A New Design Problem in the Formulation of a Special Moment Resisting Connection Device for Preventing Local Buckling

In the present paper an improved formulation devoted to optimal design problem of a special moment resisting connection device for steel frames is proposed. This innovative called Limited Resistance Plastic Device (LRPD) and it has been recently proposed patented by some authors. It thought be preferably located at extremes beam, connecting beam end cross section with relevant column. The typical element characterized symmetry respect three orthogonal barycentric planes constituted sequence portions abrupt changes. main novelty proposal related geometry ensuring that possesses reduced resistance connected element, equivalent bending stiffness equal one elements exhibits full plastic deformations avoiding any local instability phenomenon. formulated as minimum volume subjected suitable constraints on its elastic behavior. optimization strongly non-linear programming solved adopting interior-point algorithm available in MATLAB Optimization Toolbox. numerical simulations are most used standard profiles (IPE, HE) results prove great reliability device. addition, domains designed devices defined, expected behavior verified appropriate 3D finite models ABAQUS environment.