• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.45-61
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• 2016

The domestic and foreign scholars conducted many studies on mechanical properties of wave web steel beam and high-strength spiral stirrups confined concrete columns. Based on the previous research work, studies were conducted on the anti-seismic property of the end plate bolt connected wave web steel beam and high-strength spiral stirrups confined concrete column nodes applied with pre-tightening force. Four full-size node test models in two groups were designed for low-cycle repeated loading quasi-static test. Through observation of the stress, distortion, failure process and failure mode of node models, analysis was made on its load-carrying capacity, deformation performance and energy dissipation capacity, and the reliability of the new node was verified. The results showed that: under action of the beam-end stiffener, the plastic hinges on the end of wave web steel beam are displaced outward and played its role of energy dissipation capacity. The study results provided reliable theoretical basis for the engineering application of the new types of nodes.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.547-559
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• 2020

Buckling restrained braces (BRBs) were developed as an enhanced alternative to conventional braces by restraining their global buckling, thus allowing development of a stable quasi-symmetric hysteretic response. A wider adoption of buckling restrained braced frames is precluded due to proprietary character of most BRBs and the code requirement for experimental qualification. To overcome these problems, BRBs with capacities corresponding to typical steel multi-storey buildings in Romania were developed and experimentally tested in view of prequalification. The first part of this paper presents the results of the experimental program which included sub-assemblage tests on ten full-scale BRBs and uniaxial tests on components materials (steel and concrete). Two different solutions of the core were investigated: milled from a plate and fabricated from a square steel profile. The strength of the buckling restraining mechanism was also investigated. The influence of gravity loading on the unsymmetrical deformations in the two plastic segments of the core was assessed, and the response of the bolted connections was evaluated. The cyclic response of BRBs was evaluated with respect to a set of performance parameters, and recommendations for design were given.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.1145-1165
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• 2015

A behavior model for screw connections is developed to provide a better representation of the nonlinear response of thin steel plate shear walls (TSPSWs) with infill plates attached to the boundary frame members via self-drilling screws. This analytical representation is based on the load-bearing deformation relationship between the infill plate and the screw threads. The model can be easily implemented in strip models of TSPSWs where the tension field action of the infill plates is represented by a series of parallel discrete tension-only strips. Previously reported experimental results from tests of two different TSPSWs are used to provide experimental validation of the modeling approach. The beam-to-column connection behavior was also included in the analyses using a four parameter rotational spring model that was calibrated to a test of an identical frame as used for the TSPSW specimens but without the infill plates. The complete TSPSW models consisting of strips representing the infill plates, zero length elements representing the load-bearing deformation response of the screw connection at each end of the strips and the four parameter spring model at each beam-to-column connection are shown to have good agreement with the experimental results. The resulting models should enable design and analysis of TSPSWs for both new construction and retrofit of existing buildings.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.1581-1598
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• 2015

A concentric braced steel frame is a very efficient structural system because it requires relatively smaller amount of materials to resist lateral forces. However, primarily developed as a structural system to resist wind loads based on an assumption that the structure behaves elastically, a concentric braced frame possibly experiences the deterioration in energy dissipation after brace buckling and the brittle failure of braces and connections when earthquake loads cause inelastic behavior. Consequently, plastic deformation is concentrated in the floor where brace buckling occurs first, which can lead to the rupture of the structure. This study suggests reinforcing H-shaped braces with non-welded cold-formed stiffeners to restrain flexure and buckling and resist tensile force and compressive force equally. Weak-axis reinforcing members (2 pieces) developed from those suggested in previous studies (4 pieces) were used to reinforce the H-shaped braces in an inverted V-type braced frame. Monotonic loading tests, finite element analysis and cyclic loading tests were carried out to evaluate the structural performance of the reinforced braces and frames. The reinforced braces satisfied the AISC requirement. The reinforcement suggested in this study is expected to prevent the rupture of beams caused by the unbalanced resistance of the braces.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.425-439
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• 2017

As a thin-walled structure, local joint flexibility (LJF) in a tubular structure is prominent, and it may produce significant effect on the static performance for the overall structure. This study presents a simplified analytical model to analyze the static behavior for a steel tubular structure with LJF. The presented model simplifies a tubular structure into a frame model consisted of beam elements with considering the LJFs at the connections between any two elements. Theoretical equations of the simplified analytical model are deduced. Through comparison with 3-D finite element results of two typical planar tubular structures consisted of T- and Y-joints respectively, the presented method is proved to be accurate. Furthermore, the effect of LJF on the overall performance of the two tubular structures (including the deflection and the internal forces) is also investigated, and it is found from analyses of internal forces and deformation that a rigid connection assumption in a frame model by using beam elements in finite element analysis can provide unsafe and inaccurate estimation.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.367-386
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• 2006

