Experimental Behavior of Stiffened and Unstiffened End-Plate Connections under Cyclic Loading

Abstract

To compare the hysteretic behavior, stiffness, and strength of stiffened and unstiffened extended end-plate connections of beam–column joints, six specimens with eight high strength bolts were tested under cyclic load. During the test, the axial force of the column was kept constant. The end plates of three specimens and column webs of five specimens were reinforced with rib stiffeners, and the thickness of end plates was varied with the same configuration of beams and columns of all the specimens. Although the plastic rotation of all connections exceeded