Nonlinear elastic-plastic 3d-fi nite element modelling of semi-rigid steel end–plate connections

Abstract

Although the effect of semi-rigid steel beam-to-column connections on the behaviour of steel frames and their substantial economical benefits are recognized nowadays, many structural analyses still consider connections as either fixed or pinned. For that reasons, there is need to be able the generate moment-rotation responses of semi-rigid connections that can be used for analysis and design proposes. Numerical elastic-plastic 3D finite models was performed in order to establish a numerical analysis method for evaluating deformation of extended end-plate-beam-to-column joint for varying thickness of end plates. There were used contact elements between bolts and beam and column. This kind of model was generated by using the FEM software package ANSYS version 14. The study were performed the infl uence of thickness of end plates on moment-rotation curves for analysing joints and proved that the FE technique was capable of prediction connection response to an acceptable degree of accuracy.