Dr.

Maheeb Abdel-Ghaffar
[email protected]

CHAPTER 12

DIMENSIONAL TOLERANCES

12.1 GENERAL

Steel structures consist of prefabricated elements which are

assembled together in the erection stage. In order to ensure the real
safety of the structure in comparison to the theoretical assumption
concerning the geometry of the load application, the dimensional
tolerances specified herein shall be observed

12.2 TYPES OF TOLERANCES

12.2.1 Normal Tolerances

Normal tolerances are the basic limits for dimensional deviations

necessary:
- To satisfy the design assumptions for statically loaded structures.
- To define acceptable tolerances for building structures in the absence
of any other requirements.

12.2.2 Special Tolerances

Special tolerances are more stringent tolerances necessary to

satisfy the design assumptions:
- For structures other than normal building structures.
- For structures in which fatigue predominates.

12.2.3 Particular Tolerances

Particular tolerances are more stringent tolerances necessary to

satisfy functional requirements of particular structures or structural
components, related to:
- Attachment of other structural or non-structural components.
- Shafts for lifts (elevators).
- Tracks for overhead cranes.
- Other criteria such as clearances.

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- Alignment of external face of building.

12.3 APPLICATION OF TOLERANCES

1. All tolerance values specified in the following shall be treated as

normal tolerances.

2. Normal tolerances apply to conventional single-storey and multi-

storey steel framed structures of residential, administrative,
commercial and industrial buildings except where special or
particular tolerances are specified.

3. Any special or particular tolerances required shall be detailed in

the Project Specification.

4. Any special or particular tolerances required shall also be

indicated on the relevant drawings.

12.4 NORMAL ERECTION TOLERANCES

1. The following normal tolerance limits relate to the steel structure in

the unloaded state, i.e., structure loaded only by its own weight, see
the following Tables and figures.

2. Each criterion given in the Tables shall be considered as a

separate requirement, to be satisfied independently of any other
tolerances criteria.

3. The fabrication and erection tolerances specified in Clauses 12.5

to 12.7 apply to the following reference points:

- For a column, the actual center point of the column at each floor
level and at the base, excluding any base plates.
- For a beam, the actual center point of the top surface at each
end of the beam excluding any endplate.

4. All elements should be checked after fabrication and before

erection for the allowable tolerances according to Clause 12.5.

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12.5 PERMISSIBLE DEVIATIONS OF FABRICATED ELEMENTS

Deviation amax Fig.
Deflection of column between fh1 r 0.001 h11 generally. 12.1
points which will be laterally r 0.002 h11 for members
restrained on completion of with hollow cross-section.
erection. h11 is the height between
points which will be laterally
restrained.
Deflection of column between fh r 0.001 h1 generally. 12.1
floor slabs. r 0.002 h1 for members with
hollow cross-section.
h1 is the height between
floor slabs.
Lateral deflection of f11 r 0.001 рb1 generally. 12.2
compression flange of girder,
relative to the weak axis, r 0.002 рb1 for members
between points which will be with hollow cross-section.
laterally restrained on рb1 is the length between
completion of erection. points which will be laterally
restrained.
Lateral deflection of girder. f1 r 0.001 рb generally. 12.2
r 0.002 рb for members with
hollow cross-section.
рb is the total length of
girder.
Maximum bow of web for fw hw /150. 12.3
girders and columns (depth of
web hw, width of flange b).
Inclination of web between vw hw /75. 12.3
upper and lower flanges.
Eccentricity of the web in vw1 b/40 d 10 mm. 12.3
relation to the center of either
flange.
Positional deviation of parts e1 7 mm in any direction. 12.4
connected to a girder or
column e.g., cover plate, base
plate etc.

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Deviation amax Fig.

Positional deviation of e1 5 mm in any direction. 12.4
adjacent end plates of
girders.
Length of prefabricated 'рt + 0.0 12.5
components to be fitted ' hc - 5 mm.
between other components
Maximum bow of web for fw Least panel dimension 12.3
plate girders with /115 For d/tw < 150. and
intermediate stiffeners Least panel dimension 12.6
(depth of web d, thickness /90 For d/tw  150.
of web tw).
Flanges of plate girders. ' ' d C/250 d 6 mm. 12.7
Unevenness of plates in 1 mm over a gauge
the case of contact bearing length of 300 mm.
surfaces.

