Abstract:
This paper analyzed the buckling of frames with one suspended storey, and a closed form solution was obtained. Mega-frames with multiple suspended storeys were then studied using the continuum method, and the equilibrium differential equation for buckling was established. It was found that, for the purpose of stability analysis, the suspension mega frame can be simplified as a mega column with gravity loads applied at the same height. Using the energy method, an approximate expression for the buckling load of columns rotationally restrained at two ends was presented, and its accuracy was verified by EFM. For suspension frames with two mega storeys, an elementary algebra method was proposed to solve for the buckling loads and the interaction between two storeys, and its accuracy was also verified through numerical analysis.