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NCCI: Vertical and horizontal deflection limits for multi-storey buildings

NCCI: Vertical and horizontal deflection limits for multi-storey buildings SN034a-EN-EU

NCCI: Vertical and horizontal deflection limits for multistorey buildings


Recommendations and guidelines are given for horizontal and vertical deflection limits for multi-storey commercial and residential buildings.

Contents
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Created on Tuesday, June 09, 2009 This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Access Steel Licence Agreement

Introduction Loads Horizontal deflection limits Vertical deflection limits References

2 2 3 5 7

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NCCI: Vertical and horizontal deflection limits for multi-storey buildings

NCCI: Vertical and horizontal deflection limits for multi-storey buildings SN034a-EN-EU

1.

Introduction

No specific deflection limits are set in EN 1993-1-1 [1]. Instead it states in 7.2 that the serviceability criteria, including deflection limits, should be specified and agreed with the client for each project. Furthermore, the verification should be based on criteria concerning deformations that affect appearance, comfort of users, functioning of the structure or that cause damage to finishes or non-structural members. In some countries, the National Annex to EN 1993-1-1 specifies the limits. Where limits are specified they have to be observed. If no limits are specified in the National Annex the following might be helpful: Relevant functional requirements should be considered, e.g. for flat roofs, water run off has to be ensured to avoid ponding. To avoid damage to sensitive finishes or non-structural members, e.g. partition walls with fragile elements such as masonry, glass etc, more onerous criteria may have to be adopted. Appearance is very subjective and also context sensitive. In most cases precambering or adjustments of false ceilings can disguise the deflections.
Created on Tuesday, June 09, 2009 This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Access Steel Licence Agreement

Comfort of users may be a serious concern for long span or shallow floors. However, deflection criteria are not an adequate tool to manage the issue. SN036 provides guidance for floor vibrations. Often it is the deflection at the serviceability limit state that governs a structures design, and therefore the selected deflection limits are of high importance. Different countries have different recommended values for horizontal and vertical deflection limits; examples are presented in sections 3 and 4.

2.
2.1

Loads
Serviceability limit state

EN 1990 gives three different combinations for serviceability limit states i.e. a characteristic, a frequent and a quasi-permanent combination. In the above-mentioned load combinations, factors are used, as follows:

0 1 2

is used in the characteristic combination that is applied for irreversible limit states, i.e. stresses above the yield point. is used in the frequent combination that is applied for reversible limit states, i.e. stresses below the yield point. This is relevant for deflection limitations of steel structures. is used in both the frequent and the quasi-permanent combination. In both cases the factor is used for long-term effects. These are not relevant for steel structures and therefore 2 = 0. For composite structures the effects of creep may be taken into account by using appropriate modular ratios for the concrete; where this is the case, 2 may be taken as 0.

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NCCI: Vertical and horizontal deflection limits for multi-storey buildings

NCCI: Vertical and horizontal deflection limits for multi-storey buildings SN034a-EN-EU

Consequently, the relevant load combinations are: 1. The characteristic combination for irreversible limit states. This combination is only required to be considered for the serviceability limit state when some plasticity is permitted, e.g. certain classes of continuous composite beams.

Gk, j + P + Qk,1 + 0,iQk ,i


j 1 i >1

(1)

2.

The frequent combination (with 2 = 0) for the reversible limit state.

Gk , j + P + 1,1Qk,1
j 1

(2)

2.2

Ultimate limit state

Deflections at the ultimate limit state need only be considered when the deflection may lead to additional loading, for example water ponding on flat roofs.

Created on Tuesday, June 09, 2009 This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Access Steel Licence Agreement

3.

Horizontal deflection limits

In Table 3.1 guidance is given on horizontal deflection limits for a selection of countries. The definitions of horizontal deflections in Annex A1 to EN 1990 [2] are shown in Figure 3.1.
u ui

Hi

L
Notation: u Overall horizontal displacement over the building height H. ui Horizontal displacement over a storey height Hi

Figure 3.1

Definitions of horizontal deflections.

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NCCI: Vertical and horizontal deflection limits for multi-storey buildings

NCCI: Vertical and horizontal deflection limits for multi-storey buildings SN034a-EN-EU

Table 3.1
Country

Horizontal deflection limits


Structure Deflection limits u ui Hi/250 The values to the left are given in the French National Annex to EN 1993-1-1 and should be used if nothing else is agreed with the client. The values of the deflections calculated from the characteristic combinations should be compared to these limits. The limit given for u applies when the height H does not exceed 30 m. Otherwise, see the contract. There are no national deflection limits. The limits should be taken from manufacturers instructions (technical approvals) or should be agreed with the client. Multi-storey buildings: In general With fragile partition walls, facades envelopes or rigid floor finishing elements High rise slender buildings (in buildings taller than 100 meters, more restrictive limits could be necessary due to wind effects such as vibrations). H/600 H/500 Hi/300 Hi/500 The values to the left are given in the national technical document for steel structures [3] and in the Technical Building Code [4] and should be used if nothing else is agreed with the client. Comments

France

Multi-storey buildings

H/300

Germany

Spain
Created on Tuesday, June 09, 2009 This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Access Steel Licence Agreement

Sweden

The national regulations [5] contain only a principle that deformations should not be harmful or damage other parts of the buildings. There are no national deflection limits The values to the left are recommended in industry guidance [6].

