Reliability of stainless steel frames designed using the Direct Design Method in serviceability limit states

Steel structures can be consistently and efficiently designed using system-based design-by-analysis approaches such as the Direct Design Method. However, since direct design lead to potentially lighter structural configurations, they also result in larger deformations under service loads. Thus, greater attention may required serviceability limit states than for elastically at their ultimate state following current two-stage approaches, especially materials showing highly nonlinear stress vs strain responses stainless steel alloys. With aim of investigating influence allowing structures, this paper presents an explicit analysis framework assessing reliability system level. Using framework, investigates cold-formed portal frames Method different load cases, including gravity combined plus wind combinations. The study considers six baseline covering most common families international frameworks (i.e., Eurocode, US Australian frameworks), which vertical deflection lateral drift is investigated advanced numerical simulations First-Order Reliability Methods. From comparison calculated average annual indices relevant target reliabilities frameworks, it was found that appears adequate frameworks.