a)

The steel structure consisting of portal frames will be used as a hangar for a large exhibition
hall，which will be located in SIP Suzhou, adjacent to the EB building. Portal frames are a
highly cost-effective structural option for this single-story building. The bay spacing is
23.74m and there are 4 bays. I designed the eave height to be 10m, the roof patch to be a
common 7°, and the span length to be 23.74 m.

1
Figure 1: Front view of the portal frame (unit: m）

Figure 2: general figure of the portal frame (unit: m）

b)
The fact of space requirement, flexibility of use access and security, environmental
performance, aesthetics and visual impact and acoustic isolation are important. We need to
consider these part first.
Because we need to make the structure has the acoustic isolation, aluminum roof sheeting is
a good choice. As Aluminum itself has a certain sound insulation effect, which can effectively
control indoor and outdoor noise, but it also depends on the thickness, density and material
composition. In this portal frame structure, the weight of the aluminum roof sheeting is 0.04
��/�2 .
One of the materials which is above the sheet is Mineral Wool (Rock Wool). This kind of
material are made from natural basalt or recycled steel slag which has a long lifespan,
lightweight, and energy-efficient production. Moreover, it has high thermal insulation,
reducing the need for heating and cooling. To satisfy the sound insulation, this material can
provide superior noise reduction between spaces. It also has a good fire resistance as it is
non-combustible. The density of this material is 400–800 kg/m³. I assume the density of
material cover is 600 kg/m³. In this structure, I assume the thickness of this material mineral
wool 0.1m. The weight of the material is 0.588 ��/�2 .
Above the Mineral Wool (Rock Wool), I put some Breathable Membranes or Recycled EPDM
Membranes. This material can prevent the steel part of the portal frame from corrosion. The
most of breathable membranes are made of the recycled materials such as polyethylene. It
also can ensure moisture control without trapping heat, in this way, it is energy efficiency.
Moreover, it can reduce the noise transmission through wall or roof assemblies. The density
of this material is 150–400 kg/m³. I assume the density of material cover is 300 kg/m³. In this
structure, I assume the thickness of this material mineral wool 0.1m. The weight of the
material is 0.294 ��/�2 .
 �� �� ��
The permanent load which is �� = 0.588 �2 + 0.294 �2 + 0.04 �2 = 0.213 ��/�2

c) To design the initial cross-sections for the columns, rafters, and purlins，the load applied
to the structure should be analyzed and integrated first. According to the principle, the
frames which are in the middle take more load than the frame on the end. Moreover, it is
always considering the critical part, so an intermediate position frame should be taken to
load analysis.
The safety load can be obtained from the European standard 0.
The basic information which is given
The structure is used as a large exhibition hall. I consider it as the congregation area.

The q can be gotten:

� = ��,�,��� ��,�,��� + ��,1 ��,1 + ��,� �0,� ��,�
� = 1.35��,�,��� + 1.5��,1 + 1.5 ∗ 0.7 ∗ ��,�
Among them, the snow load should cover the entire structure. As the angle of the roofs is 7°,
from the European code 1, the � = 0.8. Moreover it is located at the XJTLU north campus,
there is no significant removal of snow by the wind on construction work, because of terrain,
other construction works or trees, so the value of the �� = 1 . From the code, the value of
the �� = 1
�� = �� ∗ �� ∗ � ∗ � = 0.8 ∗ 1 ∗ 1 ∗ � = 0.6��/�2

Figure. Snow load shape coefficient

Table. Snow load shape coefficient

The space between two purlins are 2.99m, which is in my design. So I take it as 3m. The load
acts on the purlins can be calculated by this equation:
� = � ∗ (� + �)

Figure the arrangement of the purlins and the load acted on the purlins
The load which is loading at the purlins and self-weight of the member of the structure are
shown on the table below.

