Incremental modeling of T-stub connections

Abstract

An incremental model for predicting the mechanical characteristics of T-stub steel connections is presented in this paper. The response is calculated analytically on the basis of a simple beam representation for the flange and a deformational spring for the bolt. Contact phenomena in the flange are taken into account, and by means of an incremental procedure it becomes possible to follow the development of these phenomena throughout the loading history. Material nonlinearity is also accounted for, both in the flange and the bolt, assuming a bilinear constitutive model. We propose several refinements of the model, which enhance its effectiveness with respect to intricate characteristics of T-stub behavior, such as bolt-flange interaction and three-dimensional geometry. The performance of the model is validated by comparison to experimental results found in the literature and by a parametric study performed in parallel with three-dimensional finite element analyses.