©Civil-Comp Press, 2006.

Proceedings of the Eighth International Conference

Paper 118 on Computational Structures Technology,
B.H.V. Topping, G. Montero and R. Montenegro,
(Editors), Civil-Comp Press, Stirlingshire, Scotland.

Simplified Finite Element Modelling of

Beam-Column Bolted Connections with Shell Elements
S. Taufik and R.Y. Xiao
Civil and Computational Engineering Centre
School of Engineering
University of Wales Swansea, United Kingdom

Abstract
An approach for simplified three dimensional (3D) finite element analysis of bolted
steel beam-column connection behaviour has been developed by rigorous
application of finite element computing package ANSYS. Non linear 3D continuum
shell and solid elements are used for all parts of the connection to investigate the
structural performance of partially-restrained connections. A method for applying
shell and contact element in the connections is introduced and verified. The analysis
results of the moment- rotation relationship and behaviour characteristic of the
connection are compared and discussed. It is found that contact element employed to
the model is very important parameter for accurate prediction of bolted connection
behaviour with both mild carbon steel and high strength steel. A proposed simplified
model using shell element is reliable to predict the behaviour of bolted beam-column
connection by providing a more efficient analysis.

Keywords: beam-column, shell element, contact element, three-dimensional, non-

linear, finite element, stress-strain, moment-rotation.

1 Introduction
Numerical modelling by finite element analysis of beam-column connection has
been done by many researchers [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]. Three dimensional FE models have
been well verified with experimental results. More recent studies using FE
modelling have focused mostly on end plate connections. FE model from Bose et al.
[1], Bursi et al. [2], Citipitiouglu et al. [3], and Hong et al. [4] have been considered
by solid elements, whilst Bahaari et al. [4] and Shearbourne et al. [5] have proposed
model with shell elements. Yeng et al. [6] consider a double web angle connection
under tension and shear where the angles are bolted to the column flanges and
welded to the beam web with solid element model. Citipitiouglu et al. [3] has
presented refined 3D finite element modelling of partially restrained connections

1
including slip. The behaviour of angle bolted connection on top and seat angle with
and with no double web angle connections by applying high strength shell elements
were done using finite element modelling detailed in reference [7].
In this study, a refined 3D modelling of bolted connection are performed
recognizing contact effects and bolt geometry. Since the pretension of the bolts and
slip are most important parameters as designated in reference [3], therefore the bolt
model and contact element require considered model as accurate as possible. The
modelling approach is still required simplifications in order to reduce the
computational effort. Shell elements are considered in order to eliminate generating
various types of detailed 3D geometries. The model of shank and bolt hole is
introduced for refining previous model as conducted by Baahari [4], Shearbourne [5]
and Taufik [7].
The double web angle (DWA), top and seat angle (TSA) connections are
investigated in this study. The finite element of these connections is then presented
and the results are compared with the previous test data, and finally behaviour of the
connection with mild carbon steel and high strength steel is predicted. In order to
obtain the connection efficiency, DWA connection is compared to the top and seat
angle (TSA) connection. Moment capacity and connection behaviour due to high
strength angle on bolted connection are determined.

2 Bolted Connection
Top and seat angle (TSA) connections with or without web angles and double web
angle (DWA) connections are designated in provision of partially-restrained (PR).
Citipitiouglu et al. [3] consider FE modelling of top and seat angle connection
including the effects of slip and friction. The geometry of the top angle is more
pronounced on the connection behaviour than its seat angle and web angle. In order
to enhance moment capacity of the connection can not be achieved much with
thicker angle because of pronounced slippage. The geometry of the connection and
beam depth must be adjusted to improve the connection performance. The possibly
higher strength of the angle could be applied to keep the original connection
geometry for improving the moment and rotational capacity.
The configurations of angle bolted connection in the finite element modelling
are modified by placing the angles either to beam web and column flange or to beam
flange and column flange. The influence of angle thickness and strength to the
connection behaviour is determined. The contact between angle and either column
or beam is considered to capture the true behaviour of the connection through finite
element modelling.

3 Finite Element Modelling

The ANSYS version 8.1 which is a general purpose finite element package is
selected to carry out numerical modelling analysis [10]. Non linear angle bolted

2
connections model are symmetric about the centre of the beam web and no lateral
displacement is assumed, so only one side of the plane of symmetry is modelled.
The geometry of the model now represents one half of the full scale connection in
the terms of area and moment of inertia, so the capacity of the connection model is
only a half of the actual load capacity.

