• Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea Structure & Construction
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.19-28
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• 2018

Key factors that ensure competitiveness of modular unit include consistent high quality and connection condition that ensures high structural performance while minimizing the overall scale of the on-site process. However, it is difficult to evaluate the structural performance of the connection of modular unit, and its structural analysis and design method can be different depending on the connection to its development, which affects the seismic performance of its final design. In particular, securing the seismic performance is the key to designing modular systems of mid-to-high-rise structure. In this paper, therefore, the seismic performance of the modular system with bracket-typed fully restrained moment connections according to stiffness and the shapes of various connection members was evaluated through experimental and analytical methods. To verify the seismic performance, a cyclic loading test of the connection joint of the proposed modular system was conducted. As a result of this study, theoretical values and experimental results were compared with the initial stiffness, hysteresis behavior and maximum bending moment of the modular system. Also, the connection joint was modeled, using the commercial program ANSYS, which was then followed by finite element analysis of the system. According to the results of the experiment, the maximum resisting force of the proposed connection exceeded the theoretical parameters, which indicated that a rigid joint structural performance could be secured. These results almost satisfied the criteria for connection bending strength of special moment frame listed on KBC2016.

• Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea Structure & Construction
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.25-33
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• 2018

In regard to modular systems, new methods, as well as middle and high-story unit design ideas, are currently being studied. These studies need to focus on the enhanced stiffness and seismic performance of these connections, and see that the development of fully restrained moment connections can improve the seismic performance. For this reason, this study evaluates the performance of the connections of the ceiling bracket-typed modular system through repeated loading tests and analyses. In order to compare them with these modular units, new unit specimens with the bracket connection being different from that of the traditional modular unit specimens were designed, and the results of repeated loading tests were analyzed. In the traditional units, the structural performances of both welding connection and bolt connection were evaluated. In regard to the testing results, the initial stiffness of the hysteresis curve was compared with the theoretical initial stiffness, and the features of all specimens were also analyzed with regard to the maximum moment. In addition, the test results were examined with regard to the connection flexural strength of the steel special moment frame specified under the construction criteria KBC2016. The connections, which were proposed in the test results, were found to be fully restrained moment connections for designing strong column-weak beams and meeting the requirements of seismic performance of special moment frames.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.21-32
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• 2018

Prefabricated structures are constructed by bolted connections of separated members. The design and analysis of these structures are generally performed by defining fully hinges for the connection of separated members at the joint of junction. In practice, these connections are not fully hinged. Therefore, the assumption of semi-rigid connections (restrained or partially fixity) instead of fully hinge connections is a more realistic approach for bolted connections used in the prefabricated elements. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of semi-rigid connections on seismic performance of prefabricated structures. Nonlinear static analysis (pushover analysis) of a selected RC prefabricated structure is performed with SAP2000 structural analysis program by considering various partially fixity percentages for bolted connections. The target values of roof displacements obtained from the analyses according to ATC-40, FEMA-356, FEMA-440, and TEC-2007 codes are compared each other. The numerical results are given in tables and figures comparatively and discussed. The results show that the effects of semi-rigid connections should be considered in design and analysis of the prefabricated structures.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.241-256
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• 2000

The major sources of energy dissipation in steel frames with partially restrained (PR) connections are evaluated. Available experimental results are used to verify the mathematical model used in this study. The verified model is then used to quantify the energy dissipation in PR connections due to hysteretic behavior, due to viscous damping and at plastic hinges if they are formed. Observations are made for two load conditions: a sinusoidal load applied at the top of the frame, and a sinusoidal ground acceleration applied at the base of the frame representing a seismic loading condition. This analytical study confirms the general behavior, observed during experimental investigations, that PR connections reduce the overall stiffness of frames, but add a major source of energy dissipation. As the connections become stiffer, the contribution of PR connections in dissipating energy becomes less significant. A connection with a T ratio (representing its stiffness) of at least 0.9 should not be considered as fully restrained as is commonly assumed, since the energy dissipation characteristics are different. The flexibility of PR connections alters the fundamental frequency of the frame. Depending on the situation, it may bring the frame closer to or further from the resonance condition. If the frame approaches the resonance condition, the effect of damping is expected to be very important. However, if the frame moves away from the resonance condition, the energy dissipation at the PR connections is expected to be significant with an increase in the deformation of the frame, particularly for low damping values. For low damping values, the dissipation of energy at plastic hinges is comparable to that due to viscous damping, and increases as the frame approaches failure. For the range of parameters considered in this study, the energy dissipations at the PR connections and at the plastic hinges are of the same order of magnitude. The study quantitatively confirms the general observations made in experimental investigations for steel frames with PR connections; however, proper consideration of the stiffness of PR connections and other dynamic properties is essential in predicting the dynamic behavior.

