Strength of Beams with Eccentric Reinforced Holes

A method of estimating the load carrying capacity of steel W-shape beams with reinforced eccentric web openings is developed. The analysis is limited to single rectangular openings and to reinforcing bars positioned above and below the opening and oriented parallel to the edges of the opening. Computer solutions in the form of interaction diagrams relating the shear and moment at the center of the opening can be generated using an iterative process. The coordinates of points defining an approximate interaction diagram suitable for design are also derived. Examples of interaction diagrams for a specified yield stress and selected beam and opening dimensions are presented to illustrate the effects of varying reinforcing area, opening length, and opening eccentricity on the strength of a beam with a web opening. For the range of opening eccentricity considered in the examples, the eccentricity could be neglected for design purposes.