Investigation of Automated Direct Design of Steel Rigid Planar Frames

摘要

A rational design process is developed for the design of a rigid, planar frame. The design process is composed of two parts. Phase A determines the optimum design for the individual members which is considered sub-optimization. Phase B determines the optimum design for the entire structure. An automated design program was written which contained adequate controls to permit designs by the rational design process. The design program is compatible with the existing STRESS analysis system. The controls in the program allow designs satisfying the criteria of (1) minimum weight with in the constraint of allowable stresses and full column stiffness and (2) minimum weight allowing reduced column stiffness with axial load. Two rigid frames were designed using the above automated design program. The designs were optimized using the sensitivities of (a) change in volume due to change in moment and (b) change in volume due to change in cross-section. (Author)