JSTE_V1_N3_RP2 Mohammad Razavi Roozbeh Kiamanesh Ali Abolmaali Journal on Structural Engineering 2320 - 2343 1 3 15 25 Connection Modeling, Finite Element Method, Semi-Rigid Connections, Bolted Connections, Moment Rotation Hysteresis, Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis The presented manuscript is intended to introduce accurate computational benchmarks to predict the hysteresis behavior of beam-column steel connections by means of a 3D non-linear finite element analysis.In this study, element type, inelastic material behavior,bolts pre-tensioning, and contact properties between different components of connections are discussed. Incremental nonlinear analysis takes into account all three types of nonlinearities including material, geometry, and contact properties in predicting moment-rotation hysteresis loops. A series of full-scale structural tests are performed to validate the results obtained from the finite element analyses. This study shows that cost efficient numerical analysis simulation is capable of replacing full-scale tests for steel connections. September - November 2012 Copyright © 2012 i-manager publications. All rights reserved. i-manager Publications http://www.imanagerpublications.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=2018