Through-bolting effect on Stiffened Angle Joints

The rotational stiffness and resistance of steel structural joints are fundamental parameters according to Eurocode 3. Many experimental tests do not take into account the contributions of the panel zone since they have considered a very stiff column. However, the contribution of the components of the panel zone can be significant. In order to increase the rotational stiffness, stiffened angle joints can be considered. This joint configuration increments the stress and deformation of the column components. Thus, in this paper, the use of through-bolts in stiffened angle beam-to-column joints is dealt with to study the effect of through-bolting in the joint behaviour. FE models considering different bolt configuration were developed. The results show that the use of through-bolting in semi-rigid angle joints does not significantly modify the joint initial rotational stiffness but it reduces the stress level in the panel tension zone.