Limit analysis of planar steel frames with variable section type and arbitrary loads

This work calculates the collapse load factor and the collapse mechanism of 2D frames with slender structural members of variable section type and arbitrary distributed loads. A Kinematic Direct Method (KDM) is used for calculations. The equilibrium equations necessary to carry out the analysis are obtained systematically. The search for the collapse mechanism and the collapse load factor is carried out using an optimization method where the load factor is maximized. The following types of load are used: uniformly distributed loads, trapezoidal and sinusoidal distributed loads.