DESIGN AID OF SEMIRIGID CONNECTIONS FOR FRAME ANALYSIS

In this paper, a useful design aid for determining the values. of the initial connection stiffness R(ki), the ultimate moment capacity M(u), and the shape parameter n of a three-parameter power model describing the moment-rotation curve (M-theta(r)) of semi-rigid connections with angles is prepared for its use in the practical design of flexibly jo inted frames with angles. A set of nomographs allows the engineer to r apidly determine the M-theta(r) curve for a given connection. Applying the design aid, numerical simulations on drift and column moment of a flexibly jointed frame with angles are illustrated.