Experimental evaluation of flush end-plate connection with built-up hybrid beam section

Abstract

Flush end-plate connections in steel construction have received much attention recently from researchers and structural engineers due to their simplicity in fabrication and high connection ductility. Typical flush end-plate connection with reduced beam-to-end plate welding integrated with built-up hybrid beam section is tested in this study with the aims to reduce the cost of fabrication and materials. Four tests were conducted to investigate the behaviour of the proposed flush end-plate connections subjected to moment. Four full-scale beam-to-column joints were tested with the objective to evaluate failure modes, moment resistance, initial rotational stiffness and rotational capacity of the connections. The experimental results are compared with the existing theoretical model with several modifications. The proposed theoretical model had well predicted the connections' moment resistance with reasonable rotation capacity. All tested connections were classified as partial strength in accordance to EC 3: Part 1.8 and well validated with the experimental results.