Serviceability design of a cold-formed steel portal frame having semi-rigid joints

Lim, J.B.P. and Nethercot, D.A. (2003) Serviceability design of a cold-formed steel portal frame having semi-rigid joints. Steel and Composite Structures, 3 (6). pp. 451-474. ISSN 1229-9367

Abstract

Details are given of a cold-formed steel portal framing system that uses simple bolted momentconnections for both the eaves and apex joints. However, such joints function as semi-rigid and, as a result, the design of the proposed system will be dominated by serviceability requirements. While serviceability is a mandatory design requirement, actual deflection limits for portal frames are not prescribed in many of the national standards. In this paper, a review of the design constraints that have an effect on deflection limits is discussed, and rational values appropriate for use with cold-formed steel portal frames are recommended. Adopting these deflection limits, it is shown through a design example how a cold-formed steel portal frame having semi-rigid eaves and apex joints can be a feasible alternative to rigid-jointed frames in appropriate circumstances.

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