Quantitative measure of real rotational stiffness of simple shear connections using knife plates and clip angles

目前，大多数钢结构设计规范建议使用两种连接类型中的一种：刚性连接，如不同弯矩连接和半刚性或柔性连接，代表了大多数简单的剪切连接。这些假设简单，便于快速分析和简单的设计目的；然而，它们并不能准确地代表绝大多数结构中这种连接的真实行为。SAFI公司是一家总部位于加拿大的有限元建模和设计软件的全球领先公司。AsSAFI公司为多种类型的钢结构提供完整的分析和设计解决方案，其中一个挑战是提供一个系统，通过分析和设计周期（包括连接和成员）来提供高度经济和安全的设计。因此，SAFI专门寻找一个声音项目来弥合这一差距。目标是为任何给定的剪切连接开发清晰易用的力矩-旋转曲线。本研究项目采用的方法是建立详细的三维模型，精确地模拟简单的梁及其不同的末端条件，以找到这种连接的配置与其弯矩-旋转曲线之间的明确关系。因此，目的是开发图表或公式，将连接的配置与其旋转刚度联系起来。本研究项目的研究结果将直接影响SAFI对三维虚拟钢结构建模和仿真的准备，这是其当前的战略重点之一。

Nowadays most of the steel design codes suggest the use of either one of two types of connections: the rigidconnections such as different moment connections and the semi-rigid or flexible connections which representsmost of the simple shear connections. These hypotheses are simple and convenient for quick analysis andsimple design purposes; however, they do not accurately represent the real behavior of such connections in thegreat majority of structures.SAFI Inc. is a Canadian-based World leader company in finite element modeling and design software. AsSAFI Inc. provides complete analysis and design solutions for many types of steel structures, one of thechallenges is to provide a system that reiterates through the analysis and design cycles (for both connectionsand members) to provide highly economic and safe designs. Therefore, SAFI is specifically seeking a soundproject that bridges this gap. The goal is to develop clear easy-to-use moment-rotation curves for any givenshear connection.The methodology adopted in this research project is to develop detailed 3D models to accurately simulatesimple beams along with their different end conditions to find clear relation between the configuration of suchconnections and their moment-rotation curves. Hence, the aim is to develop charts or formulas to correlate theconfiguration of the connection to its rotational stiffness.The findings of this research project will have a direct impact on the SAFI preparedness for 3D virtual steelbuildings modelling and simulation, which is one of its current strategic focuses.