• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.785-808
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• 2016

An innovative Reduced Beam Section (RBS) connection, called Tubular Web RBS connection (TW-RBS), has been recently introduced and its performance has been numerically investigated in some earlier studies. The TW-RBS connection is a kind of accordion-web RBS connection in which part of the flat web of the beam is replaced by a steel tube at the expected region of the plastic hinge. This paper presents experimental results of three TW-RBS connections under cyclic loading. Obtained results indicated that TW-RBS reduces contribution of the beam web to the whole moment strength and creates a ductile fuse far from components of the beam-to-column connection. Besides, TW-RBS connection can increase story drift capacity up to 9% in the case of shallow beams which is much more than those stipulated by the current seismic codes. Based on the experimental results, the tubular web in the plastic hinge region improves lateral-torsional buckling stability of the beam such that only local buckling of the beam flange at the center of the reduced section was observed during the tests. In order to achieve a better understanding, behavior of all TW-RBS specimens are also numerically investigated and compared with those of experimental results.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.329-345
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• 2018

This paper systematically investigated the mechanical performance of the weak-axis cover-plate connection, including a beam end monotonic loading test and a column top cyclic loading test, and a series of parametric studies for exterior and interior joints under cyclic loading using a nonlinear finite element analysis program ABAQUS, focusing on the influences of the shape of top cover-plate, the length and thickness of the cover-plate, the thickness of the skin plate, and the steel material grade. Results showed that the strains at both edges of the beam flange were greater than the middle's, thus it is necessary to take some technical methods to ensure the construction quality of the beam flange groove weld. The plastic rotation of the exterior joint can satisfy the requirement of FEMA-267 (1995) of 0.03 rad, while only one side connection of interior joint satisfied ANSI/AISC 341-10 under the column top cyclic loading. Changing the shape or the thickness or the length of the cover-plate did not significantly affect the mechanical behaviors of frame joints no matter in exterior joints or interior joints. The length and thickness of the cover-plate recommended by FEMA 267 (1995) is also suitable to the weak-axis cover-plate joint. The minimum skin plate thickness and a design procedure for the weak-axis cover-plate connections were proposed finally.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.203-219
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• 2006

One of the most promising ways through which a steel moment frame may attain high energy dissipating capability is to trim off a portion of the beam flanges near the column face. This type of moment connection, known as Reduced Beam Section (RBS) connection, has notable superiority in comparison with other moment connection types. As the result of the advantages of RBS moment connection, it has widely being used in practice. In spite of the good hysteretic behaviour, an RBS beam suffers from an undesirable drawback, which is local and lateral instability of the beam. The instability in the RBS beam reduces beam load-carrying capacity. This paper aims to investigate key issues influencing cyclic behaviour of RBS beams. To this end, a numerical analysis was conducted on a series of steel subassemblies with various geometric properties. The obtained results together with the existing experimental data are used to study the instability of RBS beams. A new slenderness concept is presented to control an RBS beam for combined local and lateral instability. This concept is in good agreement with the numerical and experimental results. Finally, a model is developed for the prediction of the magnitude of moment degradation owing to the instability of an RBS beam.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.109-120
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• 2017

The behavior of moment resistant steel structures depends on both the beam-column connections and columns foundations connections. Obviously, if the connections can meet the adequate ductility and resistance against lateral loads, the seismic capacity of these structures will be linked practically to the performance of these connections. The shape memory alloys (SMAs) have been most recently used as a means of energy dissipation in buildings. The main approach adopted by researchers in the use of such alloys is firstly bracing, and secondly connecting the beams to columns. Additionally, the behavior of these alloys is modeled in software applications rarely involving equivalent torsional springs and column-foundation connections. This paper attempts to introduce the shape memory alloys and their applications in steel structural connections, proposing a new steel column-foundation connection, not merely a theoretical model but practically a realistic and applicable model in structures. Moreover, it entails the same functionality as macro modeling software based on real behavior, which can use different materials to establish a connection between the columns and foundations. In this paper, the suggested steel column-foundation connection was introduced. Moreover, exploring the seismic dynamic behavior under cyclic loading protocols and the famous earthquake records with different materials such as steel and interconnection equipment by superelastic shape memory alloys have been investigated. Then, the results were compared to demonstrate that such connections are ideal against the seismic behavior and energy dissipation.

• Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
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• 2003.03a
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• pp.200-207
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• 2003

The seismic behaviors of steel moment connections are investigated based on the numerical analysis of the connections with US and Japanese typical details. The rupture index, representing the fracture potential, is used to evaluate the ductility of the connections at the critical location. The results show that the presence of a slab increases the beam strength, imposes constraint near the beam top flange, and consequently, induces concentrated deformation near the beam access hall, which reduces the ductility of the connection. The total deformation capacity of the connection depends not only on a beam but also on a column and panel zone.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.17 no.3 s.76
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• pp.325-335
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• 2005

This study tackles the development of an improved detail of partially restrained CFT square column-to-beam connection and the evaluation of its mechanical behavior under monotonic loading. The connection is designed to strengthen shearing capacity at the bottom of the connection due to the ultimate behavior of PR-CC by its detail of the bottom connection and simplify the fabrication process. The suggested connection is the welded bottom beam flange connection(M-2) and is compared with the existing PR-CC of bolted seat angle connection(M-1). Two specimens were fabricated in actual size and tested under monotonic loading. Based on the test results, the welded bottom beam flange connection exhibited about 85% of the stiffness of steel beam. It was similar to the bolted seat angle connection and behaved as PR-CC. The specimen of the supposed connection type failed at the shear connection of web but was similar to the bolted seat angle connection until the failure. It obtained sufficient stiffness and capacity through the reinforcingsteel and the capacity and deformational ability equivalent to the full-plastic moment through the anchor inside the steel tube at the web connection. So, it can be said that the suggested connection exhibits sufficient ductile behavior.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 1998.04b
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• pp.475-480
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• 1998

The composite framed structures, consisting of RC columns and steel beams more popular in korea because of their efficiency and quality. However the force transfer mechanisms between the column and beam may by very complicated since the materials of columns and beams are different. This study develops "the column penetration joint" which the web of steel beam doesn't penetrate and which could improve the strength, deformation, and energy dissipation capacities compared to existing composite joints. It is the concrete-filled square tube joint with the exterior diaphragms and the cruciform stiffening plates. This study evaluated the strength of RC column penetration to steel beam connection by analyzing the results of partial experiments, and reviewed the applicability the strength formula through the comparison of tested results of joint experiment.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.655-661
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• 2007

A new steel connection method using wedges known as Self-Locking Connector has been developed. In this study, experimental investigation was conducted to verify the seismic performance of steel beam-to-column joints with Self-Locking Connectors. Cyclic-loading tests were performed on two beam-to-column joints with Self-Locking Connectors. The two beam-to-column joint specimens were of the cantilever-type and had the same details. Test results showed that beam-to-column joints with Self-Locking Connectors were able to developa total rotation capacity of 0.06 radian, which is greater than the 0.04 radian required for Special Moment Frames. Moreover, their energy absorption capacity was much greater than that of conventional joints.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.355-363
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• 2010

The objective of this study is to examine the structural performance on the Rectangular Steel Tube Column-to-H Beam connections using one-side bolts and T-stub. Although a rectangular steel tube comparing with a H-shaped steel has many advantages and is more efficient, its application is limited due to the lack of experiences and connection details. Existing steel moment connections using the rectangular steel tube are mainly using through plate diaphragms. Its processing of construction is so complicated that it is hard to apply in the field. In this study, the structural performance and the earthquake capacity for T-stub connection with one-side bolts were investigated. And it is performed a comparative analysis of strength, rigidity, total rotation and energy absorption capacity for the various connection details.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.601-612
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• 2013

In the present study, details of the TSC beam-to-PSRC column connection for low and middle seismic zones were developed. For ease construction, the top and bottom flanges of the steel section of the TSC beam were discontinuous at the joint face on purpose, while the web passes through the joint. Thus, tensile resistance of the top and bottom flanges is not considered in the calculation of nominal strength of the connection. Cyclic loading tests on two interior connections and an exterior connection were performed to verify the seismic performance. The test parameter for two interior connections was the depth of the TSC beams: 600 and 700 mm including the slab depth. The test results showed that the nominal strength of the connections predicted by KBC 2009 correlated well with the test results. The connection specimens exhibited relatively good deformation and energy dissipation capacities, greater than the requirements for the ordinary and intermediate moment frames. Ultimately, the connection specimens were failed at the story drift ratios of 3.0 to 4.0 % due to local buckling and tensile fracture of the web of the TSC beam passing through the joint. By modifying the existing provisions of ASCE, the joint shear strength of the TSC beam-PSRC column connection was evaluated.