Alternate load path method for robust design by ductile steel and composite joints

This paper reports briefly on the experimental and numerical investigations of steel and composite joints aiming at the development of semi-rigid and partial-strength joint solutions allowing large deformations and rotations for redistribution of internal forces in the structural system when local damage e.g. “column loss” occurs. Investigations of steel and composite joints with highly ductile behaviour are presented. Thereby special focus is given to the adjustment of the single joint components to ensure a high deformation capacity during pure bending as well as combined bending and membrane exposure.