Abstract
Proposed in the paper is an analytical method of determining the ideal brace stiffness for a structural system consisting of parallel semi-rigid columns with horizontal tie bracing at mid-height. Based on a newly proposed unbraced frame model, the ideal brace stiffness of the parallel column system can be obtained from buckling of an equivalent unbraced frame with column height being half of the original one. The influence of column stiffness interaction associated with semi-rigid connections, column sizes, and applied loads is theoretically considered in the determination of the ideal brace stiffness, which makes the proposed method applicable to systems with nonidentical columns. For a system with the same columns and end connections, the minimum ideal brace stiffness in elastic analysis can be achieved with the end-fixity factor being 0.392. In addition, a simple expression is presented to quantify the effect of the semi-rigid connection on the ideal brace stiffness of the system. Good agreements between analytical and finite element analysis results of presented examples indicate the proposed method can accurately evaluate the ideal brace stiffness of a semi-rigid parallel column system.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
