DESIGN OF EXTENDED END-PLATE CONNECTIONS FOR HOLLOW SECTION COLUMNS

Extended end-plate connections have been widely used in moment-resisti ng steel frames with W-shape columns, due to their sufficient stiffnes s and moment capacity. In addition, such connections are easy to insta ll and permit good quality control. Extended end-plate connections can also be employed in moment-resisting frames with hollow structural se ction columns by using high strength blind bolts. These bolts have bee n developed for installation from one side only where the rear side of the connection is inaccessible. In this study, a quantitative procedu re for detailing and designing beam extended end-plate connections for rectangular hollow structural section columns using high strength bli nd bolts is proposed. The design procedure is consistent with the desi gn philosophy given in limit-state codes. The proposed design is based on the results obtained from an experimental program and an analytica l study.