CSE573: Façade Engineering

Assignment 2

(Please submit it before Mar. 15, 2024)

Question 1: Assume a cantilever column with the length of L and the flexural constant of EI as
shown below. The rotational and translational degree of freedoms (DOFs) are fixed at the
bottom, while the top free end is subjected to a bending moment of an amplitude M. Calculate
the lateral deflection δ at the top end of the column by the matrix structural analysis method.

Question 2: A simple frame consist of two beams AB and BC is shown below, each beam has
a length of L. The flexural constant equals 2EI for the beam AB and EI for the beam BC. The
frame is fixed at the left end A, simply supported at the middle joint B and free at the right end
C, with a uniformly distributed load w applied on the right beam BC. Calculate the vertical
deflection δC at the right end C by the matrix structural analysis method.
Question 3: Consider a simply supported column with the length L = 8m and an initial
imperfection amplitude δ0 as L/500. The material as taken as S355 steel, and the cross section
of the column is selected as SHS250×5. Assume a vertical load P at the top end, which results
in a lateral deflection δ due to the initial imperfection.

(1) Calculate the buckling load of this column;

(2) Generate the nonlinear load-deflection (P - δ) curve of the column by the hand calculation
method;

(3) Find the ultimate design load of this column when the section capacity factor (SCF) equals
to 1.0.

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