Finite element analysis on the static behaviour of wide-type large capacity end-plate connections

摘要

Compared to the traditional two-column-bolt layout, the wide-type end-plate connections with four bolts in a row could resist a greater moment. In this paper, a detailed verified finite element model is employed to analyse the static behaviour of six wide-type end-plate connections, where parameters such as the end-plate thickness, bolt layout, extended or flushed end plate and the geometry of the stiffener are covered. The simulation results demonstrate that (1) in the elastic range, the transferred tension force of the bolts far from the beam web is about 0.33~0.67 times that of the closer ones; (2) the shear force in the bolts is tiny; (3) at the ultimate state the bolts located far from the beam flange have a significant contribution to the loading capacity of the connection while it shows little contribution in the elastic state. In addition, a yield-line model of the tension part of the end plate is proposed.