engleski

Beam-to-column joints with stiffened flange cleat(s) - Experimental investigation

Eurocode model, as all other existing theoretical models for the characterisation of angle in bending, is quite simple. However, when a little modification of angle is applied, e.g. adding a stiffener, behaviour becomes a bit complicated. Furthermore, when such modified connection component is going to be used in joint(s), the structural engineers do not know how to make quick and reliable design without support of advance FEM analysis. Therefore, the main goal of the present work is to give simple estimations which will provide reliable resistance and stiffness assessment of the above mentioned type of joints. After performed detail research of different typologies of the flange cleats in bending as components, the experimental work was extended to account for testing of the beam-to-column joints with the stiffened flange cleat(s) as the main connection component. Present paper gives insight into obtained experimental results, as well as, their comparison with the available theoretical models. In particular, depending on the stiffened flange cleat(s) location the four different (joint) configurations were tested. Detailed description of the laboratory testing and experimental results of the flange cleats joints in bending is presented. In addition, the experimental values of the resistance and stiffness for all tested (joint) specimens are obtained through characterization of the recorded moment-rotation curves. With an additional work related to the welding of a stiffener, the major effect on the behaviour of the mentioned type of the bolted joints was also recorded. Finally, according to the existing models for the standard angles in bending and modified models to suit behaviour of the stiffened angle, a modification of the lever arm is proposed. Through comparison with the experimental results (obtained in the present study) modified models and currently proposed lever arm are validated. Based on this the optimal models for different joint configurations are proposed.

flange cleat joint; stiffener; laboratory testing; theoretical models

Full paper /6 pages/ is on pen drive.