الفهرس 
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Abstract
The main purpose of this thesis is to study the behavior of slender columns existing in suay or non-sway structures. Special attention was devoted for studying stability of group of slender columns located in a frame structure and being braced, or partially braced, by one or more bracing columns,
A commercial Finite Element package was used to perform second-order analysis of different frames containing one or more slender columns. First-order analysis was also performed to compare the first-order deformed shapes with the modes of failure, obtained from the second-order analysis.
Many variables affecting stability of structures are studied in this work. The relation between these variables is complicated. Method for changing these variables are presented in ihc beginning of each topic before explaining ihe details of the work. The following variables were studied:
- The slenderness ratio of columns.
- The moment of inertia of the connecting beams.
- The overall dimensions of the structure.
- The stiffness of the bracing columns.
- The position of the bracing column.
- Value of the external horizontal loads acting on the structure.
All the results obtained in this study were compared to available methods included in building codes and references. A brief explanation for these methods is also presented in this study.
Limits between sway and non-sway structures were investigated for different cases • to derive a general equation for the required bracing limit of a frame structure. This general equation is limited to the cases studied in this work, as certain variables were kept constant in all studied frames.