Development of Csharp-Based Computer Program for the Design of Single Storey Fixed-Feet Pitched-Roof Portal Frame

Abstract

This paper presents the design results of a simple task-specific Csharp-based computer program developed for the design of single storey fixed-feet pitched-roof portal frame. The program accommodates varying stanchion/rafter lengths and loadings. The overall process in the development of the program includes: formulation of the portal frame design outline, coding the outline into computer algorithm using Csharp programming language, implementing the developed program, development of the graphical user interface, testing the developed program and validation of results. Several sets of steel pitched-roof portal frame models were designed using the developed program and the design results were validated using established software - MasterSeries. Those frames were varied in span, slope angle and frame spacing. The design results obtained using the developed Csharp program were similar to the results obtained using standard software – MasterSeries, with greatest variation in the values standing at a mere 0.8%. Furthermore, the developed program was used to establish the relationships between span, slope angle, frame spacing and mass of framework steel of a single storey, fixed-feet pitched-roof portal sample frame building.

Keywords; fixed-feet pitched-roof portal frame, code, Csharp