• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.547-564
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• 2023

This study investigates the effect of bolt preloading on the rotational stiffness of stainless steel end-plate connections. An experimental programme incorporating 11 full-scale joint specimens are carried out comparing the behaviours of fully pre-tensioned (PT) and snug-tightened (ST) flush/extended end-plate connections, made of austenitic or lean duplex stainless steels. It is observed from the tests that the presence of bolt preloading leads to a significant increase in the rotational stiffness. A parallel finite element analysis (FEA) validated against the test results demonstrates that the geometric imperfection of end-plate has a strong influence on the moment-rotation response of preloaded end-plate connections, which is crucial to explain the observed "two-stage" behaviour of these connections. Based on the data obtained from the tests and FE parametric study, the performance of the Eurocode 3 predictive model is evaluated, which exhibits a significant deviation in predicting the rotational stiffness of stainless steel end-plate connections. A modified bi-linear model, which incorporates three key properties, is therefore proposed to enable a better prediction. Finally, the effect of bolt preloading is demonstrated at the system (structure) level considering the serviceability of semi-continuous stainless steel beams with end-plate connections.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 1996.10a
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• pp.501-507
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• 1996

The final objectives of this study are to present the theoretical formula for reasonable structural analysis and practical codes on the repair/strengthening of damaged reinforced concrete structrues. For that purpose, in last year, preliminary experiments for flexure and shear of beam structure using carbon sheet and steel plate were performed, and in sequence, in this year, using aramid fiber sheet and steel plate more extensive experiment were performed. Repair for the performance of flexure and shear was focused on, and main variables were selected considering aplicablilty for practical field, such as, spacing of anchor bolt, lapping, jacking up, preloading level, and fiber difection as well as length of repairing plate and thickness. so new results from various angles are to be presented.