• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.1251-1264
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• 2016

After observing relatively poor performance of bolted web-welded flange beam-to-column connections during 1994 Northridge earthquake, various types of connections based on two concepts of: (i) strengthening the connection; and (ii) weakening the beam ends were proposed. Among these modified or newly proposed connections, bolted T-stub connection follows the concept of strengthening. One of the connections with the idea of weakening the beam ends is reduced beam section (RBS). In this paper, finite element simulation is used to study the cyclic behavior of a new proposed connection developed by using a combination of both mentioned concepts. Investigated connections are exterior beam-to-column connections designed to comply with AISC provisions. The results show that moment capacity and dissipated energy of the new proposed connection is almost the same as those computed for a T-stub connection and higher than corresponding values for an RBS connection.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.33-53
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• 2006

The rotational behaviour of bolted extended end plate beam-to-column connections is evaluated in the context of the component method. The full moment-rotation response is characterized from the force-deformation curve of the individual joint components. The deformability of end plate connections is mostly governed by the bending of the column flange and/or end plate and tension elongation of the bolts. These components form the tension zone of the joint that can be modelled by means of "equivalent T-stubs". A systematic analytical procedure for characterization of the monotonic force-deformation behaviour of individual T-stub connections is proposed. In the framework of the component method, the T-stub is then inserted in the joint spring model to generate the moment-rotation response of the joint. The procedures are validated with the results from an experimental investigation of eight statically loaded extended end plate bolted moment connections carried out at the Delft University of Technology. Because ductility is such an important property in terms of joint performance, particularly in the partial strength joint scenario, special attention is given to this issue.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.101-113
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• 2013

This paper intends to develop mechanical analysis models that are able to predict complete nonlinear behavior in the bolted connector subjected to cyclic loads. In addition, experimental data which were obtained from loading tests performed on the T-stub connections are utilized to validate the accuracy of analytical prediction and the adequacy of numerical modeling. The behavior of connection components including tension bolt uplift, bending of the T-stub flange, stem elongation, relative slip deformation, and bolt bearing are simulated by the multi-linear stiffness models obtained from the observation of their individual force-deformation mechanisms in the connection. The component springs, which involve the stiffness properties, are implemented into the simplified joint element in order to numerically generate the behavior of full-scale connections with considerable accuracy. The analytical model predictions are evaluated against the experimental tests in terms of stiffness, strength, and deformation. Finally, it can be concluded that the mechanical models proposed in this study have the satisfactory potential to estimate stiffness response and strength capacity at failure.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.267-293
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• 2016

It is well known that, in order to accurately predict the behaviour of steel structures a requirement the definition of the mechanical behaviour of beam-to column joints is of primary importance. This goal can be achieved by means of the so-called component method, which, in order to obtain the whole behaviour of connections, provides to break up joints in basic components of deformability and resistance. One of the main joint components used to model bolted connections is the so-called equivalent T-stub in tension, which is normally used to predict the behaviour of bolted plates in bending starting from the behaviour of the single bolt rows. In past decades, significant research efforts have been devoted to the prediction of the behaviour of bolted T-stubs but, to date, no particular attention has been devoted to the characterization of their plastic deformation capacity. To this scope, the work presented in this paper, taking into account the existing technical literature, proposes a new theoretical model for predicting the whole behaviour up to failure of bolted T-stubs under monotonic loading conditions, including some complexities, such as the bolt/plate compatibility requirement and the bolt fracture, which are necessary to accurately evaluate the ultimate displacement. After presenting the advances of the proposed approach, a comparison between theoretical and experimental results is provided in order to verify its accuracy.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.605-619
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• 2022

The tensile behavior of the Thread-fixed One-side Bolt (TOB) at high temperatures was studied using the Finite Element Modeling (FEM) to explore the structural responses that could not be measured in tests. The accuracy of the FEM was verified using the test results from the failure mode, load-displacement curve as well as yielding load. Three typical failure modes of TOB connected T-stubs were observed, which were the Flange Yielding (FY), the Bolt Failure (BF) and the Coupling Failure mode (CF). The influence of the flange thickness tb and the temperature θ on the tensile behavior of the T-stub were discussed. The initial stiffness and the yielding load decreased with the increase of the temperature. The T-stubs almost lost their resistance when the temperature exceeded 700℃. The failure modes of T-stubs were mainly decided by the flange thickness, which relates to the anchorage of the hole threads and the bending resistance of flange. The failure mode could also be changed by the high temperature. Design equations in EN 1993-1-8 were modified and verified by the FEM results. The results showed that these equations could predict the failure mode and the yielding load at different temperatures with satisfactory accuracy.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.53-64
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• 2016

