DESIGN MODEL FOR BOLTED MOMENT END PLATE CONNECTIONS

JOINING RECTANGULAR HOLLOW SECTIONS

By A. T. Wheeler; M. J. Clarke/ G. J. Hancock,3 and T. M. Murray4

ABSTRACT: This paper presents a model for the determination of the serviceability and ultimate moment
capacities of bolted moment end plate connections utilizing rectangular hollow sections and two rows of bolts.
One row of bolts is positioned above the top flange, and the other is positioned symmetrically below the bottom
flange. The model considers the combined effects of prying action caused by flexible end plates and the formation
of yield lines in the end plates. The model is calibrated and validated using experimental data from an associated
test program. The design model constitutes a relatively simple method for predicting the serviceability and
ultimate moment capacities for the particular type of bolted moment end plate connection described here. An
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example is given to illustrate how the design model can be applied to practical connection designs.

INTRODUCTION
The increase in the use of rectangular hollow sections in
mainstream structures, coupled with the economics of prefab-
rication, has highlighted the need for simple design methods
that produce economical connections for tubular members. In
an effort to address this need, the Australian Institute of Steel
Construction (AISC) has published the document Design of
Structural Steel Hollow Section Connections (Syam and Chap-
man 1996), in which design models are presented for com-
monly used tubular connections. The moment end plate con-
nection described in this paper is not included in the AISC
document because an appropriate design model did not exist
at the time of its publication. Some typical applications of the
moment end plate connection using rectangular hollow sec-
tions are shown in Fig. 1.
The moment end plate connection joining I-section mem-
bers has been used extensively and considerable documenta-
tion on its behavior exists in the literature [for example,
Grundy et al. (1980); Murray (1988, 1990); Kukreti et al.
(1990)]. In contrast, research on end plate connections joining
rectangular and square hollow sections has been limited. Fur-
thermore, the research on tubular end plate connections that
has been conducted has concentrated primarily on pure tensile
loading (Kato and Hirose 1985; Packer et al. 1989), or on
combined compression and bending (Kato and Mukai 1991)
as in a column-to-column bolted flange splice connection,
rather than the pure flexural loading considered here. Although
some test programs on tubular end plate connections subject
to flexural loading have been conducted (Mang 1980; Petit et
al. 1986), associated theoretical or design models were not
presented.
When the end plate connection is subjected to pure flexure,
tensile loads are applied to the bolts on the tensile side of the
neutral axis through the bending of the plate. Failure of the
connection generally occurs when these bolts reach their ten-
sile capacity. As outlined by Nair et al. (1974), the ultimate
strength of the connection may be reached either before or
after yielding has occurred in the end plate. In the former case,
'Postgrad. Student, Dept. of Civ. Engrg., Univ. of Sydney, N.S.W.
2006, Australia.
'Sr. Lect., Dept. of Civ. Engrg., Univ. of Sydney.
'BHP Steel Prof. of Steel Struct., Dept. of Civ. Engrg., Univ. of Syd-
ney.
'Montague-Betts Prof. of Struct. Steel Des., Dept. of Civ. Engrg., Vir-
ginia Polytechnic Inst. and State Univ., Blacksburg, VA 24061.
Note. Associate Editor: W. Samuel Easterling. Discussion open until
July I, 1998. To extend the closing date one month, a written request
must be filed with the ASCE Manager of Journals. The manuscript for
this paper was submitted for review and possible publication on June 23,
1997. This paper is part of the JourlUll of Structural Engineering, Vol.
124, No.2, February, 1998. ©ASCE, ISSN 0733-9445/98/0002-0164-
0173/$4.00 + $.50 per page. Paper No. 16059.
164/ JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING / FEBRUARY 1998
the end plate is said to be "rigid," but in the latter case, the
end plate is said to be "flexible." The design of rigid end
plate connections may be less difficult than design of flexible
end plate connections due to the need to consider prying ef-
fects in the latter, but the flexible end plate provides a sub-
stantially more economical and ductile connection.
The effects of prying have been studied extensively, and
various methods, such as the stub-tee (split-tee) analogy
(Agerskov 1976; Kato and McGuire 1973; Nair et al. 1974;
Kennedy et al. 1981), have been developed to predict the ef-
fects of prying on the connection strengths. These methods
have primarily been associated with moment end plate con-
nections in I-sections. Although the behavior of the end plate
connection utilizing rectangular hollow sections differs from
that in I-sections, it can be modeled through adaptation of the
stub-tee analogy.
As suggested by Kennedy et al. (1981), the behavior of the
end plate can be divided into three distinct categories based
on the plate thickness and magnitude of loading. The first
mode is termed thick plate behavior and is characterized by
the absence of prying effects and yield lines, resulting in a
direct relationship between the bolt loads and the applied mo-
ment. At the other extreme, the third mode is termed thin plate
behavior and is characterized by yield lines through the bolt
positions and a maximum value of the prying force. The re-
sulting bolt loads are the superposition of the bolt pretension,
the prying forces, and the forces induced in the bolts from the
applied moment. The second mode, termed intermediate plate
behavior, falls between the thick and thin plate behavior and
is characterized by the prying force ranging from zero to the
maximum attainable value.
In this paper, an analytical model to determine the moment
capacity of end plate connections joining rectangular hollow
sections is presented. The model is based on the modified stub-
tee analogy, which enables the effects of bolt prying forces to
be incorporated. The model is further refined using yield line
analysis to include the effect of the bolt positions along the
tensile face of the end plate. The model described in this paper
is limited to the end plate connection containing two rows of
bolts, as shown in Fig. 1. The predictions of the model are
compared with the results obtained from an associated ex-
perimental program conducted at the University of Sydney
(Wheeler et al. 1995, 1997a). At the end of the paper, a design
example illustrating the practical application of the model is
presented.
A model of this type has not been presented in the literature
previously and is of immediate practical use to the structural
engineering profession. The model is largely based on funda-
mental concepts of mechanics and includes very few empirical
adjustments.

