Prying effect in unstiffened extended endplate connection with circular bolts configuration

摘要

The behavior of eight-bolt extended endplate connection with circular bolts configuration under monotonic and cyclic loadings was experimentally investigated. The results of a series of component experimental tests and finite element (FE) simulations were used to develop a strength model to predict the connection capacity and prying forces. The effect of the column flange thickness, the endplate thickness, and the bolt diameter on the connection performance and the prying forces were investigated. Three failure modes were identified. Based on the experimental and FE results, a design procedure and an example were proposed. The results showed that a minimum of 7.4 bolts out of the 8 bolts present in the investigated connections were effective in carrying the applied load and reached their full capacity at the point of ultimate. This leads to a higher design capacity of the connection. Compared to the rectangular bolt configuration, the circular configuration requires less fabrication when omitting stiffeners but requires thicker endplate. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.