Superior design solutions of section sizes in steel buildings for different lateral frame systems and column shapes

Abstract

Abstract Superior design solutions of 7‐story steel buildings are obtained by the multiple start local search (MSLS) method, minimizing the steel volume for three types of structural systems: a space‐frame system with rectangular hollow structural section (HSS) columns (SFS), perimeter‐frame system (PFS) with I‐shaped columns (PFSH), and a PFS with rectangular HSS columns (PFSB). Most beam‐to‐column connections are moment connections in SFS, whereas they are limited in PFS. In terms of steel volume, PFSH is advantageous for moment‐frame buildings, and SFS and PFSB are suitable for braced frames with uniform column spacings. SFS is disadvantageous for mixed‐, moment‐, and braced‐frame buildings.

Keywords

• lateral frame location
• multiple start local search
• response history analysis
• steel structure
• ultimate lateral strength