I-beam to square hollow column blind bolted moment connection: Experimental and numerical study

This paper presents the results of experimental investigations and numerical analyses carried out to investigate the performance of new blind bolted moment-resisting connections between square hollow section columns and open section beams, referred to herein as the extended and flush end plate. Eight full-scale specimens comprising four extended end plate and four flush end plate exterior connections were tested under monotonic loading. The moment-rotation curves, failure mode, initial stiffness and connection classification of the joints were obtained and discussed. The results showed that the end plate type has a significant influence on the flexural capacity as well as the rotational stiffness of the proposed blind bolted connection. Furthermore, the test also showed that for specific column sizes, an increase in the beam size and end plate thickness could reduce the connection strength. The experimental specimens were also simulated using finite element models and compared with the experimental results. Comparison amongst the experimental and three-dimensional finite element (FE) models shows that the modeling of finite element analyses for the prediction of the connection behavior is sufficiently accurate.