(IAE)
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This paper describes the dynamic characteristics of the joint structures in case of using the simplified beam model in the F. E. analysis. The modeling errors, when replace the shell with the beam, are investigated through F. E. normal modes analysis. Normal mode analysis were performed to obtain the natural frequencies of the L and T shaped joints with various type of channels. The results were analyzed to access the effects of the models on the accuracy of F.E. analysis by identifying the geometric factors which cause the error. The geometric factors considered are joint angle, channel length, thickness and area ratio of the hollow section to the filled one. The joint stiffness evaluation technique is developed in this study using normal modes analysis with Lumped Mass. With this method, the progressively improved results of F. E. analysis are obtained using the simplified beam model. The static and normal modes analysis are performed with the joint stiffness values obtained by the Kazunori Shimonkakis' virtual stiffness method and the proposed method and these simplified modeling errors are compared.