NEW SEMIRIGID JOINT ELEMENTS FOR NONLINEAR-ANALYSIS OF FLEXIBLY CONNECTED FRAMES

Several three-dimensional numerical simulations of beam-to-column join ts in steel skeletal structures have been earlier performed, leading t o a deep understanding of the joint mechanical behaviour up to failure . This in turn motivated the authors to develop a new concept of semi- rigid joint finite elements. The new element family considers the real dimensions of the joint and incorporates its different flexibility ch aracteristics. It can be implemented into any general finite element ( FE) code and assembled with any existing beam element. The new joint e lements are presented in this paper along with numerical applications which show their efficiency and the influence of the joint real behavi our on the overall structural response.