J. Struct. Eng., 1998, 124(2): 164-173

 prying forces found that the load capacity of bolted connec-
tions may be reduced substantially by prying action. The fac-
tors found to govern the magnitude of the prying forces in-
clude the geometry and material properties of the end plate,
and the size and strength of the bolts.
If it is assumed that a connection of the type shown in Fig.
2 fails due to tensile fracture of the bolts, the failure load (Pu)
of the rigid end plate is simply equal to the tensile strength of
the bolt group, so
p. = B. (I)

For the flexible end plate, the failure load (Pu) is defined as
the ultimate tensile load in the bolts (B.) minus the prying
force at ultimate load (Qu).
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p. = B. - Q. (2)

The magnitude of the prying force (Q) depends on the flexi-

(a)
FIG. 1. 'TYpical Applications of Bolted Moment End Plate Con-
nections Using Rectangular Hollow Sections: (a) Beam Splice
Connection; (b) Beam-Column Connection
p stub-tee, prying forces are certainly important. By modifying
bility of the end plate. As explained previously, Q is zero for
(b) the rigid end plate, while for the flexible end plate Q ranges
from zero to Qmax> where Qm.. is the maximum attainable pry-
ing force, which occurs upon the formation of a yield line
through the line of the bolts.
Although the connections described in this report are not a
the stub-tee analogy, a model that effectively predicts the con-
nection strength, accounting for prying forces, can be devel-
oped for tubular end plate connections.

(a) Rigid End Plate (b) Flexible End Plate
FIG. 2. Basic End Plate Behavior
PRYING ACTION
The behavior of a connection where tensile loads are trans-
ferred to fasteners through an end plate depends on the rigidity
of this plate. This is demonstrated in Fig. 2, where two stub-
tee connections are shown. In the first connection, which com-
prises a rigid end plate, minimal deformation occurs when the
tensile load (P) is applied; the plate remains virtually parallel
to the connecting surface. The second connection, which con-
tains a flexible end plate, deforms as shown when loaded, gen-
erating compressive (prying) forces between the contacting
surfaces, which raise the tensile bolt forces correspondingly.
The study by Nair et al. (1974) on the effect of tension and
w;p
Compression
~ ~
f-- 0
So
EXPERIMENTAL STUDY
An experimental program on moment end-plate connections
for tubular members has been conducted at the University of
Sydney (Wheeler et al. 1995, 1997a). Two basic connection
configurations, termed type A and type B, were investigated.
The type A connections utilized eight bolts, and the type B
connections employed four bolts. This report deals only with
the type B (four-bolt) connections, the general configuration
of which is shown in Fig. 3. The connections were tested in
pure bending by subjecting a beam, containing a beam splice
connection [of the type shown in Fig. l(a)] at midspan, to four-
point bending.
The parameters varied in the experimental program include
the plate size (Wp , Dp ), the plate thickness (tp ), the section
shape (square or rectangular), and the position of the bolts with
respect to the section flange (so) and to the section web (c).
Each test contained two rows of bolts, one above the section
compression flange and the other below the section tensile
flange. The dimensions of the end plates and the type of sec-
tions [square (SHS) or rectangular (RHS)] used for all type B
specimens in the experimental program are given in Table 1.
0
tp = end plate thickness
s = weld leg length

D~'
n = number of tensile bolts
(= 2 in all tests)
d
a p = min(2tp• a.)
d' = d+ s..J2
dr so' = So - s/..J2
So
- 0 .-.
'._J 0 c = a. - a.
d :s; 400mm
Tension
b
FIG. 3. End Plate Layout and Model Parameters

JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING / FEBRUARY 1998/165

J. Struct. Eng., 1998, 124(2): 164-173

 TABLE 1. End Plate Connection Details and Test Results when the longitudinal deformations of the end plate were
Plate dimensions (mm) deemed excessive. The ultimate moment (Meu ) and the failure
Section Mou mode for each test are listed in Table 1.
Specimen type· tp Wp Dp So e (kN'm) Failure mode"
(1 ) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9)
Changes in the end plate width (Wp ) and thickness (tp ) re-
sulted in significant changes to the connection ultimate load.
II SHS 12 210 280 35 0 48.6 Defonnation
12 SHS 16 210 280 35 0 69.0 Bolt An increase in plate thickness (tp ) increased the strength of the
13 SHS 20 210 280 35 0 77.4 Bolt joint. Conversely, an increase in the plate width (Wp ) (corre-
14 RHS 12 160 330 35 0 57.1 Defonnation sponding to moving the position of the bolts away from the
15 RHS 16 160 330 35 0 72.5 Bolt
16 RHS 20 160 330 35 0 86.6 Bolt line of the webs, as denoted by parameter c in Table 1) reduced
17 SHS 12 280 280 35 35 38.6 Defonnation the stiffness and strength of the joint. The effect of the position
18 SHS 16 280 280 35 35 59.5 Bolt of the bolts was further demonstrated through the bolts' prox-
19 SHS 20 280 280 35 35 72.4 Bolt
20 RHS 12 230 330 35 35 48.5 Defonnation imity to the section flange (parameter So in Table 1). As the
21 RHS 16 230 330 35 35 71.3 Bolt bolts were moved closer to the flange of the section, the con-
22 RHS 20 230 330 35 35 79.6 Bolt nection stiffness and strength also increased.
23 SHS 16 210 300 45 0 58.3 Bolt
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24 SHS 16 210 260 25 0 66.6 Bolt

