Behaviour of end-plate beam-to-column joints under bending and axial force

Introduction The steel framework is one of the most commonly used structural systems in modern construction. The analysis of such structural system is governed by the assumptions adopted in the modeling of their structural elements, especially those concerning the behaviour of beam-tocolumn connections. Conventional methods of steel frame analysis use two idealized connection models: the rigid joint model and the pinned joint model. The first model implies the displacement & slope continuity between the column & the beam, together with the full transfer of bending moments. The latter one on the other hand, implies that the slope continuity is nonexistent & consequently no bending moment may be transmitted to the column by the beam. In real a situation, a connection behaves in between the two cases above which is called semirigid since the so called rigid connection (e.g. End plate connection, top & seat angle connection etc.) can have some amount of flexibility & the pinned connection (e.g. double / single angle connection, fin plate connection etc.) can have some amount of stiffness. The semi rigid behaviour is characterized by the moment rotation relationship as shown in the figure below.

The importance of the semi rigid behaviour of the connections and the semi rigid construction of steel framing system has been recognized in different structural steel design standards in both North American & European communities for a period of time. In general the process of designing semi rigid steel frames involves following 3 tasks: assessing the behaviour of beam to column connections, incorporating the connection behaviour into the structural analysis of the frames & designing the frames in accordance with the pertained specifications. The classification of connections (more appropriately joints which includes the connection plus the corresponding zone of interaction between the connected members) as per Euro code 3 is illustrated below. Joints may be classified by their stiffness and by their strength. Classification by stiffness A joint may be classified as rigid, nominally pinned or semi-rigid according to its rotational stiffness.

Classification by strength A joint may be classified as full-strength, nominally pinned or partial strength by comparing its design moment resistance with the design moment resistances of the members that it connects. When classifying joints, the design resistance of a member should be taken as that member adjacent to the joint. A joint may be classified as nominally pinned if its design moment resistance is not greater than 0.25 times the design moment resistance required for a full-strength joint, provided that it also has sufficient rotation capacity. A joint may be classified as full-strength if it meets the criteria below

A joint which does not meet the criteria for a full-strength joint or a nominally pinned joint should be classified as a partial-strength joint. Common semi rigid connections are listed below: Tee stub connection Extended end plate connection Flush end plate connection Top & seat angle connection (with & without web cleat angles) Double web angle connection Single web angle connection A Beam to column connection is generally subjected to axial & shear forces and bending & torsional moments. The effect of torsion is usually neglected for planar frames. Furthermore, axial & shear deformations are also neglected since they are small compared to the bending

deformation of most connections. Thus only the rotational deformation of a connection alone is considered in semi rigid framing for practical purposes. As shown in figure a beam to column connection rotates to an angle when a moment M is applied. The angle corresponds to the relative rotation of the beam & column at the connection. Therefore the dominant in-plane behaviour of a semi rigid connection is represented by its moment-rotation (M- ) relationship.

Experimental tests have clearly demonstrated that there is a non linear relationship between M & for almost all types of connections for the entire range of loading. The non linearity of the connection behaviour is due to a number of factors such as material discontinuity of material sub assemblage, local yielding of some component part, local buckling of a plate element & so on. The modeling of the M- relationship is fundamental requirement of any consideration of the interaction of connection & member behaviour. Though the most accurate result can be obtained through experimental testing due to higher cost involved, the connection behaviour is generally simulated by means of a mathematical representation of the M- relationship. Many finite element based softwares are available which can be utilized for the non linear analysis of such connections including ANSYS, ABAQUS etc.

Objective Although in many regular building frames the level of axial force coming from the beam is usually low, it can reach significant values in many instances, such as: i) Regular frames under significant horizontal loading (seismic or extreme wind), especially for sway frames; ii) iii) Irregular frames under gravity or horizontal loading, especially with incomplete floors; Pitched-roof portal frames.

