Analysis and design of demountable steel column-baseplate connections

This paper aims to investigate the demountability of steel column-baseplate connections subjected to monotonic and cyclic loading. This paper presents the finite element analysis of steel column-baseplate connections under monotonic and cyclic loading. The finite element model takes into account the effects of material and geometric nonlinearities. Bauschinger and pinching effects were also included in the developed model, through which degradation of steel yield strength in cyclic loading can be well simulated. The results obtained from the finite element model are compared with the existing experimental results. It is demonstrated that the finite element model accurately predicts the initial stiffness, ultimate bending moment strength of steel column-baseplate connections. The finite element model is utilised to examine the effects of axial load, baseplate thickness, anchor bolt diameter and position on the behaviour of steel column-baseplate connections. The effects of various parameters on the demountability of steel column-baseplate connections are investigated. To achieve a demountable and reusable structure, various design parameters need to be considered. Initial stiffness and moment capacity of steel columnbaseplate connections are compared with design strengths from Eurocode 3. The comparison between finite element analysis and Eurocode 3 indicates that predictions of initial stiffness for semi-rigid connections should be developed and improved design of the connections needs to be used in engineering practice.