Finite Element Analysis of Bolted T-Stubs Undergoing Large Displacement: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

Background:In recent years, there have been increased interests by the steel structures community to characterise the large-deformation response of T-stubs to evaluate the deformation capacity of bolted joints. However, little information exists on the influence of second-order effects on the response of bolted T-stubs and, consequently, there are no existing guidelines on how to include these effects in design. Objective:In this paper, we assess the influence of second-order effects in T-stubs bolted to a rigid support through a parametric investigation, using finite element analysis. Methods:Both material and geometrical non-linearities were considered since they are known to have a critical impact upon the performance of T-stubs. A benchmark model is first generated and validated and then used to carry out a parametric investigation. A method to assess the contributions of membrane forces to the overall deformation response of a T-stub is also proposed based on the introduction of a non-dimensional parameter Ψ. Results:The combination of geometric parameters that are most affected by second order effects, induced by large displacement, was identified. A direct correspondence was found between the extent of second order effects that has developed and the index Ψ: a higher index implies a greater influence by second order effects.

Experimental investigation and modelling of T-stubs undergoing large displacements

“…Figure 6 reveals that nearly all the test specimens develop a distinct second hardening branch (2HB) when ∆ ≥ 15 mm. This confirms that the study by Faralli et al[30] correctly provides the…”

“…In this study, finite-element (FE) simulations and experiments were performed to elucidate how different T-stub geometries -conducted for T-stubs bolted to a rigid support -influence the development of 2 nd order effects in their corresponding F-∆ response. Their geometric dimensions were carefully chosen, in accordance to a preliminary study by Faralli et al [30], to ensure that significant second order effects develop in all cases. Special considerations were given to cover the full range of the key geometric parameters to extend the results of existing experimental data [20,24,[27][28][29] -this is achieved by selecting different combinations of m/d b and m/t f ratios.…”

A Study on the Application of Two Different Material Constitutive Models Used in the FE Simulation of the Cyclic Plastic Behavior of a Steel Beam‐Column T‐Stub Connection

“…Numerous studies have been carried out on the static performance of T-stub connections such as the total performance [5][6][7] and the local performance [4,[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. Most of the studies on the total and local performances of T-stub connections were carried out by the finite element (FE) method, and the reason is that most of the phenomena such as the development of plastic behavior of the T-stub cannot be observed visually via experimental methods [8].…”

“…For the two European systems of high strength preloadable bolts adopted in steel-structural connections such as T-stub connections, D'Aniello et al proposed some simplified criteria for FE modeling, and the comparison between EC3 analytical and FE numerical models of T-stubs was made, based on which some criticisms of the EC3 analytical prediction of the T-stub response were made [10]. Faralli et al used the finite element method to assess the influence of second-order effects on the deformation capacity of T-stubs bolted to a rigid support through a parametric investigation [11]. On the FE simulation of the overall or local performance of the T-stub connections, there are lots of other studies such as those reported by [13][14][15].…”

Thematic Issue on Advances in Modeling, Analysis and Design of Steel Connections

“…For this reason, within elementary connections, bolted T-stubs are perhaps the most studied. FE analyses of bolted T-Stubs in the large deformation range are presented in this thematic issue [21].…”