A Simplified Model for Analysis of End-plate Connections Subjected to Fire

In this paper a robust 2-noded connection element has been presented for modelling the bolted end-plate connections between steel beam and column at elevated temperatures. The connection element allows the element nodes to be placed at the reference plane with offset and the non-uniform temperature distributions within the connection. In this model the connection failure due to bending, axial tension, compression and vertical shear are considered. The influence of the axial tensile force of the connected beam on the connection is also taken into account. This model has the advantages of both the previous simple and component-based models. A series of numerical studies was carried on a 2D steel frame under ISO834 and Natural fires. The results indicated that the deflections of beams are significantly affected by using different types of the connections. However, the axial forces of the connected beam are less significantly affected by different types of the connections. Another finding is that the axial tensile force in the beams generated due to catenary action is relative small compared to the forces caused by the thermal shrinkage of the beam during cooling phase of the real fire.