UK

For medium rise buildings

H/300

Hi/300

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NCCI: Vertical and horizontal deflection limits for multi-storey buildings

NCCI: Vertical and horizontal deflection limits for multi-storey buildings SN034a-EN-EU

4.

Vertical deflection limits

In Table 4.1, guidance is given on vertical deflection limits for a selection of countries. The definitions of vertical deflections in Annex A1 to EN 1990 [1] are shown in Figure 4.1.
Wc Wmax W1 W2 W3 Wtot

Notation: wc Precamber in the unloaded structural member Initial part of the deflection under permanent loads of the relevant combinations of actions w1 w2 Long-term part of the deflection under permanent loads Additional part of the deflection due to the variable actions of the relevant combination of actions w3 wtot Total deflection as sum of w1, w2, w3 wmax Remaining total deflection taking into account the precamber
Created on Tuesday, June 09, 2009 This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Access Steel Licence Agreement

Figure 4.1

Definitions of vertical deflections.

Table 4.1
Country

Vertical deflection limits


Structure Deflection limits wmax w2+w3 L/250 L/300 The values to the left are given in the National Annex to EN 1993-1-1 and should be used if nothing else is agreed with the client. The values of the deflections calculated from the characteristic combinations should be compared to these limits. Comments

France

Roof, in general Roofs frequently carrying personnel other than for maintenance Floors, in general Floors and roofs supporting plaster or other brittle toppings or non-flexible parts Floors supporting columns (unless the deflection has been included in the global analysis for the ultimate limit state) When wmax can affect the appearance of the building

L/200 L/200

L/200 L/250

L/300 L/350

L/400

L/500

L/250

Germany

There are no national deflection limits. The limits should be taken from manufacturers instructions (technical approvals) or should be agreed with the client.

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NCCI: Vertical and horizontal deflection limits for multi-storey buildings

NCCI: Vertical and horizontal deflection limits for multi-storey buildings SN034a-EN-EU

Country

Structure

Deflection limits wmax w2+w3 L/250 L/300 L/300

Comments

Spain

Roofs, with access only for maintenance Roofs in general Beams and floors, without fragile elements susceptible to failure Beams and floors, supporting ordinary partition walls and rigid floor finishing elements with expansion joints Beams and floors, supporting fragile elements such as, partition walls, facades envelopes or rigid floor finishing elements Beams supporting columns

The values to the left are given in the national technical document for steel structures [3] and in the Technical Building Code [4] and should be used if nothing else is agreed with the client.

L/400

L/500

L/500 L/1000 L/200 There are no national deflection limits. There are no national deflection limits. The values presented are recommended in industry guidance [6]. W2 is usually ignored. It is negligible for both steel beams and unpropped composite construction (the norm in the UK). There are no national deflection limits. The values presented are recommended in industry guidance [6]. W2 is usually ignored. It is negligible for both steel beams and unpropped composite construction (the norm in the UK).

Created on Tuesday, June 09, 2009 This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Access Steel Licence Agreement

Beams supporting masonry walls Sweden UK Beams generally

Not checked

For brittle finishes

L/360

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NCCI: Vertical and horizontal deflection limits for multi-storey buildings

NCCI: Vertical and horizontal deflection limits for multi-storey buildings SN034a-EN-EU

5.
1

References
EN 1993-1-1 Design of steel structures Part 1-1: General rules and rules for buildings.
CEN:

EN 1990 Eurocode. Basis of structural design.


CEN .

Instruccin de Acero Estructural Ministerio de Fomento, Espaa, 2006. Cdigo Tcnico de la Edificacin Ministerio de Vivienda, Espaa, 2006 Regelsamling fr konstruktion, Boverkets konstruktionsregler, BKR, byggnadsverkslagen och byggnadsverksfrordningen, Boverket, Sverige, 2003 Steelwork Design Guide to BS 5950 Volume 4: Essential Data for Designers, P 070, The Steel Construction Institute, 1991.

Created on Tuesday, June 09, 2009 This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Access Steel Licence Agreement

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NCCI: Vertical and horizontal deflection limits for multi-storey buildings

NCCI: Vertical and horizontal deflection limits for multi-storey buildings SN034a-EN-EU

Quality Record
RESOURCE TITLE NCCI: Vertical and horizontal deflection limits for multi-storey buildings

Reference(s) ORIGINAL DOCUMENT Name Created by Technical content checked by Editorial content checked by Technical content endorsed by the following STEEL Partners: 1. UK 2. France
Created on Tuesday, June 09, 2009 This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Access Steel Licence Agreement

Company SBI SBI

Date

Bjrn Uppfeldt Bernt Johansson

G W Owens A Bureau A Olsson C Mller J Chica G W Owens

SCI CTICM SBI RWTH Labein SCI

10/3/06 10/3/06 10/3/06 10/3/06 10/3/06 08/6/06

3. Sweden 4. Germany 5. Spain Resource approved by Technical Coordinator TRANSLATED DOCUMENT This Translation made and checked by: Translated resource approved by:

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