• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.147-160
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• 2002

This paper summarises results of the research performed at the Department of Steel Structures and Structural Mechanics from the "Politehnica" University of Timisoara, Romania, in order to evaluate the performance of beam-to-column extended end plate connections for steel and composite joints. It comprises laboratory tests on steel and composite joints, and numerical modelling of joints, based on tests. Tested joints are double-sided, with structural elements realised of welded steel sections. The columns are of cruciform cross-section, while the beams are of I section. Both monotonic and cyclic loading, symmetrically and antisymmetrically, has been applied. On the basis of tested joints, a refined computer model has been calibrated using a special connection element of the computer code DRAIN 2DX. In this way, a static/dynamic structural analysis of framed structures with real characteristics of the beam to column joints is possible.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.1267-1281
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• 2015

Carbon steel plate girders have been used on a large scale in the building industry. Nowadays, Lean Duplex Stainless Steel (LDSS) plate girders are gaining popularity as they possess greater strength and are more impervious to corrosion than those that are constructed from carbon steel. Regardless of their popularity, there is very limited information with regards to their shear behavior. In this paper, the non-linear finite element analysis was employed to investigate the shear behavior of LDSS plate girders. Parameters considered were the web thickness, the flange width, and the girders aspect ratio. The analysis revealed that although the shear behavior of the LDSS girders was no different from that of carbon steel plate girders, it had obviously been affected by the non-linearity of the material. Furthermore, the selected parameters were found to pronounce effect on the shear capacity of the LDSS girders. That is, the shear capacity increased considerably with web thickness, and increased slightly with flange width. However, it was reduced as the aspect ratio increased. Comparisons between the finite element analysis failure loads and those predicted by the current European Code of Practice revealed that the latter underestimated the shear strength of the LDSS plate girders.