25 RHS 16 160 350 45 0 62.1 Bolt GENERAL THEORETICAL BASIS OF MODEL
26 RHS 16 160 310 25 0 86.0 Bolt
•Section dimensions are given in Table 3.
Theoretical models for the bolted tubular moment end plate
b Defonnation mode: Tests terminated due to excessive end plate defonnations.
connection based on yield line analysis and the stub-tee anal-
Bolt mode: Test ultimate load dictated by bolt fracture. ogy are presented in the following sections headed Yield Line
Analysis and Modified Stub-Tee Analysis. A generalized con-
nection model for predicting the ultimate capacity of the con-
The distance from the edge of the plate to the center of the nection involving the integration of both the yield line and
bolts (a.) was constant for all tests and set at 30 mm according stub-tee analysis is subsequently derived in the section
to the edge distance limits specified in the Australian Standard Generalized Connection Model.
for Steel Structures, AS 4100. All holes were clearance holes The yield line analysis provides an estimate of the experi-
(22 mm diameter) for M20 bolts. The end plate material was mental yield moment of the connection (Mcy), which is defined
350 grade steel to AS 3678 with a nominal yield stress of 350 here as the intersection of the initial connection stiffness and
MPa. The measured static yield stress (Jy) and ultimate tensile the strain hardening stiffness, as shown in Fig. 4. At the con-
strength (fu) for each end plate obtained through coupon tests nection yield moment, the end plate is assumed to contain a
are listed in Table 2. plastic mechanism characterized by yield lines, which form
To eliminate the possibility of local buckling limiting the when the end plate cross section becomes fully plastic at the
beam connection strength, all sections used were compact. The yield stress Jy. Prying action is not considered in the yield line
measured section sizes are shown in Table 3, as are the mea- analysis. As defined here, the connection yield moment can be
sured ultimate moment capacities (Mus) for each type of sec- considered to correspond to the serviceability limit state ca-
tion. The sections were manufactured to the requirements of pacity of the connection.
AS 1163, with a nominal yield stress of 350 MPa. The theoretical model based on the stub-tee analogy con-
The bolt and nut assemblies were M20 structural grade 8.8 siders the effects of prying action and aims at predicting the
assemblies (grade 8.8rr), manufactured to AS 1252. The mea- experimental ultimate strength of the connection (Meu ). This
sured yield and ultimate tensile loads of the bolts were 195 model is limited by the assumption that the end plate behaves
kN and 230 kN, respectively. in a one-dimensional fashion due to the formation of yield
The connections were fabricated to AS 4100 using a com- lines across the width of the end plate (modes 1 and 2 shown
bination fillet/butt weld joining the section to the end plate. in Fig. 5) (Agerskov 1976; Kato and McGuire 1973). Since
This weld was SP category and qualified to AS 1554.1 with a the yield lines invariably undergo significant rotations before
nominal leg length of 8 mm for the fillet. the connection ultimate strength is reached, much of the ma-
Upon assembly of the connection, the bolts were tensioned terial is stressed into the strain-hardening range. For the pur-
to the specified proof load of 145 kN (60% of ultimate load). pose of predicting the connection uLtimate moment, it is there-
An incremental load was then applied to the connection by fore appropriate to assume the yield lines are fully plastic and
means of a stroke-controlled servo until failure occurred. Be- stressed to a level denoted 1", which is greater than the yield
cause the sections were not susceptible to local buckling, the stress Jy but less than the ultimate tensile strength fu.
ultimate load of the specimen was limited to connection fail- The generalized connection model discussed later consti-
ure, which occurred either when the tensile bolts fractured or tutes a modification of the stub-tee analogy for the mode 3
TABLE 2. Measured End Plate Material Properties
Ultimate Moment, Me.
Plate thickness tp ty tu
(mm) (MPa) (MPa) ...c
(2) (3)
(1 )
~
12
16
354
349
499
482 ~
20 351 496 §
'.;:l
~
c
TABLE 3. Section Details §
U
Depth d Width b Thickness t. M..
Section (mm) (mm) (mm) (kN· m)
(1 ) (2) (3) (4) (5)
SHS 151.0 150.9 9.0 119 Connection Rotation
RHS 199.5 101.5 9.1 138
FIG. 4. Typical Connection Moment-Rotation Curve

166/ JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING / FEBRUARY 1998

J. Struct. Eng., 1998, 124(2): 164-173

 M lowing the yield line formation. It should be noted that in the
yield line analysis presented hereafter, the effect of the end
plate deformation on the work done by the tensile bolts in
mode I is approximated by the displacement of a constant
load. Conversely, in modes 2 and 3 the yield lines pass through
the bolt holes with no displacement of the bolts. Thus the
effects of prying are not considered in these yield line analy-
ses.
Virtual work principles are used to obtain the analytical ex-
pressions for the yield moment M Y1 for each of the mechanisms

~
o ~O ----0---
o
----0----
---- .---
----0----
---- ----
............. "
0

"
shown in Fig. 5. The variables used are defined in Fig. 3,
where n is the number of tensile bolts. In the yield line analysis
for mode 1, By/ is taken as the yield load per bolt, which was
',a --y~ 0" measured to be 195 kN. The position of the yield lines is
o 0 -0---------0-
I 1u,-"
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" assumed to be influenced by the size of the weld fillet; for this
reason the depth of the section (d) and distance from the line
FIG. 5. Yield Line Modes of Failure: (a) Mode 1; (b) Mode 2; (c) of bolts to the section flange (so) are corrected to d' :: d +
Mode 3 sy'2 and s; = So - s/y'2, respectively, where s is the leg
length (8 mm) of the fillet weld. It is also assumed that the
plastic mechanism [Fig. 5(c)] in which yield lines form diag- section is perfectly rectangular (neglecting the rounding of the
onally across the tensile corners of the end plate rather than corners).
in a purely one-dimensional fashion [modes 1 and 2 in Figs. As derived by Wheeler et al. (l997b), the yield moments
5(a) and (b), respectively]. for mode 1, mode 2, and mode 3 are
Mode 1
YIELD LINE ANALYSIS
The analysis of stub-tee end plate connections generally as- My/ = (d' + 2(s; + a.»W p
m + nBy,a.) d (3)
sumes that yield lines form transversely across the end plate (s; + a.)d' P s; + a.
(Agerskov 1976; Kato and McGuire 1973). In the experi- Mode 2
mental program described previously, such patterns of yield
lines were observed when the bolts were located sufficiently M
y/
= (2(d' +'d's;)W p _ '!!!L)
,
A
mp'"
(4)
closely to the section webs. However, other plastic mecha- So So
nisms involving inclined yield lines were also observed when
the bolts were moved farther away from the section webs. Mode 3
The three yield line mechanisms observed experimentally
are shown in Fig. 5. Mode 1 consists of yield lines forming vWp (b2 + 4l) + (y'r 2 + 4v 2l)d34 + 4U q V)
Wp b
at the top and bottom of the section, coupled with elongation My/ = ( 7 + --=------(-2q-c-+-s-:-:;b-)'"':d:-'- - - - - dmp
and yielding of the tensile bolts [Fig. 5(a)]. In mode 2, an
additional yield line forms through the line of bolts on the (5)
tension side of the connection [Fig. 5(b)]. Once the mode 2
mechanism has formed, no additional load is transferred to the where Wp :: b + 2a. + 2c; v :: d' + s;; q = at + s; - u;
tensile bolts as the end plate deforms. Mode 3 comprises a r = 2qc - bd'; and d34 = a.(2qv - r) d 34 :: a.(2qv -
more complex arrangement of yield lines, as shown in Fig. r)yr 2 + 4q 2v 2 ¢ (qvr) - 2df . For mode 3, the yield moment
5(c). As for mode 2, the yield lines pass through the tensile My, must be minimized with respect to the variable u to obtain
bolts and no additional loads are transferred to the bolts fol- the correct lower-bound solution.

