Strength Evaluation of Flush End-Plate Connection Using Triangular Haunch in Pipe Rack

In this paper, cyclic tests and finite element analyses were conducted on the flush end-plate connection of a pipe rack, with the haunch shape attached to the bottom of a beam as a variable. The cyclic test results showed that the moment strength of the connection increased by a maximum of 1.82 times depending on the haunch shape. The results of cyclic tests and finite element analyses revealed that with increasing the length of the welded haunch connected to the beam and expanding the area where the haunch contacted the column, the moment strength of the connection increased. Furthermore, a method to calculate the strength of the flush end-plate connection attached to the haunch was described by determining and calculating the theoretical strengths of each part, including the beam, column, haunch region, column flange, panel zone, and end-plate. When the length of the haunch connected to the beam is ensured and strengths of each element are calculated to be considerably higher than the beam strength, the connection can be configured in an ideal form of a strong column–weak beam.