| Title |
Structural Reliability Analysis on Serviceability Limit States of Unbraced Steel Frames with Semi-rigid Connections |
| Keywords |
Semi-rigid Connections ; Power Model ; Random Variable ; Serviceability Limit State ; Structural Reliability Analysis |
| Abstract |
An efficient nonlinear probabilistic finite element method is proposed for the analysis of frame structures, specifically applicable to steel structures. The assumed finite element method is used to compute nonlinear structural responses. Nonlinearities due to geometry and semi-rigid connections are considered in the algorithm. The moment-rotation relationship of semi-rigid connections are assumed by the power model that have three parameters such as initial stiffness, ultimate moment capacity, and shape coefficient of the connection. In structural reliability analysis the material properties, geometry, connections parameters, and external loads are considered to be random variables. Serviceability limit states are also considered. The presence of semi-rigid connections makes the frame more flexible, and serviceability could become the governing limit state. It is essential to properly consider the semi-rigid connections in the analysis and design of frames. The results by the proposed algorithm are compared with those by analytical method, and to evaluate the corresponding reliabilities. |