J. Construct.

Steel Research $ (1987) 71-90

Initial Stiffness of Semi-Rigid Steel

Beam-to-Column Connections

A. Azizinamini,* J. H. Bradburnt and J. B. Radziminskit

*ConstructionTechnologyLaboratories, Skokie, Illinois,USA
tDepartment of CivilEngineering, Universityof South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina,
USA

SYNOPSIS

Semi-rigid connections of the type studied in this investigation are

distinguished by moment-rotation curves which become non-linear
relatively early during static loading. However, the connections exhibited
linear unloading behavior, a linearity that was retained as moment was
reapplied, to a maximum approaching that imposed during the initial load
application. The slope of this latter curve was found to be essentially the
same as the initial slope of the moment-rotation curve during first loading.
Thus, the initial slope is of direct significance from a design viewpoint, in that
it can be used to represent the stiffness of the connection in the analysis of the
complete structural system, particularly under live load fluctuations. In this
paper, an analytical procedure is developed to predict the initial stiffness of a
particular type of semi-rigid connection; the predicted slopes were found to
compare favorably with experimentally determined connection behavior.

1 INTRODUCTION

T h e present general practice in analyzing steel structures is to assume that

the connections behave either as perfectly pinned or completely fixed
elements. This approach could result in unconservative predictions of frame
stability or of structural drift. 1-5 Additionally, connection flexibility could
substantially alter the internal force distribution in the members.
It is possible to incorporate the effect of connection flexibility in
the analysis by including the complete non-linear moment-rotation
characteristics of the connection, generally obtained from experimental
tests. Frye and Morris, 1 using the procedure suggested by Sommer, 6 have
71
J. Construct. Steel Research 0143-974X/87/$03.50 O ElsevierApplied SciencePublishersLtd,
England, 1987. Printed in Great Britain
72 A. Azizinamini, J. H. Bradburn, J. B. Radziminski

developed several expressions relating the moment in the connection to its

relative rotation with respect to the connected member. It should be noted,
however, that these expressions are based directly on experimental results,
and their extrapolation to connections with geometries beyond the range
considered in the tests could result in errors.
Analysis of a structural frame incorporating the complete non-linear
moment-rotation behavior of a connection, such as that shown in Fig. 1,
would require an iterative approach to satisfy equilibrium considerations. 3
However, if the final moment in the connection falls within the initial
portion of the moment-rotation diagram (i.e. where the deviation of the

~ initialloading

Moment
(M)

/ /, -
Rototion (~)
Fig. 1. Typical moment-rotation behavior of semi-rigid connection.

M-~b curve from a linear initial slope approximation is small), the

incorporation of the complete non-linear moment-rotation relationship
may not be necessary, and an estimate of the initial slope of the M-4~
diagram will suffice. 7 Similarly, a linear relationship may be used to
represent the M - ~ curve for analyses involving live load fluctuations (see
unloading/reloading curve of Fig. 1) corresponding to a nominally elastic
response of the complete structure, s For such situations, the analysis would
be linear, and no iteration would be necessary.
This paper presents the derivation of an expression for the initial M-~b
slope of a beam-column connection with top and bottom flange angles and
web angles. The model upon which the expression is derived is consistent
with the behavior observed during experimental testing, and consistent also
with the results of a three-dimensional non-linear finite element analysis.9
The expression could be easily modified to estimate the initial slope of the
connection with top and bottom flange angles only.
 Initial stiffness of semi-rigid beam.to-column connections 73

2 EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM

2.1 Test specimens

A test program was conducted1° to investigate the characteristics of bolted

semi-rigid steel beam-to-column connections comprised of top and bottom
flange angles with web angles. ASTM A36 steel was used for the members
and connection elements; the fasteners were 19-0 mm (~ inch) or 22.2 mm
inch) diameter ASTM A325 heavy hex, high-strength bolts, with A325
hardened washers used under the turned element. Two beam sizes,
W14 x 38 and W8 × 21 (AISC section designation") were used in the test
program. The beams were mounted to heavy stub columns (W12 × 96
section for the W14 x 38 beams, W12 x 58 section for the W8 x 21 beams),
selected to minimize column panel zone distortion, thereby confining the
deformations to the connection elements. Details of the W14 × 38 and
W8 x 21 connections are shown in Figs 2 and 3, respectively.
Eighteen specimens were tested in the experimental investigation. The
geometric properties that were varied in the parametric study included: the
depth of the beam sections, the thickness and length of the beam flange
angles, the gage and spacing of the bolts in the leg of the flange angles
connected to the column flange, the thickness and length of the web angles,
and the bolt diameter. Details of the geometries of the individual test
specimens are reported in Table 1.

