Multi-Scale Modelling of Flexible End Plate Connections under Fire Conditions

Conducting experimental tests is an attractive and straight-forward research approach but is time-consuming and expensive in comparison with finite element modelling. A numerical approach has been developed in this project to investigate the performance of simple steel connections in fire conditions. This paper presents a quasi-static numerical analysis with cohesive elements to investigate the resistance and ductility (rotation capacity) of simple steel connections (flexible end plates) in fire conditions. In comparison with experimental test data, a good correlation with the finite element analysis is achieved and the method is suitable to study the tying resistance and ductility for simple steel connections with various dimensions at different temperatures. This numerical approach was also compared with component-based connection models, which have been developed in the previous research work. The analytical results produced demonstrated that the component-based approach is capable of as an alternative method to analyse the connection performance under fire and non-fire conditions, and this approach is simple but without loss of accuracy.