Nonlinear analysis of force distribution in bolted flush end plate moment connection

Beam-to-column connections play an important role in load transfer. if restraints are applied to end rotation of the beam,the connection is often referred to as moment resisting connection. two types of end plate are adopted: extended and flush end plate. the later is in the scope of this study and is widely used in beam splices and floor beam connections with constraints for extension of end plate. the international codes have many limitations to the bolt arrangement,beam size,and end plate dimensions since their procedures are derived from test data. a non-linear finite element model has been established to study the force distribution among bolts due to bending moment. several parameters have been investigated: bolt diameter,end plate thickness,percentage of initial pre-tension,and bolts arrangement. the results are compared with the design procedures in aisc design guide 16 dg-16 and ah analysis procedure associated with the egyptian code of practice ecop. the assumptions made by these procedures to the force distribution are found not matching with the finite element results. an equation has been proposed to estimate the bolt force,based on regression analysis for the results of both finite element analyses and a proposed mathematical model.