Currently, no specific procedures are available for the analysis and design of beam-to-column joints under bending and axial force. A single empirical limitation to an applied axial force of 10% of the beam plastic resistance under axial force is the only enforced provision as per Annex J of Euro code 3, below which the axial force may be disregarded in the analysis/design of the joint. Most of the researches are being focused on the effect of bending moment on the rotational stiffness of the connection by establishing the Moment rotation relationship. As per the latest researches &

experiments the most favoured type of connection in a moment resistant (unbraced) framed steel structure is the end plate connection due to its higher moment capacity & reasonable rotational capacity / ductility. As such a study on the behaviour of the beam column joint subjected to a combination of bending & axial forces becomes a necessity. The moment rotation curve obtained should also reflect the effect of axial force (compression / tension) & also the interaction of the moment & axial force need to be evaluated. The objective of my thesis is to analytically study the behaviour of a beam column joint subjected to a combination of bending moment & axial force by performing a non linear analysis of the numerical model using an appropriate finite element based software.

Scope of Work Design of an extended end plate & flush end plate connection with appropriate parameters as per the component method in Euro code 3 Part 1.8.

Extended end plate

Flush end plate

The extended end plate & flush end plate joint to be modeled using the finite element software ABAQUS There will be 11 specimen for each of the extended end plate & flush end plate (EEP1,EEP2,EEP3.EEP11 & FEP1,FEP2,FEP3.FEP11) EEP1 & FEP1 will be subjected to elasto-plastic non linear finite element analysis under the action of bending moment alone (M only) EEP2 & FEP2 will be analyzed for the effect of M & +5% N. (i.e. moment together with an axial tensile force equal to 5% of the plastic resistance of the beam under bending) + 5%N will be added to the specimens upto EEP6 & FEP6 M & -5% for EEP7 & FEP7 (-5% added to the specimens upto EEP11 & FEP11) Force displacement curves for each connection component for all the cases to be plotted & compared with those obtained as per the component method in EC3. Moment rotation curve for the specimens of EEP & FEP to be mutually compared Moment rotation curve for the specimens of EEP & FEP to be compared to those obtained as per the component method in EC3 The moment rotation curve for EEP & FEP to be compared with the Frye-Morris model prediction as per IS800-2007

Literature review Currently, no specific procedures are available for the analysis and design of beam-to-column joints under bending and axial force. A single empirical limitation to an applied axial force of 10% of the beam plastic resistance under axial force is the only enforced provision of Annex J, below which the axial force may be disregarded in the analysis/design of the joint. However, the general principles of the component method cover this situation, since any component is fully characterized independently from the type of loading applied to the joint; in fact, as already stated above, the behaviour of any component is established as a force vs. displacement curve that only depends on the level of axial force. Recently, some preliminary attempts were addressed at the prediction of the behaviour of beam-to column joints under bending and axial force. In Lige, Jaspart et al. (1999), and Cerfontaine (2000), have applied the principles of the component method to establish design predictions of the M-N interaction curves and initial stiffness. Based on the same general principles, Silva and Coelho (2000) have proposed analytical expressions for the full non-linear response of a beam-to-column joint under combined bending and axial force. Unfortunately, both results were not calibrated/validated by experimental evidence. To provide a sound basis for further theoretical developments, an experimental program was carried out at the University of Coimbra on flush and extended endplate beam-to-column configurations.

Reference Behaviour of flush end-plate beam-to-column joints under bending and axial force by Lus Simes da Silva et al. Civil Engineering Department, University of Coimbra, Polo II, Pinhal de Marrocos, 3030 Coimbra, Portugal. Eurocode 3 (1998), ENV - 1993-1-1:1992/A2, Annex J, Design of Steel Structures - Joints in Building Frames. CEN, European Committee for Standardisation, Document CEN/TC 250/SC 3, Brussels. Eurocode 3 (2003), prEN 1993-1-8: 2003, Part 1.8: Design of Joints, Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures, Stage 49 draft, 5 May 2003. CEN, European Committee for Standardisation, Brussels. Hand book of structural engineering, second edition, edited by W.F.Chen & E.M.Lui Handbook of structural steel connection design & details by Akbar R Thamboli