Global Substitute Geometric Imperfection of Multistorey Steel Building Frame—Statistically Based Approach to Evaluation

ABSTRACT Initial deviations from plumb exhibited by the columns of the multistorey steel frame, forecast a priori as an imperfection applied for design purposes, are after the erection of the said frame measured and verified during the final inspection. In particular, it is verified whether the appropriate tolerances assumed by the designer and based on the regulations prescribed by the standards have been observed during erection and the displacements and deformations remain within allowable limits. Verification of this type should be based on the integrated formal approach combining an appropriate measurement program with statistical analysis of the results. An innovative model for the mathematical verification of the acceptability of initial column tilts registered on‐site, developed by the authors, and based on the rules of statistical quality control, is presented in this paper. It is subsequently applied to estimate a posteriori the parameters of global geometrical imperfection specific for a given frame and to update afterwards the column plumb criteria assumed prior to erection.