Superior design solutions of section sizes in steel buildings for different lateral frame systems and column shapes

Abstract

Superior design solutions of 7-story steel buildings are obtained by the multiple start local search (MSLS) method, minimizing the steel volume for three types of structural systems: a space-frame system with rectangular hollow structural section (HSS) columns (SFS), perimeter-frame system (PFS) with I-shaped columns (PFSH), and a PFS with rectangular HSS columns (PFSB). Most beam-to-column connections are moment connections in SFS, whereas they are limited in PFS. In terms of steel volume, PFSH is advantageous for moment-frame buildings, and SFS and PFSB are suitable for braced frames with uniform column spacings. SFS is disadvantageous for mixed-, moment-, and braced-frame buildings.