Statically Determinate Plane Frames

Abstract

Plane frame structures are composed of structural members which lie in a single plane. When loaded in this plane, they are subjected to both bending and axial action. Of particular interest are the shear and moment distributions for the members due to gravity and lateral loadings. We describe in this chapter analysis strategies for typical statically determinate single-story frames. Numerous examples illustrating the response are presented to provide the reader with insight as to the behavior of these structural types. We also describe how the Method of Virtual Forces can be applied to compute displacements of frames. The theory for frame structures is based on the theory of beams presented in Chap. 3. Later in Chaps. 9, 10, and 15, we extend the discussion to deal with statically indeterminate frames and space frames.