Frame finite element model for nonlinear and vibration analysis of steel structures with Beam-Column and Column-Base Semi-Rigid Connections

Abstract

In this paper, a shear deformable force-based frame finite element with semi-rigid connections is derived for nonlinear analysis of steel structures. Distributed plasticity approach is defined along element length and section depth, and linear or non-linear semi-rigid connection behavior can be specified anywhere along elements without the necessity to define additional nodes and to increase the degrees of freedom of the structural system. To perform vibration analyses with similar accuracy, force-based consistent mass matrix is used considering semi-rigidity in connections and an appropriate shear correction coefficient for I-sections. The element formulation is presented in 2 dimensions to simplify the formulation, and numerical validation and comparison studies are carried out on complex and irregular structures in 2-D and 3-D. In models with semi-rigid connections, the effect of nonlinear behavior on the structural system has been studied in both beam-column and column-bases. In the presented examples, it was possible to push structures higher than the existing displacements, and it was revealed that the nonlinear behavior in the column-base connections could create much more critical results for the structural systems with P-Delta effects. In addition, high-level accuracy results were obtained when performing vibration analyses with the application of force-based consistent mass matrix.