Non-Linear Behavior and Design of Steel Structures: Review and Outlook

The high strength and stiffness-to-weight ratios of structural steel often result in relatively slender members and systems, which are governed to a great extent by stability limit states. However, predicting the stability of slender structures is difficult due to various inherent uncertainties in material and geometry. Generally, structural and member stabilities are nonlinear problems that cannot be directly evaluated based on the section strength using conventional analysis method. Nonlinear behaviors are basically categorized as materially and geometrically nonlinear, which can be observed at the cross-sectional, member, and frame levels. To provide a comprehensive understanding of the current state-of-the-art non-linear behavior and design of steel structures and to identify key areas for future research and development, this paper presents a review on the materially and geometrically nonlinear effects of steel structures. A discussion of the effects of material yielding accentuated by the presence of residual stresses, initial imperfections, and end conditions will be conducted. The stiffness reduction due to second-order effects and material yielding will be illustrated. Moreover, current and emerging design approaches that consider nonlinear responses will also be reviewed and evaluated. Lastly, with the development of modern flexible and complex steel structures, which sometimes violate fundamental assumptions of the current stability design method, the application of advanced analysis and design methods will be explored.

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