Behzad farivar - MSc student, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
Masoud hoseinzadeh asl - Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

Shear tab connection has proven to be economical and easy to erect. This kind of connection is assumed to be hinged connection by most of the designers. In this research, we have investigated the end rotation of the heavy steel girders with shear tab connection. The finite element software, ANSYS, has been used to determine the rigidity of shear tab connections. 125 models with different sizes of beam and tab plate wereexamined. Results show that the rigidity of shear tab connection for heavy beams is high in compare with smaller beams and the hinged connection assumption may not be true for heavy beams with shear tab connection. The thickness and height of the shear tab plays a significant role in rigidity of connection at the end of the beam.

hinged connection, semi rigid connection, finite element, shear tab, weld