Steel frame structures are traditionally designed with bracings that stabilize the main bearing structure. Another approach is to apply the “stressed skin design” where the cladding structure takes the role of the bracings. In this research, the two approaches were analysed and compared in order to find advantages of any. A typical steel frame structure was chosen, and for the cladding, trapezoidal sheet metal was selected. Optional bracings were also considered. All static analyses were done using the finite element method (FEM) and ANSYS Workbench software, including geometric and material nonlinearity. The structure was loaded perpendicularly to its gable, thus simulating typical wind action. Number of fasteners connecting the cladding and the frame is crucial for the “stressed skin design” concept, so this parameter was varied through the analysis. The stiffness of the fastener devices was simulated in two ways: (1) simplified, by merging of the adjacent nodes of the cladding and the frame, and (2) more accurately, using special joint elements with prescribed stiffness. Obtained stresses and deformations were compared, and they showed obvious advantages of the “stressed skin design” over braced frame design, both in structural, and in economical aspect. In addition, important practical guidelines for the “stressed skin design” using FEM were proposed.

中文翻译：

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应力蒙皮设计与通过有效数值建模进行的支撑框架设计

传统上，钢框架结构的设计带有用于稳定主轴承结构的支撑。另一种方法是应用“应力蒙皮设计”，其中覆层结构起支撑作用。在这项研究中，对两种方法进行了分析和比较，以发现任何一种方法的优点。选择典型的钢框架结构，并为包层选择梯形金属板。还考虑了可选的支撑。所有静态分析均使用有限元方法（FEM）和ANSYS Workbench软件进行，包括几何和材料非线性。垂直于山墙加载结构，从而模拟典型的风作用。连接覆层和框架的紧固件数量对于“应力蒙皮设计”概念至关重要，因此该参数通过分析而有所变化。紧固件设备的刚度通过两种方式进行模拟：（1）通过将包层和框架的相邻节点合并来简化，以及（2）使用具有规定刚度的特殊接头元件更精确。对获得的应力和变形进行了比较，它们在结构和经济方面均显示出“应力蒙皮设计”优于支撑框架设计的明显优势。此外，还提出了使用FEM进行“应力皮肤设计”的重要实用指南。在结构和经济方面，它们都显示出“应力蒙皮设计”优于支撑框架设计的优势。此外，还提出了使用FEM进行“应力皮肤设计”的重要实用指南。在结构和经济方面，它们都显示出“应力蒙皮设计”优于支撑框架设计的优势。此外，还提出了使用FEM进行“应力皮肤设计”的重要实用指南。