Analysis of Vierendeel Bents with Non-parallel Members

A general method for the analysis of Vierendeel bents with nonparallel members is presented. In the ' initial sway stage ' the frame undergoes translation and rotation of the joints in such a manner that the initial sway moments are in equilibrium with the applied loads. In the ' distribution stage ' the joints are balanced while the frame is again allowed to sway, thus preserving the equilibrium established in the initial-sway stage. The distribution yields the final moments directly. Numerical examples are given to illustrate the procedure.

F.P. Wiesinger, J.F. Carney and S.L. Lee