Date of Award

2013

Document Type

Master Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Engineering

Department

Civil, Structural & Environmental Engineering

First Advisor

Mr. John Justin Murphy

Second Advisor

Mr. Brian O'Rourke

Abstract

This report focuses on determining the joint stiffness and moment capacity values for semi-continuous (semi-rigid) connections in steel framed structures. When designing a beam to column connection, the assumption that the Joint is either fully continuous or fully pinned may not be entirely valid; it may be more realistic to classify the connection as intermediate between fully pinned and fully continuous.

The development of “the component method”, which is utilised in IS EN 1993-1-8 (EC3) to determine design values of the joint properties is described. A software solution was created using Microsoft Excel to carry out calculations in accordance with IS EN 1993-1-8 to determine design values for the joint properties for typical end plate connections.

The use of finite element modelling to determine the properties of semi-continuous joints is examined. The development of finite element models using LUSAS software and the attributes required to create the models are described.

Structural tests were carried out on a total often different joint configurations in the Heavy Structures Laboratory at Cork Institute of Technology. A comparison between the joint properties obtained using the method described in IS EN 1993-1-8, models developed using LUSAS and the results obtained from the structural testing is provided.

The development of a LUSAS model to determine the joint’s behaviour is more feasible than carrying out a structural test in each case. The LUSAS models developed have been shown to be a more accurate representation of the joint’s behaviour than the EC3 model and provide safe stiffness values and moment capacity values in most cases when compared with the test results.

Access Level

info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

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