Thermal-stress analysis of a three-dimensional end-plate steel joint Thermal-stress analysis of a three-dimensional end-plate steel joint Peer-Reviewed Journal Publication Δημοσίευση σε Περιοδικό με Κριτές 2015-10-132012enThe mechanical behaviour of a steel connection under elevated temperatures simulating fire conditions, is under investigation. A three dimensional finite element analysis model has been developed, for the simulation of an extended end - plate steel joint. Unilateral contact and friction laws taken from non - smooth mechanics have been applied to the interface connecting the end - plate with the column flange. Material and geometric nonlinearities have been implemented to the mechanical model. The proposed thermo - mechanical analysis is divided into two phases. A thermal model is initially developed; within this model only thermal loads and elevated temperatures are applied to the surfaces of the beam and the column of the connection. The data obtained from this model, e.g. the distribution of temperatures as well as the heat fluxes developed on the structure, are imported to the mechanical model where mechanical loads are also considered. The influence of the elevated temperatures on the mechanical behaviour of the joint is then studied. Comparison between the results obtained from the model with and without high temperatures, has been taken place. Different thermal load combinations have been applied to the connection, for the investigation of their impact on the mechanical behaviour of the structure.http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Construction and Building Materials29619-626 Kalogeropoulos Andreas Drosopoulos Georgios Δροσοπουλος Γεωργιος Stavroulakis Georgios Σταυρουλακης Γεωργιος Elsevier Applied mechanics Engineering, Mechanical mechanics applied applied mechanics engineering mechanical