Ductile connections to improve structural robustness in fire

The ductility of connections is a key property in preventing the brittle failure and subsequent progressive collapse of steel-framed structures in fire conditions. Conventional connection types have insufficient ductility to accommodate the deformations generated by the connected beams as their temperatures rise, or to withstand the forces to which they are subjected. This paper aims to investigate the mechanical performance of a new type of connection proposed to meet the ductility demand created by long-span steel beams in fire conditions. This novel connection consists of two identical parts, each of which includes a fin-plate, an endplate and a semi-cylindrical section. Analytical component models have been developed and validated, based on which a component-based model is proposed. A simple Abaqus frame model with these novel connections has been created to assess the structural performance of the novel connection under realistic conditions.