Behaviour of stiffened flange cleat joints

• Experimental study
• Behaviour of stiffened flange cleat joints
• Development of new resistance and stiffness models
• Comparison of experimental results with new and existing theoretical models
• Statistical evaluation and determination of optimal models

Currently bolted flange cleat beam-to-column joints are not sufficiently applied, especially in European construction practice. The assembly of this type of joints is simple, quick and inexpensive. Nevertheless, although there are nowadays several theoretical models available for the characterisation of the behaviour of the mentioned joints, there are no clear recommendations related to the selection of an optimum model.The first aim of the present research is to validate the existing theoretical models of the flange cleats in bending as a component, as well as whole flange cleat joints. Validation is carried out by comparison with the experimental results. Additionally, research work was extended to include stiffened flange cleats and their influence on the total behaviour of the four different joint configurations. By upgrading the existing models, new original resistance models for stiffened cleats in bending are developed. In order to investigate the application of the component method on the joints with stiffened flange cleats, the experimental programme was extended to joint testing and a corresponding level arm is determined.The methodology related to the behaviour assessment of four tested configurations of joints regarding resistance and stiffness is presented. Finally, the accuracy of the developed models for the characterisation of stiffness and resistance of the tested joint configurations is confirmed through comparison with the experimental results.