Modeling Stepped Columns

[JRGse]

I am starting to model a steel frame in RISA 3D, for a building the will contain cranes. The owner would like to use stepped columns in lieu of independent crane columns. For the modeling of a stepped column, I was going to put a very stiff horizontal member in the column at the step location to simulate the eccentric loads that will occur due to this configuration.
Any thoughts if this is a valid method? Any other suggestions?

Thanks for the replies

 

[JoshPlumSE]

That makes sense.... You might check out the topic on Modeling Tips - Rigid Links from the RISA help file. This discusses some aspects of creating these types of links and where they can be used.