Extended end-plate connection subjected to monotonic loading: Experimental analysis

and FEM simulation

Ioana Cristina Mureşan and Roxana Bâlc

Citation: AIP Conference Proceedings 1863, 560057 (2017); doi: 10.1063/1.4992740

View online: http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4992740
View Table of Contents: http://aip.scitation.org/toc/apc/1863/1
Published by the American Institute of Physics
 Extended End-plate Connection Subjected to Monotonic
Loading: Experimental Analysis and FEM Simulation
Ioana Cristina Mureșan1, a), Roxana Bâlc1, b)
1
Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Faculty of Civil Engineering. 15 C Daicoviciu Str., 400020, Cluj-
Napoca, Romania
a)
Corresponding author: ioana.muresan@mecon.utcluj.ro
b)
roxana.balc@ mecon.utcluj.ro

Abstract. This paper presents an experimental investigation of a statically monotonic loaded extended end-plate
connection, with preloaded high strength bolts, that was carried out at Laboratory of Faculty of Civil Engineering from
Cluj-Napoca. A finite element model using the software package Abaqus [1] was developed in parallel. In order to
calibrate the numerical model, the results were analyzed on the basis of moment-rotation curves, stress distribution state
and the failure mode of connection. Then, a study was conducted on the numerical model by using a high strength steel
(HSS) and changing the stiffness and strength characteristics of some elements. Validation of the numerical modeling
was performed against the experimental results and it can be seen that good agreements exist in general.

INTRODUCTION
Studying the steel framework joints behavior offers the possibility of changing the whole structure response.
Changing geometrical and/or mechanical properties of connected elements can modify the status of their stresses
and strains and the structure failure mode, too. A proper interaction between the rigid and flexible areas ensures
ductility, stiffness and strength of the frame, according to its loading [2]. Steel beam-to-column connection with
end-plate and bolts is characterized by a simple structural design and a complex behavior, offered by the interaction
of its components.
This study aims to analyze, experimental and numerical, the behavior of a stiffened extended end-plate
connection with bolts, subjected to bending moment by applying a concentrate force at the end of the beam up to
failure. The experimental procedure was carried out at the Laboratory of Faculty of Civil Engineering from Cluj-
Napoca and the registered results were compared with those obtained from a nonlinear finite element analysis
performed with Abaqus. Starting from the validated numerical model, other analyses were performed on the same
ensemble, using HSS for the column element and for the column and end-plate.

EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM
A marginal joint from a steel framework was subjected to bending moment by applying a concentrate force at the
end of the beam, Fig. 1. The tested ensemble refers to a beam-to-column bolted connection with an extended end-
plate where the members’ cross-sections were welded H-shape and I-shape for the column and the beam
respectively, Fig. 2, made up of structural steel grade S235 and connected by preloaded high strength bolts
M22/10.9. At the end of the column were used bearing devices that block translations in all three directions. Double
web plates of 8mm thickness were welded to the web panel to reduce its shear deformation. Continuity stiffeners
equal to the beam flanges thickness were assembled to the column in order to ensure a good transmission of tension
and compression efforts through the beam flanges to column and to avoid the buckling of the web panel. In this way,
the joint deformability was located in the connection zone, where the failure was expected.

International Conference of Numerical Analysis and Applied Mathematics (ICNAAM 2016)

AIP Conf. Proc. 1863, 560057-1–560057-4; doi: 10.1063/1.4992740
Published by AIP Publishing. 978-0-7354-1538-6/$30.00

560057-1
 (a) (b)
FIGURE 1. (a) Testing stand, (b) Static scheme of the tested ensemble

FIGURE 2. Profiles and end-plate dimensions

The experimental program aimed to establish the connection structural characteristics up to failure (ultimate
bending moment, rotation capacity), to evaluate the connection behavior characteristics (initial stiffness, maximum
bending moment) and the failure mode of the ensemble.
Tests were performed for establish the mechanical properties of specimens and these are given in the table 1.
TABLE 1. Mechanical properties of the specimen
Element part fy (MPa) fu (MPa) εu
Beam flange 423 545 0.07
Beam web 230 397 0.16
End-plate 350 535 0.10
Column flange 360 552 0.11
Column web 355 543 0.10
Stiffeners 423 545 0.07

FINITE ELEMENT MODEL DESCRIPTION

The numerical model was performed using the computer program Abaqus [1], respecting the static scheme used
in the experimental procedure. Rigid plates tied constrained were applied on the top and the bottom of the column
for the constraints definition and another one was placed at the end of the beam, for the load application area.
Most components of the ensemble were modeled using the linear hexahedron element, type C3D8I [3]. The
linear wedge element, type C3D6, was used to model some parts of bolts and the areas around the holes. The rigid

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plates were modeled using the linear quadrilateral element, type R3D4. All three types of elements are shown in the
Fig. 3.

