Practical design guidlines for semi-continuous composite braced fremes

This paper presents a simplified approach for the design of semi-continuous composite beamsrnin braced frames, where specific attention is given to the effect of joint rotational stiffness. A simplerncomposite beam model is proposed incorporating the effects of semi-rigid end connections and the nonprismaticrnproperties of a ?racked?steel-concrete beam. This beam model is extended to a sub-frame inrnwhich the restraining effects from the adjoining members are considered. Parametric studies are performedrnon several sub-frame models and the results are used to show that it is possible to correlate the amount ofrnmoment redistribution of semi-continuous beam within the sub-frame using an equivalent stiffness of thernconnection. Deflection equations are derived for semi-continuous composite beams subjected to variousrnloading and parametric studies on beam vibrations are conducted. The proposed method may be appliedrnusing a simple computer or spreadsheet program.