Non-linear cyclic model of top and seat with web angle for steel beam-to-column conections

The use of steel connections is inherent of every structural steel building. Savings in connection costs as well as improved connection quality has an impact on all types of buildings. Several analytical models have been developed in the last years to represent the cyclic behaviour of beam-to-column connections. However very few models have been substantiated by test results under cyclic loading conditions. For that reason, the implementation of such models in general-purpose structural analysis programs for steel structures under seismic actions, is in some cases complex and in others impossible. This paper is concerned with a nonlinear cyclic model of top and seat with web angle for steel beam-to-column connections, with damage accumulation and bolts in cyclic shear. Numerical results are compared with experimental tests in order to evidence the capabilities and the accuracy of the proposed numerical model. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.