TABLE 4. Yield Line Analysis Results

Experimental
Plate Dimensions yield moment, Calculated Yield Moment, My! (kN . m)
tp c Mcy
Test (mm) (mm) (kN·m) Mode 1 Mode 2 Mode 3 Critical mode My,lMcy
(1 ) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9)
11 12 0 31.0 38.0 29.1 34.4 2 0.94
12 16 0 49.7 49.5 51.8 61.1 1 1.00
13 20 0 57.2 61.1 80.9 95.5 1 1.07
14 12 0 39.2 45.6 27.5 40.7 2 0.70
15 16 0 53.5 57.3 48.9 72.3 2 0.91
16 20 0 52.2 67.9 76.4 113.0 1 1.30
17 12 35 22.0 42.1 39.8 28.1 3 1.28
18 16 35 39.2 56.3 70.7 50.0 3 1.28
19 20 35 52.2 71.8 110.5 78.1 1 1.38
20 12 35 30.7 50.5 41.2 30.0 3 0.98
21 16 35 50.2 65.5 73.3 53.3 3 1.06
22 20 35 56.2 80.8 114.5 83.2 1 1.44
23 16 0 42.5 43.6 40.9 50.4 2 0.96
24 16 0 48.4 57.7 74.1 92.5 1 1.19
25 16 0 46.7 50.0 38.2 65.0 2 0.82
26 16 0 63.9 67.5 70.7 99.6 1 1.06
Note: Mean of M,/Mev = 1.08. Standard deViation = 0.21.
JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING / FEBRUARY 1998/167

J. Struct. Eng., 1998, 124(2): 164-173

 The plastic moment per unit length (mp ) for yield line anal-
ysis is given by
(6)
where h = yield stress of end plate; and tp = end plate thick-
ness.
For each test specimen, the calculated yield moments for
each mechanism and the governing failure mode are listed in
Table 4. The values of yield stressh used in the various mech-
anism analyses are given in Table 2. Comparison of the yield
moments for modes 2 and 3 demonstrates that increased spac-
ing of the tensile bolts away from the section perimeter (re-
flected in parameter c in Fig. 3 and Table 4) causes a reduction
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in the connection yield moment. The thickness (stiffness) of
the end plate also affects the mode of failure. Thicker (stiffer)
end plates tend to result in failure of the bolts (in conjunction
with a mode 1 mechanism), while for thinner plates the failure
mechanism tends to be confined to the end plate itself (modes
2 and 3).
The values of ratio Myt/Mcy shown in Table 4 provide an
indication of the ability of the yield line models presented in
this section to reflect the experimentally measured yield mo-
ments. While there is some degree of imprecision associated
with the derivation of experimental yield moments using the
method outlined in Fig. 4, the average computed-to-experi-
mental ratio of 1.08 reported in Table 4 indicates that the yield
line models are adequate. The high standard deviation of 0.21
shown in Table 4 may be partly due to the imprecise procedure
used to measure the experimental yield moment. The ratios of
the predicted to experimental yield moments shown in Table
4 vary depending on the plate stiffness; the ratio Myt/Mcy tends
to increase as the plate thickness increases. In this paper, the
yield moment of the connection is assumed to correspond to
the serviceability limit moment, which is an important quantity
in practical design.
MODIFIED STUB-TEE ANALYSIS
General Model
The stub-tee analysis method involves the application of
simple rigid plastic (yield line) analysis to an analogous beam
that represents the one-dimensional behavior of the end plate
with yield lines parallel to the axis of bending only. This sim-
ple representation of the connection is shown in Fig. 6, where
the equivalent beam has a length equal to the plate depth (Dp )
and a depth equal to the plate thickness (tp ). The model as-
sumes that the plastic hinges that form at points, I, 2, and 3
(Fig. 6) represent yield lines, that form transversely across the
B pends on its thickness (tp ). Thick plate behavior occurs when
Mb ,.,..,
s d
B'I
rr-Tl "'"
-3
r
-2
rTIl
- 1
-rTT T T T T T
an Sn' d' P without deformation of the bolts.
a.
Dp
Q
FIG. 6. Analytical Model Used in Modified Stub-Tee Analysis
168/ JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING / FEBRUARY 1998
J. Struct. Eng., 1998, 124(2): 164-173
B F
MJ: F~M2~M2i_R
_FR:bMI
~ hCVF R <D
Q Free Body Diagrams
FIG. 7. Definition of Forces on Free-Body Segments of Beam
end plate, as demonstrated in modes 1 and 2 (Fig. 5). If the
bolts are positioned such that a mode 3 failure occurs, the
model needs to be adjusted, as discussed later in the section
Generalized Connection Model. Other assumptions associated
with this model are consistent with those of classical beam
and rigid-plastic theory.
The moment acting on the connection (M) is assumed to be
applied to the end plate through equal and opposite flange
forces F acting through the centerlines of the flanges, so
M = F(d - ts ) (7)
The bolt forces are assumed to act through the center of the
bolts and are denoted Band B'. The moment generated
through bending of the bolts on the tensile side of the con-
nection, resulting from the end plate deformation, is denoted
Mh • The resultant of the contact forces acting on the compres-
sive side of the end plate connection is denoted P, with the
prying force on the tension side of the connection being sim-
plified to a point load (Q) acting at a distance ap from the line
of the tensile bolts. The quantity ap is defined as either the
distance to the edge of the plate (a.) or twice the end plate
thickness (2tp ), whichever is the lesser (Nair et al. 1974).
The tensile force (F) acting through the tensile flange of the
section can be expressed in terms of the shear forces on either
side of the flange.
(8)
where F L is the shear force on the left and F R the shear force
on the right side of the flange, as shown in Fig. 7. These shear
forces can be expressed in terms of the bolt loads (B), the
prying force (Q), and the internal moments at points 1 and 2
(M lo M 2 ) using
(9)
(10)
By combining (7)-(10), the following general expression for
the connection moment is obtained:
M = F(d - ts ) = (B - Q + Ml d'+ M2) (d - ts ) (11)
As discussed previously, the behavior of the end plate de-
the ultimate connection failure due to bolt fracture occurs sub-
sequent to the formation of a yield line at point 1 but prior to
the formation of a yield line at points 2 or 3. Intermediate
plate behavior occurs when the bolts fracture after the for-
mation of yield lines at points 1 and 2 (mode 1 mechanism).
Thin plate behavior corresponds to the formation of yield lines
at points I, 2, and 3 (mode 2 mechanism) in the end plate
The plastic moment M ip for each "hinge" (i), shown in Fig.
6, is given by
(12)
 where tp = end plate thickness;,[p = stress along the yield line;
and Ii = length of the yield line. In the case of points 1 and 2,
the yield line length Ii is simply the width of the end plate Wr B'
Since the yield line at point 3 forms through the line of the
bolts, its length is assumed to be defined by
<D
13 =W p - ndf (13)
in which n = number of bolts in tensile zone; and df = diameter Q
of bolt holes. (a)
Reflecting the influence of strain-hardening on the ultimate
moment capacity of the connection, and following the ap-
proach of Packer et al. (1989), the stress (,[p) used to calculate Bu FL FR FR

