I

352

Ductility of Connections

Bolted connections

353

modelled

by

means of

equivalent T-stubs.

As in

the case of bolted one of those

Fu.3

connections, the weakest joint component is very often

modelled by means of an equivalent T-stub, it is evident that the prediction of the force-displacement curve of bolted T-stubs up to failure would allow both the prediction of the ultimate plastic displacement of the weakest joint component (i.e. the main source of plastic rotation capacity) and the prediction of the contribution of the remaining joint components to the plastic deformation of the beam-to-column joint. The first studies dealing with the theoretical prediction of the plastic deformation capacity of bolted T-stubs (Paella et al., 1997a) will be presented and refined in the following sections. In addition, the results of an experimental program devoted to the validation of the theoretical model will also be presented and discussed in Section 9.4.11. Finally, the criteria for combining the contribution of each joint component are described in Section 9.7.
' '

Q -i----'='F"'r'

-' '

:: ..'!J_Q 2 :

: r

nb

Jlu

u ,

ii
n

:V

! AtM-: : ?:
m

: i

ii
n

m m

(a)
Figure 9.4

(b)

(c)

9 ,4,2 Basis of the theoretical approach

A theoretical approach for evaluating the plastic deformation capacity of bolted T-stubs has been recently proposed (Paella et al., 1997a). It is based on the observation that, depending on the ratio between the llexural resistance of the llanges and the axial resistance of the bolts, there are three possible failure modes (Section 4.2) for which both the design resistance and the ultimate resistance (which accounts for strain hardening) can be derived from simple equilibrium equations. It is assumed that the distribution of the internal actions corresponding to the attainment of the design resistance and that corresponding to ultimate conditions (Fig. 9.4) are alike. For each failure mode, with reference to the ultimate condition, the bending moment diagram along the T-stub flange can be derived. Therefore, the ultimate plastic displacement can be computed starling from the corresponding curvature diagram. In fact, the ultimate plastic rotation of the hinges involved in the collapse mechanism of the T-stub can be computed by integrating the curvature diagram. Finally, the plastic displacement is computed accounting for the developed kinematic mechanism. I t is important to stress at this point that the theoretical prediction of the plastic deformation capacity of bolted T-stubs is an extremely complicated matter. In fact, both geometrical and mechanical non-linearities arise. In addition, the ultimate condition is governed by cracking of the material or by the boll fracture. Cracking of the material is further complicated by three-dimensional effects and contact phenomena. For all these reasons. in order to gain insight into the main parameters governing the ductility supply of bolted connections, a simple model has to be accepted despite its approximations. As will

Ultimate conditions of bolted T-stubs for different failure modes

based on the following approximations:

three-dimensional effects are not accounted for because the approach is based on a 2D-model; geometrical non-linearity is disregarded; the influence of the shear action on the plastic behaviour of the material is disregarded; prying forces are taken into account with an approximate approach; cracking of the material is approximately modelled by assuming as cracking condition the occurrence of the ultimate strain in the extreme fibres ofT-stub tlanges. Under these assumptions, it is easy to recognize that, basically, the

problem consists in the evaluation of the platic rotation supply of a compact section. In fact, the plastic hinges are located within the T-stub !lange and, therefore, they engage a rectangular section whose width is h,11 (i.e., the effective width of the T-stub). The depth of this rectangular section is equal to theT-stub !lange thickness

t1.

The plastic rotation supply of a compact section, where no buckling occurs, is governed by localized necking, leading to cracking of the material as a result of tensile stresses. Cracking is a highly complicated matter; however, a simplified study can be made considering the theory of plastic instability (Moen, 1996; Spangemacher, 1992) and by assuming that cracking occurs when the ultimate strain develops at the most extreme fibre of the sections where plastic hinges are expected.

be evident from

critical

analysis

of

the