Behavior of T-stub steel connections bolted to rigid bases: Fid-Bau Portal

Behavior of T-stub steel connections bolted to rigid bases

Bezerra, Luciano M. / Bonilla, Jorge / Freitas, Cleirton S. / Massicotte, Bruno

Abstract This paper presents a comprehensive experimental and numerical study of the structural behavior of bolted T-Stub connections when fixed on a rigid base. The acting forces on the T-Stub bolts are investigated in this research taking into consideration the prying action associated with the variations of T-Stub geometry and bolt positions. Twelve experimental tests were conducted as well as extensive Finite Element (FE) studies. T-Stub resistance was investigated using parametric studies with different: (a) bolt positions, (b) dimensions and thicknesses, and (c) resultant contact forces. The contact between T-Stub connection parts and material and geometrical nonlinearities were taken into account. The FE results were found to be very close compared to the experimental tests. Different T-Stub resistance predictions provided by the Eurocode-3 and the AISC codes were evaluated. Such codes were found to be inaccurate in predicting the resistance of T-Stubs. The thickness and position of the bolts are important factors that influence the force on the bolt shafts and heads, which affects the T-Stub collapse resistance when it is fixed on a rigid base.

Highlights • Experimental and non-linear FE analyses of T-stub steel connections investigate the prying actions on bolts of T-Stub. • Stresses between the T-stub flange and support base depend largely upon the thickness of the T-stub flange. • Parametric study investigates the effects of flange thickness on the prying actions on the bolts of T-Stub connections. • Experimental tests and FE results were compared with T-stub resistance calculated with Eurocode-3, and the AISC manual. • The shear on T-Stub bolts´ head, indicates Standards are not considering the shear effect on the resistance of such bolts.