~
the plastic moment capacity of the end plate is assumed to be Mb
intermediate in value between the yield stress (h) and the ul- (2)

wt'p
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timate tensile strength (fw) of the plate material. @)

/' =fy + 2fw
Jp 3 Q
In this paper,,[p is termed the plate design stress.
Thick prate Behavior
The mechanism described as thick plate behavior is shown
in Fig. 8. The mechanism forms through the combination of
a yield line at point I and yielding of the tensile bolts. The
ultimate bolt load Bw is the tensile resistance produced by n
bolts, each with a tensile strength of Bw/'
For the thick plate, the prying force (Q) is zero. Also, since
there is little bending in the plate away from point 1, the re-
sisting moment of the bolts (Mb ) is neglected. The moment at
point 2 (M2) is found by considering moment equilibrium for
the left-hand segment of the beam and is expressed as
(15)
Based on (11) and (15), setting Q and M b equal to zero, and
using the plastic moment at point 1, the moment for the con-
nection can be expressed as
d'
(14)
(b)
FIG. 9. Intermediate Plate Behavior
shown in Fig. 9(b). At the commencement of intermediate
plate behavior, the prying force (Q) is zero. The prying force
attains its maximum value (Qmax) at the point of transition from
intermediate to thin plate behavior. As previously discussed,
the yield lines characteristic of intermediate plate behavior
form at points 1 and 2; therefore, M 1 = M 1p and M 2 = M2p. In
the following description intermediate behavior is addressed
first for the limiting case of zero prying force (Q = 0), and
then for positive prying force (Q > 0).
Case 1: Prying Force Q =0
When the prying force (Q) is zero, the end plate is in the
transition stage between thick and intermediate plate behavior.
At this stage, the bolt load (B) can be determined from Fig.
9(b) by taking moments about point 2, yielding

M - (M,p + Bid' + S;») (d _ ) (16) (18)

thlck - d' t,

Thick end plate behavior is considered to hold as long as the Substituting (18) into (11) and setting the prying force to zero
moment at point 2, as calculated using (15), is less than the allows the minimum moment for the connection for interme-
plastic moment (M 2 ~ M 2p ). diate behavior to be expressed as

Intermediate Plate Behavior M (M2p(d' + s;) + MIpS; + Mbd')

~= 'd'
So
~-Q (19)
The mechanism for intermediate plate behavior is shown in
Fig. 9(a) and is characterized by the formation of plastic Case 2: Prying Force Q > 0
hinges at points 1 and 2, with the bolts on the tensile side of
the connection also yielding. When the prying force is greater than zero, it can be deter-
The bolts are assumed to have attained their full plastic mined using the equation
moment, so the resistance generated by the bending of n bolts
is given by Q = M = FLs;
3 - M2p - Mb
(20)
ap ap
M _ 'Trd~hb
b - n 32 (17) Substituting (9) into (20) enables Q to be determined as

where db = bolt diameter; and hb = bolt yield stress. Q =Bs; - M 2p - Mb

(21)
The free body diagram pertinent to intermediate behavior is ap + s;
Further substitution of (21) into (11) results in the following
expression for the moment acting on the connection during
intermediate behavior with Q > 0:
B'
M = (Bapd' + M2p(d' + s; + ap) + M1p(ap + s;) + Mb d ')
<D lnt (a p + s;)d'

p . (d - t,) (22)
FIG. 8. Thick Plate Behavior This exposition on intermediate behavior is valid from the
JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING / FEBRUARY 1998/169

J. Struct. Eng., 1998, 124(2): 164-173

 tt

(a)
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(b)
FIG. 10. Thin Plate Behavior

point when the moment at point 2, calculated from (15), ex- width Weq that fails by a mode 2 mechanism [Fig. 5(b») with the
ceeds the plastic moment, and while the moment at point 3 is one-dimensional patterns of yield lines. This equivalent width Weq
less than the plastic moment. The bolt load B must also be is determined using (4) and is expressed as
less than or equal to the ultimate bolt load (B u ). These con-

