• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• 제27권3호
• /
• pp.337-353
• /
• 2018

In previous weak-axis moment connection tests, brittle fracture always initiated near the edge of the beam flange groove weld due to force flow towards the stiffer column flanges, which is the opposite pattern as strong-axis moment connections. As part of the China NSFC (51278061) study, this paper tested two full-scale novel weak-axis reduced beam section moment connections, including one exterior frame connection specimen SJ-1 under beam end monotonic loading and one interior frame joint specimen SJ-2 under column top cyclic loading. Test results showed that these two specimens were able to satisfy the demands of FEMA-267 (1995) or ANSI/AISC 341-10 (2010) without experiencing brittle fracture. A parametric analysis using the finite element software ABAQUS was carried out to better understand the cyclic performance of the novel weak-axis reduced beam section moment connections, and the influence of the distance between skin plate and reduced beam section, a, the length of the reduced beam section, b, and the cutting depth of the reduced beam section, c, on the cyclic performance was analyzed. It was found that increasing three parametric values reasonably is beneficial to forming beam plastic hinges, and increasing the parameter a is conducive to reducing stress concentration of beam flange groove welds while increasing the parameters b and c can only reduce the peak stress of beam flange groove welds. The rules recommended by FEMA350 (2000) are suitable for designing the proposed weak-axis RBS moment connection, and a proven calculation formulation is given to determine the thickness of skin plate, the key components in the proposed weak-axis connections. Based on the experimental and numerical results, a design procedure for the proposed weak-axis RBS moment connections was developed.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• 제52권1호
• /
• pp.109-119
• /
• 2024

This study presents a replaceable reduced beam section (R-RBS) located at the column end in moment resisting frames (MRFs). An end of the R-RBS is connected to column by using end-plate moment connection and the other end of that is connected to main beam with beam splice connection. Therefore, the RBS that is expected to yield under an earthquake can be easily replaceable. Geometry of the RBS and the thickness of the beam splice connection are the prime variables of this study. A total of eight experimental test was carried out to examine the seismic performance of the proposed R-RBS with the connection details. The results obtained from experimental studies demonstrated that plate sizes of the beam splice connection significantly affect the seismic performance of RBSs used in MRFs.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• 제35권3호
• /
• pp.353-370
• /
• 2020

This paper describes a new type of replaceable fuse for moment resisting frames. Column-tree connections with beam splice connections are frequently preferred in the moment resisting frames since they eliminate field welding and provide good quality. In the column-tree connections, a part of the beam is welded to the column in the shop and the rest of the beam is bolted with the splice connection in the field. In this study, a replaceable reduced beam section (R-RBS) connection is proposed in order to eliminate welding process and facilitate assembly at the site. In the proposed R-RBS connection, one end is connected by a beam splice connection to the beam and the other end is connected by a bolted end-plate connection to the column. More importantly is that the proposed R-RBS connection allows the replacement of the damaged R-RBS easily right after an earthquake. Pursuant to this goal, experimental and numerical studies have been undertaken to investigate the performance of the R-RBS connection. An experimental study on the RBS connection was used to substantiate the numerical model using ABAQUS, a commercially available finite element software. Additionally, five different finite element models were developed to conduct a parametric study. The results of the analysis were compared in terms of the moment and energy absorption capacities, PEEQ, rupture and tri-axiality indexes. The design process as well as the optimum dimensions of the R-RBS connections are presented. It was also demonstrated that the proposed R-RBS connection satisfies AISC criteria based on the nonlinear finite element analysis results.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• 제57권3호
• /
• pp.507-528
• /
• 2016

