• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.92 no.2
• /
• pp.133-147
• /
• 2024

Composite beams of steel and concrete strengthened with fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP) may exhibit considerably enhanced flexural behaviour, but the combination of three materials with different characteristics and the various possible failure mechanisms that may govern performance make their analysis quite demanding. Previous studies provided significant insights into this problem and several methods were proposed for calculating flexural stiffness and strength, but these studies are restricted to the single member level of a simply supported composite beam section. However, the problem considerably changes when the beam is part of a frame system due to the degree of continuity provided by the surrounding structure, which represents the most common situation in practice. This paper explores the behaviour of semi-continuous FRP-strengthened composite beams, by considering the response characteristics of their end connections and their effects on overall performance. A novel analytical model is derived, which enables a step-by-step representation of the nonlinear relationship between an incremental mid-span design bending moment and corresponding connection rotations. After verification against finite element analyses, a parametric study is conducted which shows that the substantially increased bending moment resistance of FRP-strengthened composite beams can hardly be fully utilized due to a deficiency of corresponding large deformation capacity available in the connections. The extent to which the presence FRP strengthening can be exploited to enhance the beam flexural response depends on the interplay between various structural parameters, including the connection rotation capacity, the beam span, and the FRP modulus of elasticity and ultimate strength.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.789-809
• /
• 2015

This paper presents experimental and numerical studies into the structural behavior of a high performance corbel type composite connection adopted in Raffles City of Hangzhou, China. Physical tests under both monotonic and quasi-static cyclic loads were conducted to investigate the load carrying capacities and deformation characteristics of this new type of composite connection. A variety of structural responses are examined in detail, including load-deformation characteristics, the development of sectional direct and shear strains, and the history of cumulative plastic deformation and energy. A three-dimensional finite element model built up with solid elements was also proposed for the verification against test results. The studies demonstrate the high rigidity, strength and rotation capacities of the corbel type composite connections, and give detailed structural understanding for engineering design and practice. Structural engineers are encouraged to adopt the proposed corbel type composite connections in mega high-rise buildings to achieve an economical and buildable and architectural friendly engineering solution.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.55 no.2
• /
• pp.299-313
• /
• 2015

In this paper, an optimization process using Genetic Algorithm (GA) that mimics biological processes is presented for optimum design of planar frames with semi-rigid connections by selecting suitable standard sections from a specified list taken from American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC). The stress constraints as indicated in AISC-LRFD (American Institute of Steel Construction - Load and Resistance Factor Design), maximum lateral displacement constraints and geometric constraints are considered for optimum design. Two different planar frames with semi-rigid connections taken from the literature are carried out first without considering concrete slab effects in finite element analyses and the results are compared with the ones available in literature. The same optimization procedures are then repeated for full and semi rigid planar frames with composite (steel and concrete) beams. A program is developed in MATLAB for all optimization procedures. Results obtained from this study proved that consideration of the contribution of the concrete on the behavior of the floor beams provides lighter planar frames.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.37-57
• /
• 2019

This paper presents experimental and analytical studies to evaluate the cyclic behaviour of Circular Reinforced Concrete column Steel beam (CRCS) connections. Two 3/4-scale CRCS specimens are tested under quasi-static reversed cyclic loading. Specimens were strengthened with a tube plate (TP) and a steel doubler plate (SDP). Furthermore; nine interior beam-through type RCS connections are simulated using nonlinear three-dimensional finite element method using ABAQUS software and are verified with experimental results. The results revealed that using the TP improves the performance of the panel zone by providing better confinement to the concrete. Utilizing the TP at the panel zone may absorb and distribute stress in this region. Results demonstrate that TP can be used instead of SDP. Test records indicate that specimens with TP, with and without SDP maintained their maximum strength up to 4% drift angle, satisfying the recommendation given by AISC341-2016 for composite special moment-resisting frames.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.47 no.5
• /
• pp.587-599
• /
• 2023

The establishment of a hysteretic model which can accurately predict the hysteretic characteristics of the stud connection is of utmost importance for the seismic assessment of composite structures. In this paper, the Bouc-Wen-Baber-Noori(BWBN) model was adopted to describe the typical hysteretic characteristics of stud connections. Meanwhile, the Newton-Raphson iterative procedure and the Backward Euler method were used to determine the restoring force, and the Genetic Algorithm was employed to identify the parameters of the BWBN model based on the experimental data consisting of eight specimens. The accuracy of the identified parameters was demonstrated by comparison with the experimental data. Finally, prediction equations for the BWBN model parameters were developed in terms of the physical parameters of stud connections, which provides an approach to get the hysteretic response of stud connections conveniently.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
• /
• v.19 no.5
• /
• pp.503-513
• /
• 2007

