Design of non-sway composite frames

Findings from a number of recent research investigations into the interaction between the strength, stiffness and rotation capacity of composite beam-to-column joints and the overall performance of non-sway composite frames are collected together. The main design implications are extracted and combined into a complete procedure for the design of the frame using the principles of semi-continuous construction for both the ultimate and the serviceability limit states. A complementary design procedure for the joints is also provided. Explicit formulae to cover each aspect of the step-by-step procedures are given. Illustrative results are presented and suggestions made for the most cost-effective design choices.

D. A. Nethercot, FREng, PhD, DSc, CEng, FIStructE, FICE, FCGI, Imperial College of Science, Technology & Medicine