Structural Steel Semirigid Connections : Theory, Design, and Software

Provides a state-of-the-art summary of the most recent experimental and theoretical developments on the behavior and design of semirigid connections
Offers design criteria for both braced and unbraced frames
Presents comparisons of US and European design practices
Includes software on floppy disk for predicting the moment-rotation curve of beam-to-column joints, with a user guide and sample problems provided in the text

Although the semirigidity concept was introduced many years ago, steel structures are usually designed by assuming that beam-to-column joints are either pinned or rigid. Theses assumptions allow a great simplification in structural analysis and design-but they neglect the true behavior of joints.

The economic and structural benefits of semirigid joints are well known and much has been written about their use in braced frames. However, they are seldom used by designers, because most semirigid connections have highly nonlinear behavior, so that the analysis and design of frames using them is difficult. In fact, the design problem becomes more difficult as soon as the true rotational behavior of beam-to-column joints is accounted for-the design problem requires many attempts to achieve a safe and economical solution.

Structural Steel Semirigid Connections provides a comprehensive source of information on the design of semirigid frames, up to the complete detailing of beam-to-column connections, and focuses on the prediction of the moment-rotation curve of connections. This is the first work that contains procedures for predicting the connection plastic rotation supply-necessary for performing the local ductility control in nonlinear static and dynamic analyses. Extensive numerical examples clarify the practical application of the theoretical background.

This exhaustive reference and the awareness it provides of the influence of joint rotational behavior on the elastic and inelastic responses of structures will greatly benefit researchers, professionals, and specification writing bodies devoted to structural steel.

Part I : Behavior of Semirigid Frames
Chapter 1 : Introduction
Chapter 2 : Frame Classification.
Chapter 3 : Influence of Joint Behavior on Unbraced Frame Response
Chapter 4 : Influence of Joint Behavior on Brace Frame Response
Chapter 5 : Classification of Joints
Chapter 6 : Modeling of Joint Behavior
Chapter 7 : Introduction
Chapter 8 : Methods for Modeling Rotational Behavior
Chapter 9 : Mathematical Representation of Moment-Rotation Curves
Chapter 10 : Methods for Predicting Moment-Rotation Curves

Part II : Welded Connections
Chapter 11 : Introduction
Chapter 12 : Column Web in Shear
Chapter 13 : Column Web in Compression
Chapter 14 : Column Web in Tension
Chapter 15 : Considerations on Local Stress Interaction
Chapter 16 : Column Flange in Bending
Chapter 17 : Beam Flange and Web in Compression
Chapter 18 : Comparison with Experimental Data
Chapter 19 : Influence of Strain-Hardening
Chapter 20 : Worked Examples

Part III : Basic Component of Bolted Connections
Chapter 21 : Introduction
Chapter 22 : Axial Strength Bolted T-Stubs
Chapter 23 : Axial Stiffness of Bolted T-Stubs

Part IV : Bolted End-Plate Connections
Chapter 24 : Introduction
Chapter 25 : Prediction of Flexural Resistance
Chapter 26 : Prediction of Initial Rotational Stiffness
Chapter 27 : Moment Rotation Curve
Chapter 28 : Worked Examples

Part V : Bolted Connections with Angles
Chapter 29 : Introduction
Chapter 30 : Prediction of Flexural Resistance
Chapter 31 : Operative Steps
Chapter 32 : Comparison with Experimental Data
Chapter 33 : Simplified Procedure
Chapter 34 : Prediction of Rotational Stiffness
Chapter 35 : Worked Example
Chapter 36 : JMRC: A Computer Program for Evaluating Joint Moment Rotation Curve
Chapter 37 : Analyzed Joint Typologies
Chapter 38 : Description of Input Data
Chapter 39 : Examples of Input Data Files
Chapter 40 : Adopted Formulations

Part VI : Design of Extended End Plate Connections for Braced Frames
Chapter 41 : Introduction
Chapter 42 : Behavior and Design of End Plate Connections
Chapter 43 : Design Procedure for Braced Frames
Chapter 44 : Applications

Part VII : Ductility of Connections
Chapter 45 : Introduction
Chapter 46 : Plastic Rotation Supply of the Beam-Joint System
Chapter 47 : Welded Connections
Chapter 48 : Bolted Connections
Chapter 49 : Parameters Affecting Ductility
Chapter 50 : Ultimate Plastic Rotation of Connections with Angles
Chapter 51 : Ultimate Plastic Rotation of End-Plate Connections

Part VIII : Cyclic Behavior of Beam-to-Column Joints
Chapter 52 : Introduction
Chapter 53 : Experimental Evidence
Chapter 54 : Low Cycle Fatigue
Chapter 55 : Modeling of Cyclic Response

Part IX : Seismic Design of Semirigid Frames
Chapter 56 : Introduction
Chapter 57 : Connection and Panel Zone Design
Chapter 58 : Second-Order Plastic Design of Moment Resisting Frames
Chapter 59 : The Influence of Beam-to-Column Joints
Chapter 60 : Parametric Analysis
Chapter 61 : Dynamic Inelastic Analyses