EVALUATION OF LOAD-BEARING CAPACITY OF THE STEEL CONSTRUCTION JOINTS ON THE BASIS OF COMPONENT METHOD

Abstract

Connections are essential in every kind of steel constructions. Structure is a constructed assembly of joints separated by members which implies the importance of connections. Three basic parameters describe the behavior of connections: strength, stiffness and ductility, and the mechanical behavior of steel joint in those terms are complex phenomena. It must be said that absence in current Ukrainian design codes rules for the load capacity calculation of steel constructions connections led to some difficulties in project decisions. On the basis of component method, which lay in the EC3 design codes load capacity estimation of beam to column connection was made. According to component method beam to column connection divided into basic components. EN 1993 -1-8 provides a good overview of different components. Most important components for bolted steel joints are the plates and bolts which both are considered by the design of a T-stub through the “Equivalent T-stub in tension”. The procedure of load capacity calculation used yield line formulations to determine resistance of the following basic components: column flange in bending, end plate in bending, column flange in bending, column web in tension, column web in compression, beam flange in compression. Failure by this method is described by yield-line models depending on geometry of plates and bolts. Obtained analytical results were compared with the results obtained by means of specialized software and it shown their adequacy. It must be noted that presented in EC3 calculation algorithm of beam to column connection is time consumable for domestic designer also designer must have knowledge about features of connection design in countries of EC. The choice of design procedure depends on the time effort and thereby to the designer preferences.