Reduced beam section (RBS) moment resisting connections are among the most economical and practical rigid steel connections developed in the aftermath of the 1994 Northridge and the 1995 Kobe earthquakes. Although the performance of RBS connection has been widely studied, this connection has not been subject to in the skewed conditions. In this study, the seismic performance of dogbone connection was investigated at different angles. The Commercial ABAQUS software was used to simulate the samples. The numerical results are first compared with experimental results to verify the accuracy. Nonlinear static analysis with von Mises yield criterion materials and the finite elements method were used to analyze the behavior of the samples The selected Hardening Strain of materials at cyclic loading and monotonic loading were kinematics and isotropic respectively The results show that in addition to reverse twisting of columns, change in beam angle relative to the central axis of the column has little impact on hysteresis response of samples. Any increase in the angle, leads to increased non-elastic resistance. As for Weak panel zone, with increase of the angle between the beam and the column, the initial submission will take place at a later time and at a larger rotation angle in the panel zone and this represents reduced amount of perpendicular force exerted on the column flange. In balanced and strong panel zones, with increase in the angle between the beam and the central axis of the column, the reduced beam section (RBS), reaches the failure limit faster and at a lower rotation angle. In connection of skewed beam, balanced panel zone, due to its good performance in disposition of plasticity process away from connection points and high energy absorption, is the best choice for panel zone. The ratio of maximum moment developed on the column was found to be within 0.84 to 1 plastic anchor point, which shows prevention of brittle fracture in connections.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• 제57권5호
• /
• pp.785-808
• /
• 2016

An innovative Reduced Beam Section (RBS) connection, called Tubular Web RBS connection (TW-RBS), has been recently introduced and its performance has been numerically investigated in some earlier studies. The TW-RBS connection is a kind of accordion-web RBS connection in which part of the flat web of the beam is replaced by a steel tube at the expected region of the plastic hinge. This paper presents experimental results of three TW-RBS connections under cyclic loading. Obtained results indicated that TW-RBS reduces contribution of the beam web to the whole moment strength and creates a ductile fuse far from components of the beam-to-column connection. Besides, TW-RBS connection can increase story drift capacity up to 9% in the case of shallow beams which is much more than those stipulated by the current seismic codes. Based on the experimental results, the tubular web in the plastic hinge region improves lateral-torsional buckling stability of the beam such that only local buckling of the beam flange at the center of the reduced section was observed during the tests. In order to achieve a better understanding, behavior of all TW-RBS specimens are also numerically investigated and compared with those of experimental results.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• 제23권4호
• /
• pp.421-433
• /
• 2017

Experimental and numerical studies of a newly developed Reduced Beam Section (RBS) connection, called Tubular Web RBS connection (TW-RBS) have been recently conducted. This paper presents experimental and numerical results of extending the plastic hinge length on the beam flange to increase energy dissipation of a proposed version of the TW-RBS connection with two pipes, (TW-RBS(II)), made by replacing a part of flat web with two steel tubular web at the desirable location of the beam plastic hinge. Two deep-beam specimens with two pipes are prepared and tested under cyclic loads. Obtained results reveal that the TW-RBS(II) like its type I, increases story drift capacity up to 6% in deep beam much more than that stipulated by the current seismic codes. Based on test results, the proposed TW-RBS(II) helps to dissipate imposed energy up to 30% more than that of the TW-RBS(I) specimens at the same story drift and also reduces demands at the beam-to-column connection up to 30% by increasing plastic hinge length on the beam flange. The TW-RBS(II) specimens are finally simulated using finite element method showing good agreement with experimental results.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• 제18권3호
• /
• pp.641-657
• /
• 2015

Application of reduced web beam section (RWBS) as a sacrificial fuse element has become a popular research field in recent years. Weakening of beam web in these connections may cause local web buckling around the opening area which can affect cyclic behavior of connection including: maximum load carrying capacity, strength degradation rate, dissipated energy, rotation capacity, etc. In this research, effect of local web buckling on the cyclic behavior of RWBS connections is investigated using finite element modeling (FEM). For this purpose, a T-shaped moment connection which has been tested under cyclic loading by another author is used as the reference model. Fracture initiation in models is simulated using Cyclic Void Growth Model (CVGM) which is based on micro-void growth and coalescence. Included in the results are: effect of opening corner radii, opening dimensions, beam web thickness and opening reinforcement. Based on the results, local web buckling around the opening area plays a significant role on the cyclic behavior of connection and hence any parameter affecting the local web buckling will affect entire connection behavior.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• 제23권5호
• /
• pp.571-583
• /
• 2017

