| This thesis reports the findings of a four year research project in which the structural behaviour of tubular skeletal framework is studied through both experimental and numerical investigations. This research project aims to examine the structural behaviour of tubular skeletal framework, in particular, bamboo scaffolds and steel scaffolds which are widely employed in building construction in the South East Asia. It should be noted that column buckling is always critical in these structures due to the use of very slender compression members. Structural engineers often find it difficult to determine the effective lengths of these compression members due to complicated member configurations and bracing members. Consequently, the load carrying capacities of these tubular skeletal framework are traditionally assessed through testing. It will be highly desirable to provide simple but effective design methods to allow for column buckling in both bamboo and steel scaffolds, and hence, to evaluate the load carrying capacities of these scaffolds through rational design methods. Detailed understanding on the structural instability of these structures will also be provided to promote safe and effective use in practice. The major activities and findings of the project are summarized as follows:;In order to investigate the structural stability of tubular skeletal framework, finite element technique was employed to study the interactive column buckling of beam-column sub-frames. A literature review on finite element formulation using one-element-per-member was carried out to acquire the basic knowledge of advanced non-linear finite element modeling, and the advanced non-linear finite element software developed at the Department of Civil and Structural Engineering of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, NIDA , was employed in this project.;A number of finite element models for various beam-column sub-frames with different member configurations were established to study their structural behaviour against local, overall and interactive column buckling. Moreover, the effects of bracing members and support conditions were studied in order to examine the structural performance of these structures in practice. The effects of initial imperfections in terms of both magnitude and mode shape were also examined. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
