Rotation Capacity of Steel Joints: Verification Procedure and Component Tests

Modern design of steel structures has recently developed two main tendencies: The implementation of semi-rigid joints and the application of plastic analysis methods. To combine both aspects for the design of a structural system special view has to be given to the rotation capacity of semi-rigid joints. This paper suggests a verification procedure for the check of sufficient rotation capacity of semi-rigid joints. Based on experimental and theoretical investigations deemed-to-satisfy criteria can be derived which replace an explicit check of sufficient rotation capacity. For welded joint configurations available rotation capacity values are estimated with reference to component tests. For these tests special attention is given to the determination of the load deformation behaviour.