International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) Volume: 13 Issue: 01 | Jan 2026
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e-ISSN: 2395-0056 p-ISSN: 2395-0072
“SEISMIC ANALYSIS AND DESIGN OF MODULAR STEEL STRUCTURE WITH SEMI-RIGID CONNECTION: A REVIEW” Er. Onkar Ghugea, Prof. Keshav R. Kaleb a MTech Structural student, Chh. Shahu College of Engineering, Sambhajinagar, Solapur- 413002. b
Assistant Professor, Chh. Shahu College of Engineering, Sambhajinagar, Solapur- 413002. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------***-----------------------------------------------------------------------------ABSRACT: Structural frameworks are generally designed to resist gravity loads. In the case of rigid connections, the full strength of the beam section is rarely utilized because the moment at the beam ends (supports) is typically higher than at midspan. To reduce these end moments and achieve a more efficient use of the beam section, semi-rigid connections can be introduced. These are modelled as rotational springs at the joints. In this study, the initial connection stiffness (R ki) of an unstiffened top and seat angle connection without a double web angle (T&S) is calculated using a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. This concept is then extended to structures subjected to lateral loads to explore potential cost savings. Two models of a G+2 industrial Piperack steel structure—one with rigid connections and the other with semi-rigid connections—are analysed and designed using the Equivalent Static Method in STAAD.Pro V8i software. The results from both models are compared to evaluating parameters such as maximum shear force, maximum bending moment, and overall steel consumption. Keywords: - unstiffened top and seat angle, industrial Piperack, stiffness. improving safety and ductility. The authors advocate for INTRODUCTION codal revisions and offer Rki ranges suitable for STAAD.Pro The study includes various types of connection and modelling. This research is valuable for modernizing Indian connection behaviour. The joints are assumed to be “rigid”, steel design practices and improving the resilience of pipe and there is no relative rotation of one member with respect racks and industrial frames. to the other. In fact, this has been the main underlying Muthuraman, M., & Ramesh, R. “Study on Pipe Rack Steel assumption in most of our frame analysis. At the other Structures with Rigid and Semi-Rigid Connections,” extreme, we assume the joints to be hinged in the case of 2021 [2] truss structures. Thus, at the support of steel structures, it is assumed that either ideally fixed or ideally pinned This recent Indian study specifically investigates the conditions exist. Many “rigid” connections in steel structures application of semi-rigid connections in G+2 Piperack permit a certain amount of rotation to take place within the structures. Using STAAD.Pro V8i, the authors analyse two connections, and most “pinned” connections offer a small models—one with fully rigid and one with semi-rigid beamamount of restraint against rotation. Thus, if a more column connections modelled using initial rotational accurate analysis of such structures is desired, it is stiffness (Rki). They find that semi-rigid connections offer necessary to consider the connections as being flexible or reduced support moments and better moment distribution, semi rigid. leading to a 6–8% reduction in steel weight. The paper supports the practical use of unstiffened top and seat angle Literature Survey connections without double web angles. It also discusses how this modelling leads to cost-effective design without Sarkar, B., & Bhattacharya, P. “Bolted Semi-Rigid compromising on safety or performance under gravity and Connections in Indian Seismic Design,” 2022 [1] lateral loads. This paper critically evaluates the role of semi-rigid bolted Desai, P., & Patel, H. “Analysis of Steel Frames connections in seismic-resistant steel structures in the Considering Semi-Rigid Connections,” 2020 [3] Indian context. The authors argue that the current IS 800:2007 standard inadequately addresses semi-rigid In this study, a comparative analysis of rigid and semi-rigid connections despite their advantages in real-world frames is conducted on a G+3 commercial building frame performance under lateral loading. Drawing on case studies using STAAD.Pro. The authors assign calculated Rki values from international seismic events and Indian industrial to beam-column joints using the Kishi-Chen power model. structures, the paper shows that semi-rigid connections can They find that the semi-rigid frame demonstrates more dissipate energy more effectively and reduce base shear,
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