2.2 Moment-rotation behavior of connections

A pair of duplicate specimens was tested simultaneously using the framing

arrangements shown in Fig. 4. A 254 kN (55 kip), hydraulically actuated
ram was used to apply load to the test members through the centrally located
stub column. The controlled input variables were the rate and magnitude of
actuator displacement. Complete details of the test procedures, including
specimen preparation, and types of instrumentation used, are reported in
Reference 10.
A summary of the test results is presented in Table 2. Table 2 includes the
initial stiffness of the connection (initial slope of the moment-rotation
curve), and the moment and tangent slope at 24 x 10 -3 radian. The latter
slope, although not intended to represent a final, constant slope for a
specific connection, does allow comparisons to be made among the various
connections, as well as quantifying the degree of softening of a connection
relative to its initial stiffness.
The complete moment-rotation curves for several of the test connections
are shown in Figs 5 and 6. In all of the static tests, the connections exhibited
74 A. Azizinamini, J. H. Bradburn, J. B. Radziminski

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l I t h l e k m ~llrklble
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Note: All dlmsMIone In ram. except for section designations.

Fig. 2. Details of connection for W14 × 38 beam.

254

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Note : All dimensions in ram. except for m©tion designations.

Fig. 3. Details of connection for W8 x 21 beam.
 Initial stiffness of semi-rigid beam-to-column connections 75

X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

° i

i
0

0
~1~ -~l ~1~ .,~.1~ X X X '~'~.,~~1~ v~_ ~t~ ..~.1'~ - ~ ~.1~-},~ ~1~ -I,N
x x x x x x x x x x x x 'x~ Ax' ~ '
~ ~ ~ ~- ~ ; ' ~ ' ~ , ' , ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ,.~
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X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

X X X X ~ l ~ X X X X ~ E
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[-
76 A. Azizinamini, J. H. Bradburn, J. B. Radziminski

TABLE 2
Summary of Static Test Results

Specimen Initial slope Slope of M--~ curve Moment at

number of M--ohcurve at 24 x 10-3 radian 24 x 10-3 Remarks
( k N m ) ~kNm ) radian
× 10-2 × 10-2
radian (kN m)

14S I 220-3 6.6 77.7

14S2 333.3 14.2 (107.0) Major slip at 12 x 10-3
and 20 x 10-3 radian
14S3 130-9 8.1 73.9
14S4 250-7 9.4 92.9
14S5 279 12.2 86.2
14S6 323 11.6 119-0
14S8 654 16.9 176.4
14S9 292 10-5 115.7
8S 1 75.4 4.6 37.2
8S2 139.4 1.7 (43.4) Major slip at 16 x 10-3
radian
8S3 118.3 4.5 47.7
8S4 17.3 2.5 18.6
8S5 86.7 3.1 38.1
8S6 44.6 3-6 27.6
8S7 54.2 3-6 43-0
8S8 79 4.3 42.9
8S9 118 5.0 47.8
8S 10 482 7.8 (71.6) Major slip at 5-3 x 10-3
radian

an M-~b response that became non-linear early in the loadilag sequence. This
is attributed, primarily, to local yielding and eventual plastic hinge
formation at each toe of the fillet in the angle attached to the tension flange
of the beam. Another hinge developed in the vicinity of the bolt line on the
leg of the flange angle attached to the column, together with progressive
plastic hinging in the outstanding legs of the web angles. With the exception
of three specimens that exhibited slip in the connection angles, all of the test
connections were able to develop continually increasing moments through
the full range of rotations imposed during the tests. During the latter period
of loading, a nearly constant or only very gradually decreasing positive slope
of the moment-rotation curve was exhibited by all but one of the specimens.
From the experimental investigation, it was found that, of the geometric
parameters studied, those that most significantly affect the initial stiffness
and moment-rotation performance of the connections are: the depth of the
 Initial stiffness of semi-rigid beam-to-column connections 77

Holes for Attachment

to Load Actuator
~ l u FCap Plate
Stub C°lumn II
Web Angle-~ ~r~ /-- FlangeAngle -Hole for Mounting
to Support Frame
I i ~ I

W14x38 L! WI4z 38 ~ -
L~

Cap Plate----/4 6.10m '-'P~--Flange Angle

,- ~
W 14x38 Beam Test Specimen

L !I 3.66m /~ -i
b. WBx21 Beam Test Specimen

Fig. 4. General configurations of test specimens.

beam section to which the connections were framed, the thickness of the
flange angles, and the gage in the leg of the flange angle attached to the
column. Variations in the length of the flange angles, and the length and
thickness of the web angles, had a less pronounced effect on connection
response than the other factors.

