During an experimental investigation of the flexural behavior of beam-column connections with gusset plates, stiffness and strength degradation due to ductile angle fracture, bolt fracture, and fillet weld failure were observed. Capturing the initiation and propagation of these phenomena within finite element models is necessary to predict flexural behavior of connections not studied experimentally. In the present study, three-dimensional nonlinear finite element models are used to simulate the flexural behavior of beam-column connections with gusset plates. These finite element models are validated using results from large-scale tests of braced frame beam-column connections. The validated finite element models are used to assess the impact of variations in connection parameters, including beam depth and angle thickness.
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