Behavior of Beam-to-Column Connections with Angles. Part 2-Numerical Analysis

Abstract

Based on the results of experimental tests, presented in the first part of this paper, Part 1-Experimental Investigations (Ghindea M., Catarig A., Ballok R.) advanced numerical simulations were performed using FEM based software Abaqus. The recently arise of high speed computers and advanced FEM software packages allow to create and solve extensively detailed 3D models. The aim of this second part of the paper is to develop accurate FEM models for better approach of the studied beam-to-column connections. The paper presents the designed numerical models and the results for four bolted beam-to-column connections using top-and-seat and/or web angle cleats, in different configurations. The objective of this paper is to achieve functional numerical models which, by faithfully running, reproduce the experimental results. Thus, calibrating the numerical results with the experimental ones it can be perform then parametric studies, achieving reliable results for similar configurations of joints. The results obtained after numerical simulations were compared with experimental data. The behavior moment-rotation curve and the deformation process of the experimental captured specimens were virtually reproduced with minimum deviation.

Mechanical stiffness prediction of beam-to-column stiffened angle joints

“…Considering the stiffness increase, the difference between tests ST5 and ST6 is 18%. In the experimental study of Ghindea et al [15], the difference in stiffness between tests TSDW10 and TSS10, with a 10 mm top and seat angle thickness, is only ~3%. This significant stiffness increase between tests ST5 and ST6 is probably due to the small thickness of the top and seat angles in these tests.…”

“…Figure 2 shows these joints, which will be also used to validate the proposed methodology. More information regarding the experimental work from Ghindea et al can be found in [15].…”

“…The proposal is validated through comparison between the predicted and experimental results. Additional data were extracted from the experimental studies developed by Skejic et al [12] and by Ghindea et al [15]. The geometrical approximate values used to implement the stiffness coefficient Ksc are shown in…”

“…However, in order to validate certain proposed models, it is advisable to have a reasonable number of experimental tests. The number of tests regarding joints with stiffened angles in the literature is limited [12,15,16] and for this reason, one of the objectives of this work is to provide a series of tests that help to contrast the different proposals. We consider eight angle joints in this study.…”

“…This axial stiffness will therefore be introduced as the component top angle in bending, following a non-aligned model similar to that used by Faella et al [7], which has proven to be very effective at other times for estimating the rotational stiffness. The methodology will be contrasted with the tests developed in the present study and also with other existing tests in the literature, such as those by Skejic et al [12] and Ghindea et al [15]. The top angle is the angle in tension and the seat angle is the angle in compression.…”