System-based design for steel scaffold structures using advanced analysis

•A typical steel scaffold structure was designed by advanced analysis.•Advanced analysis can clearly indicate the system failure modes.•Different design-by-advanced analysis methods were compared and discussed.•Main challenges of developing system resistance factors for advanced analysis are discussed.

Second-order inelastic analysis (advanced analysis) is a new paradigm in structural steel design. This paper examines the provisions for design by advanced analysis in the Australian Steel Standard (AS4100), and the AISC Specification (AISC 360-10). The Australian Standard AS4100 uses a reduced section yield surface to incorporate resistance factors, while AISC 360 requires that the strength and stiffness of all members and connections are reduced by a factor of 0.9 to account for the uncertainties in member strength and stiffness. Another way to incorporate the resistance factor in advanced analysis is to use a system resistance factor for the frame strength. This paper presents a case study for the design of a typical semi-rigid steel scaffold structure using these three different design-by-advanced analysis methods. The paper also discusses the challenges and research needs for developing a system-based design methodology using advanced analysis.