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Chapter 3:

Finite Element Analysis Modelling

60

The intersection of the building columns and foundation lever beams are rigidly joined with a weld connector to allow the transfer of shear forces and bending moments between these members.

3.13

Horizontal Lateral Bracing System

The apexes of the building columns are horizontally laterally connected to the first floor of the laboratory with the horizontal lateral bracing struts composed of 20mm diameter steel rods, which are 600mm long as shown in Figure 3.11.1. The horizontal lateral bracing struts were designed to only transmit axial forces generated via the crane wheels through the crane rails to the horizontal lateral supports.

The horizontal lateral bracing system depicted in Figure 3.11.1 is usually not included in an industrial building. These members were included in the experimental and FEA model to prevent horizontal lateral displacement of the apexes of the building and crane columns. In future research work the horizontal lateral bracing system will be removed to determine the flexibility of the portal frame structure.

In the FEA model the horizontal lateral bracing system were modelled by restraining the apexes of the building columns as only the horizontal lateral reactions are important and not the strains within the bracing system. The horizontal lateral supports at the top of the apexes of the building columns may be omitted to study the effect on the horizontal lateral displacements of the crane rails by adjusting the stiffness of the vertical spring attached to the foundation lever beams.

3.14

Top and Bottom Horizontal Lateral Girder Bracing Struts

The top and bottom flanges of the girders are connected to the building columns, as shown in Figure 3.14.1, using horizontal lateral bracing struts, which are composed of double T-cross sections with cross sectional areas of 1.5 x 103 mm2 and 600mm in length. The purpose of the horizontal lateral bracing struts is to transfers the horizontal lateral forces from the girders to the building columns.

The purpose of the horizontal lateral girder bracing struts in the FEA model is only to transfer the axial forces from the compound beams to the building columns. The horizontal lateral girder