Threaded bar stiffening in semi-rigid beam to column joints

Semi-rigid bolted beam-to-column connections are widely used for multi-storey frames. The column section required to resist the force transmitted by the bolts at the beam tension flange level can be reduced by provision of column flange reinforcement. Welding stiffening is often used in spite of several economic and performance disadvantages. This paper presents a numerical study on the use of threaded bars intended to provide local column reinforcement in semi-rigid angle beam-to-column connections, avoiding conventional welded plate stiffening. 3D Finite Element models were developed to analyze the effect of the threaded bars in different joint configurations. The study results show that the use of threaded bars in semi-rigid bolted joints reduces the stress level in the panel and can be an interesting alternative to welded stiffeners to reinforce the column, leading to significant savings. © 2021 Ernst & Sohn Verlag für Architektur und technische Wissenschaften GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin.