See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/260283707

Simple Analysis of Tube Frame System of Tall Building by Using of Deformation

Functions

Article  in  Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences · January 2011

CITATIONS READS

3 2,388

3 authors:

Reza Mahjoub Reza Rahgozar

I.A.U Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman
19 PUBLICATIONS   515 CITATIONS    92 PUBLICATIONS   1,394 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

Hamed Saffari
Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman
92 PUBLICATIONS   772 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Effects of earthquake duration View project

both of them View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Reza Mahjoub on 25 July 2018.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 5(8): 1475-1482, 2011
ISSN 1991-8178 

Simple Analysis of Tube Frame System of Tall Building by Using of Deformation

Functions

1
Reza Mahjoub, 2Reza Rahgozar, 2Hamed Saffari

1
Academic Member, Faculty of Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Khoramabad Branch,
Khoramabad, Iran.
2
Departement of Civil Engineering, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran

Abstract: According to increase of population in cities, tall buildings have been become interesting
and fascinating for urban managers and engineers. Tubular frame structure is one of the most efficient
systems in tall buildings under lateral load. The analysis of these structures usually involves
considerable time and effort due to large number of members and joints. Several methods for
evaluating shear lag and estimating stress of frame elements are presented recently. According to one
of these methods, tube frame is assumed as a web and flange panel and then by considering
deformation functions for web and flange frames and writing their stress relations as well as use of
minimum energy basis, functions are presented for lateral and vertical displacement of the structure.
Two relation groups suggested in this paper are capable of considering shear lag both in flange and
web frames in the base of frame. The simplicity and accuracy of the proposed method is demonstrated
through the numerical analysis of several structures. In addition, the results of these proposed
deformation functions are compared to previous relations considered by other researchers to find the
best relations.

Key words: Tube frame, Tall building, Lateral load, Shear lag, Simple analysis, Axial stress

INTRODUCTION

Due to increase of building high-rise structures, Tube frame structures are widely used as an economical
system for high-rise buildings (Coull, A. and N.K. Subedi, 1971; Foutch, D.A. and P.C. Chang, 1982). In its
basic form, the system consists of closely spaced exterior columns along the periphery interconnected by deep
spandrel beams of each floor level. This produces a system of rigidly jointed orthogonal frame panels forming a
rectangular tube which acts as a cantilever hollow box. Framed tube acts like a hollow boxed beam under lateral
loads such as wind and earthquake. The occurance of shear lag has long been recognized in hollow box girder as
well as in tubular buildings. The most existing exact method of analyzing (3-D software) is very expensive due
to modeling and the large number of degree of freedom. In tubular buildings, flexibility of spandrel beams
produces shear lag phenomenon with the effect of increasing the axial stresses in the corner columns and of
reducing axial stress in the columns toward the center of flange panel of the orthogonal frame in the bottom of
structure (Fig.1). Therefore, A large number of approximate methods have been carried out to investigate the
behavior, deflection, vibration and modification of the stress distribution in framed tube system subjected to the
lateral loads using different models (Coull and Subedi, 1971; Coull and Bose, 1975; Coull and Ahmed, 1978;
Connor and Pouangare, 1991; Kwan, 1994; Lee and Loo, 2001; Mahjoub, R., et al., 2011; Tarjan and Kollar,
2004; Kaviani et al., 2008). Approximated methods suggested which are useful in primary design and stress
estimation of the structure. Different methods of simulation which consider elastic behaviors of perimeter
frames as equivalent membranes were presented (Chan, P.C.K., 1974; Coull, A. and A.A. Ahmed, 1978; Coull,
A. and B. Bose, 1975; Coull, A. and B. Bose, 1976; Ha, K.H., 1978; Kang-Kun, L., 2001; Mahjoub, R. et al.,
2011). Deformations which are related to shear lag may have improper influence on unloaded members of the
structure. Torsion in panel of each story may intensify existing deformations and stresses. This intensification
threatens safety and stability of the structure. In this paper by considering separate deformation functions for

Corresponding Author: Reza Mahjoub, Academic Member, Faculty of Engineering, Islamic Azad University,
Khoramabad Branch, Khoramabad, Iran.
E-mail: [email protected] 
1475
 
 Aust. J. Basic & Appl. Sci., 5(8): 1475-1482, 2011 

web and flange frames and then writing stress-deformations relations as well as the use of minimum energy
basis, functions are suggested for lateral and vertical displacements.

