Numerical modelling of the behaviour of flush end-plate bare-steel connections at elevated temperature

A simplified component-based model has been used to investigate the behaviour of bare-steel flush end-plate connections at elevated temperatures. The model has the capability of allocating individual temperatures to each element at a given bolt row, allowing the modelling of any form of temperature distribution based on test data or simulations of the temperature profile across the depth of the connection. Only those parameters such as elastic modulus, yield and ultimate tensile strength which represent the stiffness and strength of the connection are assumed to degrade with increasing temperatures. Comparison of the bare-steel component model with existing test data generated good results especially in the elastic zone, and accurately predicted failure modes. Also the predicted rate of degradation of the connection stiffness and capacity compares well with the experimental results.