Computer analysis of rigid frames

Abstract A general method of elastic-inelastic analysis of rigid frames is formulated based on the finiteelement method and the concept of initial strain as applied to plastic strains. The analytical expressions obtained in this manner are used as a basis for the development of a general purpose computer program (GWU-FAP). This program enables the user to exercise several options corresponding to the static, free vibration, elastic dynamic and plastic dynamic analysis of two and three-dimensional framed structures. Several solutions to typical problems are presented to demonstrate the use of the computer program in such applications.