Investigation of semi-rigid bolted beam connections on prefabricated frame joints

Bolted connections are used commonly in the precast reinforced concrete structures. In such<br />structures, to perform structural analysis, behaviour of connections must be determined. In this study,<br />elastic rotation stiffness of semi-rigid bolted beam connections, applied in industrial precast structures, are<br />determined by finite element methods. The results obtained from numerical solutions are compared with<br />an experimental study carried out for the same connections. Furthermore, stress distributions of the<br />connection zone are determined and a reinforcement scheme is proposed. Thus, a more appropriate<br />reinforcement arrangement for the connection zone is enabled. The connection joint of the prefabricated<br />frame is described as rigid, hinged or elastic, and a static analysis of the frame system is performed for<br />each case. Values of bending moments and displacements obtained from the three solutions are compared<br />and the effects of elastic connection are discussed.