An Investigation of Beam-to-Column Connections for Composite Structural Systems

I-beams with angle connections are becoming the standard framing method for composite structures. We claim that closed sections are often a more appropriate member selection. We also present the cuff connection; a novel beam-to-column connection element suited to closed structural members. We report the results of experimental and numerical investigations of various pultruded I-beam and box section beam-to-column connections. The experimental results show the stiffness and strength developed by box section connections to be clearly superior to that of the I-beams. The finite element models consistently reproduce the linear elastic connection and overall frame behavior to within 10%. We developed two simplified design models for composite frames with semi-rigid connections: an Euler beam model with variable connection parameters to account for joint flexibility, and a simplified finite element model. The beam model does not produce acceptable results; the simplified finite element model retains nearly all the accuracy of the full finite element model using a considerably reduced amount of effort.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Civil Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Smith, Steven John

Contributors dc:contributor

• Parsons, I.D.

• Engineering, Civil

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI9812777

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/83448