Behavior of Diagonal Knee Moment End-Plate Connections

An experimental and analytical investigation was conducted to study the behavior of diagonal knee moment end-plate connections and a multiple row extended moment end-plate connection. Diagonal knee moment end-plate connections differ from typical moment end-plate connections because of the large pitch distance required between the top flange and first row of tension bolts. The large pitch distance is outside of the geometric parameters of all previous research. Design solutions are presented for five moment end-plate connections with provisions added to accommodate these parameters.

The analytical investigation focused on the limit states of end-plate yielding and bolt rupture. Yield-line analysis was used to predicted end-plate yielding and a simplified Kennedy method proposed by Borgsmiller and Murray (1995) was used to predict bolt rupture including and excluding prying forces. An experimental investigation was conducted to verify the design solutions. Five knee area specimens and one plate girder specimen were tested in this study.

The analytical and experimental results are analyzed and compared. For the test specimens that failed in the connection, the predicted results proved to be conservative. Recommendations are presented at the end of the study as well as sample calculations.