Experimental Investigation of Retrofitted Extended End-Plate Connections

Abstract

A series of retrofitted extended end-plate connections have been tested experimentally and evaluated using the component method specified in Eurocode 3. The component method decomposed the end-plate connection into several components, including the tension zone, compression zone, vertical and horizontal shear zone that occurred at the bolt, end-plate, beam and column. Based on the theoretical model, the moment resistance and the initial stiffness of a connection can be predicted. Four experimental tests on the retrofitted extended end-plate connections have been conducted to verify the proposed design method. From the experiment tests, all moment resistance of the connections showed good agreement with theoretical predictions, which establish a reliable foundation to predict the moment resistance of the retrofitted end-plate connection. All initial stiffnesses calculated from theoretical predictions do not represent the actual behaviour of tested connection. All tested connections can be classified as partial strength based on EC 3: Part 1.8, in condition the welding capacity is at least 50% higher than the capacity calculated from the component method.