2.3 Deformation of connection angles

Upward movement of the stub column via the hydraulically actuated ram
(Fig. 4) resulted in the connection pivoting about a point close to the bottom
flange angle, placing the top flange angle and the web angle in tension. At
the conclusion of testing, inspection of the tension flange angle revealed
reverse curvature bending of the angle away from the stub column, in the
region between the bolts in the leg connected to the stub column and the
heel of the angle (Fig. 7). In addition, in the direction of the length of the
78 A. Azizinamini, J. H. Bradburn, J. B. Radziminski

2O0
_ 14 S8
t= 15.9 mm

150 -14S6
~ t = 12.7 mm

Moment, / ~ t= 12.7 mm
I00
KN.m
f/ Coon.,,,o. 0.,o,,, ' = " -
r/f ;.io.. vo.ab,.
50 // gage on COl. = 6 3 . 5 m m
r length : 203.2 mm
Web Angles : 2 L - 4 x 3 - ~ x ~/4 (AISC $ecti¢~ )
I i Bolt iOiomeNlr:l 22.2mm I

0 8.0 16.0 24.0 52.0 40.0

Rotation, radians ( XlO00 )

Fig. 5. Typical moment-rotation curvesfor W14 x 38 beam connections.

80 ~ i SI°
= 12.7 m m 8S9
= 95 mm
60
$8
Moment, t = 7.9ram
40
(KN-m)
ils
thickness variable
20 gage an col. = 50.8 mm
length = 152.4 mm
Web Angles : 2 L - 4 x 3 - ~ x
i i t Bdt Diameter i 2 2 . 2 mm ( AISC section )
0
0 8.0 12.0 20.0 28.0 36.0
Rotation, radians ( X I 0 0 0 )

Fig. 6. Typical moment-rotation curvesfor W8 × 21 beam connections.

flange angle, there was a bowing of the angle in the region between the two
bolts mounting the angle to the column, and toward the edges in the same
leg, as shown in Fig. 8. On the other hand, it was found that the dis-
placement of the tension flange angle was uniform along the heel of the
angle, and that it remained in contact with the stub column along its
entire length at the tip of the angle.
A n o t h e r observation, concerning the deformation of the tension flange
angle, was the bending of the leg attached to the beam flange between the
heel of the angle and the end of the beam, indicating the presence of a
 Initial sU'ffness of semi-rigid beam-to-column connections 79

Fig. 7. End view of tension flange angle after test.

Fig. 8. Deformation of tension flange angle at column bolt line.

80 A. Azizinamini, J. H. Bradburn, J. B. Radziminski

vertical reaction exerted on the flange angle by the beam at this location (see
Fig. 7).
Deformation of the web angle was not as pronounced as that of the
tension flange angle; however, the general pattern of deformation of the
web angle on each side of the beam web was similar to that of the tension
flange angle.
The above observations illustrate the three-dimensional nature of the
angle displacement. T h e deformation pattern indicates that the com-
pression zone created by bolt tightening is effective over some area adjacent
to the bolts, producing fixed regions around the bolts, while regions away
from the bolts can move away from the face of the stub column. Thus, in
attempting to predict the moment-rotation performance of the connection
through a study of the flange angle in tension, the effect of the non-uniform
deformation across the width of the angle should be included in the analysis,
either directly or indirectly.

3 PREDICTION OF INITIAL STIFFNESS

3.1 Analytical procedure

The prediction of the initial slope of the M-~ curve for the connections
examined in this study conforms to the physical moment-rotation behavior
depicted in Fig. 9; namely, that the center of rotation of the connection is
located at the point of contact of the compression flange angle with the
bottom flange of the beam at the end of the beam. The analysis was
performed by modeling the tension flange angle and the web angles as
assemblies of beam segments, and calculating their individual contributions
to the total initial stiffness of the connection. In the analysis, it was assumed
that the material was linearly elastic and that displacements were small.

