• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.201-213
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• 2021

Currently, there is a lack of research in the design approach to avoid column wall failure in the concrete filled double skin steel tubular (CFDST) column-beam connections. In this paper, a finite element model has been developed and verified by available experimental data to analyze the failure mechanism of CFDST column-beam connections. Various finite element models with different column hollow ratios (χ) were established. The simulation result revealed that with increasing χ the failure mode gradually changed from yielding of end plate, to local failure of the column wall. Detailed parametric analyses were performed to study the failure mechanism of column wall for the CFDST column-beam connection, in which the strength of sandwiched concrete and steel tube and thickness of steel tube were incorporated. An analytical model was proposed to predict the moment resistance of the assembled connection considering the failure of column wall. The simulation results indicate that the proposed analytical model can provided a conservative prediction of the moment resistance. Finally, an upper bound value of χ was recommend to avoid column wall failure for CFDST column-beam connections.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.251-262
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• 2023

There are many examples of steel structures subjected to severe environmental conditions with bolted connections directly exposed to extreme climatic agents such as freeze-thaw cycles or low temperatures. Some examples are: steel bridges, mining transfer towers, wind towers... These service conditions neither are included in Eurocode 3 or EN1090-2, nor there are references in other international standards. In this experimental research, 46 specimens of non-slip joints with HV M20 bolts and four different types of contact surfaces have been studied. Half of the specimens were subjected to fourteen twelve-hours freeze-thaw cycles, with periodic immersion in water and temperature oscillation. Subsequently, half of the connections were subjected to a slip test under monotonic load at temperature of -20 ± 0.5 ℃ and the other half at room temperature. The results were compared with others equal joints not subjected to freeze-thaw cycles and kept at room temperature for the same time. This finally resulted in 4 sets of joints by combining the freeze-thaw degradation or not with the low-temperature conditions or not in the slip testing. Therefore, a total of 16 different conditions were studied by also considering 4 different contact surfaces between the joined plates in each set. The results obtained show influence of environmental conditions on the slip resistant capacity of these joints.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.101-118
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• 2022

The seismic performance of the reinforced concrete (RC) special-shaped column to steel beam connections with steel jacket used in the RC column to steel beam fabricated frame structures was investigated in this study. The three full-scale specimens were subjected to cyclic loading. The failure mode, ultimate bearing capacity, shear strength capacity, stiffness degradation, energy dissipation capacity, and strain distribution of the specimens were studied by varying the steel jacket thickness parameters. Test results indicate that the RC special-shaped column to steel beam connection with steel jacket is reliable and has excellent seismic performance. The hysteresis curve is full and has excellent energy dissipation capacity. The thickness of the steel jacket is an important parameter affecting the seismic performance of the proposed connections, and the shear strength capacity, ductility, and initial stiffness of the specimens improve with the increase in the thickness of the steel jacket. The calculation formula for the shear strength capacity of RC special-shaped column to steel beam connections with steel jacket is proposed on the basis of the experimental results and numerical simulation analysis. The theoretical values of the formula are in good agreement with the experimental values.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.87-103
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• 2007

This paper presents some of the results from an experimental research project on the behavior of extended end-plate connections subjected to moment conducted at the Structural Laboratory of Jordan University of Science and Technology. Since the connection behavior affects the structural frame response, it must be included in the global analysis and design. In this study, the behavior of six full-scale stiffened and unstiffened cantilever connections of HEA- and IPE-sections has been investigated. Eight high strength bolts were used to connect the extended end-plate to the column flange in each case. Strain gauges were installed inside each of the top six bolts in order to obtain experimentally the actual tension force induced within each bolt. Then the connection behavior is characterized by the tension force in the bolt, extended end-plate behavior, moment-rotation relation, and beam and column strains. Some or all of these characteristics are used by many Standards; therefore, it is essential to predict the global behavior of column-beam connections by their geometrical and mechanical properties. The experimental test results are compared with two theoretical (equal distribution and linear distribution) approaches in order to assess the capabilities and accuracy of the theoretical models. A simple model of the joint is established and the essential parameters to predict its strength and deformational behavior are determined. The equal distribution method reasonably determined the tension forces in the upper two bolts while the linear distribution method underestimated them. The deformation behavior of the tested connections was characterized by separation of the column-flange from the extended end-plate almost down to the level of the upper two bolts of the lower group and below this level the two parts remained in full contact. The neutral axis of the deformed joint is reasonably assumed to pass very close to the line joining the upper two bolts of the lower group. Smooth monotonic moment-rotation relations for the all tested frames were observed.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.319-327
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• 2019

This paper describes an experimental study of steel beam-column connections with or without expanded beam flanges with different geometries. The objectives of this study are to elucidate the cyclic behavior of these connections, identify the location of the plastic hinge zone, and provide useful test data for future numerical simulations. Five connection specimens are designed and tested under cyclic load. The test setup consists of a beam and a column connected together by a connection with or without expanded beam flanges. A constant axial force is applied to the column and a time varying point load is applied to the free end of the beam, inducing shear and moment in the connection. Because the only effect to be studied in the present work is the expanded beam flange, the sizes of the beam and column as well as the magnitude of the axial force in the column are kept constant. However, the length, width and shape of the expanded beam flanges are varied. The responses of these connections in terms of their hysteretic behavior, failure modes, stiffness degradation and strain variations are experimentally obtained and discussed. The test results show that while the influence of the expanded beam flanges on hysteretic behavior, stiffness degradation and energy dissipation capacity of the connection is relatively minor, the size of the expanded beam flanges does affect the location of the plastic hinge zone and strain variations in these beam-column joints. Furthermore, in terms of ductility, moment and rotational capacities, all five connections behave well. No weld fracture or premature failure occurs before the formation of a plastic hinge in the beam.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.327-340
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• 2022

A vast amount of experimental and analytical research has been conducted related to the seismic behavior and performance of concrete filled steel tubular (CFT) columns. This research has resulted in a wealth of information on the component behavior. However, analytical and experimental data for structural systems with CFT columns is limited, and the well-known behavior of steel or concrete structures is assumed valid for designing these systems. This paper presents the development of an analytical model for nonlinear analysis of composite moment resisting frame (CFT-MRF) systems with CFT columns and steel wide-flange (WF) beams under seismic loading. The model integrates component models for steel WF beams, CFT columns, connections between CFT columns and WF beams, and CFT panel zones. These component models account for nonlinear behavior due to steel yielding and local buckling in the beams and columns, concrete cracking and crushing in the columns, and yielding of panel zones and connections. Component tests were used to validate the component models. The model for a CFT-MRF considers second order geometric effects from the gravity load bearing system using a lean-on column. The experimental results from the testing of a four-story CFT-MRF test structure are used as a benchmark to validate the modeling procedure. An analytical model of the test structure was created using the modeling procedure and imposed-displacement analyses were used to reproduce the tests with the analytical model of the test structure. Good agreement was found at the global and local level. The model reproduced reasonably well the story shear-story drift response as well as the column, beam and connection moment-rotation response, but overpredicted the inelastic deformation of the panel zone.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.427-446
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• 2020

This paper carries out the progressive collapse analysis of stainless steel composite beam-to-column joint sub-models and moment-resisting frames under column removal scenarios. The static flexural response of composite joint sub-models with damaged columns was initially explored via finite element methods, which was validated by independent experimental results and discussed in terms of moment-rotation relationships, plastic hinge behaviour and catenary actions. Simplified finite element methods were then proposed and applied to the frame analysis which aimed to elaborate the progressive collapse response at the frame level. Nonlinear static and dynamic analysis were employed to evaluate the dynamic increase factor (DIF) for stainless steel composite frames. The results suggest that the catenary action effect plays an important role in preventing the damaged structure from dramatic collapse. The beam-to-column joints could be critical components that influence the capacity of composite frames and dominate the determination of dynamic increase factor. The current design guidance is non-conservative to provide proper DIF for stainless steel composite frames, and thus new DIF curves are expected to be proposed.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.255-274
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• 2009

This paper presents an experimental study of a newly developed composite floor system, built up from thin-walled C-profiles and upper concrete deck. Trapezoidal sheeting provides the formwork and the fastening of the sheet transmits the shear forces between the C-profiles and the deck. The modified formation of the standard self-drilling screw in the beam-to-sheet connection is applied as shear connector. Push-out tests are completed to study the composite behaviour of the different connection arrangements. On the basis of the test results the behaviour is characterized by the observed failure modes. The design values of the connection stiffness and strength are calculated by the recommendation of Eurocode 4. In the next phase of the experimental study six full-scale composite beams are tested. The global geometry is based on the proposed geometry of the developed floor system. The applied shear connections are selected as the most efficient arrangements obtained from the push-out tests. The experimental behaviour of the composite beams are discussed and evaluated. As a conclusion of the experimental study the Eurocode 4 plastic design method is validated for the developed composite floor.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2006.05a
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• pp.86-89
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• 2006

The flexural performance of FRP-concrete composite deck in the connection between decks is evaluated. FRP-concrete composite deck, an innovative system is composed of concrete in the top and FRP panel in the bottom. The experiments are carried out on specimens with different details, such as FRP module and reinforcement of FRP re-bars. As a result, we verify that the transverse connections between our FRP-concrete composite decks with presented details secure enough safety and serviceability.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.459-480
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• 2001

The damage suffered by steel structures during the Northridge (1994) and Kobe (1995) earthquakes indicates that the fully restrained (FR) connections in steel frames did not behave as expected. Consequently, researchers began studying other possibilities, including making the connections more flexible, to reduce the risk of damage from seismic loading. Recent experimental and analytical investigations pointed out that the seismic response of steel frames with partially restrained (PR) connections might be superior to that of similar frames with FR connections since the energy dissipation at PR connections could be significant. This beneficial effect has not yet been fully quantified analytically. Thus, the dissipation of energy at PR connections needs to be considered in analytical evaluations, in addition to the dissipation of energy due to viscous damping and at plastic hinges (if they form). An algorithm is developed and verified by the authors to estimate the nonlinear time-domain dynamic response of steel frames with PR connections. The verified algorithm is then used to quantify the major sources of energy dissipation and their effect on the overall structural response in terms of the maximum base shear and the maximum top displacement. The results indicate that the dissipation of energy at PR connections is comparable to that dissipated by viscous damping and at plastic hinges. In general, the maximum total base shear significantly increases with an increase in the connection stiffness. On the other hand, the maximum top lateral displacement $U_{max}$ does not always increase as the connection stiffness decreases. Energy dissipation is considerably influenced by the stiffness of a connection, defined in terms of the T ratio, i.e., the ratio of the moment the connection would have to carry according to beam line theory (Disque 1964) and the fixed end moment of the girder. A connection with a T ratio of at least 0.9 is considered to be fully restrained. The energy dissipation behavior may be quite different for a frame with FR connections with a T ratio of 1.0 compared to when the T ratio is 0.9. Thus, for nonlinear seismic analysis, a T ratio of at least 0.9 should not be considered to be an FR connection. The study quantitatively confirms the general observations made in experimental results for frames with PR connections. Proper consideration of the PR connection stiffness and other dynamic properties are essential to predict dynamic behavior, no matter how difficult the analysis procedure becomes. Any simplified approach may need to be calibrated using this type of detailed analytical study.