SUMMARY Semi‐rigid connections are widely used in different countries. These connections are usually used in semi‐rigid frames with bracing system. Considering the frequent use of these connections, studying their behavior as an individual connection or as a frame with a semi‐rigid connection is of great importance. In this paper, moment–rotation behavior of bolted angle connection as a usual semi‐rigid connection is studied, and the affecting factors on there are investigated. Finite element connection models are developed. These models are verified by comparing the results of finite element analyses with the results of experimental test, and the verified models are used to investigate the behavior of the connections. The behavior of semi‐rigid frame with bolted angle connection is then studied conducting time‐history analyses. The results show that the increase in shear stiffness of angle bolted connections significantly decreases the lateral drift and increase the frame stability against lateral loading. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

SUMMARY This paper numerically studies the behavior of castellated beams with two simply supported ends under moment gradient loading and investigates the effect of beam and braced lengths on rotational capacity of castellated beams. To assure the ability of numerical models in predicting the complex behavior (especially at the location of opening) as well as the failure modes, numerical models of two experimentally tested specimens are developed. Comparison of force–displacement curves and failure modes shows that neglecting the boundary condition of the specimens, the numerical method can properly predict the behavior of castellated beams. All geometrical properties of the beams are the same as the study parameters so that the finite element model of the corresponding plain‐webbed beams can be easily created by filling the web openings in castellated beams. The accuracy of finite element models of plain‐webbed beams is evaluated by comparing the moment–rotation behavior with that of numerical models developed by other researchers. Rotational capacity of castellated beams derived from numerical models is compared with that of the corresponding I‐shaped plain‐webbed steel beams, and it is observed that in the case of short beams, web openings reduce energy absorption and plastic moment capacity of the beams compared with that of long ones. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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