Implementation of a Software for the Design of Anchorages in Beams and Columns Steel Structures

Abstract

In the connections of steel structures, there are structural elements in the construction system that ensure the continuity of the building and transmit forces from one member to another, which are called base plates for columns and support plates for beams. The analysis of these elements consists of a quite extensive systematic and mathematical process, which causes that the time used for the design is considerable and due to the number of iterations mathematical errors can occur, which can generate oversized elements, which causes the use of unnecessary economic resources or in turn generate under-dimensioned elements that would indicate a lower resistance than required causing major problems in the behavior of the structure. The objective of this research was to create a free and easy to use software for the design of anchorage of steel columns and beams (ANCHOR DESIGN) according to the guidelines established by the ANSI/AISC 360-16 standard. This software is accompanied by a user's manual describing step by step some common calculation examples and its results were compared with exercises developed by (Fisher & Kloiber, 2006) reflecting low percentages of difference which ensures the reliability of the design and assures the link between the foundation and the superstructure.