: in equation above L is multiplied by 12 to convert length from feet to inches.)

W36x650

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"TORSION9.xls" Program
Version 1.0
W36x588

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"TORSION9.xls" Program
Version 1.0

SIMPLIFIED TORSION ANALYSIS FOR STEEL BEAMS

Job Name:
Job Number:

Simple Span Beam with Eccentric Uniformly Distributed Load

For W, S, M, and HP Shapes and Per AISC 9th Edition (ASD) Manual
Subject:
Originator:
Checker:

Input Data:
Member Size:
Select:

bf/(2*tf) =
d/tw =
h=
h/tw =
kc =

W8x31

W44x230

X-axis Bend
Member Loading:
w=
0.750
e = 10.0000
Design Parameters:
Fy =
36.00
L=
10.000
Lb =
10.000
Cb =
1.00
ASIF =
1.000
Member Properties:
A=
9.12
d=
8.000
tw =
0.285
bf =
8.000
tf =
0.435
rt =
2.180
d/Af =
2.30

kips/ft.
in.

ksi
ft.
ft.

in.^2
in.
in.
in.
in.
in.

Ix =
Sx =
Iy =
Sy =
J=
Cw =
wt./ft. =

110.00
27.50
37.10
9.27
0.536

in.^4

531.0
31

in.^6

in.^3
in.^4
in.^3
in.^4

Lc =
Lu =
Lb/rt =
fa/Fy =
Mx =
fbx =
Is Lb<=Lc?
Is d/tw<=allow?
Is b/t<=65/SQRT(Fy)?
Is b/t>95/SQRT(Fy)?
Eqn. F1-1: Fbx =
Eqn. F1-3: Fbx =
Eqn. F1-5: Fbx =
Eqn. F1-6: Fbx =
Eqn. F1-7: Fbx =
Reference for Torsion Analysis:
F1-8: Fbx =
USS Steel Design ManualEqn.
(1981)
Chapter 7: Torsion (Figures 7.9 & 7.10) Fbx =
Use: Fbx =
by: R.L. Brockenbrough & B.G. Johnston

plf

W40x298

Torsion (La
Results:
X-axis Bending:
Mx =
9.76
fbx =
4.26
Lb/rt =
55.05
Fbx =
21.60

ft-kips
ksi
ksi

Mx = w*L^2/8 + wb*L^2/8 (wb = beam self weight)

fbx = Mx*12/Sx
Note: Lc = 8.44 ft., Lu = 20.13 ft.
Fbx = 12000*Cb/(Lb*12*d/Af) <= 0.60*Fy

a=
Mt =
fby =
Fby =
W40x249

Stress Ratio
S.R. =
W40x221

Torsion (Lateral Flange Bending):

a=
50.65
in.
Mt =
7.78
ft-kips
fby =
20.15
ksi
Fby =
27.00
ksi

(where: df = d-tf)
a = SQRT(E*Cw/(G*J))

(where: E = 29000 ksi, G = 11200 ksi)

Mt = (w/12*(L*12)*e*a/(2*df)*(2*a/(L*12)-1/((L*12/(2*a))*COSH(L*12/(2*a)))))/12

fby = Mt*12/(Sy/2) Note: use only 1/2 of Sy

Fby = 0.75*Fy

Angle of Tw

(Note: in equa
W40x192
W40x183
W40x174

Stress Ratio:
S.R. =

W40x167

0.943

S.R. = fbx/(ASIF*Fbx) + fby/(ASIF*Fby) <= 1.0

W40x149
W36x848

Angle of Twist:
=

W36x798

3.995

deg.

= (w/12*(L)*e*a/(2*J*G)*(L(4*a)-2*a/(L)+1/((L/(2*a))*COSH(L/(2*a)))))*180/

W36x720

(Note: in equation above L is multiplied by 12 to convert length from feet to inches.)

W36x650

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"TORSION9.xls" Program
Version 1.0
W36x588

11 of 13

07/05/2016 15:56:12

"TORSION9.xls" Program
Version 1.0

SIMPLIFIED TORSION ANALYSIS FOR STEEL BEAMS

Continuous Span Beam with Eccentric Uniformly Distributed Load on All Spans
For W, S, M, and HP Shapes and Per AISC 9th Edition (ASD) Manual
Job Name:
Subject:
Job Number:
Originator:
Checker:
Input Data:
Member Size:
Select:

bf/(2*tf) =
d/tw =
h=
h/tw =
kc =

W12x58

W44x230

X-axis Bend
Member Loading:
w=
1.000
e=
2.0000
Design Parameters:
Fy =
36.00
L=
28.000
Lb =
14.000
Cb =
1.00
ASIF =
1.000
Member Properties:
A=
17.00
d=
12.200
tw =
0.360
bf =
10.000
tf =
0.640
rt =
2.720
d/Af =
1.90

k/ft.
in.

ksi
ft.
ft.

in.^2
in.
in.
in.
in.
in.

Ix =
Sx =
Iy =
Sy =
J=
Cw =
wt./ft. =

475.00
78.00
107.00
21.40
2.100

in.^4

3570.0
58

in.^6

in.^3
in.^4
in.^3
in.^4

Lc =
Lu =
Lb/rt =
fa/Fy =
Mx =
fbx =
Is Lb<=Lc?
Is d/tw<=allow?
Is b/t<=65/SQRT(Fy)?
Is b/t>95/SQRT(Fy)?
Eqn. F1-1: Fbx =
Eqn. F1-3: Fbx =
Eqn. F1-5: Fbx =
Eqn. F1-6: Fbx =
Eqn. F1-7: Fbx =
Reference for Torsion Analysis:
F1-8: Fbx =
USS Steel Design ManualEqn.
(1981)
Chapter 7: Torsion (Figures 7.9 & 7.10) Fbx =
Use: Fbx =
by: R.L. Brockenbrough & B.G. Johnston
W40x298

plf

Torsion (La

Results:
X-axis Bending:
Mx =
fbx =
Lb/rt =
Fbx =

66.36
10.21
61.76
21.60

ft-kips
ksi
ksi

Mx = 0.08*w*L^2 + 0.08*wb*L^2 (wb = beam self weight)

fbx = Mx*12/Sx
Note: Lc = 10.56 ft., Lu = 24.37 ft.
Fbx = 12000*Cb/(Lb*12*d/Af) <= 0.60*Fy

a=
Mt =
fby =
Fby =
W40x249

Stress Ratio
S.R. =
W40x221

Torsion (Lateral Flange Bending):

a=
66.35
in.
Mt =
8.27
ft-kips
fby =
9.28
ksi
Fby =
27.00
ksi

(where: df = d-tf)
a = SQRT(E*Cw/(G*J))

(where: E = 29000 ksi, G = 11200 ksi)

Angle of Tw

Mt = (w/12*(L*12)*e*a/(2*df)*(-2*a/(L*12)+1/(TANH(L*12/(2*a)))))/12

W40x199

fby = Mt*12/(Sy/2) Note: use only 1/2 of Sy

Fby = 0.75*Fy

W40x192
W40x183
W40x174

Stress Ratio:
S.R. =

W40x167

0.816

S.R. = fbx/(ASIF*Fbx) + fby/(ASIF*Fby) <= 1.0

W40x149
W36x848

Angle of Twist:
=

1.871

deg.

= (w/12*(L*12)*e*a/(2*J*G)*(L*12/(4*a)-TANH(L*12/(4*a))))*180/

W36x798
W36x720
W36x650

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"TORSION9.xls" Program
Version 1.0
W36x588

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