A Generalized Analytical Method to Evaluate the Post-limit Properties of Joints in Bending Moment According to Eurocode3

Abstract

On the structural analysis, connection effects should be evaluated in terms of rotational stiffness and ultimate strength; this makes it possible to obtain realistic behavior of the structure. In this research, a simple analytical evaluation is carried out to predict the behaviors of the connections as a bi-linear curve. Mechanical properties of the initial and the second parts of this curve are obtained by component-based method and a suggested classification method, respectively. The component-based method represents a joint by using a combination of rigid and flexible components. Each of the components is modeled by means of specific stiffness and strength values and they are assembled together to obtain the initial mechanical properties of the joint. The suggested classification method classifies all the components in a connection into three groups based on comparing the ultimate and the design moment strength of each component with those of the connection. By considering this procedure, a new equation is proposed to determine joint post-limit rotational stiffness. This simple and fast method is applicable to any type of joints regardless of profile type and applied loading. The proposed method is applied to a bolted angle, an end-plate to rectangular hollow section column and two bolted end-plate beam-to-column connections. The results are compared with those obtained from some other analytical, numerical and experimental methods. The outputs confirm that the proposed method is simpler, more accurate and less time consume than the other methods.