For the efficient performance of steel and composite building structures subjected to strong earthquake, one of current research investigates the cyclic behavior of open-web composite beams. Both experimental test and nonlinear FEM analysis demonstrate their behavior so ductile that four T-sections around the corners of rectangular web-opening develop plastic hinges prior to potential brittle failure at the beam end, i.e. at the column face. This research proposes simplified equations for determining strength and initial stiffness of composite beams with a rectangular web-opening, and compares its results with those of experimental test and nonlinear FEM analysis.