Seismic pre-qualification tests of EC8-compliant external extended stiffened end-plate beam-to-column joints

An experimental and numerical campaign was carried out to validate the design procedure and prequalify extended stiffened end-plate (ESEP) joints for ductile seismic resistant moment-resisting frames in the framework of Eurocodes. In fact, the tested ESEP joints have been designed with the aim of guaranteeing ductile and dissipative seismic response in accordance with the principles of the hierarchy of resistances to enforce plastic deformations in ductile components of the joints. Two alternative types of dissipation mechanisms are promoted, namely either (i) plastic deformations solely in the connected beam using full strength joints or (ii) plastic deformations in both the beam and the connection using equal strength joints. The adopted design criteria and technological details are described and discussed. The results of experimental tests confirmed the expected yielding mechanisms of the joints, which satisfied the acceptance criteria for both North American and European prequalification. Finite element simulations of ESEP joints have been validated against the experimental results and have been used to investigate the local response of the joints, thus highlighting the influence of both geometrical and mechanical parameters.