CYCLIC TESTS ON BOLTED STEEL DOUBLE-SIDED

BEAM-TO-COLUMN JOINTS
D. Dubina *, A. Ciutina **, A. Stratan **

* Prof. PhD, “Politehnica” University of Timisoara, Romania

** PhD student, “Politehnica” University of Timisoara, Romania

Abstract
The paper presents the main outcomes of experimental tests performed at the
“Politehnica” University of Timisoara, on the purpose to evaluate performance of
beam-to-column extended end plate connections. The experimental program
consisted of monotonic and cyclic tests on double sided beam-to-column joints,
loading being applied both symmetrically and anti-symmetrically. At the same
time, detailed studies have been carried out on the fracture of beam to end plate
welds.

Introduction
Steel moment-resisting frames (MRF) have been traditionally considered as a suitable structural
system for low and moderate height buildings in seismic areas, due to their inherent local and
global ductility, as well as due to large and clear spans they provide. The global performance of
steel MRF in seismic areas is strongly influenced by properties of beam-to-column joints
(resistance, rigidity and plastic rotation capacity). Traditionally, beam-to-column joints were
required to be of rigid and full strength type. However, there can be noted a renewed interest in
bolted connections for seismic applications, which are usually of semirigid and partial resistant
type (1). At the same time, while the building industry in United States and Japan adopted site
welded beam-to-column connections as the standard ones, bolted beam-to-column connections
are preferred in Europe, due to higher quality of shop welds. Also, relatively weak panel zones
allowed by modern seismic codes (2) will result in joints of the semirigid and partial resistant
type.

The earthquakes of Northridge (1994) and Hyogoken-Nanbu (1995) revealed a series of

undesirable brittle failure modes in welded beam-to-column connections, which undermined the
high seismic performance of steel moment-resisting frames. This fact generated concern in the
scientific community for the causes of the unexpected poor behaviour of welded beam-to-column
moment connections. Extensive laboratory studies have been carried out in order to develop
improved connection details and methodologies (3). It has been shown that new design of

170
earthquake resistant connections should incorporate both weld fracture mitigation measures (use
of notch-tough weld metal, improvement in welding practices, use of weld access holes with
improved fatigue resistance geometry, etc.) and flange overstress mitigation measures, that
usually comprise changes in connection configuration (4).

Most of the new connection typologies are designed so as to shift the plastic hinge away from the
column flange by reinforcing the connection with cover plates and vertical ribs, or by weakening
the beam flange near the connection (the so called “dog-bone”). On the other hand, bolted
connections are considered as an alternative to the welded connections not only for areas of low
to moderate seismicity, but also for high seismic zones. Bolted connections have provided very
good performance historically, and their distributed characteristics lead to redundant and tough
structural systems, which are the key for a good seismic performance, Leon (1). Extended end
plate connections are traditionally popular in Europe. Even if this type of connection does not
eliminate completely the welding, as do tee-stub or angle cleat connections, it relies on higher
quality of shop welding.

Experimental Program
The specimens considered in this study are part of two larger experimental programs (X and BX
series) that comprised different connection typologies. Only bolted joints with extended end
plate connections have been retained here. The structural members are standard hot rolled
profiles in the case of X series (5), and built-up sections in the case of BX series (6). Both series
of joints have been tested both under symmetrical loading (Figure 1a), and anti-symmetrical
loading (Figure 1b).

Actuator 1000kN
Actuator 1000kN Specimen
Specimen Supports
Supports

(a) (b)
Figure 1. Testing set-up for symmetrical loading (a) and for anti-symmetrical loading (b).

X series. The joints of the X series are realised by means of an extended end plate (EP),
representing a typical European connection. Connected members are standard hot-rolled profiles,
connected about the strong axis (see Fig. 2a). The extended end plate connections have been
designed as semirigid and partial resistant (according to EC3 - 7) for both symmetrical and anti-
symmetrical joints, the weakest component being the end plate in bending.

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 Column HEB300
10M20 gr 10.9 Column
8M20 gr 10.9
Beam IPE360
Beam

(a) (b) (c) (d)

Figure 2. Connection configurations for X series (a, b) and BX series (c, d)

The welds of the beam flanges to the end plate are of full-penetration type (see Fig. 2b), while
the beam web is welded with fillet welds. A total of four joints have been tested, two under
symmetrical loading (XS-EP), and two under anti-symmetrical loading (XU-EP).

