Predicting the behaviour of extended end plate connections using strain gauges

Abstract

Most structures especially the conventional steel buildings are usually opting the simple (pinned) design and rigid (continuous) design methods. However, the actual behaviour is known to fall between these two extreme categories. The use of partial strength or semi-rigid connections has been encouraged by codes and studies on the matter known as semi-continuous construction has proven substantial savings in steel weight of the overall construction. In continuation to the experimental works on partial strength connections using trapezoid web profiled (TWP) steel sections that have been conducted in 2006, this study has analysed the strain gauge data of extended end plate connections, manipulated the strain values in predicting the behaviour of the extended endplate connection from isolated tests in terms of the capacity and obtained the related deformation of the connections. The focus is on the behaviour of partial strength beam-to-column connections utilising several TWP sections as beams, conventional hot-rolled H-sections (UC) as columns and extended end plate connections. As a result, moment-rotation curve was obtained for every specimen in order to predict the capacity and behaviour of beam-to-column connections in terms of the strength, stiffness and rotational capacity. The predicted values were then compared to the exact values obtained experimentally using the inclinometers. A good agreement is noticed between the predicted values and the exact values. This shows that the strain gauges can be used as the alternative data collecting devices in predicting the behaviour of extended end plate connections.