FE modelling of bolted steel end-plate moment connections subjected to a standard fire

摘要

In fire conditions, the prediction of the behaviour of bolted steel connections becomes complicatedrnsince different parameters, such as temperature increase, beam thrust and large deformations, influence theirrnstructural behaviour. Finite-element modelling can help to better understand the three-dimensional deformationsrnand the failure mechanisms of bolted connections at elevated temperatures. In this paper, a 3D finite-elementrnmodelling study of bolted end-plate moment connections subjected to elevated temperatures is presented. Thernmodelled connections can be used to connect either tubular or I-shaped steel beams to tubular steel columns.rnThe different components of the beam-to-column connection include the beam, column, beam end plate, columnrnconnecting plate, bolts and welds. The connection components were modelled using eight-node continuumrnhexahedral brick elements (C3D8R in ABAQUS/Standard V6.92 terminology), which have the capability ofrnrepresenting large deformations and the non-linearity of both geometry and material at elevated temperatures.rnContact between the connection components was modelled using the surface-to-surface interaction commandrnwith a small sliding option. The model was validated using the experimental results of two full-scale fireresistancerntests. Good agreement between the model predictions and the experimental results was achieved forrndifferent measurements; such as the connection deformations, connection hogging moment, beam thrust andrnbeam deflection.