3.2 Contribution of tension flange angle

Because the bolt clampng force is fully effective in restraining displacement

only in the vicinity of the bolt (Figs 7 and 8), the tension flange angle was
modeled using two types of beam segments
(i) 'rigid' sections (sections adjacent to bolts),
(ii) 'flexible' sections (sections removed from bolts).
Figure 10a shows the distribution of the 'rigid' and 'flexible' beam
segments across the width of the flange angle, and Figs 10b and 10c illustrate
the models used to represent the two types of segments. Modified slope-
deflection equations were used to perform the analysis, as described below.
 Initial stiffness of semi-rigid beam-to-column connections 81

q_

~ e n t o r of rotation ~ 0
I

~ - compresslo~ flO~le angle

Fig. 9. Deflected shape of connection.

lexible"beam

=2

; : : :

_-tigicrbeam

a. Subdivision of Flange b Model for c Model for

Angle into Beam Segments Rigid Beam Flexible Beam

Fig. 10. Segmental beam model for flange angle.

82 A. Azizinamini, J. H. Bradburn, J. B. Radziminski

For the rigid beam section, the following assumptions were made
(a) the beam is fixed at the edge of the bolt,
(b) the beam is free to translate laterally but is fixed against rotation at
the heel of the angle,
(c) axial force in the beam model is negligible.
Assumption (a) is consistent with the region around the bolt acting as a
fixed edge, due to the clamping force. As the moment in the flange angle
increases, the compressive contact force shifts away from the bolt and
toward the edge of the angle. The angle eventually separates from the face
of the column at the bolt line, thereby invalidating the fixed edge assump-
tion. However, since the goal is to obtain only the initial stiffness of the
connection, when clamping is present, the assumption of fixity at the edge of
the bolt remains valid.
Since the length-to-thickness ratio of the beam segment is small, it was
determined that modified slope--deflection equations, which account for both
bending and shear deformation, should be used. The detailed derivation of
these equations can be found in Reference 3 and elsewhere. The equations
for moment are of the following general form

MMN
_
hk(1E l +k rk) (4 + rk)0M + (2 -- rk)ON -- --~k
(1)
Elk
MNM -- hk(1 +rk) [ (2_ rk)OU+ (4 + rk)On___~k

where

12Elk . ~2
rk = AskGh2, lk ---- lk/3; Ask = ~lkl

E = Young's modulus of elasticity

Ik = moment of inertia of beam segment
G = shear modulus
Ast = effective shear area of beam segment rectangular cross-
section
It = width of beam segment cross-section
t = depth of beam segment cross-section
hk = length of beam
0u, ON = rotation at joints M and N, respectively.
The subscript k used in these equations will assume the designation r for a
rigid section, and the designation f for a flexible section. The length hk
becomes b for a rigid section and B for a flexible section.
 Initial stiffness of semi-rigid beam.to-column connections 83

TAB TCD
k~ A 4- ¢

f " ~ M AB

M BA M DC

k. J

a. Rigid Beam Model b. Flexible Beam Model

Fig. 1 l. Deflected shape of beam segments for tension flange angle model.

The deformed shape of the 'rigid' beam segment is shown in Fig. 1la. The
width of the section (i.e. the length adjacent to each bolt over which the
clahaping force is assumed to be effective) is taken equal to the diameter of
the washer, d,. Thus, the total width of the rigid beam segment, It, is

l, = (no. of bolts) x d, <-width of flange angle

Using 0A = OB = 0 (Fig. 11a), and A = 6 D (Fig. 9) in eqn (1), where ~bis

the rotation of the beam end, these equations simplify to

6EIrD "1
MAa = MBA = bZ(l+ rr)J 4' (2)

Neglecting the contribution of the compression flange angle to the

connection moment, and summing moments about the assumed center of
rotation, Fig. 9, yields

