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2 PLASTIC ANALYSIS OF PORTAL FRAMES

2.1 Plastic Design of Portal Frames
Plastic theory has been used in the UK for the basis of the design of low-rise frames,
particularly portal frames, since its use was first allowed in BS449 in 1948. In many
countries the use of plastic theory is permitted by their own national codes. But plastic
methods of analysis are mainly used to allow engineers to more easily do the analysis
and more economical design portal frames than typical elastic methods. The concept
of plastic analysis method is to calculate the loads that can be applied to cause the
frame to fail as a failure mechanism occur e.g. enough plastic hinges occur (Morris,
1981).
2.2 Elastic vs. plastic analysis
The methods of analysis fall into either elastic analysis or plastic analysis. Elastic
analysis often produces less economical structures because it does not allow large-
scale plastic redistribution of bending moments, although these will occur in an
adequately braced structure and will enable the structure to carry higher loads than
calculated by elastic analysis. Generally, plastic analysis results in more economical
structures because plastic redistribution allows slightly smaller members to carry the
same loads. On the other hand in some cases elastic analysis can be more economical
as plastic analysis depends on bracing system, because plastic redistribution imposes
extra requirements on bracing of members. The overall economy of the frame might
therefore depend on the ease with which the frame can be braced.


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3 DIFFERNCES BETWEEN EC3 AND BS5950
There are a number of differences between EC3 and previous UK practice, which need to be
clearly understood by the designers that used to BS5950 but intend to use EC3. The main
differences affecting the portal frame designing noted below (King, Technical Report P164).
3.1 Load Combinations
BS5950 uses one set of load factors for a combination of (dead +live) loads, but a
lower load factor for (dead +live +wind) loads. In principal, EC3 requires that all
variable actions (live loads, wind loads, ect.) are considered in the same load
combination, but includes a reduction factor on all variable actions, except the most
unfavorable.
3.2 Consideration of second-order effects,
EC3 requires that the second order effects are explicitly considered in analysis, either
by second-order analysis or by modifications to classic first-order analysis. For single-
storey portal frame design, the sway check method in BS 5950 uses deflection checks
to assess the stiffness. If the stiffness is too low, it has to be increased. If the stiffness
is above a certain value, second order can be ignored.
3.3 Base fixity
It is common practice in the UK to assume that column bases are truly pinned for
ultimate limit state bending moment diagrams, where they are actually nominally
connected. EC3 requires consideration of the actual flexibility. In the case of
nominally pinned bases, the assumption of a truly pinned base is conservative, so it is
acceptable. However, for fixed bases the actual flexibility must be considered.

3.4 Separate checks for cross-section and buckling,
EC3 has entirely separate checks for the cross-section resistance and buckling
resistance. This is unfamiliar, but very helpful for checking elements of varying
sections along the fram