Elastic Stability of Steel Frames Considering Joints’ Rigidity
Elastic Stability of Steel Frames Considering Joints’ Rigidity |
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| © 2025 by IJETT Journal | ||
| Volume-73 Issue-11 |
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| Year of Publication : 2025 | ||
| Author : Hazem Kassab, Ezzeldin Sayed-Ahmed, Emam Soliman | ||
| DOI : 10.14445/22315381/IJETT-V73I11P121 | ||
How to Cite?
Hazem Kassab, Ezzeldin Sayed-Ahmed, Emam Soliman,"Elastic Stability of Steel Frames Considering Joints’ Rigidity", International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology, vol. 73, no. 11, pp.295-311, 2025. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/22315381/IJETT-V73I11P121
Abstract
This research addresses the effect of joint flexibility on the elastic stability of steel frames. A mathematical framework utilizing the classical stability functions is proposed to derive the governing critical load equations of flexibly jointed frame structures. Through these equations, it is revealed that the critical load is controlled not by the absolute stiffness of beams, columns, or joints but by their relative stiffness ratios. The framework is demonstrated by analyzing a theoretical case study of a single-storey rectangular frame with semi-rigid joints in two scenarios: sway-permitted and sway-prevented (i.e., braced). The analysis indicates variations up to 77% in buckling capacity for frames having connections classified as semi-rigid according to current codes of practice. To verify theoretical predictions, a custom-built software program, “stableX,” is introduced. This stiffness-method-based program is designed to accommodate flexible joints and is used in this paper to perform eigenvalue buckling analysis on the single-storey semi-rigid frame. The program not only accurately verifies the analytical results but also serves as a practical, versatile, and efficient numerical method of analysis when more complicated geometries, loading conditions, or boundary constraints are present. The numerical procedures underlying the implementation of “stableX” are detailed in this paper.
Keywords
Buckling of Frames, Elastic Stability, Joint Flexibility, Stability Functions, Semi-rigid Connections.
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