= (;~1 + 7) (2(/'~ S;»)

ditions can be expressed in the following inequalities: (28)
Weq
(23)
where MY1 is the yield moment corresponding to the mode 3
(24) mechanism.
The modified stub-tee method identified two failure modes:
Thin Plate Behavior bolt capacity and end plate capacity. Bolt capacity (which may
As depicted in Fig. 10, thin plate behavior occurs when the occur in conjunction with thick or intermediate plate behavior)
moments at points 1, 2, and 3 have reached their plastic limits occurs when the tensile bolts fracture; plate capacity (thin plate
behavior) occurs when a plastic mechanism forms in the end
(Mtp , M2p' and M 3P )'
In thin plates an additional yield line, not present in inter- plate. The plate capacity is independent of the bolt loads.
mediate plates, forms at point 3. Once this yield line forms, By utilizing the modified stub-tee method with appropriate
the prying force attains its maximum value Qmax' equivalent widths (Weq), and the plate design stress (Ie) defined
by (14), the predicted ultimate moment corresponding to both
(25) TABLE 5. Connection Ultimate Moments Predicted Using
Modified Tee-Stub Model
The plate behaves as an intermediate plate prior to the for- Predicted Moment
mation of the yield line at point 3. Using (21) and substituting Based on
Q = Qmax allows the bolt load B to be expressed as
Plate Bolt Plate
B = Qmax(ap + s~) + M 2p + M b
(26)
equivalent capacity, capacity, Governing
s~ width Woq Mob Map failure Mou-thlMou
Test (mm) (kN·m) (kN'm) modea ratiob
The resulting connection moment for thin plate behavior is (1 ) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
found using (26), (25), and (11) and is given by 11 210.0 47.8 41.8 End Plate(2) 0.85
12 210.0 60.8 68.2 Bolt 0.88
M ilil•
_ ( M2e<d'
-
+ s~) + M d'3p d', + MlpS~ + Mb d ') (d _ t,)
(27) 13 210.0 75.4 104.4 Bolt 0.97
So 14 160.0 58.4 42.6 End Plate(2) 0.74
15 160.0 71.7 67.8 End Plate(2) 0.93
16 160.0 85.1 102.5 Bolt 0.98
GENERALIZED CONNECTION MODEL 17 191.1 46.5 38.3 End Plate(3) 0.98
18 191.1 58.6 62.1 Bolt 1.00
Ultimate Strength 19 191.1 71.8 94.8 Bolt 1.01
20 172.0 59.5 45.5 End Plate(3) 0.92
Although the stub-tee method assumes that the yield lines 73.4 End Plate(3) 1.04
21 172.0 72.9
form in a one-dimensional fashion across the section, the yield 22 172.0 87.9 110.5 Bolt 1.12
line analysis presented previously demonstrated that this may 23 210.0 53.6 53.6 End Plate(2) 0.91
not always be the case. The generalized connection model dis- 24 210.0 71.0 97.9 Bolt 1.06
cussed in this section constitutes a modification of the stub- 25 160.0 62.5 52.7 End Plate(2) 0.85
tee analogy for the mode 3 plastic mechanism (see Fig. 5), 26 160.0 84.5 98.6 Bolt 0.98
which involves inclined yield lines. Note: Mean of M".,.IMe• = 0.95. Standard deviation = 0.093.
Because yield line analysis is based on virtual work principles, aFor connections governed by end-plate capacity the relevant yield line
it could be said that for a given connection with a plate of width mechanism is noted in brackets (see Fig. 5).
bMe•.,. is the lesser of Me. and Mer Me. is the experimental ultimate
Wp failing in mode 3 with inclined yield lines [Fig. 5(c»), there
moment from Table 1.
is an "equivalent" connection with an "equivalent" end plate
1701 JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING 1 FEBRUARY 1998