The beam and column is modelled by SHELL143. The angle is simplified by

SHELL143 element with no fillet. The bolt head and nut are modelled as hexagon
solid element. The bolt shank is modelled using spar element connecting the farthest
corner nodes of head and nut to each other, as shown in Figure 1. The effective area
of the bolt is split one twelfth equally among the spar elements. The bolt holes are
modelled as circular. Bolt pretension caused by bolt tightening is simulated by
applying equivalent initial strains for bolt shank elements. Since the bolt is
tightened, the head and/or nut stay in close contact with their connecting angles and
flanges, therefore the bolt share their nodes with the plate ones.

Interface element is considered to accommodate the effect of friction and slip.

Friction coefficient value of 0.25 is used to capture experimental response and
previous FE modelling. The contact element is modelled as shown in Figure 2. The
model of interface element is designated as an initial gap 0.5mm line of 3D point to
point contact element. The element is defined by two nodes, two stiffness, an initial
gap or interference and an initial element status. The interface elements connect the
nodes at the back of the angles to corresponding nodes at the column and beam
flange and/or web. The normal stiffness value and sticking stiffness value are based
upon the maximum expected force divided by the maximum allowable surface
displacement. A high contact stiffness was specified to prevent excessive penetration
of the contact nodes. Trilinear elastic-plastic approach is used to determine the
material properties of mild carbon steel for the FE model. Multilinear elastic-plastic
approach is used to determine the material properties of high strength steel for the
FE model, whilst the yield stress is defined as 0.2% proof stress.

bolt nut

initial strain
for pretension
12 LINK8
elements
bolt head

Figure 1: Finite element model of bolt

3
 To establish the effects of angle configurations, the angle thickness and
strength are selected as two main parameters. By these parameters combination,
various moment-rotation curves can be obtained from 3D nonlinear finite elements
analysis. The thinner angle thickness with higher strength is applied to keep moment
capacity and reduce the effect of slip. In order to increase the connection capacity,
the higher strength angles are applied with different thickness. Gage length, bolt
spacing and bolt diameter are kept in the same value. Plots of the Von Mises
equivalent stress and plastic strain were used to assess the predicted yield line
patterns.

beam flange

web angle
initial gap
CONTAC52 with line
YS A l i
qs
beam web column flange
Figure 2: Modelling of contact element

By replacing the solid elements with shell elements the number of degrees of
freedom was approximately halved. As a consequence the size of the model was
reduced significantly. To conclude the shell element model does not only provide
superior results when compared to tests, but is considerably more efficient in
terms of computing resources.

4 Finite Element Result

The initial stiffness and moment capacity from FE analysis are predicted well by
the proposed model. Different thickness of higher strength angles are applied. The
analysis result of DWA connections is presented in Figure 3 for three and four row
bolt configuration. The refined model with circular hole and twelve spar element
shank gives well prediction of connection behaviour. In order to investigate further
the difference between the response of the connection with hexagon hole and
circular hole response, the stress contours at the maximum capacity are shown. The
maximum stress values are slightly at the same value of 456 MPa, since the hole
area and shank cross section area are kept equal as illustrated in Figure 4.

4
 60 30

50 25

40 20
Moment (kN-m)

Moment (kN-m)
FE model (hexagon hole) 3D FE model (hexagon hole)
FE model (circular hole) 3D FE model (circular hole)
30 Experimental-WK4 (Lewitt 1966) 15
Experimental FK3 (Lewitt 1966)

20 Connection detail Connection detail

10

Beam W18x50 Beam W12x27

Column W12x65 Column W10x49
10 Bolt diameter : 3/4" 5 Bolt diameter : 3/4"
Gage on column : 2 1/2" Gage on column : 2 1/2"
Angles : L6 x 4 x 3/8" Angles : L6 x 4 x 3/8"
0 0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
rotation (mrad) rotation (mrad)

Figure 3: M-φ curves of DWA from experimental and FE models

1 1
NODAL SOLUTION ANSYS 8.0 NODAL SOLUTION ANSYS 8.0
MAR 22 2005 MAR 22 2005
STEP=1 STEP=1
15:44:26 12:57:20
SUB =22 SUB =22
TIME=11 MX
MN TIME=11
SY (AVG) SY (AVG)
RSYS=0 RSYS=0
DMX =29.669 DMX =28.812
SMN =-456.416 SMN =-456.471
SMX =454.108 SMX =453.673

