Efficiency of CFT column plastic design approach for frame structures subjected to horizontal forces

This paper emphasizes the use of CFT columns in frame structures subjected to strong horizontal forces and shows that the efficiency of using CFT columns is increased when the plastic design approach is adopted. Because the plastic design approach is based on redistribution of the force of the internal member, a double node for the rotational degrees of freedom, where the adjacent two rotational degrees of freedom can be connected by a non-dimensional spring element, is designed and implemented into the formulation. In addition, an accompanying criterion is considered in order to make it possible to describe the continuous moment redistribution in members connected to a nodal point up to a complete plastic state. The efficiency of CFT columns is reviewed in comparison with RC columns in terms of the cost and the resistance capacity, as defined by a P-M interaction diagram. Three representative frame structures are considered and the obtained results show that the most efficient and economical design can be expected when the use of CFT columns is considered on the basis of the plastic design, especially when a frame structure is subjected to significant horizontal forces, as in a high-rise building.