STEEL TO CONCRETE

MOMENT CONNECTIONS
Dalibor Gregor
Excon a.s.
Czech Republic
E-mail: Gregor@excon.cz

Frantiek Wald
Czech Technical University in Prague
Czech Republic
E-mail: Wald@fsv.cvut.cz

ABSTRACT
The paper describes the work on the analytical prediction model of behaviour of end plate
joints connecting the steel beams to concrete structure. Three sets of tests simulating the
beamtocolumn joint components under cycling loading were carried out in the laboratory of
Czech Technical University to observe experimentally the components: the bolt in tension and
the end plate in bending, the anchor bolt in tension and the concrete in compression. An
analytical prediction model for cyclic loading was developed based on component method
taking into account the test results as well as the existing knowledge of the beam-to-column
and the column-base behaviour. The prediction obtained using the model was compared to
the results of the published test and the good accuracy was found.
1

INTRODUCTION

Structural joints are designed assuming to be exposed to the internal forces resulting from the
quasistatic loading. Connections of the structures which are loaded cyclically by live loads or
thermal and seismic actions are further checked separately against fatigue. In many
structures, however, the number of cycles depending on load spectrum may reach 8 103105.
In the joint the local yielding could occur. Information about the behaviour of joints
subjected to repeated loading is important namely for connections of elements from different
material but is appropriate for all structures, even for these where quasistatic approach have
been approved in practice, as a good prediction tool. The modified ECCS recommendation
and classification for the cyclic loading procedure is commonly applied to compare the results
of tests of the structural joints and to analyse the results.
A component method was proved to be an effective analytical tool for determination of joint
behaviour. The method is based on the analytical modelling of separated components
(individual parts) of the joint. The behaviour of each component is represented by a spring.
A mechanical model of the joint is composed of these springs and infinitely rigid plates. The
description of behaviour of each component by three basic design characteristics: an initial
(elastic) stiffness, strength (design value) and a deformation capacity enables an application of
the method into the practice. The resulting force-displacement relationship for the joint
design is thus bi-linear. The analytical description of components offers to designer
a freedom of geometrical variants. The extrapolation of the method to combination of both
bolted and welded parts of joints under loading by combination of the internal forces
(bending, shear and normal force) was proved to be sufficiently accurate.

The cyclic overall behaviour of joints is traditionally predicted by curve-fitting models. For
fitting the model behaviour onto the tests, it is important to select main parameters of the
model properly. The parameters are characterised by constants which are to be defined on a
basis of test results or a sensitivity study by FE analysis. These models are reaching, within a
limited range of applications, the required accuracy. Any extrapolation out of the
experimentally proved geometrical set-up is not possible. In the last decade, the sophisticated
mathematical models for the steel beam-to-column joints were derived for an accurate
prediction of frame behaviour under seismic actions [1] and [2] and for column bases.

Fig. 1: Test of component concrete in compression and Fig. 2: End plate in bending and anchor bolts
end plate in bending; deformed shape of the plate
in tension; failure mode of the end plate

COMPONENT TESTS

Three sets of tests with components were performed. The end plate in bending and the
concrete in compression were tested under repeated loading, see Fig. 1. The tests with
threaded bar cast in the concrete block was designed to analyse its behaviour and prepare the
test of the component end plate in bending and anchor bolts in tension.
The test set-up of experiment concrete in compression and end plate in bending is shown
in Fig. 2 [3]. The tests were carried out in two configurations. Three specimens were
attached to upper horizontal surface of the concrete block (representing concrete slab) and
three specimens were tested on vertical side of the block (representing concrete wall). The
surface of the concrete was cleaned and levelled by a thin (less than 1 mm thick) layer of high
strength grout to achieve smooth surface. Two more sets of tests were carried out replacing 1
mm grout layer by 15 mm grout layer with strength 10 MPa and 50 MPa. The steel plate with
nominal dimensions 200 100 10 mm was placed on the fresh grout layer. The steel bar,
nominally 10 10 220 mm, was centred on the plate. The concrete block was positioned
under the head of the hydraulic actuator and a layer of plaster was made under the block to
ensure the level of the top surface to be horizontal and the laboratory floor to be in full contact
with the block. An example of the result of test C1/1 (test on horizontal surface, 1mm grout
layer) is presented in Fig. 3 [4].
The threaded bar cast in the concrete block loaded in tension was tested separately to learn a
local behaviour of the tension part of the connection, see [4]. Threaded bar M20 was cast in
the concrete block 500 500 500 mm. Two hydraulic jacks were placed on the plaster
layer to ensure the vertical position and good transfer of the reactions into the concrete block.
The beam made of two UPN 140 profiles with web stiffeners transfers the forces into the bar
which was fixed to the beam by washer plate with thickness 20 mm.
For the component end plate in bending and anchor bolts in tension, two threaded bars M20,
540 mm long were cast into the concrete block. The T-stub was positioned at the concrete
surface four hours after the casting to ensure proper contact with the concrete surface.
No grout was used. The nuts were tightened before the test, after 120 days from casting, by

torque of 40 Nm to simulate the hand tightening. Two hydraulic jacks were placed on the
block on plaster layer. The beam of two UPN 140 profiles transferred the tensile force into the
T-stub. Three sets of specimens were tested. An example of the result of a set of tests is
presented in Fig. 4.
Force, kN
600
500
400

