Numerical Assessment of The Robustness of a Corner‐supported Modular Steel Building

Abstract This paper investigates the robustness of a 6‐storey corner‐supported Modular Steel Building (MSB) under notional ground floor corner column removal (i.e. alternate path method). The assessment following structural effects that were frequently ignored for sake simplicity in existing numerical modelling approaches: (1) semi‐rigidity beam‐to‐column connections, and (2) initial out‐of‐straightness (geometric imperfection) compression members. Commonly, welded connections between beams square hollow section columns are modelled as fully rigid, however, this may overestimate actual MSBs rigid often have higher energy absorption capacity. Similarly, perfectly straight could MSBs. Comparing model with semi‐rigid to an additional 30% vertical displacement was observed at point removal. However, geometric imperfections diagonal braces did not cause any increase building displacement/drift after highlights importance especially when involve joining sections.