A NEW METHOD TO DESIGN EXTENDED END-PLATE CONNECTIONS AND SEMIRIGID BRACED FRAMES

In this paper, the relations between the parameters representing the r otational behaviour of extended end plate connections are investigated and, by a wide number of numerical analyses, their dependence on the geometrical detail of the connection is shown. As a result of these an alyses, powerful design tools are presented, In addition, a design pro cedure for braced frames is suggested. The originality of the proposed procedure consists of its ability to guide the designer up to the com plete detailing of beam-to-column connections. Finally, with reference to braced frames, some examples are presented to show the economical convenience of semirigid joints. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.