(a) Web panel

(b) Flange panel

Fig. 1: Distribution of axial stress in framed tube structure (Kwan, A.K.H., 1994).

Modeling Method:
Modeling method for frame panels is carried out as orthotropic equivalent members in a way that
perimeter frame could be analyzed as a continuous structure. Perimeter frame structure shown in Figure 2 can be
considered as two web panels which are parallel to lateral loads direction and two flange frames which are
orthogonal to that in accordance with the following assumptions: (1) with regards to the stiffness of floors, out
of plane behaviors are negligible in comparison with in-plane behaviors of frames; (2) beams and columns
dimensions are similar; (3) four individual columns at corners, so that frame panel can be modeled as
continuous equivalent membranes (Kwan, A.K.H., 1994).

Fig. 2: Typical orthotropic panels of framed tube structure.

1476
 
 Aust. J. Basic & Appl. Sci., 5(8): 1475-1482, 2011 

Mathematical Deformation Functions:

Stress distributions may not be linear in the members due to the shear lag occurs in web and flange panels.
In this part, two groups of deformation functions are suggested. Therefore, the intensity of axial stresses in web
depends on the intensity of axial load in flange. Axial deformations in web (Ww) and flange (Wf) can be
represented by the following equations. Although Kwan, A.K.H., 1994 considered Eq. 1 and 2 in his effort but
two groups of relations are proposed in this document to find the compatible equations with structure behavior.
Group 1 relations are shown as Eq. 3 and 4 and group 2 relations are shown as Eq. 5 and 6.

 x x 
W   (1   )   ( )3  (1)
 a a 

 y 
W    (1   )   ( )2  (2)
 b 

Group1:

Group 2:

Where is the rotation of plane section which connects four sides of tubular structure which were
originally in a horizontal plane. and are dimensionless coefficients of shear lag which show degrees of
shear lag in web and flange planes. Relations for section rotation ( ), axial and shear strains in web and flange
planes are given by the following equations respectively:

(7)

, (8)

, (9)

The strain energy of perimeter frame is calculated as follows:

(10)

The potential energy of the applied lateral load is given by the following equations for different load cases:

1477
 
 Aust. J. Basic & Appl. Sci., 5(8): 1475-1482, 2011 

Case 1: Single load P at the top of the structure:

(11)
Case 2: Uniformly distributed load with P defined as the intensity of load per unit height:

(12)
Case 3: Linearly distributed load (triangular) with T defined as the intensity of load per unit height at top and
zero intensity at the bottom:

(13)

Where is the lateral displacement of the structure which can be calculated by Equation 14 while S is the
shear force of lateral load. Coefficients α and β in group 1 and group 2 equations are assigned with the use of
minimum energy basis which are shown in table 1 and table 2 respectively.

z S 
u    dz (14)
0 4G t a
 ww 

The value of parameters mentioned in table 1 and 2 are given in equation 15 to 21.
b2 a2 z
B Ef ; A Ew ; H  (15)
a2 h 2
h

C1P  H 2  3H  3 (16)

C1U  H 4  5H 3  10 H 2  10 H  5 (17)

C2U  H 6  7 H 5  21H 4  35H 3  35H 2  21H  7 (18)

C1T  5H 6  42 H 4  35H 3  105H 2  210H  140 (19)

C2T  21H 4  5H 6 (20)

C3T  H 8  24 H 5  216 H 3  192 H 2 (21)

Table 1: Group 1 coefficients

Load Case

561 AC1P 693 BC1P

Single load at top
7240 AC1P 12639Gw H 3  H 5 84260Gw H 2 3880 BC1P 1611G f H 3  H 5 10740G f H 2

