Mechanical modeling of the nonlinear response of beam-to-column joints

A methodology for the estimation of the complete moment–rotation curve of structural beam-to-column joints is presented in this paper. The methodology is based on the component method and is materialized through appropriate mechanical models that are analyzed nonlinearly. The cases examined in this work include bolted connections with end-plates and with angles. Significant consideration is devoted to the reliable simulation of the tensile joint components that have the form of equivalent T-stubs, by application of a recently developed incremental T-stub model, for the calculation of their nonlinear force–displacement laws. The proposed methodology is evaluated against experimental tests and advanced finite element models in terms of stiffness, strength and rotational capacity, and its performance is found to be very satisfactory.