Ultimate behaviour and rotation capacity of stainless steel end-plate connections

Yuchen Son, Brian Uy, Dongxu Li and Jia Wang

Abstract

This paper presents a combined experimental and numerical study on stainless steel end-plate connections, with an emphasis placed on their ultimate behaviour and rotation capacity. In the experimental phase, six connection specimens made of austenitic and lean duplex stainless steels are tested under monotonic loads. The tests are specifically designed to examine the close-to-failure behaviour of the connections at large deformations. It is observed that the rotation capacity is closely related to fractures of the stainless steel bolts and end-plates. In the numerical phase, an advanced finite element model suitable for fracture simulation is developed. The incorporated constitutive and fracture models are calibrated based on the material tests of stainless steel bolts and plates. The developed finite element model exhibits a satisfactory accuracy in predicting the close-to-failure behaviour of the tested connections. Finally, the moment resistance and rotation capacity of stainless steel end-plate connections are assessed based on the experimental tests and numerical analyses.

Key Words

end-plate connection; fracture simulation; rotation capacity; stainless steel bolt; stainless steel; ultimate behaviour

Address

Yuchen Son:School of Civil Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia Brian Uy:School of Civil Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia Dongxu Li:School of Civil Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia Jia Wang:School of Civil Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia

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