Evaluation of rack connection flexural resistance by the component method

A mechanical model, based on the application of the component method (CM), is proposed with the aim to assess the flexural resistance of steel rack connections. Analytical results are compared with experimental data carried out at the Structures and Materials Testing Laboratory of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of Florence. The results show a good agreement with ex-perimental ones, highlighting the accuracy of the proposed approach. The mechanical model permits the weakest component of the joint and its failure mode to be evaluated. Moreover, the model pro-vides fundamental information about the influence of structural details on the overall joint behavior, and it can be used to design rack connections, improving their structural response.