This paper describes the results of a numerical investigation of the large deflection behaviour of steel beams under fire conditions, taking into consideration the effect of catenary action provided by the surrounding structures. The main focus is on the development, validation and application of a simplified calculation method that may be adopted in design calculations. Because no experimental result is available for validation of the simplified calculation method, the finite element program ABAQUS has been used to simulate the large deflection behaviour of a number of steel beams so as to provide alternative results for validation of the proposed method. Utilising catenary action has the potential of eliminating fire protection to all steel beams without causing structural failure in fire. However, practical application of catenary action will be restricted by concerns over large beam deflection causing integrity failure of the fire resistant compartment and additional cost of strengthening the connections and the surrounding structures to resist the catenary forces in the steel beams. This paper will provide a discussion on practical implications of utilising catenary action in steel beams as a means of eliminating fire protection. A number of examples will then be provided to illustrate the type of steel framed structure that could benefit the most from exploiting catenary action in fire resistant design.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.303-317
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• 2006

The connection with combined cross diaphragm is developed for the connection of square CFT column and steel beam and proposed to be used for the frame with asymmetric span length. The structural characteristics of this connection lie in the penetration of the beam flange in the direction of major axis through the column for the smooth flow of stress. The purpose of this study is to analyze the dynamic behavior and stress flow of suggested connection and to evaluate the resistance to shock of connection. Four T-type CFT column-to-beam specimens; two with combined cross diaphragm and the others with interior and through diaphragms, the existing connection types, were made for cyclic load test guided by the load program of ANSI/AISC SSPEC 2002. The results show that the proposed connection is more efficient than existing ones in terms of strength, stress flow and energy absorption and satisfies the seismic performance required in the region of weak/moderate earthquakes.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.357-378
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• 2016

The progressive collapse phenomenon in structures has been interested by civil engineers and the building standards organizations. This is particularly true for the tall and special buildings ever since local collapse of the Ronan Point tower in UK in 1968. When initial or secondary defects of main load carrying elements, overloads or unpredicted loads occur in the structure, a local collapse may be arise that could be distributed through entire structure and cause global collapse. One is not able to prevent the reason of failure as well as the prevention of propagation of the collapse. Also, one is not able to predict the start point of collapse. Therefore we should generalize design guides to whole or the part of structure based on the risk analysis and use of load carrying elements removal scenario. There are some new guides and criteria for elements and connections to be designed to resist progressive collapse. In this paper, codes and recommendations by various researchers are presented, classified and compared for steel structures. Two current design methods are described in this paper and some retrofitting methods are summarized. Finally a steel building with special moment resistant frame is analyzed as a case study based on two standards guidelines. This includes consideration of codes recommendations. It is shown that progressive collapse potential of the building depends on the removal scenario selection and type of analysis. Different results are obtained based on two guidelines.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.303-320
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• 2007

The objective of this study is to clarify the structural features of members consisting of connection, as a series of the previous study on the CFT column-to-beam tensile connection with combined cross diaphragm. This connection has the merits that the stress is distributed evenly on the beam flange and the diaphragm and the stress concentration is reduced, by improving the stress transfer route and restraining abrupt deformation of diaphragm. The finite element analysis was performed to find out the stress transfer through sleeve which is an important member of the connection with combined cross diaphragm. The length and thickness of sleeve were used as variables for the analysis. As the analysis results, the length and thickness of sleeve didn't influence on the capacity of the connection and played a role of a medium to transfer the stress from the diaphragm to the filled concrete. It is proposed that the appropriate length of sleeve be the same value as the diameter of sleeve and the appropriate ratio of sleeve diameter to sleeve thickness be 20. Two equations for evaluation of the load-carrying capacity of the connection were also proposed through the modification of the evaluation equation suggested in the previous study.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.727-734
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• 2017

This paper describes a quasi-static finite element analysis, which uses the explicit integration method, of the apex joint of a cold-formed steel portal frame. Such cold-formed steel joints are semi-rigid as a result of bolt-hole elongation. Furthermore, the channel-sections that are being connected have a reduced moment capacity as a result of a bimoment. In the finite element model described, the bolt-holes and bolt shanks are all physically modelled, with contact defined between them. The force-displacement curves obtained from the quasi-static analysis are shown to be similar to those of the experimental test results, both in terms of stiffness as well as failure load. It is demonstrated that quasi-static finite element analysis can be used to predict the behavior of cold-formed steel portal frame joints and overcome convergence issues experienced in static finite element analysis.