Global Analysis of Steel Constructions with Semi-Rigid Connections

In this paper, original extension of classic deformation method for global elastic analysis of steel construction with semi-rigid connections is developed. The original calculation for steel frame structures with semi-rigid connections as a function of rotational rigidity of connection, a realistic parameter for determination of both tension and deformation fields of connection as well as entire construction, has been derived in detail. Due to its generality, simplicity and straight-forward calculation, the method developed in this paper is convenient for both computational utilization and hand calculations. For introduced rotational rigidity of realistic connections, the expressions for determination of bending moments at ends of semi-rigidly connected elements have been derived as well as conditional equations for determination of deformation-unspecified values at static load by first-order theory. The obtained results are illustrated in detail on a numerical example. Their comparison with the results of FEM analysis was provided.