The double split tee connection, a type of beam-to-column moment connection, exhibits different behavioral characteristics according to changes in the thickness of the T-stub flange, the gauge distance of the high-strength bolt, and the number and diameter of high-strength bolts. In general, the double split tee connection is idealized and designed so that a T-stub fastened to the top and bottom supports a flexural moment, and a shear tab supports a shear force. However, if the double split tee connection is applied to low-and medium-rise steel structures, the size of the beam member becomes small, and thus the shear tab cannot be bolted to the web of a beam. In this regard, this study was conducted to propose connection details to ensure that the double split tee connection with a geometric shape can display sufficient shear resisting capacity. To this end, experiments were conducted using full-scale specimens for the double split tee connection.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.463-478
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• 2006

The design of structural frameworks for buildings is constantly evolving and is dependent on regional issues such as loading and constructability. One of the most promising recent developments for low to medium rise construction in terms of efficiency of construction, robustness and aesthetic appearance utilises concrete-filled steel tubular sections as the columns in a moment-resisting frame. These are coupled to rigid or semi-rigid connections to composite steel-concrete beams. This paper includes the results of a pilot experimental programme leading towards the development of economical, reliable connections that are easily constructed for this type of frame. The connections must provide the requisite strength, stiffness and ductility to suit gravity loading conditions as well as gravity combined with the governing lateral wind or earthquake loading. The aim is to develop connections that are stiffer, less expensive and easier to construct than those in current use. A proposed fabricated T-stub connection is to be used to connect the beam flanges and the column. These T-stubs are connected to the column using "blind bolts" with extensions, allowing installation from the outside of the tube. In general, the use of the extensions results in a dramatic increase in the strength and stiffness of the T-stub to column connection in tension, since the load is shared between membrane action in the tube wall and the anchorage of the bolts through the extensions into the concrete.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.501-512
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• 2016

High-strength structural bolts have been utilized for beam-to-column connections in steel-framed structural buildings. Failure of these components may be caused by the bolt shank fracture or threads stripping-off, documented in the literature. Furthermore, these structural bolts are galvanized for corrosion resistance or quenched-and-tempered in the manufacturing process. This paper adopted the finite element simulation to demonstrate discrete mechanical performance for these bolts under tensile loading conditions, the coated and uncoated numerical model has been built up for two numerical integration methods: explicit and implicit. Experimental testing and numerical methods can fully approach the failure mechanism of these bolts and their ultimate load capacities. Comparison has also been conducted for two numerical integration methods, demonstrating that the explicit integration procedure is also suitable for solving quasi-static problems. Furthermore, by using precise bolt models in T-Stub, more accurately simulate the mechanical behavior of T-Stub, which will lay the foundation of the mechanical properties of steel bolted joints.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.115-130
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• 2017

A new type of moment-resisting bolted connection was developed for use in composite steel- concrete construction to connect composite open section steel beams to concrete filled steel square tubular columns. The connection was made possible using anchored blind bolts along with two through bolts. It was designed to act compositely with the in-situ reinforced concrete slab to achieve an enhanced stiffness and strength. The developed connection was incorporated in the design of a medium rise (five storey) commercial building which was located in low to medium seismicity regions. The lateral load resisting system for the design building consisted of moment resisting frames in two directions. A major full scale test on a sub-assembly of a perimeter moment-resisting frame of the model building was conducted to study the system behaviour incorporating the proposed connection. The behaviour of the proposed connection and its interaction with the floor slab under cyclic loading representing the earthquake events with return periods of 500 years and 2500 years was investigated. The proposed connection was categorized as semi rigid for unbraced frames based on the classification method presented in Eurocode 3. Furthermore, the proposed connection, composite with the floor slab, successfully provided adequate lateral load resistance for the model building.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.637-656
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• 2021

The component-based method is widely used to analyze the initial stiffness of joint in steel structures. In this study, an analytical component model for determining the column face stiffness of square or rectangular hollow section (SHS/RHS) subjected to tension was established, focusing on endplate connections. Equations for calculating the stiffness of the SHS/RHS column face in bending were derived through regression analysis using numerical results obtained from a finite element model database. Because the presence of bolt holes decreased the bending stiffness of the column face, this effect was calculated using a novel plate-spring-based model through numerical analysis. The developed component model was first applied to predict the bending stiffness of the SHS column face determined through tests. Furthermore, this model was incorporated into the component-based method with other effective components, e.g., bolts under tension, to determine the tensile stiffness of the T-stub connections, which connects the SHS column, and the initial rotational stiffness of the joints. A comparison between the model predictions, test data, and numerical results confirms that the proposed model shows satisfactory accuracy in evaluating the bending stiffness of SHS column faces.