Steel Buildings in Europe

Part 4: Detailed Design 4 – 18 Table 3.1 Nominal Values of eccentricity ' e ' typically used for ‘simple construction’ in different European Countries Country Major axis eccentricity Minor Axis eccentricity Belgium h /2 0 Netherlands h /2 0 Germany h /2 0 France h /2 0 Spain h / 2 0 Italy h / 2 0 The nominal moments may be shared equally between the upper and lower columns, provided the ratio of their stiffness ( I/L ) does not exceed 1,5 [4] . Outside this limit, the moments should be distributed in proportion to column stiffness. 1 2 M M u L lower lower upper upper L u I L L I M M  But M upper = M lower when 0,67 < lower lower upper upper / / I L I L < 1,5 1 Column 2 Floor beam Figure 3.2 Distribution of nominal moments from floor beams 3.4 Allowance for second order effects There are two options for low and medium rise frames and the allowance of second order effects. 3.4.1 Ensure  cr > 10 For small scale construction of up to three storeys, it may be appropriate to ensure  cr is greater than 10 by applying the simplified approaches of Section 2.6 of this document.