In the current paper the seismic behavior of bolted beam-to-column joints is investigated. The calculation method proposed by the Eurocode 3 and Eurocode 8 for the determination of the design moment resistance and the moment-rotation curve of bolted joints is critically applied to some joints, that differ in geometrical and mechanical features, by means of an analytical model implemented in VBa at the University of Parma. The calculation method is based on the definition of basic joints components characterized by ductile or brittle behavior that govern failure mode of the joint and permit to classify the joint by strength and stiffness. In order to respect the capacity design concepts, the joints should in fact satisfied specific ductility criteria and should have an adequate over-strength in order to permit the development of plastic hinges in the beam. 

The analytical results are compared with the numerical results obtained from nonlinear finite element analyses carried out on the joints analyzed with ABAQUS Code through a shell modeling. Comparing analytical and numerical results it is possible to focus on some criticalities of the calculation method currently proposed by the Eurocode 3.

The study fits into a research program between the Univesity of Parma and Cometal S.p.A.