17671.5 AC1U 3759.5 BC1U

Uniform load 22806 AC1U  21065GwC2U 4074 BC1U 895G f C2U

Triangular distributed 8078.4 AC1T 4435.2 BC1T

load 52128 AC1T  455004GwC2T 147455GwC3T 9312 BC1T 19332G f C2T  6265G f C3T

1478
 
 Aust. J. Basic & Appl. Sci., 5(8): 1475-1482, 2011 

Table 2: Group 2 coefficients

Load Case

16.5 AC1P 18.9 BC1P

Single load at top
120 AC1P  231Gw H 3  H 5 1540 Gw H 2 56 BC1P  27 G f H 3  H 5 180G f H 2

74.25 AC1U 170.9 BC1U

Uniform load 98 BC1U  25G f C2U
54 AC1U 55GwC2U

Triangular distributed 118.8 AC1T 105.8 BC1T

load 864 AC1T 8316GwC2T  2695GwC3T 224 BC1T  450G f C2T 175G f C3T

Where and are equivalent shear Modulus of web and flange panels, and are equivalent
Young’s Modulus of web and flange respectively. From these relations, it can be concluded that the shear lag
coefficients in each panels depends on elastic properties of materials and the height of structure. It can be
observed that shear lag coefficients increase as the dimensions of the structure (2a, 2b, H) increase.

4- Mathematic Study:
Shear lag phenomenon is observed not only in tube frames but also in cantilever boxed beams (Foutch,
D.A. and P.C. Chang, 1982). Numerical method is used to calculate the variations of axial stress in web and
flange panel. Stress values can be derived by applying the Hook’s law:

(22)

(23)

The unknowns values of α and β are derived from relations (15) to (21) and table 1 and 2 which leads to
lengthy relations for stresses for group 1 and group 2 respectively. According to equations 22 and 23 and
considering of equation group 1 and 2, it can be concluded that is the only parameter which depends on z. So,

the values of are given by Equations (24), (25) and (26) for different types of loading like as: single

load at top, uniform load and triangular distributed load, respectively.

(24)

(25)

(26)

Equations 27 and 28 are defined by using the equilibrium of bending moments and axial loads in web and
flange panels in order to calculate the unknown equivalent amount of EI for group 1 and 2, respectively.

4  34   22 
EI  tw Ew a3 1     4t f E f a 2b 1    (27)
3  35   15 

1479
 
 Aust. J. Basic & Appl. Sci., 5(8): 1475-1482, 2011 

4  4   4 
EI  tw Ew a3 1     4t f E f a 2b 1    (28)
3  7   5 

5- Numerical Study:
To illustrate the application of the proposed relations, it is compared with exact and Kwan’s methods by using a
60 story reinforced concrete building with the following specifications: Height of stories 3 meters, column
spacing 2.4 meter, dimensions of all beams and columns 0.8 x 0.8 meter, point load at top 6500 KN, uniformly
distributed load 120 KN/m, triangular distributed load (higher value) 500 KN, E=20 GPa, equivalent value of
G=1.441 GPa, 2a=30 m and 2b=35 m. Figure 3 and 4 show the axial stress in flange and web panel under lateral
point load at top. Due to these figures, it can be concluded that proposed relations (group 1 and 2) are more
capable than Kwan’s relations (1994) in estimating of axial stress in flange panel but Kwan’s relations can
predict the axial stress in web panel better. Figures 5 to 7 show the comparison of axial stress of proposed
relations, Kwan’s relation and exact method under lateral uniform and triangular load to each other.

Fig. 3: Axial stress in flange panel under lateral point load.

Fig. 4: Axial stress in web panel under lateral point load.

According to Figures 5 to 7, it is observed that suggested relations (group1 and 2) can consider positive
shear lag effects in flange panel better than Kwan’s relations. In some cases, the proposed relations perfectly
able to estimate stress in columns very close to real stress calculated by exact method. On the other hand, none
of the suggested relation groups and Kwan’s relation cannot estimate stress in columns at the height of structure
accurately. Figure 8 shows the differences between exact results and proposed relation estimations at the height
of structure in story 30. In fact, there is a phenomenon named negative shear lag which occurred in the height of
framed tube structure.

