STABILITY OF PITCHED-ROOF FRAMES IN NATIONAL BUILDING CODES

The buckling loads, buckling lengths, and P-delta effects for pitched roof frames with different loading arrangements are examined. Results are compared to some common and internationally known code results. It was found that the load distribution significantly affects the buckli ng loads and hence the buckling lengths and the magnified (or added) m oments. This paper clarifies a defect in some national building codes and encourages the use of computers in determining the buckling loads and/or the magnified moments. It is worth noting that although the pro gram suggested is simple, it is robust and could be used to trace the large deformation characteristics of frames.