12.6 PERMISSIBLE DEVIATIONS OF COLUMN FOUNDATIONS

1- The deviation of the center line for anchor bolts within the group of
bolts at any column base shall not exceed the following:

- For bolts rigidly cast in, between centers of bolts: a1 = 10 mm in

any direction.
- For bolts set in sleeves, between centers of sleeves: a1 = 20 mm
in any direction.

2- The distance between two adjacent columns, measured at the

base of the steel structure, shall not exceed the value a2 = r 10 mm
of the nominal distance (Fig.12.8).

3- With column rows, the sum of single deviations a2, referred to the
length L of the row i shall not exceed the value (Fig. 12.8):

~a3~ d 15 mm for L d 30 m.
~a3~ d 15 + 0.25 (L – 30) mm for L > 30 m (maximum 50 mm).

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12.7 PERMISSIBLE DEVIATIONS OF ERECTED STRUCTURES

Deviation amax Fig.

Overall dimensions of the ¦'h r 20 mm for L d 30 m. 12.9
building. or r 20 + 0.25 (L – 30) mm.
¦'L For L > 30 m (maximum
50 mm).
Level of top of floor slab. 'h r 5 mm. 12.5
Floor bearing on column.
Inclination of column in a vh 0.003 h1. 12.10
multi-storey building; h1 = Floor height under
maximum deviation for consideration.
the vertical line between
adjacent floor slabs.
Inclination of column in a v1 0.0035( ¦ h1 )3/(n+2) 12.11
multi-storey building;
maximum deviation for n = Number of floors.
the vertical line through
the intended location of
the column base.
Inclination of column in a vh1 0.0035 h 12.12
single-storey residential
building; h = Single-storey floor
maximum deviation for height.
the vertical line.
Inclination of column of a vhp1 Individual =
12.13
portal frame in an vhp1 or vhp2 d 0.010 h
or
industrial building, (not or
vhp2
supporting crane gantry), Mean =
12.14
maximum deviation for v hp1  v hp 2
the vertical line. d
2
0.002 h
Unintentional eccentricity eo 5 mm. 12.15
of girder bearing.
Distance between 'рs r 15 mm. 12.9
adjacent steel columns at
any level.

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Deviation amax Fig.

Distance between 'рt r 20 mm. 12.5
adjacent steel girders at
any level.
Positional deviation of a e2 5 mm in any direction. 12.16
column base in relation to
the column axis through
the head of the column
below (applied also in the
case of indirect load
transmission).
Deviation in level of ' hc +0.0 mm. 12.17
bearing surfaces on steel -10 mm.
columns (crane girder
level).
Positional deviation of e3 r 5 mm. 12.18
bearing surfaces.

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h11 fh
fh h1
1

h11 fh
1

Detail(1)
Detail(1)

Figure (12.1) Inclination and Deflections of Columns

Figure (12.2) Deflection of Girders

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Figure (12.3) Deviations in Welded Girders

Figure (12.4) Deviation in Connecting Pieces

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Figure (12.5) Deviation in Height and Length


Figure (12.6) Welded Plate Girder

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Figure (12.7) Deviation in Flanges of Welded Plate Girders


Figure (12.8) Deviation in Length at Base of
Steel Structure (Plan)

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Figure (12.9) Deviation in Length ( Vertical Section )

Figure (12.10) Inclination of Column in a Multi-Storey Building

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Figure (12.11) Inclination of Column in a Multi-Storey Building

Figure (12.12) Inclination of Column in a Single-Storey Building

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Figure (12.13) Inclination of Column in a Portal Frame

Figure (12.14) Inclination of Column in a Portal Frame

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Figure (12.15) Eccentricity of Girder Bearing







Figure (12.16) Deviations in Columns Splices

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Figure (12.17) Deviations in Figure (12.18) Deviation in
Level of Bearing Surfaces Position of Bearing Surfaces

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