The seismic responses of a building are affected by the connection characteristics that have effects on structural stiffness. In this study, push-over analysis and time history analysis were performed to estimate structural behavior of 2D eight-story unbraced steel structures with partially restrained composite connections using a nonlinear dynamic analysis program. Nonlinear $M-{\theta}$characteristics of connection and material inelastic characteristics of composite beam and steel column were considered. The idealization of composite semi-rigid connection as fully rigid connection yielded an increase in initial stiffness and ultimate strength in the push-over analysis. In time history analysis, the stiffness and hysteretic behavior of connections have effects on base-shear force, maximum story-drift and maximum moment in beams and columns. For seismic waves with PGA of 0.4 g, the structure with the semi-rigid composite connections shows the maximum story-drift with less than the life safety criteria by FEMA 273 and no inelastic behavior of beam and column, whereas in the structure with rigid connections, beams and columns have experienced inelastic behaviors.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.47-64
• /
• 2003

In a nonlinear finite element study on the mechanical behavior of simple beam connections to continuous concrete-filled steel tube columns, two principally different connection types were analyzed: one with plates attached to the outside of the tube wall, relying on shear transfer, and one with an extended plate inserted through the steel section to ensure bearing on the concrete core. The load was applied partly at the connection within the column length and partly at the top, representing the load from upper stories of a multistory building. The primary focus was on the increased demand for load transfer to ensure composite action when concrete with higher compressive strength is used. The results obtained from the analyses showed that the design bond strength derived from push tests is very conservative, mainly due to the high frictional shear resistance offered by pinching and contraction effects caused by connection rotation. However, with higher concrete strength the demand for load transfer increases, and is hard to fulfill for higher loads when connections are attached only to the steel section. Instead, the connection should penetrate into the concrete core to distribute load to the concrete by direct bearing.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.1-22
• /
• 2018

Multi-storey precast concrete skeletal structures are assembled from individual prefabricated components which are erected on-site using various types of connections. In the current design of these structures, beam-to-column connections are assumed to be pin jointed. Welded plate beam to-column connections have been used in the precast concrete industry for many years. They have many advantages over other jointing methods in component production, quality control, transportation and assembly. However, there is at present limited information concerning their detailed structural behaviour under bending and shear loadings. The experimental work has involved the determination of moment-rotation relationships for semi-rigid precast concrete connections in full scale connection tests. The study reported in this paper was undertaken to clarify the behaviour of such connections under symmetrical vertical loadings. A series of full-scale tests was performed on sample column for which the column geometry and weld arrangements conformed with successful commercial practice. Proprietary hollow core slabs were tied to the beams by tensile reinforcing bars, which also provide the in-plane continuity across the connections. The strength of the connections in the double sided tests was at least 0.84 times the predicted moment of resistance of the composite beam and slab. The secant stiffness of the connections ranged from 0.7 to 3.9 times the flexural stiffness of the attached beam. When the connections were tested without the floor slabs and tie steel, the reduced strength and stiffness were approximately a third and half respectively. This remarkable contribution of the floor strength and stiffness to the flexural capacity of the joint is currently neglected in the design process for precast concrete frames. In general, the double sided connections were found to be more suited to a semi-rigid design approach than the single sided ones. The behaviour of double sided welded plate connection test results are presented in this paper. The behaviour of single sided welded plate connection test results is the subject of another paper.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.213-230
• /
• 2001

This paper presents a simplified approach for the design of semi-continuous composite beams in braced frames, where specific attention is given to the effect of joint rotational stiffness. A simple composite beam model is proposed incorporating the effects of semi-rigid end connections and the nonprismatic properties of a 'cracked' steel-concrete beam. This beam model is extended to a sub-frame in which the restraining effects from the adjoining members are considered. Parametric studies are performed on several sub-frame models and the results are used to show that it is possible to correlate the amount of moment redistribution of semi-continuous beam within the sub-frame using an equivalent stiffness of the connection. Deflection equations are derived for semi-continuous composite beams subjected to various loading and parametric studies on beam vibrations are conducted. The proposed method may be applied using a simple computer or spreadsheet program.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.38 no.5
• /
• pp.497-521
• /
• 2021

In this study, an effective numerical method is introduced for nonlinear inelastic analyses of rectangular concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) frames for the first time. A steel-concrete composite fiber beam-column element model is developed that considers material, and geometric nonlinearities, and residual stresses. This is achieved by using stability functions combined with integration points along the element length to capture the spread of plasticity over the composite cross-section along the element length. Additionally, a multi-spring element with a zero-length is employed to model the nonlinear semi-rigid beam-to-column connections in CFST frame models. To solve the nonlinear equilibrium equations, the generalized displacement control algorithm is adopted. The accuracy of the proposed method is firstly verified by a large number of experiments of CFST members subjected to various loading conditions. Subsequently, the proposed method is applied to investigate the nonlinear inelastic behavior of rectangular CFST frames with fully rigid, semi-rigid, and hinged connections. The accuracy of the predicted results and the efficiency pertaining to the computation time of the proposed method are demonstrated in comparison with the ABAQUS software. The proposed numerical method may be efficiently utilized in practical designs for advanced analysis of the rectangular CFST structures.