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

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.176-184
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• 1996

The paper describes the vibration characteristics of the mechanical system consisting of a uniform Timoshenko beam with a guided mass and an elastic spring support. The free end of the beam does not rotate and the spring attatched to the guided mass is elastically restrained against translation. The guided mass is assumed to be a rigid body having a finite size, but not a mass point as it has been assumed so far. The effect of magnitudes, rotary inertia and the size of the guided mass on the vibration characteristics is fully investigated by the numerical simulation using FEM and experiment. In order to verify the eigenvalue sensitivity for considered system, comparison exact solutions with FEM is conducted, and a good agreement between two solutions is also highlighted.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.995-1002
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• 1996

The TiC-(Ni/Ti) composites were prepared by reaction bonding between TiC preforms and the melted mixture of Ni/Ti metal the atomic ratio of which were the ranges of 0.3 to 3. And their microstructures phase composi-tions and mechanical properties were investigated. During reaction bonding Ni/Ti metal mixture had a good wettability an permeability with TiC preforms and pore-free and fully dense sintered bodies were fabricated. TiC particle shape changed from spherical to angular platelet-like and grain size was grown with Ni/Ti atomic ratio increasing from 0.3 to 1. whereas grain growth of TiC particle was restrained and its shape changed gain from angular platelet-like to spherical when Ni/Ti atomic ratio was more than 2. Maximum bending strength and fracture toughness were obtained at the Ni/Ti atomic ratio being 1 their values were 582 MPa and 11.1 MPa.m1/2 respectively.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.271-287
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• 2005

The seismic behavior of two steel moment-resisting frames, which satisfy all the current seismic design requirements, are evaluated and compared in the presence of pre-Northridge connections denoted as BWWF and an improved post-Northridge connections denoted as BWWF-AD. Pre-Northridge connections are modeled first as fully restrained (FR) type. Then they are considered to be partially restrained (PR) to model their behavior more realistically. The improved post-Northridge connections are modeled as PR type, as proposed by the authors. A sophisticated nonlinear time-domain finite element program developed by the authors is used for the response evaluation of the frames in terms of the overall rotation of the connections and the maximum drift. The frames are excited by ten recorded earthquake time histories. These time histories are then scaled up to produce some relevant response characteristics. The behaviors of the frames are studied comprehensively with the help of 120 analyses. Following important observations are made. The frames produced essentially similar rotation and drift for the connections modeled as FR type and PR type represented by BWWF-AD indicating that the presence of slots in the web of beams in BWWF-AD is not detrimental to the overall response behavior. When the lateral displacements of the frames are significantly large, the responses are improved if BWWF-AD type connections are used in the frames. This study analytically confirms many desirable features of BWWF-AD connections. PR frames have longer periods of vibration in comparison to FR frames and may attract lower inertia forces. However, calculated periods of the frames of this study using FEMA 350 empirical equation is longer than those calculated using dynamic characteristics of the frames. This may result in even lower design forces and may adversely influence the design.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.12 no.1 s.44
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• pp.75-82
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• 2000

Recently, many studies on connections in steel structures have been performed. In practice, designers assume that the connection is a rigid- or pinned-one, however, actually the connection behaves as partially restrained one, neither fully restrained nor unrestrained. This paper concentrates on the behavior of double angle connections in the field of semi-rigid connections. The behavior of double angle connection. induced by abrupt axial tension load or by collapsed brace in medium or low rise building, is analyzed by 3D nonlinear finite element method using ABAQUS(ver 5.8). From the analytic results. a simplified model of double angle and a rotational stiffness at the corner of the angle are derived, which are fundamentally used for understanding the behavior of the double angle connection.

• International Journal of High-Rise Buildings
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.343-362
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• 2018

A simplified spring connection modelling approach for steel flush endplate beam-to-column connections in fire has been developed to enable realistic behaviour of connections to be incorporated into full-scale frame analyses at elevated temperature. Due to its simplicity and reliability, the proposed approach permits full-scale high-temperature frame analysis to be conducted without high computational cost. The proposed simplified spring connection modelling approach has been used to investigate the influence of connection ductility (both axial and rotational) on frame behaviour in fire. 2D steel and 3D composite frames with a range of beam spans were modelled to aid the understanding of the differences in frame response in fire where the beam-to-column connections have different axial and rotational ductility assumptions. The modelling results highlight that adopting the conventional rigid or pinned connection assumptions does not permit the axial forces acting on the connections to be accurately predicted, since the axial ductility of the connection is completely neglected when the rotational ductility is either fully restrained or free. By accounting for realistic axial and rotational ductilities of beam-to-column connections, the frame response in fire can be predicted more accurately, which is advantageous in performance-based structural fire engineering design.