MX
MN

Y Y

Z X Z X

-456.416 -254.077 -51.739 150.6 352.939 -456.471 -254.217 -51.963 150.291 352.546
-355.247 -152.908 49.431 251.769 454.108 -355.344 -153.09 49.164 251.419 453.673

Figure 4: Maximum stress of web angles; hexagon hole and circular hole

Different thickness of higher strength web angles (twa) are applied. The web
angles are determined with different yield stress, whilst the beam and column are
kept with mild carbon steel. Effect of angle thickness and strength is more
pronounced on the rotational capacity with the thinner angle. The initial stiffness is
slightly higher with the thicker angle, whilst the rotational capacity is lower. The
result shows that the S460 angles increase the moment capacity by up to 45% whilst
the S550 angles increase the capacity by up to 55% and the S690 angles reach the
ultimate moment by nearly two folds as much as S275 angles, respectively. The
moment capacity is much higher by up to 85% for thinner angle, whilst it is only up
to 50% for thicker angle due to the pronounced slip. The variation in the DWA
connection response due to the change in the angle thickness and strength is shown
in Figure 5.

In order to determine the effect of angle configuration to the connection

behaviour, the angles are determined by clamping on the beam and column flanges
as TSA connection, as shown on Figure 6. The beam and column are kept
unchanged. Number of bolts of TSA connection is kept as much as 12 bolts from
four row bolt DWA connection with M20 grade 8.8.

5
 80 100

70 90

80
60
70
50
Moment (kN-m)

Moment (kN-m)
60

40 50

30 40

WK4-1 S690 30 WK4-2 S690

20 WK4-1 S550 WK4-2 S550
WK4-1 S460 20 WK4-2 S460
10 WK4-1 S275 WK4-2 S275
10

0 0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
rotation (mrad) rotation (mrad)

Figure 5: M-φ curves of DWA FE models; twa=9.5mm and twa=12.6mm

Figure 6: TSA connection configuration for FE model

The top and seat angles are determined with different yield stress, which the
configuration is the same as DWA, except for position of angles and number of bolts
(for 3 rows of bolt only). The FE analysis result of TSA connections is presented in
Figure 7. The result shows that the moment capacity of S460 and S550 top and seat
angles slightly higher than that of web angles whilst the S690 angles on DWA have
capacity the same as TSA connections with higher beam depth. Effect of angle
thickness and strength gives the significance improvement of the connection
restraint characteristics. The moment capacity of S690 TSA is higher than moment
capacity of S460 TSA by up to 40% for thinner angle (tsa=9.5mm), whilst it is only
up to 20% for thicker angle (tsa=12.6mm). The moment capacity of S550 TSA is
higher than that of S460 TSA by up to 10% for thinner angle, whilst it is only up to
5% for thicker angle. High strength thicker angles give no much improvement on the
connection capacity, because of the slippage. The moment capacity is still reached
far below the ultimate moment on the maximum plastic strain limit, whilst the
earlier slip occurs. As the initial stiffness of the connection is governed by the
geometry of the top seat angle, the non-linear behaviour is related to material
properties (strain hardening).

6
 100 100

90 (a) 90 (b)
80 80

70 70
Moment (kN-m)

Moment (kN-m)
60 60

50 50

40 40

30 TSA-1 S690
30
TSA-2 S690
TSA-1 S550
20 20 TSA-2 S550
TSA-1 S460
TSA-2 S460
10 10

0 0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
rotation (mrad) rotation (mrad)

Figure 7: M-φ curves of TSA FE models; tsa=9.5mm and tsa=11.0mm

In order to investigate the behaviour of the connection, the stress contours of

angles are compared with that of the column flange. The patterns of stress contours
of column flanges and angles with different grade and thickness of angles are very
similar in general with differences only in the value and the spread of plasticity. The
S690 web angles and S275 column flange stresses, as was expected, are less than the
ultimate stress (850 MPa and 360 MPa respectively). Figure 8 illustrate the
maximum stresses of web angles are located at a corner of angle and beside the bolt
hole.

