Reliability of cold-formed steel frames for serviceability limit states using second order elastic analysis

Resumo

The use of the finite element method in advanced structural analysis has allowed structural engineers to analyze and understand the behavior of structures as a whole, which provides an efficient alternative to overcome some deficiencies in member-based analysis and design procedures. The use of slender elements in structures, particularly cold-formed steel members, highlights the need to pay attention to excessive displacements and the accuracy of finite element formulations to monitor them. This paper presents the development and application of a framework to assess the reliability of two- and three-dimensional cold-formed steel structures when the serviceability limit state of excessive displacement is considered. An advanced beam-column finite element is introduced and used to compare the actual displacement of the frames to the normative maximum displacement in the limit state equation. The obtained reliability results and the influence of random variables are discussed.