(TAa)(D + b) - MAa = Mr

where M, represents the contribution of the rigid segments of the tension

flange angle to the total connection moment. Now, from Fig. 11a

MAa + MaA
TAB --
b
84 A. Azizinamini, J. H. Bradburn, J. B. Radziminski

Thus
Mr = [ 6EI~D
b2(1 + rr)] (~-O-+ 1) 6 (3)
The model selected to represent the sections of the tension flange angle
away from the bolt line, i.e. the 'flexible' sections, is shown in Fig. llb. The
total width of the flexible sections is designated If (where (/f + l,) is the total
width of the flange angle). The following assumptions were made for the
beam model representing this region
(a) the beam is pinned at the edge of the flange angle,
(b) the beam is flee to translate laterally but is fixed against rotation at the
heel of the angle,
(c) displacement of the flange angle at the heel of the angle is constant
over the entire length of the angle.
Applying the slope--deflection equations to this section and imposing the
conditions 00 = 0, M c o = 0 (Fig. lib), and A = ~bD, the moment Moc is
found to be

MDc =
E 6EIfD
BZ(1 + rf)
](2r,)
1 - -----~t ~b
4+
(4)

Summing moments about point O (Fig. 9) yields

TcD(D + B) = Mf

where Mf is the contribution of the flexible beam segments to the total

connection moment. Now, from Fig. l l b

TcD - MDC
B
Thus

Mf = B3(1+ rf) 1 4+2-rf

The total contribution of the tension flange angle to the connection

moment is the sum of Mr and Mr, thus

[ 6EI~D ] ( - ~ - + l ) ~ b +
Ma~.g¢..g,¢= Lb2(1+ r~)J _ _ [ B3(1 l t D] ( _ 2-rf~4+rf](D+B)~b
1 6 E+rf)]

(6)
 Initial stiffness~f semi-rigid beam-to-column connections 85

3.3 Contribution of web angles

T h e same principle was applied to the web angles as that used in the analysis
of the flange angle. T h a t is, the web angle was divided into 'rigid' sections
a n d 'flexible' sections, an example of which is illustrated in Fig. 12. T h e
assumptions m a d e regarding the behavior of the flange angle b e a m models
was considered applicable to the web angle models as well. T h e web angles
contain two different flexible segments, those located at the edges of the
angle, labeled go, and those positioned between the bolt lines, labeled gf.
T h e displacement at each level of the web angle is taken as ~b times the
distance f r o m the center of the respective section to the heel of the
c o m p r e s s i o n flange angle. Thus, referring to Fig. 12, the displacement of
any s e g m e n t type k and any segment j is

Akj = dkj X ~ (7)

where

k = e: flexible edge
= f: flexible interior
= r: rigid
j = l, 2: flexible edge
= 1. . . . . n - 1: flexible interior
= 1. . . . . n: rigid
and n is the n u m b e r of bolts.

?
Of
de2
d d r3
W dr2
g
¢D

, , ,

Am~

Fig. 12. Segmental beam model for web angles.

86 A. Azizinamini, J. H. Bradburn, J. B. Radziminski

'GH TEF E
- "qI"

MEF
BC bc

TGI.I TN:

bo
BC

TGH

E
a. Flexible Beam Model b. Rigid Beam Model

Fig. 13. Deflectedshape of beam segmentsfor web angle model.

Taking moments about the heel of the compression flange angle, the
contribution of any flexible segment k j, is
(Moment)kj = 2(MHG)kj(dkj)

Using the appropriate boundary conditions, 0. = 0, McH = 0 (Fig. 13a),

and summing the contributions of the individual flexible segments, the total
contribution of these segments to the connection moment, Md is

M¢~ = B~(1 + r~) 1 4+r~ ( o, + d~,~)~ +

B3¢(l+ra)
(8)
z-re, (d~,+d~+... +d,.._,)6
l 4+ra

In the above equations, the subscript c is used to distinguish between the

geometric properties of the web angles and those of the flange angle.
Using the same procedure for the rigid segments, and with appropriate
boundary conditions, 0E = OF = 0 (Fig. 13b), the total contribution of the
rigid segments of the web angle is

Mcr = b3(1+ re0 (d~,+ d2~z+ . . . + d2~,)4~ (9)

 Initial stiffness of semi-rigid beam-to-column connections 87

In eqns (8) and (9)

12El~k . 1 2
rck = AsckGh2k, lck = dkt3c; Asck = -~dktc

d~ = ge; df = gf; dr = dw

he = Be; hf = Be; h r = bc

3 . 4 T o t a l initial stiffness o f c o n n e c t i o n

Adding together the moment contributions of the tension flange angle and
the web angles, and noting that r,~ = ra, the initial stiffness of the
connection (i.e. initial slope of the M--~b curve) is found to be

