Nonlinear static and dynamic analysis of space frames with semi-rigid connections

To obtain an accurate insight into the behaviour of frames, joint flexibility must be accounted for in an analysis since most connections are neither fully rigid nor frictionless pinned but semi-rigid. A robust numerical procedure for large deflection static and dynamic analysis of frames with semi-rigid connections is presented in this paper. The method is consistent in handling both the static and dynamic problems and its programming and computational effort is moderate when compared to the currently available techniques for large deflection analysis such as the joint orientation method. The pre- and post- buckling static load versus deflection paths for flexibly jointed space frames are traced. The behaviour of some commonly studied problems is re-analysed statically and dynamically using the semi-rigid joint assumption in order to demonstrate the importance of considering connection flexibility in a nonlinear analysis.