Experimental investigation of full-range action-deformation behaviour of top-and-seat angle and web angle connections

Abstract

Web angle connections are usually categorized as a type of pinned connection whose moment resisting capacity is assumed negligible. Hence, there is a lack of experimental data in regard to the moment-rotation behavior of this type of connection. Experimental databases for top-and-seat angle connections are more readily available in the literature. However, experimental tests of nominally identical connections are very limited. Also, most experimental studies on steel connections focus on the elastic behavior up to the yield point. This paper presents 36 experimental tests on the full-range action-deformation behavior of top-and-seat angle connections (18 tests) and web angle connections (18 tests). The joints were subjected to three loading conditions, i.e. bending only, combined bending and compression, and combined bending and tension. To investigate the full-range joint behavior, tests were conducted well into the post-ultimate range to complete failure including fracture. Nominally identical tests were conducted to investigate the uncertainties in joint properties, providing statistical models for joint properties and behavior. The full-range action-deformation test results for each group of tests are reported in this paper. A digital image correlation (DIC) system was used to monitor the deformation of critical components. Images captured during experiments were processed using Dantec software to generate the time-based deformation indices, which can be used to calibrate/validate finite element (FE) models. By comparing the experimental ultimate moment capacity and the design moment capacity based on Eurocode 3, it was found that the moment resisting capacities of top-and-seat angle connections are underestimated in Eurocode 3. The test results also indicate that the moment capacity of web angle connection is non-negligible.