| Peer-Reviewed

Investigation of Seismic Behaviour of Steel Pallet Rack Frames

Received: 9 February 2017     Accepted: 6 March 2017     Published: 30 June 2017
Views:       Downloads:
Abstract

One of the most significant uses of cold-formed members is for steel storage racking structures, such as pallet, drive in, and drive through racking systems. In the current competitive industry, pallets and storage racks may support heavy loads that have the potential to injure workers and damage equipment if the pallets and racks fail and loads fall. Hence, storage racks must remain structurally sound. Additionally, when subjected to earthquake loading, they can exhibit very large transverse displacement. In spite of their complexity, racks are able to carry heavy loads, though they are designed as lightly as possible, and industries often rely on 3-dimensional Finite Element Analysis to achieve this objective. This study, presents a Finite Element model of a conventional rack structure modeled using the commercial software SAP2000. In order to investigate the seismic behaviour of rack frames under real earthquake ground motions, the Time History Analysis was performed with rigid, semi-rigid and pinned connections. The study provided a strong case for the possible benefits of semi-rigid steel frames and motivated the need for detailed, accurate, and reliable analytical models of the connection. Neglecting semi-rigidity cause stiffening of frames resulting in shorter fundamental period and larger lateral displacement which in turn results in a significant error in the evaluation of dynamic loads.

Published in American Journal of Engineering and Technology Management (Volume 2, Issue 2)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajetm.20170202.12
Page(s) 13-19
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2017. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Dynamic Time History Analysis, Pallet Racks, Cold Formed Steel, Earthquake, SAP2000

References
[1] Abdel-Jaber, M. R., Beale, G., and Godley, M. H. R., “A Theoretical and Experimental Investigation of Pallet Rack Structures Under Sway,” Journal of Constructional Steel Research, Vol. 62, No. 1-2, pp. 68–80, 2006.
[2] Bajoria, K. M., and Talikoti, R. S., “Determination of Flexibility of Beam-to-Column Connectors Used in Thin Walled Cold-Formed Steel Pallet Racking Systems,” Thin-Walled Structures, Vol. 44, No. 3, pp. 372–380, 2006.
[3] Bajoria, K. M., Sangle, K. K., and Talicotti, R. S., ‘‘Modal Analysis of Cold-formed Pallet Rack Structures with Semi-rigid Connections,’’ Journal of Constructional Steel Research, Vol. 6, pp 428-441, 2010.
[4] Baldassino N. and Zandonini R., “Numerical and Experimental Analysis of Base-plate Connections of Steel Storage Pallet Racks,” Proceeding of XVIII Conference C. T. A., pp. 127-136, Venezia, 2001.
[5] Bernuzzi, C., and Castiglioni, C. A., “Experimental analysis on the cyclic behaviour of beam-to-column joints in steel storage pallet racks,” Thin-Walled Structures, Vol. 39, No. 10, pp. 841–859, 2001.
[6] British Standards Institution, Eurocode 8: Design of structures for earthquake resistance-Part 1: General rules, seismic actions and rules for buildings, London, UK, BS EN, 1998-1, 2004.
[7] Castiglioni C. A., Seismic Behaviour of Steel Storage Pallet Racking Systems, Structural Engineering Department of Politecnico di Milano, Milano, 2008.
[8] Castiglioni, C. A., and Kanyilmaz, A., “Seismic Behavior of Steel Storage Pallet Racking Systems,” 5th National Symposium on Steel Structure on Steel, Istanbul, Turkey, 2013.
[9] Charlotte, NC., 2002 edition RMI, Commentary to Specification for the design testing and utilization of industrial steel storage racks, Rack Manufacturers Institute, 2007.
[10] Computers and Structures Inc., CSI Analysis Reference Manual for SAP2000, ETABS, and SAFE, Berkeley, California, USA, 2010.
[11] Degée, H., and Denoël, V., “Numerical Modelling of Storage Racks Subjected to Earthquake”, ECCOMAS Thematic Conference on Computational Methods in Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 13–16 June 2007, Rethymno, Crete, Greece, 2007.
[12] Elnashai, A. S. and Elghazouli, A. Y., “Economy Studies of Steel Building Frames with Semi-Rigid Joints,” Journal of Constructional Steel Research, Vol. 29, pp. 149-174, 1994.
[13] Faella, C., Piluso, V., and Rizzano, G., Structural Steel Semi-rigid Connections: Theory, Design and Software, CRC Press, New York, NY, USA, 2000.
[14] FEM 10.2.08, The Seismic Design of Static Steel Pallet Racks, Federation Europeen de la Manutention, final draft, December 2005.
[15] FEMA, The 2009 NEHRP Recommended Provisions for New Buildings and Other Structures Provisions (FEMA 750), Prepared for FEMA by the Building Seismic Safety Council (National Institute of Building Sciences), Washington, DC, 2009.
[16] Higgins, P., and Malibu, CA., “Uniform Building Code,” International Conference of Building Officials, Whittier, CA, 2004.
[17] Kartal, M. E., Basaga, H. B., Bayraktar, A., and Muvafik, M., ‘‘Effect of semi-rigid connection on structural Responses,’’ Electronic Journal of Structural Engineering, Vol. 10, 2009.
[18] Lim, J. B. P., and. Nethercot, D. A.,“Finite element idealization of a cold-formed steel portal frame,” Journal of Structural Engineering, Vol. 130, No. 1, pp. 78–94, 2004.
[19] Rasmussen, K. J. R., and Gilbert, B. P., Analysis-Based 2D Design of Steel Storage Racks, 2010, http://www.sydney.edu.au/engineering/civil/publications/2010/r908.pdf.
[20] RMI, Specification for the design testing and utilization of industrial steel storage racks, Rack Manufacturers Institute, 2002.
[21] Rondal, J., “Cold formed steel members and structures: general report,” Journal of Constructional Steel Research, Vol. 55, No. 1–3, pp. 155–158, 2000.
[22] Sarawit, A and Peköz, T., “Design of Cold-Formed Steel Frames and Beam- Columns,” Proceedings of Structural Stability Research Council Annual Conference, Baltimore, MD, 2003.
[23] Stella, A., Seismic Performance of Steel Pallet Racks, Postgraduate Diploma Thesis, National Technical University of Athens, 2012.
[24] Storage Racks in Seismic Areas (SEISRACKS), Research Programme of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel RTD, Final Report, May 2007 http//www.csiberkeley.com.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Abba Mas’ud Alfanda, Guven Kiymaz. (2017). Investigation of Seismic Behaviour of Steel Pallet Rack Frames. American Journal of Engineering and Technology Management, 2(2), 13-19. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajetm.20170202.12

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Abba Mas’ud Alfanda; Guven Kiymaz. Investigation of Seismic Behaviour of Steel Pallet Rack Frames. Am. J. Eng. Technol. Manag. 2017, 2(2), 13-19. doi: 10.11648/j.ajetm.20170202.12

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Abba Mas’ud Alfanda, Guven Kiymaz. Investigation of Seismic Behaviour of Steel Pallet Rack Frames. Am J Eng Technol Manag. 2017;2(2):13-19. doi: 10.11648/j.ajetm.20170202.12

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.ajetm.20170202.12,
      author = {Abba Mas’ud Alfanda and Guven Kiymaz},
      title = {Investigation of Seismic Behaviour of Steel Pallet Rack Frames},
      journal = {American Journal of Engineering and Technology Management},
      volume = {2},
      number = {2},
      pages = {13-19},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajetm.20170202.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajetm.20170202.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajetm.20170202.12},
      abstract = {One of the most significant uses of cold-formed members is for steel storage racking structures, such as pallet, drive in, and drive through racking systems. In the current competitive industry, pallets and storage racks may support heavy loads that have the potential to injure workers and damage equipment if the pallets and racks fail and loads fall. Hence, storage racks must remain structurally sound. Additionally, when subjected to earthquake loading, they can exhibit very large transverse displacement. In spite of their complexity, racks are able to carry heavy loads, though they are designed as lightly as possible, and industries often rely on 3-dimensional Finite Element Analysis to achieve this objective. This study, presents a Finite Element model of a conventional rack structure modeled using the commercial software SAP2000. In order to investigate the seismic behaviour of rack frames under real earthquake ground motions, the Time History Analysis was performed with rigid, semi-rigid and pinned connections. The study provided a strong case for the possible benefits of semi-rigid steel frames and motivated the need for detailed, accurate, and reliable analytical models of the connection. Neglecting semi-rigidity cause stiffening of frames resulting in shorter fundamental period and larger lateral displacement which in turn results in a significant error in the evaluation of dynamic loads.},
     year = {2017}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Investigation of Seismic Behaviour of Steel Pallet Rack Frames
    AU  - Abba Mas’ud Alfanda
    AU  - Guven Kiymaz
    Y1  - 2017/06/30
    PY  - 2017
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajetm.20170202.12
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ajetm.20170202.12
    T2  - American Journal of Engineering and Technology Management
    JF  - American Journal of Engineering and Technology Management
    JO  - American Journal of Engineering and Technology Management
    SP  - 13
    EP  - 19
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2575-1441
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajetm.20170202.12
    AB  - One of the most significant uses of cold-formed members is for steel storage racking structures, such as pallet, drive in, and drive through racking systems. In the current competitive industry, pallets and storage racks may support heavy loads that have the potential to injure workers and damage equipment if the pallets and racks fail and loads fall. Hence, storage racks must remain structurally sound. Additionally, when subjected to earthquake loading, they can exhibit very large transverse displacement. In spite of their complexity, racks are able to carry heavy loads, though they are designed as lightly as possible, and industries often rely on 3-dimensional Finite Element Analysis to achieve this objective. This study, presents a Finite Element model of a conventional rack structure modeled using the commercial software SAP2000. In order to investigate the seismic behaviour of rack frames under real earthquake ground motions, the Time History Analysis was performed with rigid, semi-rigid and pinned connections. The study provided a strong case for the possible benefits of semi-rigid steel frames and motivated the need for detailed, accurate, and reliable analytical models of the connection. Neglecting semi-rigidity cause stiffening of frames resulting in shorter fundamental period and larger lateral displacement which in turn results in a significant error in the evaluation of dynamic loads.
    VL  - 2
    IS  - 2
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information
  • Civil Engineering Department, Fatih University, Istanbul, Turkey

  • Civil Engineering Department, International University of Antalya, Antalya, Turkey

  • Sections