A simplified method to determine shear stiffness of thin walled cold formed steel storage rack frames. (November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Far, Harry; Saleh, Ali; Firouzianhaji, Ahmad
• Is Part Of: Journal of constructional steel research. Volume 138(2017)
• Page Start: 799
• Page End: 805
• Publication Date: 2017-11
• Subjects: Experimental tests -- 3D Finite Element model -- Shear stiffness -- Thin-walled storage racks -- Braced frames -- Connection flexibility; Steel, Structural -- Periodicals; Building, Iron and steel -- Periodicals; Acier de construction -- Périodiques; Construction métallique -- Périodiques; 624.1821
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcsr.2017.09.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0143-974X

Abstract

Abstract: The shear stiffness of braced frames of thin-walled cold-formed steel storage racks was experimentally and numerically investigated in order to establish the effect of connection flexibility on the accuracy of different analysis methods. The analyses which included a detailed 3D Finite Element model, a 2D frame analysis with beam elements and a simple hand calculation indicated significant variation of results compared with experimental values. A simplified modelling approach for 2D elastic analysis of braced frames was proposed. The approach is aimed at practical applications to account for the flexibility in bolted connections and leads to better approximation of the shear stiffness. Highlights: Accuracy of conventional theoretical methods has been examined. None of the conventional theoretical methods are accurate enough. A simplified modelling approach is proposed for practical applications. Proposed method accounts for the flexibility in bolted connections. Adopting the proposed method leads to better approximation of the shear stiffness.