ABSTRACT
Solid end-plate connections are commonly used in bolted joint of solid I-beam elements. But effective use is made only of the plate fragments lying adjacent to the webs and flanges of the I-beams. The paper presents the potential of using innovative bolted end-plate connections comprising independent T-stubs instead of traditional solid end-plates in relation to the example of steel I-beams with high webs. It has been shown that such innovative end-plate connections are justified economically, can be easily manufactured, and provide comparable load-bearing capacity and stiffness to traditional solid end-plate connections. The influence of T-stubs plate thickness on the load-bearing capacity and stiffness of these innovative connections has been demonstrated. Attention is drawn also to easier compliance with flatness standards of the independent T-stubs plates when compared to large solid end-plates.
