Semi-Rigid connections in steel structures: State-of-the-Art report on modelling, analysis and design

In the structural analysis of steel frames, joints are generally considered as rigid or hinged considering their moment transfer ability. However, the first studies conducted with the beginning of the 20th century showed that the joints do not actually fit these two definitions. In reality, a joint behaves between these two extreme points and is called semi-rigid. Including the actual state of the joint in the structural analysis provides significant economic advantages, so the subject is an intense field of study today. However, it does not find enough application area in practice. For this reason, a large-scale literature published from the first studies on the subject to the present has been examined within the scope of the study. Three important points have been identified in order to examine a joint realistically; modelling the load-displacement relationship, performing the structural analysis and how to design. Joint modelling methods were grouped under 7 main headings as analytical, empirical, mechanical, numerical, informational, hybrid and experimental. In addition to the moment-rotation, other important external load effects like axial force, shear and torsion were considered. Various evaluations were made to expand the practical application area of semirigid connections by examining analysis methods and design approaches. Dynamic behaviour was also included in the study, and besides column-beam connections, other important connection types such as beam-beam, column-beam-cross, base connection were also examined in this paper.