Experiment C1/1

300

Prediction

200
100
0
0

-1

Deformation, mm

-2

Fig. 3: Comparison of the predicted and measured displacement at centre of the plate for
the component the concrete in compression and end plate in bending, test C1/1
Force, kN

160

Failure load for TC1

140

Experiment TC1

120
Prediction

100
80
60
40
20

Deformation, mm

0
0

10

11

Fig. 4: Comparison of the predicted and measured displacement of the top of the T-stub,
the component end plate in bending and anchor bolts in tension, test TC1

MODELLING

Due to hysteretic character of behaviour it is not possible to determine a given point of the
force-displacement or moment-rotation curve without information about the load history. For
the component model under cyclic loading, the degradation of material and the history of
yielding in the precedent cycle are taken into account, see [5]. The degradation phenomena
may be described in the models of each component, see [6]. The step-by-step procedure is
used to establish the force-displacement or moment-rotation curves, allowing in each step for

the cumulative degradation of the material and the deterioration of stiffness. The curves are
simplified by use of linear approach.
The tests with components were published in [3], and [4]. The knowledge developed for base
plates and applied in European structural steel practice may be used for connections between
steel frame and reinforced concrete part of the structure, columns and walls. Two approaches
may be distinguished for the component in compression (the plate in bending and the concrete
in compression): concrete in compression under rigid plate and effective area of flexible plate.
Stiffness and resistance of the concrete in compression is limited by crushing of the concrete
surface. The behaviour is influenced by the concrete quality, the thickness and area of the
plate, the grout quality and thickness, the location of the plate on the concrete structure, the
size of the concrete structure, and its reinforcement as well. The component plate in bending
and anchor bolt in tension is solved by T-stub analogy. The stiffness and resistance are
predisposed by elongation of the anchor bolts, which prevents development of prying forces
and guided failure modes became different to the steel beam-to-column connections. The
prediction of component behaviour in Fig. 3 and 4 is based on the measured values of yield
strength fy and ultimate strength fu of the steel and average measured value of concrete
strength. The simple step-by-step procedure with constant increment of 1/1000 of
deformation was applied to achieve the description of the working diagram of each
component as well as of the whole assembly. The unloading part of working diagram of each
deformable component was studied separately and models were developed using a weakening
factor. A simplification adapting the initial stiffness seems to be acceptable even for the
advanced prediction.
SP1
54

c
d

4x53
54
16

300

16

35

80

35

Fig. 5: Test setup of the joint assembly [7]

4 COMPARISON TO TEST
The prediction model was developed based on the component models for initial stiffness and
strength known for the monotonic loads and these models are adapted to the repeated loading
using the results of the tests of components, see [3] and [4]. The model was compared to the
available test of the whole assembly. The Fig. 5 shows the test performed by Dunai at al. [7],
the bars transferred the tensile forces and the studs the shear as well as tensile forces. Fig. 6
shows the comparison of the calculation to the test on the moment-rotation diagram. The
springs c represent the compressed part behaviour, springs d the bars, and e the deformed
T-stub in compression. The model was loaded by cyclic actions based on the test records. The
measured values of the material were applied in presented simulation. The first, second and
six cycles together show a good agreement of the model prediction to the test.

Moment, kNm

120
Test

80

Model

40

0 -20 -15 -10 -5

0 -20 -15 -10 -5

0

-40

Test

80

Model

40

Moment, kNm

120

10

15 20

-40

10

15 20

-80

-80
Rotation, mrad

-120

Rotation, mrad

-120

Fig. 6a: Comparison of the model to test,

first cycle

Fig. 6b: Comparison of the model to test,

second cycle
Moment, kNm

120
Test
Model

80
40
-25

-20

-15

-10

-5

0
0

10

15

20

25

-40
-80
-120

Rotation, mrad

Fig. 6c: Comparison of the model to test, six cycles

Fig. 7: The parameters for the comparison of the model to test by the resistance ratio

The ECCS classification of the joint characteristics under cyclic loading may help to compare
the prediction to the test results. The geometrical variables observed by each cycle of the

loading are summarised in Fig. 7. The cycle parameters may be represented by a partial
ductility, which is defined as

ei+
ei

=
oi
ey+
ey

(1)

ei+
ei

=
i
ey+
ey

(2)

