Plastic steel design with semi-rigid connections.

Note: Missing Page 55.This thesis is concerned with the effect of connections of the semi-rigid type on the Plastic methods of structural steel design. The basic principles of Plastic Design are presented, illustrating the formation of plastic ''hinges", and their rotational properties. The beam line method for semi- rigid connections, originated by C. Batho, is shown, and a theory presented using this beam line to find the required semi- rigid connection which will transfer the hinge rotation from the beam to the connection. Experiments are described in which this theory was verified. Two connections were tested to obtain their moment-rotation characteristics. Then two statically indeterminate structures using the same types of connections were tested to demonstrate that all plastic hinges formed at the same load. Finally, the advantages of this method are discussed