Numerical study and development of component model on the behaviour of simple beam-column joints in steel structures for progressive collapse

• Main Author: Tang, Yingxin
• Other Authors: Tan Kang Hai
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2016
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/67448
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Several historical collapses of structures have drawn attention to the study of structural behaviour under progressive collapse, especially after the World Trade Centre terrorists attack. All these incidents have shown that failure of structures usually started from beam-column joints when exposed to extreme loadings, i.e. when the load-bearing column is removed or severely damaged. However, catenary action usually develops to give an alternate load path if the beam-column joints are robust enough to undertake the loads; thus, progressive collapse which is also known as ‘domino effect’ is unlikely to occur. This report investigates the behaviour of fin plate connection when subjected to column removal scenarios. Numerical simulations were conducted using ABAQUS and validated with experimental results from literature review to better understand the behaviour of fin plate connections; parametric studies were further conducted to study the effects of different parameters in overall behaviour; the parameters included: beam span length, bolt diameter, end distance and fin plate thickness. Component-based models were proposed as an alternative study to explore the behaviour of fin plate connections. The fin plate connection was broken down into two main components: single bolt row and beam/column flange. To have a better understanding of the connection, several elements were considered in each of the components. The constitutive relationship of the components were obtained from a formulated Excel spreadsheet and validated with experimental results using CONNECTOR elements in ABAQUS.