A Simplified Method to Predict the Full-Range Moment-Rotation Behavior of Bolted Endplate Connections

<p>The behavior of beam-to-column bolted connections can be predicted by means of the component method included in the Eurocode 3.Essentially, the method consist of three basic steps: accurately identification of the active components (representing a specific part of a joint that makes a contribution to joint behavior) for a given joint; then, described the load-deformation response of the active components; finally, assemble all components into a mechanical model made up of springs and rigid links to derive the joint behavior. The current research of component method could predict the joint behavior up to complete failure. However, the proposed method may rather cumbersome. In this paper, a simplified method to predict the full-range moment-rotation relationship of bolted endplate connections is proposed. The obtained expressions can be applied for tracing connection nonlinear behavior up to complete failure in a step-by-step procedure. The moment-rotation curves obtained by the proposed method are compared with published connection test result. The proposed method was demonstrated to be able to describe the full-range moment-rotation behavior of bolted endplate connections with relative accuracy.</p>

A Numerical Investigation into the Ultimate Strength of Steel Cellular Beams with Semi-Rigid Connections

Over the past several years, extensive theoretical, numerical and experimental research has been carried out on the structural behavior of steel beams with web openings of various shapes. However, in all these studies, cellular beams have always been treated or designed as simply supported at their ends. In other words, the beam to column connections are assumed as nominally pinned. The main aim of the present paper is to perform numerical simulations to determine whether the use of end plate connections, instead of simple connections, could enhance the global bending and/or shear capacity of cellular beams with circular and sinusoidal web openings.Interaction between a circular or sinusoidal opening in the beam web and endplate connection has also been studied. Data obtained from a number of experimental research programs on steel solid beam to column connections and simply supported cellular beams, available in the literature, were utilized to validate the numerical models developed in this paper. The numerical simulations using ABAQUS software were performed on full scale cellular steel beams connected to the columns with seven types of endplate connections. The results were compared with those obtained for similar simply cellular beams.