ABSTRACT
The paper presents an account of an experimental programme of joint tests for open section beams to concrete filled square hollow section columns where flowdrilling has been used to form the connection.
Flush and extended endplate details were examined. The moment rotation characteristics of six joint tests on concrete filled columns are reported, together with direct comparisons to tests using nominally identical joint details which were unfilled. The test programme enabled a series of connections to be examined, ranging from those which would normally be regarded as simple pinned joints to those which would be treated as fully rigid. Comparisons are made with EC3 classifications.
This investigation has dramatically highlighted the increased stiffness and moment carrying capacity in simple, nominally pinned joints when concrete filling is employed. Observations on yield line patterns and the beneficial effects of the stiffening of the joint at the location of the beam compression flange are also presented.
