Analytical plate approach for the axial stiffness prediction of stiffened angle cleats

• The axial stiffness of stiffened cleat angles is dealt with in this paper.
• An experimental study has been carried through.
• Advanced finite element models of the experimental tests have been developed.
• Effective width related to stiffened cleat angles has been stated.
• An analytical model for the stiffness prediction has been proposed and validated.

In this paper, a plate analytical model for the prediction of the axial stiffness of stiffened angle cleats has been dealt with. In order to support the investigation, an experimental study was carried through on pull test of stiffened angle assemblies, representing some of the common practice design possibilities for top-and-seat angle connections. Additionally, an advance 3D Finite Element model was developed to assess this investigation. The FE model includes the possibility of bolt preloading, reproducing with great accuracy the actual stiffened angle cleat behavior. An equivalent plate analytical model for the prediction of the axial stiffness has been proposed on the basis of numerical parametric studies linked with the definition of an effective width for stiffness calculations. This effective width covers the different possibilities regarding the angle widths and the bolt-to-stiffener positions. This proposal provides satisfactory results in comparison with experimental data from literature and from the tests carried out for this study. It is intended for practical design purposes of stiffened angle cleat connections, and could be used within the EC3 component approach.