Revised Method of Approximate Structural Analysis

A reliable and reasonably accurate approximate method of structural analysis for symmetric rectangular frames under symmetric vertical loadings is developed. For a fully loaded structure, the following set of assumptions gives acceptable results: (1) Girder inflection points exist at approximately 0.1L and 0.9L along each girder span; and (2) column inflection points exist at 0.33 I for first-story columns with fixed bases, 0.4H for top-story columns, and midheight of all remaining columns. For a checkerboard loading, the following set of assumptions is appropriate: (1) Girder inflection points exist at approximately 0.1L and 0.9L along each girder span; and (2) column inflection points exist at 0.33L for first-story columns with fixed bases, 0.2H for exterior columns that directly support a loaded girder, and at the bases of all remaining columns. Solutions from these two revised approximate methods are superior to solutions from a slightly different set of assumptions found in many contemporary structural analysis textbooks.