A Brief Review of Stability Design Approaches for Portal Frames with Tapered Members

Yu Yingquan; Tong Genshu; Wang Zhe

doi:10.13206/j.gjgS26081445

Volume 41 Issue 9

Sep. 2026

Turn off MathJax

Article Contents

Article Navigation > STEEL CONSTRUCTION(Chinese & English) > 2026 > 41(9): 79-85

Yu Yingquan, Tong Genshu, Wang Zhe. A Brief Review of Stability Design Approaches for Portal Frames with Tapered Members[J]. STEEL CONSTRUCTION(Chinese & English), 2026, 41(9): 79-85. doi: 10.13206/j.gjgS26081445

Citation:

Yu Yingquan, Tong Genshu, Wang Zhe. A Brief Review of Stability Design Approaches for Portal Frames with Tapered Members[J]. STEEL CONSTRUCTION(Chinese & English), 2026, 41(9): 79-85. doi: 10.13206/j.gjgS26081445

Citation:

PDF( 996 KB)

A Brief Review of Stability Design Approaches for Portal Frames with Tapered Members

doi: 10.13206/j.gjgS26081445

1. China Institute of Building Standard Design & Research Co., Ltd., Beijing 100048, China;
2. Institute of High Performance Structures, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China

Received Date: 2026-08-14
Available Online: 2026-11-06

Abstract

Abstract

This paper presents a brief review of the latest design provisions for tapered members in portal frames used in the United States and China. AISC Design Guide 25， published in 2011， completely abandoned the design approach developed during 1966-1981 that had been adopted in earlier AISC specifications. It established an entirely new approach. In China， the earlier specification CECS 102：2002 was replaced by the national standard GB 51022-2015. The stability design approach in the Chinese standard is more consistent with the actual behavior of portal frames. The rotational restraint provided by fly braces to the compressive flange of the rafter is given by explicit formulas. Accordingly， the torsional buckling check about a fixed axis of rotation becomes the governing stability check for portal frame rafters. In addition， under combined axial force and bending moment， the internal forces and stresses are calculated at the same cross-section， which appears more rational.
- portal frame,
- tapered member,
- stability

FullText(HTML)

References(16)

References

[1]	Timoshenko S P. Theory of elastic stability［M］. New York：McGraw-Hill，1936：518.
[2]	Timoshenko S P，Gere J M. Theory of elastic stability［M］. New York：McGraw-Hill，1963：541.
[3]	Bleich F. Buckling strength of metal structures［M］. New York：McGraw-Hill，1952.
[4]	Kaehler R C，White D W，Kim Y D. Frame design using web-tapered members：MBMA/AISC design guide 25［M］. Chicago：MBMA and AISC，2011.
[5]	Dinnik A N. Design of columns of varying cross sections［J］. ASME Transactions，1929，51：165-171.
[6]	Dinnik A N. Design of columns of varying cross sections［J］ ASME Transactions，1932，54：105-109.
[7]	Newmark N M. A numerical procedure for computing deflections，moments and buckling loads［J］. Transactions ASCE，1943，108：1161-1188.
[8]	Butler D J，Anderson G C. The elastic buckling of tapered beam-columns［J］. Welding Journal Research Supplement，1963，42（1）：29-36.
[9]	Butler D J. Elastic buckling tests on laterally and torsionally braced tapered I-beams［J］. Welding Journal Research Supplement，1966，45（1）：41-48.
[10]	American Institute of Steel Construction（AISC）. Specification for the design，fabrication and erection of structural steel for buildings［S］. Chicago：AISC，1978.
[11]	American Institute of Steel Construction（AISC）. Load and Resistance factor design specification for structural steel buildings［S］. Chicago：AISC，1999.
[12]	Lee G C，Ketter R L，Hsu T L. The design of single story rigid frames［M］. Cleveland，OH：Metal Building Manufacturers Association，1981.
[13]	中国工程建设标准化协会. 门式刚架轻型房屋钢结构技术规程：CECS 102 ∶2002［S］. 北京：中国计划出版社，2002.
[14]	中国工程建设标准化协会. 门式刚架轻型房屋钢结构技术规范：GB 51022—2015［S］. 北京：中国建筑工业出版社，2015.
[15]	Marques L R S. Tapered steel members：flexural and lateral-torsional buckling［D］. Coimbra：Coimbra University，2012.
[16]	European Committee for Standardization. Eurocode 3-design of steel structures-part 1-1：general rules and rules for buildings：EN1993-1-1∶2022［S］. Brussels：European Committee for Standardization，2022.