Interval analysis of nonlinear frames with uncertain connection properties

•An interval analysis is used to account for uncertainties in semi-rigid connections.•Both the initial stiffness and strain-hardening are modeled as interval data.•A direct computation of the extreme structural responses is carried out.•The analysis is formulated as a pair of the nonstandard optimization problems.•A simple regularization algorithm is used to solve these optimizations problems.

Semi-rigid connections can often be a more economical solution for a framing system than one with either fully fixed connections or fully pinned ones. In view of the fact that the properties of such ductile and partial-strength connections are not known accurately, this paper presents a method for the obtention of both upper and lower bound responses of semi-rigid frames for possible variations in their moment-rotation properties. The latter are thus assumed to be known within some key upper and lower bound values, namely a constitutive law that is still deterministic but is described in terms of a so-called “interval” model. A mathematical programming approach is used to formulate and solve the problem. In particular, for each load level, a pair of nonstandard optimization problems known as interval mathematical programs with equilibrium constraints (or interval MPECs) are solved to provide the required bounds. A number of examples are provided to highlight the important effects of considering uncertainties in semi-rigid connection properties.