Benchmark Frames for Structural Analysis

The data provided here were created as part of an extensive study conducted by the contributors. As described in detail in the article titled "Efficient geometric nonlinear elastic analysis for design of steel structures: Benchmark studies" (Journal of Constructional Steel Research, 186, doi: 10.1016/j.jcsr.2021.106870), a set of twenty-two planar benchmark frames was compiled in order to validate a proposed finite element-based approximate method of second-order elastic analysis. The frames offer a broad range of two-dimensional geometries and stability sensitivities, with critical buckling load ratios ranging from 1.2 - 7.9.

These benchmark frames are useful for studying structural design and analysis methods.

The data and supplementary information include:
1. Frame descriptions (PDF file): geometry, member sizes, and loading details for each of the 22 benchmark frames
2. Finite element models (MASTAN2 files) of benchmark frames: both perfect and imperfect geometries (with global sway)
3. Finite element model data (Excel file) for each frame – both perfect and imperfect geometries; This includes node coordinates and element conductivity etc. useful for creating frame models with any FEA program.
4. Simulation results: (a) Joint displacements and member design moments for each benchmark frame as determined by 3 different analyses; (b) Critical buckling load ratio of each frame.

MASTAN2 software can be downloaded for free at http://mastan2.com/.