FRESH LOOK AT BOLTED END-PLATE BEHAVIOR AND DESIGN.

Abstract

The author and his research assistants have investigated extensively various aspects of bolted tee-hanger and end-plate connections. The finite element analyses described model the geometry, material properties, bolt pretensioning, and the subsequent loadings. The unknown support conditions corresponding to the deformed back of the plate are determined by an iterative process of analysis and support checks. In each cycle, nodes that tend to separate from the support are released, and previously released nodes that tend to migrate into the support are resupported. The programs also incorporate the idealized elastic-perfectly-plastic behavior of the steel.