Computational analysis of flush end-plate bare steel connection under fire conditions

A finite element analysis is performed in order to study the behavior of a flush end-plate steel connection under fire conditions and to generate the temperature-rotation diagrams describing that behavior. The temperature-rotation diagrams resulting from the FEA are compared to those produced by the experimental investigation conducted at the Building Research Establishment in the United Kingdom by a research team from the University of Sheffield. The connection properties were selected to reflect commonly used connections in commercial buildings. The finite element model is developed to simulate these tests and validates the experimental results as an alternative to expensive elevated temperatures' experiments. Furthermore, the methodology used to create this model is then used to study a sub-frame made of similar connections. This provides better understanding of the interaction between different combinations of structural members, and it is intended to be expanded into a complete building model with frames interacting in 3D. Comparison between experimental and FEA results showed an accuracy within 15%, which is reasonable considering the nonlinear nature of the analysis.