Behaviour of steel beam-to-beam connections under bending and axial force

This paper presents an analysis of beam-to-beam bolted end-plate semi-rigid connections. These connections are subjected to bending and tension or compression axial force. Usually the influence of axial force on connection rigidity is neglected. Actually the level of axial forces in connections of structures may be significant and exert influence on connection rigidity. In this paper connection were modelled by using three-dimensional finite elements. Numerical modelling of connection covers the geometrical and material non-linearities as well as contact problem between various components of connection. Moment-rotation M-Phi-N curves with different magnitudes of tension or compression axial force for modelled connections are presented. The study shows the significant influence of axial force on the rotational rigidity of the joint.