A kind of accordion-web RBS connection, "Tubular Web RBS (TW-RBS)" connection is proposed in this research. TW-RBS is made by replacing a part of web with a tube at the desirable location of the beam plastic hinge. This paper presents first a numerical study under cyclic load using ABAQUS finite element software. A test specimen is used for calibration and comparison of numerical results. Obtained results indicated that TW-RBS would reduce contribution of the beam web to the whole moment strength and creates a ductile fuse far from components of the beam-to-column connection. Besides, TW-RBS connection can increase story drift capacity up to 9% in the case of shallow beams which is much more than those stipulated by the current seismic codes. Furthermore, the tubular web like corrugated sheet can improve both the out-of-plane stiffness of the beam longitudinal axis and the flange stability condition due to the smaller width to thickness ratio of the beam flange in the plastic hinge region. Thus, the tubular web in the plastic hinge region improves lateral-torsional buckling stability of the beam as just local buckling of the beam flange at the center of the reduced section was observed during the tests. Also change of direction of strain in arc shape of the tubular web section is smaller than the accordion webs with sharp corners therefore the tubular web provides a better condition in terms of low-cycle fatigue than other accordion web with sharp corners.

• 한국지진공학회논문집
• /
• 제7권3호
• /
• pp.69-77
• /
• 2003

본 연구는 8개의 RBS(reduced beam section) 내진 철골모멘트접합부의 실물대 실험결과를 요약한 것이다. 실험의 주요변수는 보 웨브 접합법 및 패널존 강도를 택하였다. 균형 패널존 시험체는 접합부의 내진성능을 감소시키지 않으면서, 보와 패널존이 함께 균형적으로 지진에너지를 소산시키도록 설계하여 값비싼 패널존 보강판(doubler plates)의 수요를 줄이고자 시도한 것이다. 보 웨브를 용접한 시험제는 모두 특별 연성모멘트골조에서 요구되는 접합부 회전능력을 충분히 발휘하였다. 반면 보 웨브를 볼트 접합한 시험체는 조기에 스캘럽을 가로지르는 취성파단이 발생하는 열등한 성능을 보였다. 보 그루브 용접부 자체의 취성파괴가 본 연구에서와 같이 양질의 용접에 의해 방지되면, 스켈럽 부근의 취성파단이 다음에 해결해야 할 문제로 대두되는 경향을 보인다. 보 웨브를 볼팅한 경우에 접합부 취성파단의 빈도가 월등히 높은 이유를 실험 및 해석결과를 토대로 제시하였다. 측정된 변형도 데이터에 의할 때, 접합부의 전단력 전달메카니즘은 흔히 가정하는 고전 휨이론에 의한 예측과 전혀 다르다. 이는 전통적 보 웨브 설계법을 재검토할 필요가 있음을 시사하는 것이다. 아울러, 접합부에서 요구되는 바람직한 거동기준을 제시하고 이를 근거로 균형 패널존의 강도범위에 대한 예비적 추정치를 제시하였다.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• 제34권6호
• /
• pp.863-875
• /
• 2020

After medium or strong earthquakes, damage in the reduced portion of RBS connections occurs due to plastic deformations. The purpose of this paper is to numerically and experimentally investigate the reduced depth section connection as a replaceable fuse. In this regard, three commonly used rigid connections with RBS, a replaceable fuse with RBS, and a replaceable fuse with Reduced Depth Section (RDS-F) were evaluated. All specimens were subjected to quasi-static cyclic load until failure. Although the final strength of the RDS-F is lower than that of the other two, laboratory results showed that it had the maximum ductility among the three samples. The numerical models of all three laboratory samples were constructed in ABAQUS, and the results were verified with great accuracy. The results of more than 28 numerical analyses showed that the RDS-F sample is more ductile than the other specimens. Moreover, the thickness of the web and the plastic section modulus increasing, the final strength would be equal to the other specimens. Therefore, the modified RDS-F with replaceability after an earthquake can be a better alternative for RBS connections.