ANALYSIS OF BEAM-TO-COLUMN BOLTED FLUSH END PLATE CONNECTIONS

Nowadays it is recognized that connections and members of steel frameworks have a semirigid and non-linear behaviour. One of the main concerns is how to incorporate the connection characteristics into an analysis. In the present; study; beam-to-column bolted flush end plate connections, widely used because of the economy and simplicity of fabrication and assembly, are investigated for predicting their rotational behaviour (moment-rotation curve) that can be used in the frame analysis. In order to predict the rotational behaviour of this type of connection, a three-dimensional finite element model has been developed by the COSMOS/M (R) it code. The proposed model takes into consideration the interaction between the various components that are comprised in the connection. Thus; the modelling domain includes the beam, end plate, bolts and nuts and the column. Besides, the analysis incorporates the effects of material nonlinearity, for the plates and bolts; using the elastic-perfecty plastic stress-strain relationship. The results obtained from the finite element analysis are evaluated and verified by comparing the numerically predicted results with those of the corresponding test carried out. The numerical results are also compared with a. simplified theoretical model based on yield line analysis and the stub-tee analogy.