Table. The ULT load which is calculated and given by the question.
�1 = 1.35 ∗ 0.639 + 1.5 ∗ 1.8 + 1.5 ∗ 0.7 ∗ 0.6 = 4.2 ��/�
�2 = 1.35 ∗ 0.639 + 1.5 ∗ 0.6 + 1.5 ∗ 0.7 ∗ 1.8 = 3.65 ��/�
9.8
���� ����ℎ� = 1.35 ∗ 77.6 ∗ = 1.026 ��/�
1000
The value of q2 is bigger than q1, So we use q2 to do a preliminary analysis.
�1 = �2 = 0.07 ∗ � ∗ �2 = 0.07 ∗ 4.2 ∗ 23.742 = 165.7 ���
�� = 1.25 ∗ � ∗ � = 1.25 ∗ 4.2 ∗ 23.74 = 124.635 ���
As I designed, the purlins are the combined of the two bays beam which is shown below:

The result force which is applied to the purlin will be transversed to the portal frame, when
considering the design of the purlin. So, the portal frame will suffer the vertical load which is
applied by the purlin which is shown below:
23.74
�� = ��,� × 23.74 − 4.2 × × 23.74 = 124.6 ���
2
��,� = 55��
�� = 4.2 × 23.74 × 2 − 44.64 × 2 = 89.4��
The portal frame at the point C will suffer two vertical force which are applied by the purlins.
�� = 2��,� = 110��
So the frame at the B , Dis the most critical frame, I will take B as the analyze sample.
The load applied on the frame is shown below:

The concentrated force can be transform into uniform distribute load(UDL):

Moreover the rafter will suffer the force from the purlins and the self-wight of the beam self
concentrated force + �ℎ� ���� ���ℎ� �� ������
������� = + ���� ���ℎ� �� �ℎ� ����
����
880 + 10 ∗ 1.2
= + 1.026 = 38.094��/�
23.74
When conducting a preliminary analysis, I use the Wellers-charts:
�� 23.74
���� �� ����� ℎ���ℎ� = = = 2.374
ℎ� 10
� 1.5
����/���� = = = 0.063
� 23.74
Graph No.1 :
 �
= 0.16, � = 144.72��
��
Graph No.2:

���
= 0.038, ��� = 816�� ∙ �
��2
��� = 816�� ∙ � = ��� ∗ ��
���
��� = = 2298.5 ��3
��
Plastic section modulus of the rafter ��� = 2298.5 ��3
Graph No.3:
 ���
= 0.071, ��� = 4573 . 7�� ∙ �
��2
���
��� = = 4573 . 7��3
��
Plastic section modulus of the column ��� = 4573 . 7��3

From the table recommended:

Cross-sections are: HE 280 M ��� = 2966 ��3 (rafter)
HE 340 M ��� = 4718 ��3 (column)
But when calculate the bending moment of the frame:

The rafter will suffer the bigger bending moment, so the cross-section of the rafter change
� 1407
into HE 450B ��� = 3981��3 , ��
=
355
= 3966.19

4)
There is a case that the portal frame will have the sway mechanism which is the snow load is
only applied on the one side.
Calculate the load applied on the frame which is without the snow load:
The ULT load which is calculated and given by the question.
�1 = 1.5 ∗ 0.7 ∗ 1.8 = 1.89 ��/�
�2 = 1.5 ∗ 1.8 = 2.7 ��/�
The value of q2 is bigger than q1, So we use q2 to do a preliminary analysis.
�1 = �2 = 0.07 ∗ � ∗ �2 = 0.07 ∗ 2.7 ∗ 23.742 = 106.53 ���
�� = 1.25 ∗ � ∗ � = 1.25 ∗ 2.7 ∗ 23.74 = 80.1 ���
As I designed, the purlins are the combined of the two bays beam which is shown below:

The result force which is applied to the purlin will be transversed to the portal frame, when
considering the design of the purlin. So, the portal frame will suffer the vertical load which is
applied by the purlin which is shown below:
23.74
�� = ��,� × 23.74 − 2.7 × × 23.74 = 80.1 ���
2
��,� = 35.4��
�� = 2.7 × 23.74 × 2 − 11.81 × 2 = 57.4��
The portal frame at the point C will suffer two vertical force which are applied by the purlins.
�� = 2��,� = 70.8��
The load which is applied by snow to the frame is 70.8��
It be transferred to the UDL:
70.8�� ∗ 8 = �� � = 23.86��/�
38.094 − 23.86 = ����� ���ℎ��� �ℎ� ���� ���� = 14.234��/�

Degree of the redundancy = 3

Potential plastic hinges = 7
Required P.H. to become a mechanism = 3+1 = 4
Independent mechanism =4 (the joint is not existed as there is no horizontal force on the
frame. So the Independent mechanism =3)
Total number of mechanisms = 23 − 1 = 7
Combined mechanisms = 7-3 =4

Beam mechanism:
Though the intricate calculation of the geometric relations, the change of the angle at each
plastic hinge has been determined as:
∆�� = � , ∆�� = � , ∆�� = ∆�� + ∆�� = 2�
Where the � is the rotation angle of point B
The internal work:
���,���� (∆�� + ∆�� + ∆�� ) = ��
The external work:
� ∗ �������� ∗ 3� + 6� + 9� = ��
Where ����� = 7°
� = 374.79��

Beam mechanism:

Though the intricate calculation of the geometric relations, the change of the angle at each
plastic hinge has been determined as:
∆�� = � , ∆�� = � , ∆�� = ∆�� + ∆�� = 2�
Where the � is the rotation angle of point B
The internal work:
���,���� (∆�� + ∆�� + ∆�� ) = ��
The external work:
� ∗ �������� ∗ 3� + 6� + 9� = ��
Where ����� = 7°
� = 374.8��
Sway mechanism:

ℎ �2
�= ∗ = 1.307
8 �1
BG = s =12 , f = 1.5, h =10 = EF
� �2 8ℎ + 5�
�� = �� = ∗ 2 = 87.35��
64 ℎ � + 3 + � 3ℎ + �

Frame mechanism:

Though the intricate calculation of the geometric relations, the change of the angle at each
plastic hinge has been determined as:
∆�� = � ∆�� = 2� ∆�� = 0.32� ∆�� = 1.32� where � is rotation angle of the instant
point.
The internal work:
���,���� ∆�� + ∆�� + ∆�� + ���,������ ∆�� = ��
When consider the external work, the frame is symmetry and the distribution of the load is
symmetry. The work can be calculated by one side,
The external work:
� ∗ �������� 2 ∗ 3 × � + 6 × � + 9 × � + 12 × � = ��
Where ����� = 6°
� = 139.24��

The combined mechanism of the beam and beam:

The combined mechanism of the right side beam and frame mechanism:

Though the intricate calculation of the geometric relations, the change of the angle at each
plastic hinge has been determined as:
1
∆�� = 0.879� ∆�� = 2 ∗ 0.879� + � = 2.748� ∆�� = � ∆�� = � where � is rotation
3.82

angle of the instant point.

The internal work:
���,���� ∆�� + ∆�� + ∆�� + ���,������ ∆�� = ��
When consider the external work, the frame is symmetry and the distribution of the load is
symmetry. The work can be calculated by one side,
According to the parrel axis theory, the distance of the D’E’ to DE can be calculate
The external work:
9 6 3
� ∗ �������� ∗ 11.2 ∗ � + ∗ 11.2 ∗ � + ∗ 11.2 ∗ � = ��
11.2 11.2 11.2
Where ����� = 6°
�3 = 322.625��

5)

The SLS load act on the frame can be calculated:

�1 = ��������� ���� + �0 ∗ ���� ���� + ���� ���� = 0.639 + 0.7 ∗ 1.8 + 0.6
= 2.5��/�
�2 = ��������� ���� + �0 ∗ ���� ���� + �������� = 0.639 + 1.8 + 0.7 ∗ 0.6
= 2.86 ��/�
The value of q2 is bigger than q1, So we use q2 to do a analysis.
�1 = �2 = 0.07 ∗ � ∗ �2 = 0.07 ∗ 2.86 ∗ 23.742 = 112.83 ���
�� = 1.25 ∗ � ∗ � = 1.25 ∗ 2.86 ∗ 23.74 = 84.9���
23.74
�� = ��,� × 23.74 − 2.86 × × 23.74 = 112.83���
2
��,� = 38.7��
�� = 2.86 × 23.74 × 2 − 38.7 × 2 = 58.4��
The frame in the middle will suffer two time of the vertical force
2��,� = 77.4�
concentrated force
������� = + ���� ���ℎ� �� �ℎ� ���� + ���� ����ℎ� �� �ℎ� ������
����
77.4 ∗ 8
= + 0.71 + 0.88 = 27.1��/�
23.74
For the beam:
HE 450B
 �� = 3551 ∗ 355 = 1260.6 �� ∙ �
�� = 3982 ∗ 355 = 1413.6 �� ∙ �
For the column:
HE 340 M
�� = 4052 ∗ 355 = 1438.5 �� ∙ �
�� = 4718 ∗ 355 = 1674.9 �� ∙ �

When add an incremental wind load, the point of the H will become yielding after the ���
become the yielding and before the ��� become plastic hinge.
After the point G become the plastic hinge, the point H will become the plastic hinge
thought the analysis. Moreover, A will get yield before the point H become a plastic hinge:

After the point H become the plastic hinge, the point A will become the plastic hinge
thought the analysis:

After the point A become the plastic hinge, the point D will become the plastic hinge
thought the analysis. After the point A become a plastic hinge, the degree of the freedom of
the structure will be zero.
After the point D become a plastic hinge, the degree of the freedom of the structure will
become a positive number which means this structure become unstable. It cannot suffer
more incremental load and no plastic hinge will form.
f)
Beam mechanism:

Though the intricate calculation of the geometric relations, the change of the angle at each
plastic hinge has been determined as:
∆�� = � , ∆�� = � , ∆�� = ∆�� + ∆�� = 2�
Where the � is the rotation angle of point B
The internal work:
���,���� (∆�� + ∆�� + ∆�� ) = ��
The external work:
2 ∗ � ∗ � ∗ �������� ∗ � ∗ 3 + � ∗ � ∗ �������� ∗ � ∗ 6 = ��
Where ����� = 7° V is the force applied on the beam
0.33585���,����
�=
�∗�

Beam mechanism:

The snow load is applied on the other side of the beam

Though the intricate calculation of the geometric relations, the change of the angle at each
plastic hinge has been determined as:
∆�� = � , ∆�� = � , ∆�� = ∆�� + ∆�� = 2�
Where the � is the rotation angle of point B
The internal work:
 ���,���� (∆�� + ∆�� + ∆�� ) = ��
The external work:
2 ∗ � ∗ � ∗ �������� ∗ � ∗ 3 + � ∗ � ∗ �������� ∗ � ∗ 6 = ��
Where ����� = 7° V is the force applied on the beam
0.33585���,����
�=
�

Sway mechanism:
the one side snow load will cause the structure sway. Take the wind load as a concentrate
load which is act on the point C.

∆�� = � , ∆�� = � , ∆�� = �, ∆�� = �

���,���� ∆�� + ∆�� + ���,������ ∗ ∆�� + ∆�� = ��
� ∗ � ∗ 10� = ��
2(���,���� + ���,������ ) ���,���� + ���,������
�= =
4.8747� + 10� 5�

The combined mechanism:

The angle A0C’ is equal to the angle GOF’.
The triangle AHO is similar to the triangle AGO, so:
AH
OG = ∗ �� = 43, �� + �� = 43, �� = 33
AG
��0� ∗ �� = ��' = ��'�� ∗ ��
��0� = � = �� , ��'�� = �1 = 3.3 �
AC = 12.27, OC = 3*AC
�2 ∗ �� = ��' = � ∗ ��
�2 = 3�
Horizontal displacement:
�� = �� ∗ �2 = 30�
�� = �� ∗ �2 = 12.28 ∗ 3� = 36.8�
Because the part CDE is rigid, so the displacement of the E, C is the same.
�� = �� = 36.8�
Vertical displacement:
��
�� = ∗ �2 = 17.805�
4
��
�� = ∗ � = 5.935�
4
Because it is rigid, the displacement of the D is related to the point C,E
�� = �� − �� = 11.87�
Rotation of the point:
∆�� = �2 = 3�, ∆�� = ∆�� + � = 4�, ∆�� = ∆�� + � = 4.3 �
The plastic hinge is at the point A,C,F,G
���,���� �2 + �1 + ���,������ ∆�� + ∆�� = ��
�� ∗ 30� + �� ∗ (�� + �� + �� ) = ��
(6.3���,���� + 8.3���,������ )
�=
30� + 33.61�
2(���,���� + ���,������ ) ���,���� + ���,������
�= =
4.8747� + 10� 5�
0.33585���,����
�=
