• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.323-352
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• 2016

The results of a series of finite element (FE) simulations and experimental studies are used to develop strength and stiffness models that predict the failure capacity and response characteristics of unstiffened extended endplate connections with circular and rectangular bolt configurations associated with deep girders. The proposed stiffness models are composed of multi-linear springs which model the overall extended endplate/column flange system deformation and strength of key-components. Comparison of model predictions with FE and experimental results available in the literature show that the proposed models accurately predict the strength and the response of extended endplate/column system with circular and rectangular bolt configurations. The effect of the bolt configuration (circular and rectangular) on the prying phenomenon encountered in the unstiffened extended endplate/column system was investigated. Based on FE results, extended endplate with circular bolt configuration has a more ductile behavior and exhibits higher total prying forces. The proposed models can be used to design connections that cover all possible failure modes for extended endplate with circular bolt configuration. This study provides guidelines for engineers to account for the additional forces induced in the tension bolts and for the maximum rotational capacity demand in the connection which are required for seismic analysis and design.

• International journal of steel structures
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.1350-1362
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• 2018

Full-scale experimental study and numerical analysis on behaviors and failure mechanisms of full high strength steel extended endplate connections in fire have been carried out and presented in this paper. The experimental behaviors of the connections were compared with the provisions of Eurocode 3. The test results show that the failure modes of the connections in fire are bolt failure with yielding of the flange, as same as those at ambient temperature. The failures of the bolts in fire are ductile while they are brittle at ambient temperature. The rotation capacity of the connections in fire is proved sufficient. What is more, at elevated temperature $550^{\circ}C$, the plastic moment resistances of Q690 and Q960 full high strength steel endplate connections are only 40% of those at ambient temperature, while their initial rotation stiffness are 66 and 63% respectively. But the rotation capacities of Q690 and Q960 high strength steel endplate connections are 1.38 and 1.74 times of those at ambient temperature. Moreover, it is found that the component method Eurocode 3 proposed based on connections made of mild steels can be used to calculate plastic resistances and to predict failure modes of high strength steel endplate connections in fire, but it is not suitable to predict their stiffness. The suggestions about rotation capacity of connections in Eurocode 3 are found too conservative for high strength steel endplate connections in fire.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.447-462
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• 2020

The paper aims to investigate the mechanical mechanism and seismic effect of stiffeners in blind bolt endplate connection to CFST column. A precise 3D finite element model with considering the cyclic properties of concrete and steel materials was established, and the efficiency was validated through monotonic and cyclic test data. The deforming pattern and the seismic performance of the unstiffened and stiffened blind bolt endplate connections were investigated. Then a parametric analysis was conducted to analyze the contribution of stiffeners and the joint working behaviors with endplate under cyclic load. The joint stiffness classifications were compared and a supplement stiffness classification method was proposed, and the energy dissipation ability of different class connections were compared and discussed. Results indicated that the main deformation pattern of unstiffened blind bolt endplate connections was the local bending of end plate. The vertical stiffeners can effectively alleviate the local bending deformation of end plate. And influence of stiffeners in thin endplate and thick endplate was different. Based on the stiffness of external diaphragm welded connection, a more detailed rigidity classification was proposed which included the pin, semi-rigid, quasi-rigid and rigid connection. Beam was the main energy dissipation source for rigid connection. For the semi-rigid and quasi-rigid connection, the extended endplate, stiffeners and steel beam would all participate in the energy dissipation.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.443-456
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• 2019

Although numerous researchers demonstrated the significant difference in performance between the various beam-to-column connection types, most of the previous studies in the area of infilled steel frames focused on the behaviour of frames with welded connections. Therefore, there is a need for conducting studies on infilled steel frames with other common connection types (extended endplate with and without rib stiffeners, flush endplate and shear connections). In this paper, firstly, a two-dimensional finite-element model simulating the cyclic response of infilled steel frames was presented. The infill-frame interaction, as well as the interactions between connections' components, were properly modelled. Using the previously-validated model, a parametric study on infilled steel frames with five different beam-to-column connection types, under cyclic loading, was carried out. Several parameters, including infill material, fracture energy of masonry and infill thickness, were investigated. The results showed that the infilled frames with welded connections had the highest initial stiffness and load-carrying capacity. However, the infilled frames with extended endplate connections (without rib stiffeners) showed the greatest energy dissipation capacity and about 96% of the load-carrying capacity of frames with welded connections which indicates that this type of connection could have the best performance among the studied connection types. Finally, a simplified analytical model for estimating the stiffness and strength of infilled steel frames (with different beam-to-column connection types) subjected to lateral cyclic loading, was suggested.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.627-641
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• 2024

This paper presents an experimental and numerical study to investigate the behavior of the precast segmental concrete beams (PSCBs) utilizing high-strength concrete (HSC) connected in the zone of the maximum bending moment using steel extended endplate connections (EECs). The experimental study consisted of five beams as follows: The first beam was the control beam for comparison, which was an unconnected one-piece beam made of HSC. The other four other beams consisted of two identical pieces of precast concrete. An important point to be noted is that at the end of each piece, a steel plate was used with a thickness of 10 mm. Moreover, this steel plate was welded to the lower and upper reinforcing bars of the beam. Furthermore, the steel plate was made to connect the two pieces using the technique of EECs. Several variables were taken in these four beams, whether from the shape of the connection or enhancing the behavior of the connection using the post-tensioning technique. EECs without stiffeners were used for some of the tested beams. The behavior of these connections was improved using stiffeners and shear bolts. To get accurate results, a comparison was made between the behaviors of the five beams. Another important point to be noted is that Abaqus and SAP2000 programs were used to investigate the behavior of PSCBs and to ensure the accuracy of the modeling process which showed a good agreement with the experimental results. Additionally, the simplified modeling using SAP2000 was able to model the nonlinear behavior of PSCBs connected using steel EECs. It was found that the steel pre-tensioned bolted EECs, reinforced with steel stiffeners and shear anchors, could be used to connect the precast HSC segmental beams via the internal pre-stressing technique.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.23-40
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• 2014

In this article, using finite element method of analysis (FEM), behavior of the endplate moment connection subjected to axial force and bending moment is investigated. In the FEM model, all the nonlinear characteristics such as material, geometry, as well as contact have been included. First, in order to verify the numerical model of the connection, an analysis of the endplate moment connection conducted without the application of the axial force. Results obtained from FEM indicating a close and good correlation with the experimental results. Then to investigate the influence of the axial forces, the connections subjected to axial forces as well as the bending moment are analyzed. To observe the overall effect of these actions, the momentaxial force interaction diagrams are drawn. It is observed that the presence of axial force even in a small value can change the behavior of the connection significantly. It is also shown that the axial forces can alter the failure mode of the connection; and therefore it could result in a different than the predicted moment capacity of the connection.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.439-448
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• 2016

Extended end-plate connections(EEPC) are a type of connection applied in Pre-Engineered Building structures comprising beam-column connections of steel structures or tapered members. Extended end-plate connections(EEPC) show different behavioral characteristics owing to the influence of plate thickness, gauge distance of high strength bolt, diameter of high strength bolt frame, and the number of high strength bolts. In the USA and Europe, extended end-plate connections(EEPC) are applied in beam-column connections of steel structures in various forms; however, these are not widely applied in structures in Korea.This can be attributed to the fact that the proposal of design strength types for extended end-plate connections(EEPC), proposal of connection specifications, evaluation of seismic performance, and are not being performed appropriately. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to provide basic data for the domestic application of Unstiffened extended endplate connections. To realize this, nonlinear finite element analysis was conducted on a 12-mm thick Unstiffened extended endplate connections.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.303-315
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• 2004

Frame composed of concrete-filled steel tubular columns and I-shaped steel beam has been researched in order to development reasonable connection details. The present paper describes the results of an experimental program in four different connection details. The connection details considered include through-bolt between I-shaped steel beams and concrete-filled steel tubular columns and two details of welded connections. One of the welded connection details is stiffened by angles welded in the interior of the profile wall at the beam flange level. The specimens were tested in a cruciform loading arrangement with variable monotonic loading on the beams and constant compressive load on the column. For through-bolt details, the contribution of friction and bearing were investigated by embedding some of the bolts in the concrete. The results of the tests show that through-bolt connection details are very ductility and the bearing is not important to the behavior of these moment connections. The angles welded in the interior of the profile wall increase the strength and stiffness of the welded connection detail. In addition, the behavior curves of these connections are compared and some interesting conclusions are drawn. The results are summarized for the strength and stiffness of each connection.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.23-43
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• 2010

In this paper, a nonlinear model is developed using the component method in order to represent the response of steel connections under various loading conditions and temperature variations. The model is capable of depicting the behaviour of a number of typical connection types including endplate forms (extended and flush) and angle configurations (double web, top and seat, and combined top-seat-web) in both steel and composite framed structures. The implementation is undertaken within the finite element program ADAPTIC, which accounts for material and geometric nonlinearities. Verification of the proposed connection model is carried out by comparing analytical simulations with available results of isolated joint tests for the ambient case, and isolated joint as well as sub-frame tests for elevated temperature conditions. The findings illustrate the reliability and efficiency of the proposed model in capturing the stiffness and strength properties of connections, hence highlighting the adequacy of the component approach in simulating the overall joint behaviour at elevated temperature.