The response of flush end-plate joints under earthquake loading

Abstract

An experimental investigation of the seismic behaviour of flush end-plate joints is presented. Eight beam-to-column sub-assemblage specimens are tested under monotonic and cyclic loading conditions. The specimen details were varied to ensure a range of failure modes including both end-plate and bolt yielding. Individual connections displayed the same failure mode in both cyclic and monotonic loading conditions. The experimental results are presented in terms of stiffness, moment capacity, rotation capacity and hysteresis curves. The observed response variables are compared with design values obtained using the mechanical model employed in Eurocode 3. The model is seen to predict the mode of failure well, but to over-predict stiffness and under-predict moment capacity. The implications of the test results for the applicability of this joint type to the earthquake-resistant design of moment-resisting steel frames is discussed.