SIMPLIFIED METHOD FOR DESIGN OF
MOMENT END-PLATE CONNECTIONS
by
Jeffrey T. Borgsmiller
Thesis submitted to the faculty of the
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
MASTER OF SCIENCE
in
CIVIL ENGINEERING
APPROVED:
Thomas M. Murray, Chai
W. Samuel Easterling Richard M. Barker
March, 1995
Blacksburg, Virginiaow
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2SIMPLIFIED METHOD FOR DESIGN OF
MOMENT END-PLATE CONNECTIONS
by
Jeffrey T. Borgsmiller
Thomas M. Murray, Chairman
Civil Engineering
(ABSTRACT)
Bolted moment end-plate connections are extremely popular in the metal building
industry due to economics and construction ease, yet have proven to be quite complicated
from the analysis and design standpoint. Past research has shown that the design of these
connections is controlled by either the strength of the end-plate, determined by yield-line
analysis, or the strength of the bolts, determined by the semi-empirical Kennedy method.
The calculations involved in the Kennedy bolt analysis incorporate prying action, yet are
complex and extensive.
This study presents a simplified method for determining the ultimate strength of
moment end-plate connections. Classic yield-line analysis is used to determine the
connection capacity based on end-plate strength, and a simplified version of the Kennedy
method is used to predict the connection capacity based on bolt strength with prying
action. Assumptions are made that substantially reduce the calculations involved in the
bolt analysis. The simplified design procedure is verified by comparison with the results of
52 previously conducted full-scale connection tests. Design recommendations are made
and examples presented.