Authors: L. Magalhães, C. Rebelo, S. Jordão

The main purpose of this investigation is the characterisation of the nonlinear behaviour of steel joints between I profile beams to hollow section columns with welded reverse channel. In this paper a comparison is made between experimental tests and numerical finite element model results, enabling the model validation and determinate the behaviour characteristics of the main components of the reverse channel joining detail, i.e. web face in bending, flanges panels in shear, compression and tension. This study results are presented in terms of resistance, stiffness and rotation capacity of the joint. In the experimental program the characteristics of the nonlinear behaviour of the principal reverse channel components are assessed by means of bending tests, monotonic and cyclic. The numerical models are developed with the software LUSAS and calibrated with the results from the experimental tests.

L. Magalhães¹ | C. Rebelo² | S. Jordão²
1 ISISE – Unidade Técnico-Científica de Engenharia Civil, Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco
2 ISISE – Departamento de Engenharia Civil, Universidade de Coimbra