1 1
NODAL SOLUTION ANSYS 8.0 NODAL SOLUTION ANSYS 8.0
MAR 10 2005 MAR 10 2005
STEP=1 STEP=1
11:22:52 11:28:52
SUB =999999 SUB =999999
TIME=9 TIME=9
MX
MN SY (AVG)
SY (AVG) MX
MN
RSYS=0
RSYS=0
DMX =.501063
DMX =4.019 SMN =-312.28
SMN =-735.396 SMX =316.424
SMX =740.4

Y Y

Z X Z X

-735.396 -407.441 -79.486 248.468 576.423 -312.28 -172.568 -32.856 106.856 246.568
-571.419 -243.464 84.491 412.446 740.4 -242.424 -102.712 37 176.712 316.424
ANSYS Analysis ANSYS Analysis

Figure 8: Stress contours of DWA with different angle and column strength

The stress contours at the ultimate load of top seat angle are compared as shown
in Figure 9, which illustrates the maximum stress of top angle is located at a corner
of angle and below the bolt hole. Application of high strength angle to the
connection configuration gives significant proportion of maximum stress
distribution, whereas the beam and column are kept with carbon steel. The patterns
of stress contours of top angles with different grade and thickness of angles are very
similar in general, except for the value and the spread of plasticity.

7
 1 1
NODAL SOLUTION ANSYS 8.0 NODAL SOLUTION ANSYS 8.0
MAR 18 2005 MAR 18 2005
STEP=1 STEP=1
17:29:29 17:31:44
SUB =16 SUB =16
TIME=8 TIME=8
SX (AVG) SX (AVG)
RSYS=0 RSYS=0
DMX =4.491 DMX =2.662
SMN =-734.563 SMN =-354.678
SMX =738.405 SMX =354.246
MX
MN

MX
MN

Y Y

Z X Z X

-734.563 -407.237 -79.91 247.416 574.742 -354.678 -197.139 -39.6 117.938 275.477
-570.9 -243.574 83.753 411.079 738.405 -275.908 -118.37 39.169 196.707 354.246
ANSYS Analysis ANSYS Analysis

Figure 9: Stress contours of TSA with different angle and column strength

In order to investigate further the difference between response of the connection

with web and top seat angle response, the plastic equivalent strain fields of thick
(12.6mm) web angle connection are compared in Figure 10. The plastic strain
contours with three different steel grade are shown. The plastic strain values reach at
around 90% of allowed maximum equivalent plastic strain until an earlier failure
occurs because of stress concentration for S275 web angle, whilst that value is only
25% for S550 web angle and 5% of allowed maximum equivalent plastic strain until
slip occurs for S690 web angle.

a)⋅ max⋅ εeq

p
= 0.135⋅ b)⋅ max⋅ εeq
p
= 0.076⋅ c)⋅ max⋅ εeq
p
= 0.020⋅
0 0 0
.016863 .008462 .002247
.033726 .016925 .004495
.050589 .025387 .006742
.067453 .03385 .00899
.084316 .042312 .011237
.101179 .050775 .013485
.118042 .015732
.059237
.134905 .01798
.0677
.151768 .020227
.076162

Figure 10: Plastic deformation of thick angles; S275, S550 and S690

The response of the connection with both thick low strength and thin high
strength angle shows expected contact behaviour of angle bolted connection as
shown in Figure 11a. Initial gap unchanged with small initial slip of bolts occurs on
the contact between beam web and angle. On the angle edge shows initial gap
unchanged with no slip, whilst on the top corner of angle shows large displacement
and small displacement on the bottom region with no slip. Different response of
angle bolted connection with both very thick low strength and thick high strength
angle gives significant unique contact behaviour as shown in Figure 11b. The
contact between angle and column flange shows initial gap changed with significant
slip occurs. On the angle above the bolt region, initial gap slightly unchanged
without slip. Contact between angle and column flange on the region below the bolts
shows small displacement with no slip occurs just beyond the yield strain.

8
 3) initial
1) TION
gap 2)
AVG)

initial 088 5)
gap
4
MX
MN

MX
MN

4) 5)
2)
1)
2) 4)
1) 4)
a) b)

Figure 11: Contact behaviour; thin angle and thick angle

The bolt force in a TSA connection will be a function of the loading and the
thickness of the angle plate. Thick angle connections will fail in the tension region
of top angle with bolt yielding. The top angle will yield in a thin plate connection at
a lower load, although there may be an increased bolt force because of the prying
effects. Figure 12 indicates the bolt head and nut stress observed in the model for a
thin (9.5mm) top and seat angle connection. Direct tension forces applied from the
beam through the angle to the bolts rise in proportion with the applied load.
However the additional prying force is a function of the angle flexibility and
yielding. The prying forces are minimal before the yield lines in the top angle occur,
after which they increase as a greater contact area is developed. After yielding of the
top angle there is also a transfer of force to the bottom bolt row of seat angle. In the
thick endplate model this occurs at a higher moment because of the increased
strength capacity of the tension region.

