Experimental investigation of extended end plate joints to concrete-filled steel tubular columns

An experimental programme to obtain the behaviour of blind bolted extended end plate joints to circular or square concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) columns under monotonic loading has been conducted. In order to enhance the strength and stiffness of the connections, the anchorage extensions are provided to the blind bolts to link the connection back into the concrete with the tubular. This paper investigated the effect of the end plate thickness and the column section type on the static behaviour and failure modes of the tested connections. The structural performance of the blind bolted extended end plate connections was evaluated in terms of the moment–rotation relationship, connection rigidity, the deformation pattern and the strain response. The test results showed that the blind bolted extended end plate connection to CFST columns exhibits high strength and stiffness, while its connection rotation capacity satisfies the ductility requirement for earthquake resistance in aseismic region. The experimental studies also demonstrated that the strength and stiffness of the connections can be improved by providing anchorage extensions to the blind bolts, and utilising moderately thick end plates leads to joints approaching full strength for the extended end plate connections.