This book summarizes the recent progress in practical analysis for semi-rigid frame design in North America. This encompasses codes, databases, modeling, classification, analysis/design, and design tables and aids. Practical design methods include LRFD procedures, approximate procedures, computer-based procedures and the optimization process. The book can be used as a supplementary steel design textbook for graduate students, as a training book for a short course in steel design for practicing engineers, and as a reference book for consulting firms designing building structures.

Semi-rigid steel frames are revolutionizing structural design. This book is a practical professional reference, covering analytical methods for the evaluation of connection flexibility and its influence on the stability of the entire framework. The methods range from a simplified member-by-member design approach to a more sophisticated computer-based advanced analysis and design approach.

LRFD Steel Design Using Advanced Analysis uses practical advanced analysis to produce almost identical member sizes to those of the Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) method. The main advantage of the advanced analysis method is that tedious and sometimes confusing separate member capacity checks encompassed by the AISC-LRFD specification equations are not necessary. Advanced analysis can sufficiently capture the limit state strength and stability of a structural system and its individual member directly. While the use of elastic analysis is still the norm in engineering practice, a new generation of codes is expected to adopt the advanced analysis methodology in the near future, leading to significant savings in design effort. In recent years, the continued rapid development in computer hardware and software, coupled with an increased understanding of structural behavior, has made it feasible to adopt the advanced analysis techniques for design office use. Drs. Chen and Kim, both experienced and respected engineers, contribute their expertise to this text, which is intended for both the graduate student and the practicing engineer. Previous knowledge of the subject is not necessary, but familiarity with methods of elastic analysis and conventional LRFD design is expected. The advanced analysis in the book is presented in a practical and simple manner, with attention directed to both analysis and design, emphasizing the direct use of the methods in engineering practice. This is a great introduction to an exciting new trend in structural engineering!

This book is devoted to the discussion and studies of simple and efficient numerical procedures for large deflection and elasto-plastic analysis of steel frames under static and dynamic loading. In chapter 1, the basic fundamental behaviour and philosophy for design of structural steel is discussed, emphasising different modes of buckling and the inter-relationship between different types of analysis. In addition to this, different levels of refinement for non-linear analysis are described. An introduction is also given to the well-known P-&dgr; and P-&Dgr; effects. Chapter 2 presents the basic matrix method of analysis and gives several examples of linear analysis of semi-rigid pointed frames. It is evident from this that one must have a good understanding of first-order linear analysis before handling a second-order non-linear analysis. In chapter 3, the linearized bifurcation and second-order large deflection are compared and the detailed procedure for a second-order analysis based on the Newton-Raphson scheme is described. Chapter 4 introduces various solution schemes for tracing of post-buckling equilibrium paths and the Minimum Residual Displacement control method with arc-length load step control is employed for the post-buckling analysis of two and three dimensional structures. Chapter 5 addresses the non-linear behaviour and modelling of semi-rigid connections while several numerical functions for description of moment versus rotation curves of typical connection types are introduced. The scope of the work in chapter 6 covers semi-rigid connections and material yielding to the static analysis of steel frames. Chapter 7 studies the cyclic response of steel frames with semi-rigid joints and elastic material characteristics. In the last chapter the combined effects of semi-rigid connections and plastic hinges on steel frames under time-dependent loads are studied using a simple springs-in-series model. For computational effectiveness and efficiency, the concentrated plastic hinge concept is used throughout these studies.

These two volumes of proceedings contain 11 invited keynote papers and 172 contributed papers presented at the International Conference on Advances in Steel Structures held on 11-14 December 1996 in Hong Kong. The papers cover a wide spectrum of topics and have been contributed from over 20 countries around the world. The conference, the first ever of its kind in Hong Kong, provided a forum for discussion and dissemination by researchers and designers of recent advances in the analysis, behaviour, design and construction of steel structures.The papers in the proceedings report the current state-of-the-art and point to the future directions of structural steel research. Volume I contains 93 papers on the analysis, behaviour, design and construction of framed structures and bridges, with 90 papers in Volume II dealing with plates, shells, analysis, optimization and computer applications, dynamics and seismic design, fatigue, and soil-structure interaction.

The development of the limit state approach to design in recent years has focused particular attention on two basic requirements: accurate information regarding the behavior of structures throughout the entire range of loading up to the ultimate strength, and simple practical procedures to enable engineers to assess this behavior. This book satisfies these requirements by providing practical analysis methods for the design of steel frames. The book contains a wide range of second-order analyses: from elastic to inelastic, rigid to semi-rigid connections, and simple plastic hinge method to sophisticated plastic-zone method. Computer programs for each analysis are provided in the form of a floppy disk for easy implementation. Sample problems are described and user's manuals are well documented for each program developed in the book.