A Model for Connection
Paolo Rugarli · 2018
When considering connections, a general model can be set up using members, force-transferrers, stiffeners, connectors and constraint blocks as constituents of the real node. Each connector has several extremities. Stiffeners are constituents only connected to a single other constituent. Constraint blocks are placeholders for other structural parts exerting proper reactions. Connectors are usually layouts of sub-connectors (like bolts and weld seams). The model of connection introduced assumes that all sub-connectors of a connector connect the very same constituents. Graphs of connections can be used to better explain the logic of the connections. The use of connector layouts, from the analytical point of view, implicitly assumes some organization in the static working mode of the sub-connectors.