Experimental analysis and modelling of semi-rigid steel joints under cyclic reversal loading

This paper reports on the first phase of a research project aimed at developing simple design criteria for semi-rigid steel frames in seismic zones. The experimental phase comprised of two series of tests on beam-to-column joints under cyclic reversal lending. The evaluation of the test results first allowed the influence of the loading history to be investigated and the main stiffness and strength parameters to be identified which define the cyclic response of the connection. A simple prediction model was then developed and proposed, which enables satisfactory approximation of the joint response for use in numerical analysis. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.