Two specimens of each joint type have been tested, following the simplified ECCS procedure (8)
(no monotonically loaded specimen). Progressively increasing he load amplitude, the
conventional yielding displacement ey and the corresponding force Fy are determined, as the
intersection between the initial stiffness line and the tangent to the F-e curve having a slope of
10% of the initial stiffness. Then, groups of three cycles at even multipliers of the yield
displacement (r2ey, r4ey, r6ey, etc.) are applied, until the conventional failure criterion is
attained. The failure of the specimen was considered when the force applied to the joint felt
below 50% of the maximum load applied during the loading history. The load was applied quasi-
statically, in displacement control.

BX series. The joints of the BX series are realised by means of extended end plate connection,
the jointed members being of built-up sections. The beam is a usual “I” section, while the
column is a “X” section (see Fig. 2c). Generally, this type of cross section is used for space
moment resisting frames, due to similar stiffness on both directions and convenient three- and
four- way moment connections. The use of X-shaped columns brings important changes in the
behaviour of the beam-to-column joints. If transversal stiffeners are used, the effective shear area
of the column web is increased due to column flanges parallel to the web. The increase of shear
area introduces two effects in the joint behaviour subjected to seismic forces: an increase of
connection stiffness, and an increase of the moment capacity. The testing program comprised six
specimens: three joints under symmetrical loading (BX-SS), and three joints under anti-
symmetrical loading (BX-SU). The bolts have been fully preloaded, except the last joint of each
series that has been preloaded at half of the full preload value, in order to consider the influence
of bolt preloading rate. Tests were performed in accordance with the ECCS Recommendations
(8) complete procedure. The first specimen from each series was tested monotonically, and was
used in order to determine the conventional yield displacement ey. The monotonic test was the
only difference between the two series of tests, while the rest of procedure was similar to the one
described for the X series.

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Materials. Steel characteristics of the main joint components according to mill certificates and
conducted tensile tests are presented in Table 1. In the case of X series, the yield stress of the
tested elements is higher than the specified one, the actual steel grade of beam and column being
rather S275. At the same time a relatively low value of the yield stress of the end plate could be
noted. For the BX series results of the coupon tests match fairly well to the mill certificates for
beam flanges, column flanges and stiffeners, while the yield strength for the end plates, beam
and column webs display important differences. Especially in the case of end plates, the steel is
rather OL44 grade (fy = 270N/mm2, fu = 430 N/mm2), which was confirmed by studies on the
chemical composition of the end plate material (10).

Table 1. Characteristics of main steel components.

Tensile strength, fu
Ser Design Yield stress, fy [N/mm2]
Element [N/mm2]
ies grade
Mill Coupon Mill Coupon
Beam flange 329.8 463.2
285.0 427.0
X series

S235 IPE360 web 348.4 464.0

fy – 235 Column flange 313.0 449.8
311.3 446.0
fu – 360 HEB300 web 341.8 464.4
End plate 281.0 248.3 424.7 416.0
flange 303.0 310.1 391.0 470.6
OL37 Beam
BX series

web 258.0 316.2 400.0 455.7

(S235)
flange 258.0 295.2 400.0 444.2
fy – 240 Column
web 258.0 316.2 400.0 455.7
fu – 360
End plate 235.0 295.5 421.0 484.3

Behaviour of specimens
The experimental results were monitored in terms of initial stiffness, maximum bending
moments, ultimate rotations, the dissipated energy and the type of failure. Table 2 gives the main
results for both series of tested joints. The moment was computed at the column face.

X series
Symmetrically loaded specimens. The end plate was the weakest component, showing visible
bending deformations at the level of beam flange in tension at cycles of r2ey. Cycles of r4ey
were characterised by cracking of the weld between beam bottom flange and end plate (initiated
in the root of the weld) and local buckling of the upper beam flange. In the first cycle of r6ey
complete rupture of the bottom beam flange to end plate weld occurred, the crack propagating
into the base metal (end plate on one side and beam flange on the other side). After the complete
rupture of the beam bottom flange weld, beam web start cracking, near the weld to the column
flange. In the case of XS-EP2 specimen one of the bolts from the second bolt row (at the bottom
beam flange) failed in tension, leading to large deformations of the end plate at the bottom beam
flange (see a). Due to loosening of bolts, a degradation of the joint stiffness occurred for the
cycles of r4ey - r8ey.