FIGURE 3. Elements type used in the model

The interaction between connected elements plays a very important role in ensuring the transmission of the
efforts. This was simulated by applying a small sliding surface to surface contact to all the surfaces which have
small relative sliding. Between the end-plate and the column flange, a hard normal contact and a tangential frictional
contact were considered. A tangential frictionless contact was considered between the bolt hole and the bolt shank.
The bolt head and nut were tied constrained to the end-plate and column flange, respectively.
The load was applied in two steps. In the first step a pretension force, about 0.7 time of the yield bolt stress, was
applied at the center section of each bolt using the “bolt force” option in Abaqus. In the second step, in the reference
point of the rigid plate at the end of the beam, the load was applied statically, monotonic, under displacement control
up to collapse of the ensemble.

DISCUSSION OF EXPERIMENTAL AND NUMERICAL RESULTS

The moment-rotation curve obtained from the experimental test exhibits sudden reduction of the moment values
produced by the successive failure of the bolts in the tension area of the end-plate, followed by recovery of the
moment due to redistribution efforts in the structure, Fig. 4(a). This phenomenon is not surprised in the numerical
model, yielding of the bolts evolves slowly, almost linear. Moment-rotation curves obtained from the numerical
model and experimental test show a difference of about 10 percent between the initial stiffness values, Fig. 4(a).

(b)

(a) (c)
FIGURE 4. (a) Experimental and numerical moment-rotation curves, (b) Stress and strain distribution state in the numerical
model, (c) Deformation of the experimental tested specimen

The tested specimen failed by bolt elongation, stripping of the nut and bolt threads in the tension area and by
detaching of the end-plate with small deformation, Fig. 4(b). In the numerical model the yield stress was reached in
the bolts from the tension zone. The deformability of the end-plate was represented by a gap between the plate and
the column flange at the tension beam flange level, Fig. 4(c).

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 DUAL STEEL JOINT BEHAVIOR
Structures made of different steel grades, so-called dual steel structures, are characterized by robustness and
strength, conferred by non-deformable rigid elements made of High Strength Steel (HSS), and by flexibility and
ductility offered by elements made of Mild Carbon Steel (MCS) [2], [4].
Starting from the numerical model validated against the experimental results, two models were performed in
which the column and the column and end-plate respectively were made of S690 HSS. Moment-rotation curves for
the three models show an increase of the initial stiffness about 23% for the model with HSS in column, and 28% for
the model with HSS in both column and end-plate, compared with the values recorded on the reference model.

CONCLUSIONS
Comparing the results obtained from the experimental test and numerical model good agreement exists in terms
of failure mode, approximately 10% difference between the initial stiffness values and discrepancies caused by local
phenomena appearance that numerical model cannot simulate.
Using HSS in some elements of the joint increases the connection stiffness, without significant changes in
yielding moment values. The model with column and end-plate made of HSS shows an increase of the ultimate
moment compared with the other models.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors are grateful for the financial support of the Department of Structural Mechanics, Faculty of Civil
Engineering, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca.

REFERENCES
1. ABAQUS Cae, User’s Manual
2. A. M. Pop, D. Grecea, A. Ciutina, “Numerical vs. experimental behavior of bolted dual-steel T-stub
connections”, Recent Advances in Civil and Mining Engineering, Mathematics and Computers in Science and
Engineering Series, Antalya, 2013, pp. 192-199.
3. M. Wang, Y. Shi, Y. Wang, G. Shi, “Numerical study on seismic behaviors of steel frame end-plate
connections”, Journal of Constructional Steel Research 90, 2013, pp. 140-152.
4. A. M. Girao Coelho, F. S. K. Bijlaard, “Experimental behavior of high strength steel end-plate connections”,
Journal of Constructional Steel Research 63, 2007, pp. 1228-1240.

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