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Robustness of light steel frames and modular constructions

Robustness of light steel frames and modular constructions
Robustness of light steel frames and modular constructions
The robustness or structural integrity of light steel framing and modular constructions is important because these are relatively new structural forms, in which the components have different forms of inter connectivity in comparison with primary steel frames. There is also an increased need to understand the sensitivity of these forms of construction to so called ‘accidental actions’ including terrorist threats. Various forms of construction using light steel and modular technologies are identified and their implications for ‘robustness’ are reviewed. For light steel framing, multiple inter connections provide robustness by tying action and alternative load paths in the event of one or more elements being severely damaged. For modular construction, a scenario based approach is required in which modules are selectively removed and the horizontal and vertical forces in the connections between the modules can be calculated explicitly. Load tests on modular units demonstrate the torsional and ‘deep beam’ action of the modules. Stressed skin tests are presented which show that modules are able to span as deep beams with one longitudinal support removed with minimal displacements, indicating that the torsional stiffness of the ‘box’ provides a high level of robustness. Removal of a corner support again demonstrated the role that torsional action of the box plays in redistributing loads away from damaged sections of a structure.
design methods & aids, beams & girders, buildings, structures & design, steel structures
3-16
Lawson, P.M.
a5553d0b-feb6-4183-bbb7-dbd8a2563681
Byfield, M.P.
35515781-c39d-4fe0-86c8-608c87287964
Popo-Ola, S.O.
32fb2352-5583-43ae-9c73-d60f237ed95c
Grubb, P.J.
70562e70-b012-4d30-b733-8b305103d449
Lawson, P.M.
a5553d0b-feb6-4183-bbb7-dbd8a2563681
Byfield, M.P.
35515781-c39d-4fe0-86c8-608c87287964
Popo-Ola, S.O.
32fb2352-5583-43ae-9c73-d60f237ed95c
Grubb, P.J.
70562e70-b012-4d30-b733-8b305103d449

Lawson, P.M., Byfield, M.P., Popo-Ola, S.O. and Grubb, P.J. (2008) Robustness of light steel frames and modular constructions. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Structures and Buildings, 161 (1), 3-16. (doi:10.1680/stbu.2008.161.1.3).

Record type: Article

Abstract

The robustness or structural integrity of light steel framing and modular constructions is important because these are relatively new structural forms, in which the components have different forms of inter connectivity in comparison with primary steel frames. There is also an increased need to understand the sensitivity of these forms of construction to so called ‘accidental actions’ including terrorist threats. Various forms of construction using light steel and modular technologies are identified and their implications for ‘robustness’ are reviewed. For light steel framing, multiple inter connections provide robustness by tying action and alternative load paths in the event of one or more elements being severely damaged. For modular construction, a scenario based approach is required in which modules are selectively removed and the horizontal and vertical forces in the connections between the modules can be calculated explicitly. Load tests on modular units demonstrate the torsional and ‘deep beam’ action of the modules. Stressed skin tests are presented which show that modules are able to span as deep beams with one longitudinal support removed with minimal displacements, indicating that the torsional stiffness of the ‘box’ provides a high level of robustness. Removal of a corner support again demonstrated the role that torsional action of the box plays in redistributing loads away from damaged sections of a structure.

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More information

Published date: 1 February 2008
Keywords: design methods & aids, beams & girders, buildings, structures & design, steel structures
Organisations: Infrastructure Group

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 53351
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/53351
PURE UUID: dcf43ca0-1180-4e6a-a6ba-a96772067c5a
ORCID for M.P. Byfield: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-9724-9472

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 20 Aug 2008
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 10:40

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Contributors

Author: P.M. Lawson
Author: M.P. Byfield ORCID iD
Author: S.O. Popo-Ola
Author: P.J. Grubb

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