A parametric analysis of steel and composite portal frames with semi-rigid connections

This paper presents a semi-rigid low-rise portal frame parametric analysis. The analysis considered parameters like: connection stiffness and strength, structural system (steel or composite) and lateral frame stability. The parametric analysis, based on the Eurocode 3, led to the development of a simple structural model implemented on the ANSYS finite element program. The model has taken into account geometrical and material non-linearities and the semi-rigid behaviour of their associate connections. Finally, the investigation results are summarized to access the economic potential and efficiency of the semi-rigid solutions. Up to a 15% economy in terms of steel weight was reached for the investigated structures, even when compared to the traditional most economical solution. As these structures are used in large-scale construction the achieved 15% weight reduction can generate an even greater economy.