ABSTRACT
Designs are made to the following methods specified in BS 5950 for a braced frame: simple design; rigid elastic design; rigid plastic design; and semirigid plastic design. The framing plans for the multistorey office building selected for the design study. The office space in the centre bays is of open plan with any offices formed with light partitions. The end bays contain lifts, stairs and toilets. The chapter suggests that the frame should have an effective bracing system independent of the bending stiffness of the frame members. The columns are to be checked for buckling resistance. Plastic hinges form at the beam ends. The beam-to-column connections can be made using either full-strength welds or high-strength bolts. Analysis of frames with semirigid joints may be carried out by the following methods: elastic analysis where the joints are modelled by rotational springs; and plastic analysis using joint moment resistance.