Fi +
Fi

=
i
Fy+
Fy

(3)

oi+ =
a full ductility

i+ =
a resistance ratio

i+ =
a rigidity ratio

=
+
i

tg ( i+ )
tg ( y+ )

; =

tg ( i )

(4)

tg ( y )

and an absorbed energy ratio

i+ =

Ai+
Ai

=
i
Fy+ ( ei+ ey+ + ei ey )
Fy ( ei+ ey+ + ei ey )

(5)

The functions derived from each cycle parameters depends on the partial ductility as full
ductility function ( o ) , see Fig. 8a, relative rigidity function ( o ) , see Fig. 8b, and
relative absorbed energy function ( o ) , see Fig. 8c. On the functions it may be seen a good
description of tendencies in positive hemi-cycle, on the right side of the diagrams, and on
negative hemi-cycle, on the left one. The particular accuracy of the prediction is limited
compare to the curve fitting prediction.
Resistance ration

Experiment SP-1

Experiment SP-1

2,6
2,2

Prediction with fu

1,8

Prediction with f u
Prediction with f y

Prediction with fy

1,4
1,0
0,6
0,2

-12

-10

-8

-6

-4

-2

8 Partial ductility

Fig. 8a: Comparison of the model to test by the resistance ratio

Ductility ration
1,0
0,9
0,8
0,7

Prediction with fu

Prediction with fy

0,6

Prediction with fy

Experiment SP-1

0,5

Experiment SP-1

Prediction with fu

0,4
0,3
0,2
0,1

-12

-10

-8

-6

-4

-2

Partial ductility

Fig. 8b: Comparison of the model to test by the rigidity ratio

Absorbed energy ratio
1,0
0,9

Experiment SP-1

Experiment SP-1

0,8
0,7

Prediction with fu

0,6
0,5
Prediction with f y

0,4

Prediction with f y

0,3
0,2

Prediction with fu

0,1
-12

-10

-8

-6

-4

-2

Partial ductility

Fig. 8c: Comparison of the model to test by the absorbed energy ratio

SUMMARY

The behaviour of connections loaded by cyclic forces may be predicted by component model.
Component prediction brings higher understanding of each connection parts influence. The
method exhibits good quality of prediction based on input data description as well as chosen
accuracy in detailing of model. The calculation is handicapped by the step-by-step procedure
for the each component as well as whole joint assembly, which is on the other hand natural in
today analyses supported by informatics. Based on analytical nature the method enables to go
to prediction of new developments.
The description of steel-to-concrete connection is based on set of tests with components. The
prediction of experiment from literature shows a good quality of prediction. The important
influence of shear forces is expected to be incorporated in the nest step of the model.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The work has been supported by grant COST C12.10 of Czech Ministry of Education, Youth
and Sport.
REFERENCES
[1] Mazzolani, F.M., Mathematical model for semi-rigid joints under cyclic loads.
Connections in Steel Structures: Behaviour, Strength and Design, Elsevier Applied
Science Publisher, London, 1988, pp. 112-120
[2] Della Corte G., De Matteis, G. Landolfo, R., A mathematical model interpreting the
cyclic behaviour of steel beam-to-column joints. Proc. 17. kongres C.T.A. - Settimana
della construzione in acciaio, Napoli, 1999, pp. 115-126
[3] Gregor D., Wald F., Eliov M., Jrovsk I., Joints for mixed building technology with
view to experiments of component steel plate in bending and concrete in compression, in
Eurosteel 2002, Coimbra 2002, pp. 977-986, ISBN 972-98376-3-5
[4] Gregor D., Wald F., Sokol Z., Experiments with End Plate Joints for Mixed Building
Technology, in Experimental Investigation of Building Materials and Technologies, ed.
Konvalinka P., Luxemburg F., VUT, Praha 2003, pp. 65-82, ISBN 80-01-02835-6
[5] Rassati G.A., No S., Leon, R.T., PR Composite joints under cyclic and dynamic loading
conditions: The component model approach, in Proc. 4th AISC International Workshop
on Connections in Steel Structures, Roanoke, 2000, pp. 213-222
[6] Bernuzzi C., Balado, L., Castiglioni, C.A., Steel beem to column joints: Failure criteria
and cumulative damage models. Proc. STESSA ed. F.M. Mazzolani and H. Akiyama,
Kyoto, 1997, pp. 538-545
[7] Dunai L., Ohtani Y., Fukumoto Y., Experimental Study of Steel-to-Concrete End-Plate
Connections under Combined Thrust and Bending, Technology Reports of Osaka
University, Vol. 44, No. 2197, Osaka 1994
KEYWORDS
Mixed building technology, Steel to concrete connections, Structural joints, Experimental
observations, Prediction model, Component method, Quasistatic loading, Cyclic loading.