Analysis and behaviour of steel storage pallet racks

For steel storage pallet racks, lateral stiffness in down-aisle direction is usually provided by beam-to-column joints and base-plate connections, owing to the impracticability of using bracing systems in selected areas of pallet racks. Because of the high slenderness of members, second order effects influence remarkably the frame performance. The model of unbraced semi-continuous frame is hence adopted for design. This paper presents the main results of a numerical study on the response of pallet racks commonly used in Europe. The influence of beam-to-column joint modelling on the overall frame response is singled out with reference to both service condition and ultimate limit states. The effect of an accurate definition of frame imperfections is considered. Finally, the influence of base-plate joints on the overall stability of the rack systems is discussed focussing attention on stiffness and strength of the column bases, (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved..