Design and analysis of a case-study low-rise building with moment-resisting composite frames

Although composite frames with moment-resisting connections are an excellent choice for multi-storey building structures, they are not widely used in practice in Australia due to lack of appropriate practical design methods. This paper presents a practical design method for a prototype five-storey building composed of composite columns, beams and moment resisting connections. The objective of this study is to investigate the viability of momentresisting frames with composite columns under lateral loading (wind and earthquake actions) as well as gravity load. The paper covers both the strength and drift demands on low-rise buildings in regions of low to medium seismicity. The effects of site soil type, column base fixity, rigidity of beam-to-column connection, and loading of external façade system on the frame behaviour are examined. The proposed method enables the design of the connections, beams and columns for rigid and semi-rigid composite frames that are to be used in engineering practice.