Analytical T-stub model for the analysis of clamps in structural metal joints

Girder clamps, are one very interesting alternative to the bolted or welded joints in the manufacturing of structures with standard steel profiles. This type of joint allows the manufacturing of structures to be dismountable and reconfigurable. Nowadays, the existing literature shows an important lack about these types of joints. This work aims to analyze the behavior of clamp joints as a function of the most important geometric parameters of the clamps by using a novel analytical model. The proposed method permits to easily analyze the behavior of girder clamps. This developed method is based on the T-stub method addressed by the Eurocode for bolted joints. In order to validate this analytical model a nonlinear FEM model and real test have been performed. The variations in stress of the bolt and profile, as well as the leverage of the clamp changes, are analyzed. Analytical, numerical and experimental results are shown. Comparing the results obtained by the analytical method and the results obtained by FEM method, a maximum of error of 10% was found.