Structural Analysis & Design of Steel Portal Frames

Steel portal frames have become one of the most popular mode of constructing single
storey, pitched roof buildings due to their versatility and economy, covering a wide
range of buildings forms. They are a very efficient and economical structural solution
for supporting relatively light loads, over a relatively long span, such as found in
industrial buildings such as warehouses, workshops, shopping complexes, terminals
etc.

In its basic form a steel portal frame is a structure comprising of steel columns and
horizontal or pitched rafters (in the form of steel beams) connected together by moment
connections (See Figure 1). Portal frames are designed to be unbraced in their own
plane, hence the frame relies on the moment connections which are sometimes stiffened
at Eaves and Apex to form a haunch. The aim is to create a structure that is stable in its
plane without a special requirement of bracing, thus providing an uninterrupted span.

Aside the asymmetric structural form that is used to mainly describe portal frames, they
may also assume several forms. These variants include, crane portal frames, tied portal
frames, curved rafter portal frames, propped portal frames and so on. There is a more
extensive discussion on this in an earlier article See (Introduction to Portal Frame
Structures).

Within the above-referenced article, the preliminary aspects of designing a portal frame
structure was presented. This involved a consideration of the factors influencing the
overall design of a portal frame structure including, clear span and height, main frames,
possible position of restraints and so on. In this article only, the analysis and design
aspects of portal frame is considered. The reader is implored to read the referenced
article as a precursor.