Compound-element modeling accounting for semi-rigid connections and member plasticity

A general model of a compound element is proposed in this article to consider the combined influence of semi-rigid connections and plasticity on the non-linear responses of steel frameworks. The stiffness degradation of semi-rigid connections is modeled by a moment–rotation relationship with four parameters, while the plasticity formation of a member end from initial yield to full yield is modeled by an elliptic moment–rotation relationship. The compound element resulting from the combined influence of member plasticity and semi-rigid connection behaviour is used to facilitate the derivation of member stiffness coefficients where the effects of geometrical non-linearity and member shear deformation are also included for the progressive-failure analysis. On the basis of member plasticity behaviour, the categories of semi-rigid connections are investigated. Three semi-rigid steel frameworks are analysed to illustrate the proposed analysis method, and the results are compared with those obtained from experiments and the application of other methods.