Effect Of Temperatures On Steel Connection

This thesis deals with the analytical evaluation of the moment-rotation stiffness, bolt forces and stresses for semi rigid extended endplate connections which are widely used in steel structures. Theconnection is composed of high grade steel (ST52) semi rigid extendedend plate assembled with stiffened column by six high strength bolts(type 10.9). The behaviour of the connection is studied for both normaland elevated temperature conditions.Three dimensional finite element model is developed to simulatethe connection behaviour. A comparative study is done between thenumerical analysis results and those of experimental works for the validation of the model. An extensive parametric study is carried out to investigate the influence of the various connection parameters on the connection behaviour at normal and elevated temperatures.The objective is to develop simple prediction equations to contribute in the understanding of the behaviour of different connection components at elevated temperatures. These prediction equations can be used for design purposes of common connections under the effect of different thermal loads with considerable accuracy. The assumption of homogenous thermal gradients across the cross section of the connection is used.