J. Struct. Eng., 1998, 124(2): 164-173

 bolt and plate capacity for the connections outlined in Table
I can be determined. These moments, together with the ratio
of the predicted ultimate moments to the experimental ultimate
moments, are given in Table 5.
The statistical analysis shows a good correlation between
the experimental and the predicted results. The mean and stan-
dard deviation of the predicted-to-test ratios for all the tests
were 0.95 and 0.09, respectively. These results can be further
divided into two categories based on whether the ultimate ca-
pacity was limited by plate capacity or bolt capacity. The con-
nections with a tensile bolt failure mode demonstrated an ex-
cellent correlation with the test results, having a mean of 1.00
and a standard deviation of 0.07. In these connections, the
deformations of the end plates were not as severe as in the
thin plates, and the assumption that the end-plate behaves in
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the same manner as a wide beam is appropriate. The connec-
tions characterized by an end plate failure mode showed a less
accurate correlation to the experimental results, having a mean
ratio of predicted to experimental moments of 0.89 and a stan-
dard deviation of 0.09. The low average predicted strength of
the connections with a thin end plate is thought to be a result
of the fact that the model does not incorporate the tension
stiffening effects that occur in practice when the end plates
deform significantly.
The correlation between the actual and predicted failure
modes can be gauged by comparing the last column of Table
1 with the penultimate column of Table 5. In almost all cases,
the actual failure mode labeled "deformation" in Table 1
matches a predicted end plate failure mode in Table 5. Simi-
larly, the theoretical model appears to be quite adept at pre-
dicting the bolt failure mode. In some instances where the
actual and predicted failure modes do not coincide, this is sim-
ply a reflection of the fact that there is no clear-cut distinction
between the ultimate moments premised on bolt capacity and
plate capacity in the theoretical model.
The equivalent width is calculated assuming the section is
square or rectangular and ignores the rounded nature of the
corners. The consequence of this assumption is that the yield
moments for mode 3 calculated using (5) are larger than results
obtained by a more precise yield line analysis. As a result, in
the tests where the equivalent width concept was used (#17 to
#22), the predicted to experimental moment ratios are gener-
ally higher than in the other tests.
As described in this paper, the calibration of the connection
model is based on tests for which the sections are relatively
shallow (d = 150 or 200 mm) relative to I-sections often used
in moment end plate connections. It is recognized, however,
that for deeper sections the yield lines through point 1 (Fig.
6) may not form, due to insufficient rotations at this point
(Murray 1988). For this reason, an upper limit of 400 mm on
the depth of the section has been applied to the design model
described in this paper.
In addition to the verification discussed previously, it would
be ideal to further evaluate the effectiveness of the model by
applying it to Mang's (1980) test data on tubular moment end
plate connections subjected to flexure. This has not been at-
tempted, however, since the measured material properties of
the end plates were not reported by Mang (1980).
Serviceability Limits
To determine the serviceability limit moments (Mes ) of the
connection, yield line analysis is used. The yield line moment
capacity per unit length is assumed to be based on the plate
yield stress (f) rather than on the plate design stress U;,). (The
latter is appropriate for ultimate strength calculations only.)
The serviceability limit is defined as when either the tensile
bolts commence to yield, or the end plate forms a plastic
mechanism. The moment at which the bolts begin to yield
JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING / FEBRUARY 1998/171
J. Struct. Eng., 1998, 124(2): 164-173
(mode I yield line failure) is determined from (3), while the
formation of a plastic mechanism in the end plate (without
bolt deformation) is described by the mode 2 and mode 3
mechanism analyses in (4) and (5). The calculated service-
ability limits and the relevant governing mode, which corre-
spond precisely to the yield line analysis described previously,
are given in Table 4 (i.e., M es = M y/ )' The experimental yield
moments (Mey ) and ultimate moments (Me.) are given in Tables
4 and I, respectively.
OVERVIEW OF DESIGN MODEL
The design model presented here relates to a bolted moment
end plate connection using square or rectangular hollow sec-
tions. The layout of the end plate is shown in Fig. 3, with the
depth of the beam section (d) assumed to be no greater than
400 mm.
A major recommendation of this paper is that the end plate
should behave in an intermediate manner to achieve an eco-
nomical and ductile design. The disadvantage of a thin end
plate is that it exhibits low stiffness, causing large deforma-
tions that reduce the serviceability limit moment of the con-
nection relative to the connection ultimate moment. On the
other hand, a connection with an end plate classified as thick
can fail in a brittle manner due to bolt fracture and may also
be unnecessarily expensive. Therefore, the "ideal" failure
mode should involve bolt capacity combined with intermediate
plate behavior.
Based on Murray's (1990) philosophy, it is assumed that the
bolts in the compressive region resist all the shear loads. It is
recommended that the tensile bolts be positioned such that two
or more bolts fall between the line of the webs (c = as - a.
:$ 0) (see Fig. 3). If this condition is not met, yield line anal-
ysis is necessary to calculate the equivalent end plate width
(weq ).
The strength limit state moment capacity of the connection
(Me.) is the lower value of the ultimate moments computed on
the basis of bolt capacity (Meb ) and plate capacity (Mep ). The
connection serviceability moment (Mes ) is the lower of the mo-
ments that cause yielding of the bolts (Mebs ) or yielding of the
end plate (Mcp.).
The resisting moment generated by the bolts (Mb ) and the
plate design stress in the end plate (ft,) are defined by (17) and
(14), respectively. The corresponding material properties
should be the nominal values obtained from the appropriate
standards.
STRENGTH LIMIT STATE DESIGN
The moment capacity of the connection is determined using
the modified stub-tee method, which includes the effects of
prying forces. Equations to calculate the connection capacity
based on bolt failure and end plate failure are presented. The
moment capacity of the connection is the lower of these two
values.
Connection Capacity Limited by Bolt Failure
Bolt failure is premised on intermediate plate behavior. The
bolt load at failure is equal to the nominal tensile strength of
all tensile bolts (Bu>, and the stress in the end plate yield lines
is equal to the plate design stress (J;,) as defined by (14). The
bolt load B. I is the tensile strength of an individual bolt. Since
it is assumed that tensile failure of the bolts governs, it is
appropriate that the resistance factor for bolts in tension (<Pb)
be used.
From an adaptation of (22), the connection design moment
capacity (<PbMcb) is given by

