CYCLIC AND SEISMIC RESPONSE OF FLEXIBLY JOINTED FRAMES

A model simulating the hysteretic M-theta(r) behaviour of flexible joints under cyclic and dynamic loading conditions is presented. This model requires four parameters to describe. These parameters can be evaluated using existing test data for different types of connections. The proposed model has been cast into a two-node zero length connection element and used to model the nonlinear response of flexibly jointed frames. It is shown that the presence of flexible joints alters the vibration characteristics of the structure. Depending on the excitation frequency, the presence of flexible joints can either dampen or magnify the structural response.