Full scale testing of space steel frame subjected to proportional loads

The second-order inelastic analysis enables designers
to directly evaluate the ultimate strength and behavior
of structural system. The direct use of second-order
inelastic analysis without member capacity checks is
expected to be allowed in future design codes. Over the
past 30 years, researchers have developed and validated
various methods of performing second-order inelastic
analysis on steel frames. Most of these studies can be
categorized into one of two types: sophisticated and sim-
plified second-order inelastic analysis. The sophisticated
analysis (plastic-zone analysis) uses the highest refine-
ment and is considered accurate [1,2]. However, this
analysis is not intended to be used in daily engineering
practice, because it is too costly and intensive in compu-
tation. The simplified analysis for practical design uses
the concentrated plastic hinge [3–7]. This analysis must
be verified by calibrating with plastic-zone analysis. The
plastic zone analysis also requires an experimental veri-
fication in order to confirm its validity, since experi-
mental results provide actual behavior and strength of
structures. Therefore, a realistic simulation such as full-
scale frame testing is quite necessary.
Two-dimensional two-bay full-size frames were tested
by Kanchanalai to verify the plastic-zone analysis [8].
All frames were bent with respect to the week axis in
order to avoid out-of-plane buckling. Two-dimensional
full-size frames were tested by Yarimci at Lehigh Uni-
versity [9]. The frames were sandwiched and supported
laterally by two parallel auxiliary frames preventing out-
of-plane buckling. All members were bent in strong axis.
A series of four tests were conducted by Avery and Mah-
endran [10]. Each of the four frames could be classified
as a two-dimensional, single-bay, single-story, full-scale
sway frame with full lateral restraint and rigid joints.
Two-series of tests were conducted by Wakabayashi and
Matsui for a two-dimensional one-story frame and a two-
story frame [11]. To prevent out-of-plane buckling, two
of the same specimens were set in parallel and connected
at the joints and at the mid-length of the members. Harri-
son tested the equilateral triangular space frame [12]. A
horizontal load (H) was applied on the top of the column
and a vertical load of 1.3H was applied at mid span of
the beam.
Although a number of large-scale frame tests have
been conducted in the past 30 years, the majority of
those are of only two-dimensional frames. Two-dimen-
sional frames are not a realistic representative model of
the behavior of real structures. The aim of this paper is
to conduct three-dimensional full-scale frame testing.
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