Impact of joint stiffness on the overall cost of gabled steel frames

Abstract

This paper studies the influence of joint stiffness value combinations in gabled steel frames. Twelve different joint stiffness values were combined for the column base, knee joint and ridge joint. Ten different geometries were combined for gabled steel frames (8-20 m span, 3.5-10 m column height and 10-20% roof slope). Finally, three different load levels for snow and wind were considered, with constant values of permanent and maintenance loads. A total of 46656 cases were analyzed using specific software for steel structure design, obtaining in each case the total cost. Graphical cost representation was obtained for each joint stiffness value combination. Joints represent an average of 17% of the total cost of gabled steel frame structures. In general, lower cost structures were obtained with low joint rigidity values. It is possible to reduce the total cost by around 18% on average, with appropriate selection of joint stiffness combinations