Finite element analysis of behavior of AISC standard type II connections

The first purpose of this study was to obtain a theoretical elastic behavior of three AISC standard framed beam connections (Type 2). The finite element method was used for predicting this behavior. Most elements were eight noded quadrilaterals. Those elements were used for the angle as well as the beam web. Other types of elements used were spring elements for modeling the bolts that frame the connection into the column, and six-noded elements for modeling the beam flange.

The second purpose of this study was to compare the behavior predicted by finite element analysis to the results of tests on the same connections and to the behavior as predicted by theoretical design equations.

A comparison was made of the following characteristics: yield moment and yield rotation. The comparison showed that the yield moments obtained from finite element results were consistently higher than either observed or predicted values. It was also shown that the yield rotations were larger than predicted yield rotations consistently, and larger than experimentally observed values for two of the three angle thicknesses considered. It was concluded that computer results were sensitive to connection boundary conditions.