AISC Flush & Extended MEPCs
The recent AISC Steel Design Guide No. 16 Flush and Extended Multiple Row Moment End Plate Connections sets out design models for both flush and extended end plate moment connections with multiple bolt rows. The models, which rely on 2-dimensional yield-line analysis, were verified by full-scale tests. Limcon implements the unstiffened flush end plate and stiffened and unstiffened extended end plate models.
The extended end plate MEPCs have greater plate bending capacity than the BMEP. This is largely because the MEPC model uses 2-dimensional yield line analysis while that used in the BMEP model is 1-dimensional. Also, significant increases in capacity result when increasing the number of bolt rows inside the flanges of the MEPC or adding a stiffener.
The stiffened flush end plate models may be included in Limcon in the
future. If you are interested in these connection types please let us
know at
development@steel-connections.com .
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