STEEL T-STUB CONNECTIONS UNDER STATIC LOADING - AN EFFECTIVE 2-D NUMERICAL-MODEL

The proposed numerical model concerns the simulation of the structural behaviour of steel bolted T-stub connections in the case where the de velopment of zones of plastification, as well as unilateral contact ef fects on the interfaces between connection members and bolts, are take n into account. Within such a framework; an effective two-dimensional finite element model capable of describing plasticity, large displacem ent and unilateral contact effects is proposed The model constitutes a n easy-to-use and accurate numerical model for the analysis of steel c onnections subjected to tensile loading and is a simplification of a r espective three-dimensional one and aims to reduce in a reliable way t he huge computational effort required for the analysis of fine meshes of discretized steel bolted connections. The validity of the assumptio ns that led to the proposed 2-D model is demonstrated by comparing the numerical results with those obtained by laboratory rests. (C) 1997 E lsevier Science Ltd.