FULL SCALE TESTS ON BOLTED BEAM-TO-BEAM END-PLATE CONNECTIONS UNDER BENDING

摘要

The paper presents the details and results of an experimental study on bolted end-plate joints of industrial type steel buildings. The investigated types of joint are common used by Lindab-ASTRON- Butler Co. and these are optimized from the manufacturing, erection and durability point of view. The aim of the research was to provide with an experimental background of design model development by measuring the load bearing capacity of the joints, determining the bolt force distribution, and the end- plate deformations. Because of the special joint arrangement the Eurocode 3 component model was improved to complete the design resistance calculation. In the experimental programme 18 full scale specimens were studied and covered eight different end-plate and bolt arrangements with different end-plate thicknesses. The specimens were investigated under pure bending conditions, applying a four-point-bending arrangement, in which the test specimens were changed. During the tests the typical global and relative displacements were measured by inductive transducers under the loads and in the cross-section of the tested joint. The evolved bolt force distribution was measured during the test by load cells. The end-plate deformations were determined during and after the tests by specially developed methods. The experimental data were presented and evaluated by the following diagrams: moment-bolt-row force diagrams, moment-deflection diagrams furthermore by the deformed end-plate contour-lines and surfaces. On the basis of the evaluated test results the ultimate behaviour and the failure modes were determined and classified. In parallel with the tests analytical simulation was completed and the developed Eurocode 3 based design method compared and verified by the experimental results.