FEM Analysis of The Cyclic Behaviour of Steel Beam-to-Column Joints

Abstract

The construction of a structure undergoes several stages, each of which must be thoroughly thought. In structures that may be subject to seismic actions at some point of their use life, these considerations are especially significant. Joints between steel elements in this type of structures should always be designed, fabricated and erected such that brittle failure is avoided and a ductile mode of failure governs the collapse. Designers must always bear in mind design requirements set by the relevant design standards. In Europe, EN1993 must be observed for the seismic design of structures, with significant reference to EN1993 for the design of steel structures and EN1993-1-8 in particular for the design of steel joints making use of the components method. Nowadays the experimental test is the preferred method between the scientific community to assess the seismic behaviour of steel joints. However, the analysis of the seismic behaviour of beam-to-columns joints at component level directly from the analysis of the results of the experimental test is unfeasible. Accordingly, advanced numerical models must be developed and validated with the experimental tests. In this dissertation advanced FEM based models are developed for the analysis of monotonic and cyclic behaviour of the tension region of beam-to-column steel joints in the framework of the project ?European pre-qualified steel joints (EQUALJOINTS)?, focusing in the behaviour of the column flange in bending.

The construction of a structure undergoes several stages, each of which must be thoroughly thought. In structures that may be subject to seismic actions at some point of their use life, these considerations are especially significant. Joints between steel elements in this type of structures should always be designed, fabricated and erected such that brittle failure is avoided and a ductile mode of failure governs the collapse. Designers must always bear in mind design requirements set by the relevant design standards. In Europe, EN1993 must be observed for the seismic design of structures, with significant reference to EN1993 for the design of steel structures and EN1993-1-8 in particular for the design of steel joints making use of the components method. Nowadays the experimental test is the preferred method between the scientific community to assess the seismic behaviour of steel joints. However, the analysis of the seismic behaviour of beam-to-columns joints at component level directly from the analysis of the results of the experimental test is unfeasible. Accordingly, advanced numerical models must be developed and validated with the experimental tests. In this dissertation advanced FEM based models are developed for the analysis of monotonic and cyclic behaviour of the tension region of beam-to-column steel joints in the framework of the project ?European pre-qualified steel joints (EQUALJOINTS)?, focusing in the behaviour of the column flange in bending.