1 1
NODAL SOLUTION ANSYS 8.0 NODAL SOLUTION ANSYS 8.0

STEP=1 STEP=1
SUB =20 SUB =20
TIME=10 MX
TIME=10
SX (AVG) SX (AVG)
RSYS=0 RSYS=0
DMX =1.756 DMX =.28642
SMN =-860.791 SMN =-711.089
SMX =711.934 SMX =79.029

MN

MX MN

-711.089 -535.507 -359.925 -184.343 -8.762

-860.791 -511.297 -161.802 187.692 537.187 -623.298 -447.716 -272.134 -96.553 79.029
-686.044 -336.549 12.945 362.44 711.934
ANSYS Analysis ANSYS Analysis

Figure 12: Bolt stress contours for a thin (9.5mm) TSA connection

9
5 Conclusions
A three-dimensional finite element model of angle bolted connection is presented.
Three different steel grades of angle properties are investigated. Conclusions are
drawn based on the research.
(1) The initial stiffness of FE model is well predicted by verification with previous
experimental testing. The effect of angle thickness gives slightly change of the
initial stiffness, whilst the thicker one will be more pronounced on the slippage
of angle bolted connection.
(2) The plastic strain and stress patterns of high strength angle are very similar, in
general. The model presented gives excellent results for increasing the moment
and rotational capacity significantly.
(3) The connection capacity of high strength thicker angles of TSA is slightly more
than that of DWA connection except for the connection with higher beam depth
and very high strength angle.
(4) The high strength angles give significant proportion of maximum stress
distribution, whereas the beam and column are kept with mild carbon steel
(5) Solid elements are suitable for simple connection problems, but shell elements
are best suited for more complicated structures such as beam to column
connections. The additional flexibility allows the plate bending to be modelled
accurately.
(6) Thick endplate connections provide additional rotational stiffness and moment
capacity but the rotation capacity may be compromised through bolt failure.
Thin endplates provide enough deformation capacity to allow semi rigid
connection design but yielding of the angle plate may produce excessive
deflection. Also the thin endplate increases the prying forces with an associated
increase in bolt loads

Acknowledgements
The financial support of the TPSDP of Indonesia for first author research in
Swansea is gratefully appreciated.

References
[1] Bose B, Sarkar S, and Bahrami M., Extended endplate connections:
comparison between three-dimensional nonlinear finite-element analysis and
full-scale destructive tests. Struct Eng Rev 1996;8(4):315–28.
[2] Bursi O.S. and Jaspart J.P., Basic issues in the finite element simulation of
extended end plate connections. Comp Struct 1998;69:361–82.
[3] Citipitouglu A.M., Haj-Ali R.M. and White D.W. (2002), Refined 3D finite
element modeling of partially restrained connections including slip, J Constr
Steel Res 58:5-8, 995-1013.

10
[4] Bahaari M.R. and Sherbourne A.N. (1996), 3D simulation of bolted
connections to unstiffened columns-II. extended endplate connections, J
Constr Steel Res 40:3, 189–223
[5] Sherbourne A.N. and Bahaari M.R. (1996), 3D simulation of bolted
connections to unstiffened columns-I. T-stub connections, J Constr Steel Res
40:3, 169–187
[6] Taufik S. and Xiao R.Y. (2005), 3D Finite element prediction of angle bolted
connection with high strength steel, Proceedings of the fourth international
conference on advance in steel structure–13th-15th June 2005, paper no. ISP-
25
[7] Puthli R. and Fleischer O. (2001), Investigations on bolted connections for
high strength steel members, J Constr Steel Res 57:1, 313-26
[8] Lewitt C.W., Chesson E. Jr., and Munse W.H., (1966) Restraint characteristic
of flexible riveted and bolted beam-to-column connections, Department of
Civil Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL.
[9] Chen WF, Goto Y, Liew JYR. Stability design of semi-rigid frames. New
York: Wiley, 1996.
[10] ANSYS 8.1 documentation, MPI Software Technology, Inc., 1999.
[11] European Committee for Standardisation. Eurocode 3: design of steel
structures, Part 1.1: General rules for buildings. DD ENV 1993-1-1, February
1992.

11