Experimental study on the cyclic behavior of bolted end-plate connections

The cyclic behavior of composite bolted end-plate connections experimentally tested at the Instituto Superior Técnico, Portugal, in a co-operation project with the Budapest University of Technology and Economics is presented and discussed in this paper. Specimens were designed to investigate and assess the typical cyclic behavior modes of this type of connections. The cyclic behavior of composite bolted endplate connections was studied by the Moment–rotation relationships. Cyclic parameters were assessed for each cycle and are discussed. On the basis of the evaluation of the measured data and calculation on the cyclic characteristics, the typical cyclic behavior modes of this type of connections are determined and summarized in this paper. The research had also the aim to investigate the influence of several parameters namely the thickness of the end-plate, the type of the steel profile (hot rolled vs. welded section) and the influence of the reinforcing on the behavior modes.