. (d - ts )
Alternatively, if the connection design moment M* is
known, the appropriate end-plate thickness (tb.) is given by
4 (M*(a p + s;) _ (B + 'lTd~fi,y))
<f>.(d - t,) n alap
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To avoid thick plate behavior, the limit on the plate thickness for
capacity limited by bolt failure is
Connection Capacity Limited by End Plate Failure
The equations for end plate capacity are based on thin plate
behavior using the plate design stress (jp). Since the capacity
of the plate is assumed to govern, with no significant contri-
bution from the bolts, it is appropriate that the resistance factor
for the plate in bending (<p p) be used.
From an adaptation of (27), the connection design moment
capacity is given by
<j>pMcp == <j>p
. (t;!p(We<j(d' + 2s;) + (we<j - Mt)d') + n ~ d')
4d's;
. (d - f,)
Alternatively, for a given connection design moment M*, the
appropriate end plate thickness is given by
M*s; _ n 'IT'd~'!Ify) d'
( <!>id + f,) 32
tpa == 2
SERVICEABILITY LIMIT STATE DESIGN
The serviceability moment is based on yield line analysis.
Serviceability limits for the connection occur when either the
bolts begin to yield or the end plate begins to yield. Eqs. (34)
and (35) give the serviceability moments of connections for
which plate parameters are known, while (36) and (37) enable
the appropriate plate thickness to be calculated for a given
serviceability moment M:. The bolt load By / corresponds to
the yield load of an individual bolt.
The serviceability limit moments based on bolt yielding
(<PbMcbs) and plate yielding (<ppMcps ), respectively, are given by
d.. M == 't'b (d' + 4(2(s;, ++ ae»Weqf;/y
't'b cbs
d..
)d'
+ nBYlae ) d- t)
, + ( s
So a~ So
d.. M == 't'p (Cd' + s;)Weq2s;d'- Mtd')t:/Y) (d -
't'p cps
d..
Alternatively, if the connection design serviceability moment
M: is known, the required plate thickness to satisfy the ser-
viceability requirements based on bolt yielding (fbs ) and plate
yielding (fps ) respectively, are given by
172/ JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING / FEBRUARY 1998
(36)
(29) (37)
PRACTICAL DESIGN PROCEDURE
As discussed by Kennedy et al. (1981), a well-designed and
d' efficient connection is governed by bolt capacity rather than
32
plate capacity. Connections governed by plate capacity are
(30)
generally inefficient, having a lower ratio of the serviceability
limit moment to the ultimate moment (Mc,lMca ) than connec-
tions governed by bolt capacity. Connections governed by
plate capacity are also more influenced by membrane stiffen-
ing effects in the end plate, a phenomenon that is not consid-
ered in the design model described in this paper.
(31)
The recommended procedure for the design of an end plate
connection of the type shown in Fig. 3 is as follows:
1. Estimate the end plate dimensions for initial design based
on section size, bolt size, and number of bolts.
2. If two or more bolts are not positioned within the webs
of the section (c :s 0), yield line analysis is required to
determine the equivalent width (Weq). Otherwise, the
equivalent width is equal to the end plate width (Wp ). If
the plate thickness is already known, go to step 6.
3. Solve for the strength limit state design thicknesses tb•
and f pa using (30) and (33). For appropriate ultimate
strength limit state design, the required plate thickness
(t.) is equal to the maximum of the thickness based on
bolt and plate capacity.
t a == max(tba, fpa )
4. Solve for the serviceability design thicknesses tbs and tps
using (36) and (37). For appropriate serviceability limit
(32) state design, the required plate thickness (fs .) is equal to
the maximum of the serviceability thicknesses calculated.
5. The resulting thickness for the end plate (fp ) must exceed
both the serviceability and ultimate limit state thick-
(33) nesses, but must be less than the maximum allowable
plate thickness (tm,x) given by (31). That is,
6. Solve (29) and (32) using fp to obtain the design moment
capacities of the connection (<PbMcb and <ppMcp). If <PbMcb
> <j>pMcp , select either an alternative bolting arrangement
to lower the bolt capacity or a thicker plate to increase
the plate capacity. Similarly, if <PbMcb < M*, the bolt
capacity must be increased. Moment capacities should
then be recalculated to ensure that they exceed the design
moment.
7. Solve (34) and (35) to ensure that the serviceability limit
moments <PbMcbs and <ppMcps are greater than the service-
ability design moment M:.
8. The serviceability limit moment is the minimum moment
(34) from step 7, and the connection design capacity for the
ae strength limit state is the minimum moment from step 6.
f)
s
(35) Design Example
A bolted end plate connection for a grade 350 tubular mem-
ber of designation 150 X 150 X 6 square hollow section
(SHS) is subjected to a design moment (M*) of 35 kN . m and
a serviceability moment (M:) of 21.5 kN/m. Design a suitable
end plate and bolting arrangement.
J. Struct. Eng., 1998, 124(2): 164-173
 Assume 350 grade end plate U;, = 350 MPa; fu = 480 MPa).
The distance from the edge to center of bolt holes (a,) is 30
mm, the distance to the flange of the section (so) is 40 mm,
and the bolts are in line with the webs of the section (c = 0
in Fig. 3). The weld leg length (s) is assumed to be 6 mm.
From AS4100 ("Steel structures" 1990) the resistance factors
are <l>b = 0.8 for bolts in tension and <l>p = 0.9 for the plate in
bending.
1. Assume four M16 grade 8.8 bolts, plate width (Wp ) of
210 mm and depth (Dp ) of 290 mm. Bolt properties are
a tensile strength of 125 kN and a yield load of 100 kN.
2. The bolts are positioned in line with the webs, so Weq =
Wpo
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3. Substitution into (30) and (33) gives tbu = 17.2 mm and
tpu = 13.5 mm. Therefore, tu = 17.2 mm.
4. Substitution into (36) and (37) gives tbs = 13.6 mm and
tps = 12.3 mm. Therefore, ts = 13.6 mm.
5. The maximum allowable end plate thickness (tm..) is 20.2
mm [see (31)]. The required end plate thickness must
therefore be in the range max(t" tu) :s; tp :s; tm... That is,
17.2 mm :s; tp :s; 20.2 mm. Therefore, assume that tp =
18 mm.
6. The design ultimate strength limit state moment capaci-
ties are <l>bMcb = 37.0 kN'm and <l>pMcp = 60.7 kN·m.
[See (29) and (32).] Since M* < <l>bMcb < <l>pMcp , the
strength limit state is satisfactory.
7. The serviceability limit state moments are <l>bMcbs = 29.8
kN/m and <l>pMcps = 45.8 kN· m. [See (34) and (35).]
Since M: < <l>bM'bst the serviceability limit state is sat-
isfactory.
8. The strength limit state design moment capacity for the
connection is 37.0 kN· m, and the serviceability limit
state moment is 29.8 kN· m.
The connection requires a 210 X 290 X 18 mm end plate with
four M16 grade 8.8 bolts. Additional design examples are
given in a report by Wheeler et al. (l997b).
CONCLUSIONS
This paper presents a simple and accurate model for pre-
dicting the strength of a moment end plate connection using
rectangular hollow sections. The model uses a modified stub-
tee analogy coupled with yield line analysis to predict both
the ultimate moment capacity and maximum serviceability
moment for the connection. The modified stub-tee incorporates
the effects of the prying forces on the connection strength,
while the yield line analysis predicts the failure mechanism of
the end plate to enable the calculation of an end plate "equiv-
alent width" to be used in conjunction with the stub-tee
model.
The model is limited to square and rectangular sections with
two rows of bolts, one above the top flange and the other
below the bottom flange. While the connections tested exper-
imentally and used for model verification contained only two
bolts in each row, the addition of extra bolts in the tensile (and
compressive) bolt rows does not invalidate the model. The
reason for this is that the use of additional bolts in the tensile
row tends to enforce a mode 2 end plate failure to which the
model presented in this paper is well suited.
Of the three types of plate behavior presented (thick, thin,
and intermediate), it is recommended that the end plate con-
nections be designed to behave in an intermediate fashion,
with connection strength being governed by bolt failure. Thin
plate behavior results in connections that are very ductile and
JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING / FEBRUARY 1998/173
J. Struct. Eng., 1998, 124(2): 164-173
exhibit extremely high rotations, while connections exhibiting
thick plate behavior are very brittle and may be uneconomical.
The connection serviceability limit presented is based on first
yield of the bolts or the formation of a yield line mechanism
in the end plate.
The model demonstrates a good correlation with the asso-
ciated experimental results, with an overall mean predicted to
experimental ratio of 0.95, and a corresponding standard de-
viation of 0.09 for the range of connections tested. The model
is effective in its consideration of all relevant failure modes
that can occur, including bolt fracture and plastic mechanism
formation in the end plate.
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