ABSTRACT
The criteria and the formulations for predicting the rotational stiffness and the flexural resistance, under static loading conditions, of the most common connection typologies have been recently codified by Eurocode 3 in its Annex J (CEN, 1997) which is based on the so-called component approach. In order to extend the component approach to seismic applications, the modelling of the cyclic response of the joint components is necessary. Starting from the observation that the main sources of deformability and plastic deformation capacity of bolted connections can be modelled by means of an equivalent T-stub, an experimental program devoted to the cyclic response of the most important component of bolted connections has been planned aiming at the modelling of the cyclic force-displacement curve of bolted T-stubs. This paper presents a summary of the performed experimental tests and the description of the proposed models for predicting the cyclic behaviour of bolted T-stubs starting from the knowledge of their geometrical and mechanical properties.
