A Simplified FE Simulation of Welded I Beam-to-RHS Column Joints

摘要

This paper presents a study of the validity of different finite element models that can be used to simulate the welds at beam column joints involving rectangular hollow sections (RHS). By comparing with actual test results several finite element models that include shell and solid element types and the presence or not of the welds, it is possible to extract some interesting conclusions about which is the simplest and most appropriate simulation mode to faithfully represent the behavior of these connections. Research in this field will guide and help further work to better knowledge of the behavior in terms of strength and stiffness of the semi-rigid joints involving welded rectangular hollow section as columns to be able to propose an extension of the component method to these kind of joints.