2.3.

2 Initial stiffness of plated components

2.3.2.1

Application of the T-stub approach

For plated components, it is also referred to the T-stub concept, see Figure 2.3.4.

F
a
B

p*
Q
0,75n

m 4/5

2a
F

Q
0,75n

m
l

Figure 2.3.4 T-stub elastic deformability

In a T-stub, the tensile stiffness results from the elastic deformation of the T-stub flange in
bending and of the bolts in tension (the role of the latter is plaid by the anchor bolts in section
2.3.3 dealing explicitly with column bases). When evaluating the stiffness of the T-stub, the
compatibility between the respective deformabilities of the T-stub flange and of the bolts has to
be ensured :
*p = b
where p*

(2.3.8)
is the deformation of the end-plate at the level of the bolts;
is the elongation of the bolts.

In Jaspart (1991), expressions providing the elastic initial stiffness of the T-stub are proposed;
they allow the coupling effect between the T-stubs to be taken into consideration. These
expressions slightly differ from those given in the original publication of Yee and Melchers
(1986).
The elongation b of the bolts simply results from the elongation of the bolt shank subjected to
tension:
2.24