A new component-based, two-node, simplified, semi-rigid beam-to-column-connection element than can easily be used in conjunction with many available structural-engineering software products is proposed for computer-oriented structural analysis. Relevant connection element properties, such as its stiffness matrices, have been established. The proposed model circumvents the iterative procedure proposed by several code standards for determining the resistance capacity and rotational stiffness of beam-to-column connections while at the same time it also alleviates the inapplicability of four-node elements that have been proposed by several researchers for use in commonly available high-end structural engineering software products. In the process of formulating the analytical model, panel shear deformation of the joint has been taken care of by allowing the joint region of the column to undergo shear deformation. Numerical experience has been gained by processing several frame structural models. Application will be demonstrated using the general purpose finite element package ANSYS by way of applying to study a typical frame. Results have also been compared with those obtained by other researchers and a high-quality correlation between and among results have been obtained. In all cases, values obtained by the proposed two-node connection model have been acceptable for design purpose.
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