CHAPTER 7

Rigid-Frame Structures
Typically comprises parallel or orthogonally arranged bents consisting of columns and girders with
moment resistant joints.
Resistance to horizontal loading is provided by the bending resistance of the columns, girders, and
joints.
The continuity of the frame also contributes to resisting gravity loading, by reducing the moments
in the girders.
The advantages of a rigid frame are
The simplicity and convenience of its rectangular form.
Its unobstructed arrangement,
considered economical up to 25 stories,
up to 50 stories or more if combined with other systems .
A flat plate structure is very similar to a rigid frame, but with slabs replacing the girders.
Loadings are resisted in a flat plate structure by the flexural continuity between the vertical and
horizontal components.
The procedure of design:
1. Estimation of gravity load.
2. Preliminary estimate of member sizes.
3. Approximate allocation of horizontal loading.
4. Check on drift.
5. Check on strength of members for worst combination.
6. Computer analysis for more accurate check, include the second-order P-Delta.
7. Detailed design of members and connections.
RIGID FRAME BEHAVIOR.

APPROXIMATE DETERMINATION OF MEMBER FORCES CAUSED BY GRAVITY

LOADING.
Two approaches:
1. Girder ForcesCode Recommended Values.
2. Two-Cycle Moment Distribution.
Concise form of moment distribution.
It is more accurate (unequal spans and unequal loading in different spans).
The following is assumed for the analysis:
1. A counterclockwise restraining moment on the end of a girder is positive and a clockwise
moment is negative.
2. The ends of the columns at the floors above and below the considered girder are fixed.
3. In the absence of known member sizes, distribution factors at each joint are taken equal to
1 /n, where n is the number of members framing into the joint in the plane of the frame.
APPROXIMATE ANALYSIS OF MEMBER FORCES CAUSED BY HORIZONTAL LOADING:
Allocation of Loading between Bents
A first step in the approximate analysis of a rigid frame is to estimate the allocation of the external
horizontal force to each bent.
For this it is usual to assume that the floor slabs are rigid in plane and, therefore, constrain the
horizontal displacements of all the vertical bents at a floor level to be related by the horizontal
translations and rotation of the floor slab.
Symmetric Plan Structures Subjected to Symmetric Loading:
Asymmetric Plan Structures.

Member Force Analysis by Portal Method:

The method is most appropriate to rigid frames that deflect predominantly by racking.
Up to 25 stories in height.
Height-to-width ratio not greater than 4: 1.
Approximate Analysis by Cantilever Method:
Approximate Analysis of Rigid Frames with Setbacks:

APPROXIMATE ANALYSIS FOR DRIFT

Story Drift due to Girder Flexure.

Story Drift due to Column Flexure.

Story Drift due to overall bending.

Story Drift.
 First storey Drift & Total Drift.

Correction & Excessive Drift.

Effective (GA).

Flat Plate.