Portal Frame Analysis Application

A comprehensive structural engineering tool that performs portal frame analysis and design for multi-story, multi-bay steel frames. This application implements the Portal Method for lateral load analysis and includes distributed load analysis for gravity loads.

Features

Structural Analysis

• Portal Method Analysis: Calculate member forces due to lateral loads
• Distributed Load Analysis: Analyze gravity loads (dead and live loads)
• Load Combination: Combine lateral and gravity loads per AISC requirements
• Force Diagrams: Generate shear force, bending moment, and axial force diagrams

Steel Design

• AISC Section Selection: Automatic selection of appropriate W-sections from database
• Member Design Checks:
  • Beam flexure and shear capacity
  • Column stability and interaction equations
  • Compact section checks
  • Slenderness ratio evaluation

Documentation

• Automated Calculations: Uses handcalcs to document structural calculations
• HTML/LaTeX Output: Generate professional engineering calculation documentation
• Visualization: Plot structural diagrams with force representations
• Screenshot Capabilities: Automated screenshots of calculation results

Requirements

contourpy==1.3.1
cycler==0.12.1
fonttools==4.57.0
joblib==1.4.2
kiwisolver==1.4.8
matplotlib==3.10.1
numpy==2.2.4
packaging==24.2
pandas==2.2.3
pillow==11.1.0
pyparsing==3.2.3
python-dateutil==2.9.0.post0
pytz==2025.2
scikit-learn==1.6.1
scipy==1.15.2
six==1.17.0
threadpoolctl==3.6.0
tzdata==2025.2
handcalcs
forallpeople
selenium

Additionally requires:

• Chrome WebDriver for automated screenshots
• AISC section data (Excel format)

Installation

1. Clone the repository
2. Install the required packages:

   pip install -r requirements.txt
   

3. Download ChromeDriver and place it in the root directory
4. Ensure AISC section data (1.xlsx) is available in the root directory

Usage

Basic Setup

from portal_method import portalmethod

# Define structure parameters
height = [4, 3, 3]  # Floor heights (m)
storey = 3
bay = 2
bay_widths = np.array([6, 5.5])  # Bay widths for frame abc (m)
bay_widths_123 = np.array([7, 6])  # Bay widths for frame 123 (m)
force_list = np.array([21.88, 38.29, 40.96])  # Lateral forces (kN)

# Initialize portal method
frame_analysis = portalmethod(
    Height=height,
    Storey=storey,
    Bay=bay,
    Bay_abc=bay_widths,
    Bay_123=bay_widths_123,
    Force_list=force_list,
    No_frames=3,
    folder_name="MyProject",
    fy=248,  # Steel yield strength (MPa)
    color="cyan"
)

# Run analyses
frame_analysis.handcalc_approximate_and_figures()
frame_analysis.handcalc_portal_and_figures()
frame_analysis.load_combination_beam()
frame_analysis.load_combination_column()
frame_analysis.beam_parameters()
frame_analysis.column_parameters()
frame_analysis.html_makerl()
frame_analysis.html_makerl1()
frame_analysis.selenium_screenshot()

Output Files

The program creates a folder structure with the following components:

• Data: CSV files with analysis results and HTML documentation
• Portal: Diagrams for portal method analysis
• Approximate_Method: Diagrams for distributed load analysis
• Portal_Pictures: Screenshots of calculation results
• Latex_Comp: LaTeX output of calculations

Structure Model

The application models a multi-story, multi-bay frame with the following attributes:

• Multiple stories with variable heights
• Multiple bays with variable widths
• Two perpendicular frames (abc and 123)
• Portal method for lateral load distribution
• Distributed loads for gravity analysis

Design Process

1. Analysis Phase:

   • Portal method analysis for lateral loads
   • Distributed load analysis for gravity loads
   • Load combination according to design codes

2. Design Phase:

   • Beam selection based on moment and shear requirements
   • Column selection based on axial-flexural interaction
   • Capacity checks for all members

3. Documentation Phase:

   • Generate calculation documentation
   • Create structural diagrams
   • Compile final design report

Notes

• Units are in SI (meters, kN)
• Steel design follows AISC specifications
• The application generates detailed calculation documentation for engineering review

Future Enhancements

• P-Delta analysis capabilities
• Dynamic analysis for seismic design
• Connection design module
• Foundation design integration