M_[
tb
6 ,,0
b2(1 + r,) +1
) [ 6 ,,0 ](=-r,)
+ 1 - r-----
4 + ~ (D+B)
B3(1 + rf)

[ B3¢(IrCf)12E
+ I - "~--'~r~f4 [(d2¢'+d2~2)l~+(d~'+dEm+ . . . + d ~ , , - , ) l ¢ d +

24EI¢~
b3c(I+ re,) J
l (d2rl + - o o
+ dr2n) (lO)

In the expression for initial slope, the effect of shear deformation is

represented by the r terms. A simplified form of the initial slope expression
is found by replacing all r's by zero, which would indicate that shear
deformation is negligible. That is, letting

12El
r ---- -- 0
AsGh

implies that G = 0% or that the material has infinite resistance to shear

deformation. Thus, the simplified version of the initial slope equation
reduces to

M - [6ElrO~(2--~-~+l) [ 3EIfD '~ 6E 2

+ ~----~--) (O + B) + --~[(d~, + d2~2)Ice+
V--c-J
[ 24Elcr
(d~, +... + dL-,)to,] + ~---~--) (d~,, +... + d~.) (tl)
88 A. Azizinamini, J. H. Bradburn, J. B. Radziminski

It is recommended, however, that for connections which have relatively

thick flanges, the effect of shear deformation be considered.

3.5 Comparison with test results

Comparisons of the initial connection stiffnesses predicted by eqns (10) and

(11) with those calculated from the test data are presented in Table 3 for the
eighteen specimens considered in this study. In general, initial slopes
calculated with the inclusion of shear deformations offered better pre-
dictions than those in which the shear deformations were neglected,
particularly for connections which had the heavier angle sections with each
beam depth. It should be noted, also, that it was somewhat difficult to
establish a precise measurement of the initial slopes for some of the

TABLE 3
Comparison of Predicted Initial Connection Stiffnesses with Test Results

Initial slope of M--~ curve

kNm
- - × 10 -2
radian

Predicted

Specimen Including Excluding

number Test shear shear

14S 1 220-3 172"8 194"3

14S2 333"3 371 "4 463"0
14S3 130"9 169"5 191 "5
14S4 250"7 239"8 272"2
14S5 279 215'8 245 "2
14S6 323 461 '9 568"3
14S8 654 845' 1 1234-9
14S9 292 461-9 586-3
8S1 75-4 70-2 81 "7
8S2 139-4 116"6 145 '8
8S3 118"3 71"5 83'0
8S4 17-3 14-1 14'7
8S5 86"7 59"8 67-5
8S6 44.6 35.8 39-0
8S7 54'2 58-1 65 "8
8S8 79 90-5 106"8
8S9 118 149"9 191 '4
8S10 482 330'6 512"4
 Initial stiffness of semi-rigid beam-to-column connections 89

specimens, as irregularities in the test data indicated possible sensitivity of

the connections and/or measuring devices to fit-up adjustments, etc., during
the early stages of loading.

4 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

A test program was conducted to evaluate the static moment-rotation

characteristics of semi-rigid beam-to-column connections consisting of top
and seat flange angles, and double web angles. Initial stiffnesses and
complete moment-rotation curves were quantified for connections of
varying geometry. From this study, it was found that, for the type of
connection investigated, the geometric parameters that most significantly
affected the moment-rotation behavior are: the depth of the beam section
to which the connection elements are framed, the thickness of the flange
angles, and the gage in the leg of the flange angle attached to the column.
Examination of the tension flange angle after testing revealed the three-
dimensional nature of the angle displacement, with the regions in the
vicinity of the bolts being most highly restrained, the restraint decreasing
toward the mid-line of the angle and toward the free edges. To approximate
this behavior, a 'pseudo' three-dimensional analytical model was developed
to predict the initial stiffness of the connections. The tension flange angle
and the web angles were modeled as assemblies of individual beam
elements: 'rigid' elements associated with the segments of the angles
confined by the bolts, and 'flexible' elements representing those segments of
lesser restraint. Connection stiffnesses predicted by this model compared
reasonably well with the test results for the specimens considered in this
study. In general, closer agreement between test data and predicted results
was obtained when shear deformations as well as flexural deformations were
included in the analysis.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The research reported herein was supported in part by the Earthquake

Hazard Mitigation Program of the US National Science Foundation under
Grant Nos. PFR-7923520 and CEE-8115014.

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