ABSTRACT
This paper presents a systematic test program to investigate the effects of numerous parameters on inelastic cyclic behavior of bolted angle connections. A total of 40 tests are summarized. The parameters studied include angle thickness, column bolt diameter, column bolt gage distance, beam bolt gage distance, edge-distance of angle leg, gap between column face and beam flange, and column bolt pretension. The main findings are: four deformation modes categorized by whether the column bolt yields or not; angle failure mechanism whose failure location depends on the range of cyclic strain at the angle fillets; effects of various geometric parameters on the performance such as stiffness, strength, ductility, and energy dissipation; and low-cycle fatigue life models based on angle deformation range and hysteretic energy.
