Sway or Nonsway column design

[Anonymous]

Dear all

When analyzing a simple 2 story frame, the second story could be sway in some load combos, but also could be nonsway in other load combos.

The second story of the frame in the attached image is considered as sway in the load combos 1.2D+1.6W+1.0L, 0.9D+1.6W, but non sway in a simple 1.2D+1.6L.

Now, is it up to me to assign if the column considered as sway or nonsway (through Buckling Length window)? If yes, how can i get to know which load combo is governing (upon which i can decide whether the column is sway or nonsway)?

Thank you

[Anonymous]

Any help

[Artur.Kosakowski]

Hi @Anonymous 

What about running the verification two times:

- first with sway parameters assigned against the 'sway' loads

- then with non sway ones for the remaining loads

with the worst case scenario being the governing one?

If I managed to answer your question(s) press the Accept as Solution button please. This will help other users to find solution(s) much faster. Thank you.

[saclovitzky]

In all cases, just check which one produces the max. shear/moment /axial loads.

[mustafahesenow · Accepted solution]

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