Wald: Benchmark cases for advanced design of structural steel connections

This publication introduces Benchmark Cases for Validation and Verification procedures of structural steel joints. The hierarchy of the System response quantity is prepared for welded and bolted connections as well as for column bases. Each Benchmark Case shows results from analytical model according to design standards followed by references to laboratory experiments, validated models and numerical experiments. Results from Component-based Finite Element Method (CBFEM) are presented, taking into account the global behaviour of the joint and verification of resistance. Approach based on Finite Element Analysis is the next step in structural design of steel connections. It allows engineers to predict the generally loaded joints with complex geometry with the same efficiency and accuracy as the traditionally designed connections based on best engineering practice. Implementation of the CBFEM model for the structural steel design and code-check represent a qualitative leap for the whole structural engineering industry.