Design of steel frames using calibrated design curves for buckling strength of hot-rolled members

Abstract

This chapter presents a method of designing steel frames allowing for various sections. An analytical investigation is carried out to study the behavior of a column member with both ends pinned and with various imperfection-to-length ratios. In the conventional design method of steel structures, linear theory is commonly adopted. The assumptions of a linear design procedure are that the members are perfectly straight in analysis and the buckling strength is checked separately by the design code such as BS5950 (2000). The process of checking member strength separately implies an inconsistency in analysis and in design because the former analyses a frame with perfectly straight members. Due to the availability of low-cost personal computers in the last decade, structural analysis using computer program is widely adopted. From the obtained results, the magnitudes of imperfection-to-length ratios of various sections are suggested for design and analysis of steel frames allowing for member buckling strength based on the Perry Robertson formula.