Numerical Analysis of Flush End-Plate Beam-to-Column Connection using Mathematical Model and Finite Element Analysis

Abstract

In the conventional analysis and design of steel structures, beam-to-column connections are generally assumed as entirely rigid or perfectly pinned. This assumption simplifies analysis and design steps and preferred extensively in structural engineering practice. However, experimental studies conducted in recent years have revealed that handling some of the beam-to-column connections as entirely rigid or perfectly pinned does not give realistic results. In fact, most of the connections used in current practice have some certain amount of stiffness which fall between the extreme cases of entirely rigid and perfectly pinned. In order to model the beam-to-column connections properly, several researchers have proposed various mathematical models based on experimental results. In these models, moment rotation relations of beam-to-column connections are defined according to the type of connection. In this study, moment-rotation behaviors of beam-to-column connections formed by flush end-plate are investigated using finite element analysis and a well-known practical mathematical model. Moreover, numerical analysis outcomes were compared with the test results of a reference study from the literature. This paper showed the importance of structural design parameters in determining moment-rotation relationship of flush end-plate type of beam-to-column connections and evaluated the efficiency of the practical numerical models.