Inelastic Behavior of Bolted Flange Plate Connections

Abstract

The inelastic behavior and failure modes of eight full-scale bolted flange plate connections are discussed. This series of tests investigated two modes of behavior: hinging girder and hinging flange plate mechanisms. The tests demonstrated that this connection type induces several mechanisms of stable inelastic behavior including panel zone distortion, bolt-slip, flange plate hinging, and girder hinging beyond the flange plate connection. The failure mode for five of the eight specimens was by ductile tearing of the net girder section beyond the end of the bolted flange plate connection. These were also specimens that experienced a significant amount of girder hinging. Clamp plates added to the end of the flange plate connection prevented net section tearing for at least one specimen and fractured the beam flange and web in the girder hinge region. One specimen failed by fracture of the flange plate in the heat-affected zone of the welded joint. Finally, the specimen that induced significant flange plate hinging failed by fracture across the flange plate.