COMPARATIVE TESTS ON END-PLATE BEAM-TO-COLUMN CONNECTIONS

The paper reports the results of an experimental investigation carried out on beam-to-column joints with the aim of comparing the behaviour of flush and extended endplate joints. In the experimental programme, twelve specimens of beam-column joints were tested under 'static' loads. Four specimens had a flush endplate and the other eight had an extended one. In the latter, four specimens had an extension of endplate on one side of the beam, while the other four had an extension on both sides. In the test specimens, parameters such as endplate thickness and bolt diameter were varied.for a constant beam and a constant column cross-section. From the data collected, experimental moment rotation curves were obtained and the end restraint offered by the joints was calculated. In comparison, it is observed that the flush endplate joints, though having rotations similar to the extended endplate joints, have lower load and moment carrying capacities