Within the cycles of the same amplitude of r4ey and r6ey could be observed a degradation of the
dissipated energy, especially for the r6ey cycles.

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 400 400

XS-EP2 300 XU-EP1 300

COLUMN FACE [kNm]

COLUMN FACE [kNm]

200 200
MOMENT AT THE

MOMENT AT THE
100 100

0 0
-0.10 -0.08 -0.06 -0.04 -0.02 0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10 -0.1 -0.08 -0.06 -0.04 -0.02 0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1
-100 -100

-200 -200

-300 -300

-400 -400
TOTAL JOINT ROTATION [rad] TOTAL JOINT ROTATION [rad]

(a) (b)
Figure 3. Moment-Rotation curves for X series specimens.

Anti-symmetrically loaded specimens. The first signs of inelastic deformations were observed in
the panel zone, where paint started to blister at the rey cycles. Plastic deformations in the panel
zone increased progressively with the number of cycles. Deformations of end plate were
observed starting with cycles of r2ey, a gap being formed between the end plate and column
flange in the tension zone. First cracks in the welds between the beam bottom flange and end
plate appeared at the r6ey, respectively r4ey for the XU-EP1 and XU-EP2 specimens. Limited
buckling of the beam flanges was also observed. Deformation of the end plate was also given by
loosening of bolts, which decreased much the stiffness of the connection. Cracking of welds
appeared at the top flange only at r8ey displacement levels. After a number of plastic excursions
at r8ey, complete rupture of the extended part of the end plate occurred. Starting from this point,
the extended end plate transformed practically into a flush end plate (see
Figure 4b).

Panel zone showed stable hysteresis loops over the entire loading history, with an important
strain hardening. It was the main source of ductility and resistance up to the rupture of the end
plate. The inelastic demand on the panel zone started to decrease at this point, leading to its
“relaxation”. On the other hand, extended end plate connection showed a continuous degradation
of both stiffness and moment over the loading history.

(a) XS-EP2 (b) XU-EP1

Figure 4. Cracking of the bottom flange and end plate (a), and rupture of the end plate (b).

174
In the case of XU-EP2 specimen, cracking of the beam flange in the Heat Affected Zone (HAZ),
at the corner of the weld access hole occurred. Specimen failed by complete fracture of the beam
web and top flange at the right connection and rupture of two bolts below the tensioned flange at
left connection. An important drop in moment capacity accompanied it.

The dissipated energy is quite constant in the groups of three cycles up to r6ey, it begins to
degrade when displacement levels of r8ey are reached, mainly due to rupture of the extended end
plate.

BX series
Symmetrically loaded specimens. The BX-SS-M specimen was loaded monotonically. Visible
deformations of the end plate are noted starting with displacement levels of 3ey in the tension
zone of the beam. Significant bending of the column flanges is observed at 6-8ey. At
approximately 9.5ey (0.03 rad) a bolt from the first bolt row failed (see Figure 5b), leading to a
sudden decrease of the moment. Loading was continued up to approx. 12ey (0.043 rad), when a
general loss of stability occurred due to insufficient lateral restraining.
400

350 BX-SS-M
MOMENT AT THE COLUMN

300 BX-SU-M
FACE [kNm]

250

200

150

100

50

0
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12
TOTAL JOINT ROTATION [rad]

(a) (b)
Figure 5. Moment - rotation relationships for the monotonic specimens of the BX series (a), and
a bolt failure in the case of the BX-SS-M specimen

In the case of cyclically tested joints, BX-SS-C1 and BX-SS-C2, the behaviour was initially
similar to that of the BX-SS-M specimen, i.e. during the cycles of 4-6ey plastic deformations of
the end plate and column flange were observed. During the first positive cycle of 8ey (BX-SS-C1
specimen) and 3rd cycle of 6ey (BX-SS-C2 specimen, see Figure 7a) a sudden brittle failure of
the lower left beam flange to end plate weld occurred, on the entire flange width. This was
followed by cracking of the beam web to end plate weld, and by failure of the superior flange
weld during the load reversal (BX-SS-C2 specimen). A rapid decrease in moment occurred, see
Figure 6a, leading to the attainment of the failure criterion. Generally, the maximum rotations
obtained for the cyclically loaded joints were dramatically reduced as compared to the
monotonic test, due to premature weld failure (see Table 2).

Anti-symmetrically loaded specimens. Beginning with deformation levels of 1-2ey, shear of the
panel zone was observed. At 4ey bending of the end plate and column flanges become visible in
the tensioned zone. In the compression zone, the beam flange buckled plastically at 5ey. These
deformations continued to increase up to approx. 10.5ey (0.096 rad), when a bolt from the
extended part of the end plate failed, with a sudden decrease in the moment (see Figure 5a).

175
Shortly after, at approx. 11.5ey (0.11 rad), the second bolt from the same row failed, leading to a
further drop of moment.
400 400

BX-SS-C1 300 BX-SU-C1 300

COLUMN FACE [kNm]

COLUMN FACE [kNm]

200 200
MOMENT AT THE

MOMENT AT THE
100 100

0 0
-0.1 -0.08 -0.06 -0.04 -0.02 0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 -0.1 -0.08 -0.06 -0.04 -0.02 0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1
-100 -100

-200 -200

-300 -300

-400 -400
TOTAL JOINT ROTATION [rad] TOTAL JOINT ROTATION [rad]

(a) (b)
Figure 6. Moment - rotation relationships for the BX series

(a) (b)
Figure 7. BX-SS-C2: Weld failure (a); BX-SU-C1: End plate failure (b)

Cyclically loaded anti-symmetrical specimens (BX-SU-C) started with plastic deformations of

the end plate, column flanges, and shear of the panel zone, visible at 4ey cycles. During the 1st
cycle of 6ey, a crack in the lower left beam flange to end plate weld occurred, that propagated
into the end plate (BX-SU-C1 specimen). In the next 6ey cycle other two welds cracked,
propagating into the end plate. Cracking of the end plate followed two patterns: lamellar tearing
at the superior part and through-thickness cracking at the inferior part (see Figure 7b). A bolt
failed in the 3rd 6ey cycle, in the extended part of the end plate. In the case of the BX-SU-C2
specimen, first cracks initiated in the top right beam flange to end plate welds appeared already
in the 3rd 4ey cycle. In the first 6ey cycle a crack formed at the lower weld, leading to lamellar
tearing of the end plate. During the second cycle, 5 bolts from the left connection (undamaged)
failed successively, 4 from the extended part of the end plate and one from an interior bolt row,
leading to a rapid decrease in connection strength.

Influence of type of loading

Loading type (symmetrical or anti-symmetrical) affects significantly the response parameters of
beam-to-column joints. The main component that introduces the difference is the panel zone in
shear, recognised for its high ductility. The most important consequences on the cyclic behaviour

176
of beam-to-column joints are the reduced moment capacity and stiffness, and (in general)
increased ductility with more stable hysteresis loops in the case of anti-symmetrical loading.
For H column cross sections, the maximum resistant moment of anti-symmetrically loaded joints
is considerably smaller than the one obtained under symmetrical loading (by 25%), while the
joint rotation is much higher (by about 70%). This fact is only partially confirmed by the tests
made on X-shaped column cross section joints. Actually, for the anti-symmetrical joints of the
BX series the drop in moment capacity is very small (about 5%), while the increase in maximum
joint rotation is quite important (more that 150%). Anti-symmetrical loading decreased the
stiffness of the joint in average by 20% for X series and by 30% in the case of BX series.

Table 2. Experimental results for tested joints.

M  
M max M max

M max
 Sj,ini Etot
max
Specimen [kNm/rad] [kNm rad]
[rad] [rad] [kNm] [kNm]
XS-EP1 0.031 0.033 334.2 357.8 69539 76.70
XS-EP2 0.038 0.037 337.9 350.0 44205 120.2
XU-EP1 0.055 0.060 263.7 280.0 44081 661.5
XU-EP2 0.057 0.062 256.3 257.0 49004 924.6
BX-SS-M 0.043 - 263.3 - 48030 9.01
BX-SS-C1 0.028 0.021 271.6 259.1 57760 43.75
BX-SS-C2 0.017 0.018 261.8 259.8 67370 26.28
BX-SU-M 0.106 - 258.4 - 51500 21.02
BX-SU-C1 0.073 0.055 269.4 240.6 32080 145.54
BX-SU-C2 0.039 0.047 240.1 236.6 34180 88.37

The extent to which loading asymmetry influences joint response depends on the relative
strength of the panel zone with respect to the connection strength. For X-shaped column cross-
sections, if continuity plates are used, the column flanges parallel to the web act as a web
stiffener. Still, they do not eliminate shear deformations completely, leading to a more ductile
joint. Determination of joint characteristics in the case of X-shaped column cross-sections could
be performed by the EC3 Annex J (7) methodology, slightly adjusting it to this joint typology
(6).

Cyclic loading does not affect significantly the moment capacity of the joint, but it modifies the
type of failure, decreasing the joint ductility. The main factor responsible for worse behaviour of
beam-to-column joints under cyclic loading is the low-cycle fatigue phenomenon. In the case of
BX series, the drop in ductility was about 50% for both symmetrical and anti-symmetrical
loading, the moment capacity being practically unaffected.

Weld failure inspections

Two types of beam flange to end plate welds have been used in this study: full penetration welds
for the X series (see Figure 2b), and fillet welds for the BX series (see Figure 2d). Though an
exact assessment of influence of welding procedure is not possible since there are important
differences between the two series themselves, significant differences could be noted in the
behaviour of end plate connections with different welding procedures.

177
In the case of X series, an essentially different behaviour of the welded connection at the bottom
and upper flanges could be noted, due to detailing of the welds. Both upper and bottom flanges
of the beam have been welded in the downward position. In this way, the root of the full
penetration weld is at the interior side of the upper flange, and at the exterior side of the bottom
flange. Due to smaller stresses at the interior side of the beam flange and restraining caused by
the beam web, upper beam flange is less prone to crack initiation at the root of the weld. This
was confirmed by the experimental evidence, the bottom beam flange to end plate weld being
usually the one to crack first. At the upper flange, detailing of the weld access hole is important,
cracking of the beam flange at the toe of the weld access hole being observed in several cases.
Fillet welds used in the case of BX series showed their inadequacy for cyclically loaded beam-
to-column joints. Cyclic loading triggered the failure type of the BX series from bolt failure in
the case of monotonic loading to weld cracking induced failure in the case of cyclic loading.
Though most of the cracks were initiated in the beam flange to end plate welds or the HAZ, their
evolution is quite different at symmetrically and anti-symmetrically loaded joints. This fact is
especially evident at the BX series, where weld fracture at the end plate interface occurred under
symmetrical loading, as compared to the end plate cracking (through-thickness or lamellar
tearing) under anti-symmetrical loading, see and Figure 7. Shear deformations of the panel zone
could be attributed to this behaviour. The so called local kinking (9) of the end plate and column
flange due to shear deformations of the panel zone imposes higher strains at the corners of the
joint then under symmetrical loading. These high alternating stresses imposed on the end plate at
the exterior limits of the beam, combined with lower stresses on the welds due to smaller overall
moment demand under anti-symmetrical loading shifted the formation of cracks from the welds
to the end plate.

Due to the fact that generally the beam to end plate fillet welds at the BX series had an
unsatisfactory behaviour under cyclic loading, detailed investigations have been performed on
samples extracted from the BX-SU-C1 specimen end plate (10). Analysis of the chemical
composition of the base material was performed (by spectrographic method), in order to
determine the steel grade used in the fabrication of the end plates. It was established that from
the point of view of chemical composition, the end plate material suites the OL44, qualities 2-4
steel grade, according to (11). Results of mechanical tests (tensile and Charpy tests) confirm that
the steel grade was OL44 quality class 3. It is to be mentioned that the design steel was OL37
quality class 3 steel grade.

Microscopic investigation have shown that generally, there was a lack of fusion of the fillet
welds into the base material, especially into the end plate, as shown in Figure 8a and b, this being
an important factor in weld failure. Fracture initiated in the HAZ of the beam flange or end plate,
propagating into the base material in the latter case (Figure 8b).

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 8. Cracking of the end plate and beam flange HAZ (a), cracking of end plate (b), and
non-metallic inclusion in the left end plate of the BX-SU-C1 specimen (c)

178
The microscopic examination of the base metal showed a reduced degree of purity, due to non-
metallic inclusions in the middle of the end plate cross section (Figure 8c). Presence of these
inclusions diminishes plate characteristics in the through-thickness direction, due to lamellar
tearing. Anyway, it seems that lamellar tearing itself was not of outstanding importance, since it
evolved only due to weld-induced cracking. In order to improve the behaviour of beam-to-
column connections under cyclic loading, it is crucial to realise good quality welds. Therefore,
some recommendations have to be taken into account in design and manufacturing process: (a)
full penetration welds should be used if load reversals are expected for the connected structural
members, (b) notch-tough weld rods, (c) use of base material with guaranteed through-thickness
quality, to reduce the tendency to lamellar tearing.

Conclusions
Extended end plate connections are sensible to most of the problems related to beam-to-column
joints realised by direct welding of the beam to the column. However, due to shop welding, it is
easier to mitigate these problems. Beam flange to end plate welds are of paramount importance
for a good seismic behaviour of these joints. Full penetration welds with rewelded root shall be
used between the beam flange and end plate. Fillet welds are inadequate at these locations, due to
unsatisfactory behaviour under cyclic loading. Detailing of the weld access hole is important in
order to avoid supplementary stress concentration at its corner. The preloading rate does not
affect significantly the initial stiffness and moment capacity of the joint. However, higher values
of ultimate rotations have been observed in the case of fully preloading specimens. Anyway,
further research is necessary to confirm this observation.

Loading type (symmetrical or anti-symmetrical) affects significantly the response parameters of

beam-to-column joints. The main component that introduces the difference is the panel zone in
shear. The most important consequences on the cyclic behaviour of beam-to-column joints are
the reduced moment capacity and stiffness and, (in general) increased ductility with more stable
hysteresis loops in the case of anti-symmetrical loading. It comes necessary to use an appropriate
model for interior (double-sided) beam-to-column joints that would make possible to reflect the
different behaviour of this joints under gravitational and earthquake loading. It is important to
use a model reflecting the real joint behaviour, as the joint will perform differently under the two
loading conditions.

Use of X-shaped columns makes possible a convenient design of three- and four- way
connections for space moment resisting frames. Also, it brings important advantages in the joint
behaviour under anti-symmetrical loading over usual I or H shaped columns. Column flanges
parallel to the considered web lead to a natural stiffening of the column panel zone. The increase
in the panel zone shear area reduces significantly the drop in moment capacity for anti-
symmetrically loaded joints with respect to symmetrical ones, but reduces in some extent the
initial stiffness. Anyway, the stiffened panel zone participates to the plastic mechanism, assuring
a significantly increased ductility of anti-symmetrically loaded joints.

Cyclic loading introduces differences between the type of failure. While for monotonic tests the
failure was mainly by bolt failure and column flange/ end plate deformations, in the case of
cyclic tests, it was by brittle failures induced in the beam flange to end plate welds. Therefore,
fillet welds are not recommended in zones with load reversals.

179
Acknowledgements
Parts of the experimental programme presented herein were carried out at the “Politehnica” University of Timisoara
within the European Programme COPERNICUS “RECOS” and the Romanian National Education Ministry / World
Bank grant C/16. Support of the European Commission is gratefully acknowledged.

Notation
ey – conventional yield displacement of a joint
Fy - conventional yield force of a joint
fy - yield stress
fu - tensile strength

Mmax - experimental maximum positive rotation of a joint

M max - experimental maximum negative rotation of a joint
M max

- experimental positive moment capacity of a joint
M max

- experimental negative moment capacity of a joint
Sj,ini – initial stiffness of a joint
Etot – total energy dissipated by a joint

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