ABSTRACT
Some sophisticated second-order inelastic analysis programs (plastic-zone theory) have been developed and are currently available for predicting accurately the strength and behavior of frame structures. A general problem encountered by developers is how to confirm the validity for their programs. Simplified methods must be verified by calibrating with benchmark problems. To this end, a literature survey has been made of the research in North America, Europe, and Japan, and some representative frame structures are selected as benchmark problems. This chapter describes the requirements and criteria in selecting the benchmark frames. It presents the benchmark frames in North America, Europe, and Japan to accommodate researchers with the type of information needed for the calibration of the second-order inelastic analysis. The chapter focuses on the basic concept and issues associated with the direct use of second-order inelastic analysis and concentrates on the first three types of structural components: beams, columns, and beam-column members.
