On the Behavior; Failure and DSM Design of Thin-Walled Steel Frames

This paper reports the available results of an ongoing numerical investigation on the buckling, postbuckling, collapse and design of simple frames. The results presented and discussed are obtained through analyses based on Generalized Beam Theory (elastic buckling analyses) and shell finite element models (elastic and elastic-plastic post-buckling analyses). Moreover, the ultimate loads obtained are used to establish preliminary guidelines concerning the design of steel frames failing in modes that combine local, distortional and global features. An approach based on the existing Direct Strength Method (DSM) strength equations is followed and the comparison between the numerical and predicted ultimate loads makes it possible to draw some interesting conclusions concerning the issues that must be addressed by a DSM design procedure that can be successfully applied to thin-walled steel frames.

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