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03.28: Performance of cruciform finite elements that model 2D steel joints with beams of unequal depth in frame analysis
Author(s) -
Bayo Eduardo,
Loureiro Alfonso,
Lopez Manuel
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
ce/papers
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2509-7075
DOI - 10.1002/cepa.112
Subject(s) - cruciform , finite element method , structural engineering , stiffness , joint (building) , displacement (psychology) , frame (networking) , degrees of freedom (physics and chemistry) , engineering , modal , materials science , mechanical engineering , physics , psychology , quantum mechanics , polymer chemistry , psychotherapist
ABSTRACT This paper deals with the performance evaluation of cruciform finite elements with 4 nodes and 12 degrees of freedom that model 2D steel joints with beams of unequal depth in frame analysis. These elements are capable of modelling joints that have double rectangular panels, with or without horizontal stiffeners in the panel zone, due to beams of different depths at both sides of the joint. In addition, these cruciform elements are suitable for simple, rigid and semi‐rigid connections and therefore can be used for the global analysis of semi‐rigid steel frames. The performance of these elements is assessed by analysing steel frames under different loading conditions, and comparing the results with complete finite element models. The characteristics of these elements (stiffness and resistance) are generated by a previously proposed displacement based modal approach. All the forces and moments coming from the adjacent beams and columns concur at the joint, therefore, the complete force field in the panel zones is known with no need for a transformation parameter β (EC3‐Part 1.8). The proposed element also avoid the use of mechanical models (composed of springs and rigid bars) for frame analyses, which add complexity, numerical overhead —consequence of the larger number of degrees of freedom— and possible round off errors (due to the rigid bars) in the solution process. In addition, since the real dimensions of the joint are included in the proposed elements, the eccentric moments are automatically taken into account. Also, the interaction between the deep and the shallow sides of the column double panels are considered. Numerical simulations and comparison with complete finite element models are carried out that show the validity and computational efficiency of these elements.