1480
 
 Aust. J. Basic & Appl. Sci., 5(8): 1475-1482, 2011 

Fig. 5: Axial stress in flange panel under lateral uniform load.

Fig. 6: Axial stress in web panel under lateral triangular distributed load.

Fig. 7: Axial stress in flange panel under lateral triangular distributed load.

6- Conclusion:
The presented method in this paper is capable of explaining stress distribution with high accuracy. The
following results can be obtained:
1- Stress in each column can be calculated by their coordinates.
2- The results of proposed relations are closer to exact method than Kwan’s relations.
3- The use of proposed relations is harder than Kwan’s simple relation and the estimations of these relations are
very close to each other.
4- Proposed equations are capable considering positive shear lag at the bottom of the structure with high
accuracy for both web and flange panels but they cannot estimate the stress at the height of structure because
of negative shear lag effect.

1481
 
 Aust. J. Basic & Appl. Sci., 5(8): 1475-1482, 2011 

Fig. 8: Axial stress in flange panel under lateral.

REFERENCES

Chan, P.C.K., W.K. Tso and A.C. Heidebrecht, 1974. Effect of Normal Frames on Shear Walls. Building
Sci., 9: 197-209.
Connor, J.J., C.C. Pouangare, 1991. Simple model for design of framed tube structures. Journal of
Structural Engineering, ASCE, 117: 3623–3644.
Coull, A. and A.A. Ahmed, 1978. Deflections of Frame-Tube Structures. J. Struct. Div., ASCE, 104(5):
857-862.
Coull, A. and B. Bose, 1975. Simplified Analysis of Frame – Tube Structures. J. Struct. Div., ASCE,
101(11): 2223-2240.
Coull, A. and B. Bose, 1976. Torsion of Frame–Tube Structures. J. Struct. Div., ASCE, 102(12): 2366-
2370.
Coull, A. and N.K. Subedi, 1971. Framed-Tube Structures for High-Rise Buildings. J.Struct. Div., ASCE,
104(9): 1495-1505.
Foutch, D.A. and P.C. Chang, 1982. A Shear Lag Anomaly. J. Struct. Eng., 108(7): 1653-1658.
Ha, K.H., P. Fazio and O. Moselhi, 1978. Orthotropic Membrane for Tall Building Analysis. J. Struct.
Div., ASCE, 104(9): 1495-1505.
Kang-Kun, L., L. Yew-Chaye and G. Hong, 2001. Simple Analysis of Framed-TubeStructures with
Multiple Internal Tubes. J. Struct. Eng., ASCE, 127(4): 450-460.
Kaviani, P., R. Rahgozar, H. Saffari, 2008. Approximate Analysis of Tall Buildings Using Sandwich
Beam Models with Variable Cross-Section. Struct. Design Tall Spec. Build., 17: 401-418.
Kwan, A.K.H., 1994. Simple Method for Approximate Analysis of Framed Tube Structures. J. Struct.
Eng., ASCE, 120(4): 1221-1239.
Lee, K., Y. Loo, 2001. Simple analysis of framed-tube structures with multiple internal tubes. Journal of
Structural Engineering, ASCE, 127: 450–460.
Lee, K.K., H. Guan, Y.C. Loo, 2000. Simplified Analysis of Shear-lag in Framed-Tube Structures with
Multiple Internal Tubes. Computational mechanics, 26: 447-458.
Mahjoub R., R. Rahgozar, H. Saffari, 2011. Simple Method for Analysis of Tube Frame by consideration
of negative shear lag. Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 5(3): 309-316.
Rahgozar, R., A.R. Ahmadi, Y. Sharifi, 2010. A Simple Mathematical Model for Approximate Analysis of
Tall Buildings. Applied Mathematical Modeling, 34: 2437-2451.
Rahgozar, R., Y. Sharifi, 2009. An Approximate Analysis of Combined System of Framed Tube, Shear
Core and Belt Truss in High rise Buildings. Struct. Design Tall Spec. Build., 18: 607-624.
Tarjan, G, L.P. Kollar, 2004. Approximate analysis of building structures with identical stories subjected
to earthquakes. International Journal of Solids and Structures, 41: 1411–1433.

1482
 

View publication stats