doi:10.3850/9789628014194_0056

ABSTRACT

This paper presents numerical assessment of the performance of steel beam-column joints subjected to catenary action. Five typical types of steel bolted connections including web cleat, flush end plate, top and seat with web angles, fin plate and extended end plate are studied under column removal scenario. This study provides the behaviour and failure modes of different connections, including their ability to deform in catenary mode. Ultimate load capacity under in-plane condition is assessed in this paper. The simulation results demonstrate that certain simple and semi-rigid flexible beam-column joints have significant reserve in catenary action. A comparison study is also made for the different types of connections with regard to the influence of stiffness, strength and rotation capacity of joints. The simulation results indicate that the web cleat connection has the best performance in the development of catenary action, and the flush end plate and top and seat with web angles connections could also deform in a ductile manner and develop catenary action prior to failure. Another observation is that tensile failure under catenary action usually controls the failure mode of beam-column joints, and therefore designers should strive to design connections with high tensile strength and high rotational capacity rather than high moment resistance.

Keywords: Catenary action, Connection, In-plane, Large deformation, Numerical analysis, Progressive collapse, Steel.

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