• 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.

• 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.

• International Journal of High-Rise Buildings
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.45-55
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• 2015

The rotation capacity of the moment connections could significantly influence on the seismic performance of steel moment resisting frames. Current seismic provisions require that beam-to-column connections in Intermediate Moment Frames (IMF) should have a drift capacity as large as 0.02 radian. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the rotation capacity of moment connections on the seismic performance of high-rise IMFs. For this purpose, thirty- and forty-story high-rise IMFs were designed according to the current seismic design provisions. The seismic performance of designed model frames was evaluated according to FEMA P695. This study showed that the forty-story IMF satisfied the seismic performance objective specified in FEMA P695 when the rotation capacity of the connections was larger than 0.02. However, thirty-story IMFs satisfied the performance objective when the connection rotation capacity is larger than 0.03.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.57-71
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• 2013

The prediction of the low cycle fatigue (LCF) life of beam-column connections requires an LCF model that is developed using specific geometric information. The beam-column connection has several geometric variables, and changes in these variables must be taken into account to ensure sufficient robustness of the design. Previous research has verified that the finite element model (FEM) can be used to simulate LCF behavior at the end plate moment connection (EPMC). Three critical parameters, i.e., end plate thickness, beam flange thickness, and bolt distance, have been selected for this study to determine the geometric effects on LCF behavior. Seven FEMs for different geometries have been developed using these three critical parameters. The finite element analysis results have led to the development of a modified LCF model for the critical parameter groups.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.289-299
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to analyze the characteristics of semi-igid behavior of the steel tubular column to H-beam connection reinforced with exterior square-plate diaphragms and to check the main parameters that affect this behavior. Steel tube connections without interior diaphragm and/or complicated exterior diaphragm show the considerable flexibility due to out of-plane deformation of tube flange. For the exact analysis well-reflected the effect of this flexibility on the overall frame performance. it need to find out the moment-rotation curve function that well trace the result of experiment in the whole region and the function should be simply transformed into an adequate form for the nonlinear analysis program. After collecting several test data same to the connection type considered. we carried out FEM analysis using ANSYS for the assumed beam-to-column connection developed from the simple tension test and the results are compared with experimental values. Based on the parametric study. we proposed the moment-relation curve function and performed the multiple-regression analysis procedure for three parameters consisting of this function with the main geometric parameter of this connection type.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.381-395
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• 2009

This paper presents the details of an advanced Finite Element (FE) analysis of a plane steel portal frame with semi-rigid beam-to-column connections subjected cyclic loading. In spite of several component models on cyclic behaviour of connections presented in the literature, works on numerical investigations on cyclic behaviour of full scale frames are rather scarce. This paper presents the evolution of an FE model which deals comprehensively with the issues related to cyclic behaviour of full scale steel frames using ABAQUS software. In the material modeling, combined kinematic/isotropic hardening model and isotropic hardening model along with Von Mises criteria are used. Connection non-linearity is also considered in the analysis. The bolt slip which happens in friction grip connection is modeled. The bolt load variation during loading, which is a pivotal issue in reality, has been taken care in the present model. This aspect, according to the knowledge of the authors, has been first time reported in the literature. The numerically predicted results using the methodology evolved in the present study, for the cyclic behaviour of a cantilever beam and a rigid frame, are validated with experimental results available in the literature. The moment-rotation and deflection responses of the evolved model, match well with experimental results. This proves that the methodology for evolving the steel frame and connection model presented in this paper is closer to real frame behaviour as evident from the good comparison and hence paves the way for further parametric studies on cyclic behaviour of flexibly connected frames.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.243-250
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• 2015

An extended end-plate connection displays different behavioral properties and energy dissipation capacity based on the thickness and length of the end-plate comprising the connection in the form of a beam-to-column moment connection, the number and diameter of the high strength bolt, the gauge distance of the high strength bolt, and the size and length of the welds. Such extended end-plate is applied to beam-to-column connections in various geometric forms in the US and European regions. Currently in Korea, however, the extended end-plate beam-to-column connection is not actively applied due to the lack of proper design formulas, the evaluation of the energy dissipation capacity, and the provision of construction guidelines. Accordingly, this study was conducted to provide the basic data for the proposal of a prediction model of energy dissipation capacity by evaluating the energy dissipation capacity of unstiffened extended end-plate connections with relatively thin end plate thicknesses. To achieve this, a three-dimensional nonlinear finite element analysis has been conducted on unstiffened extended end-plate connections, with the thickness of the end plate as the set variable.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.281-291
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• 2010

In this study, a five-story steel frame was designed in accordance with KBC2005 to evaluate the effects of the beam-column connection on the structural behavior. The connections were designed as fully rigid and semi-rigid. The fiber model was used to describe the moment-curvature relationship of the steel beam and the column, the power model for the moment-rotation angle of the semi-rigid connection and the three-parameter model for the hysteretic behavior of the steel beam, column, and connection. The structure was idealized as separate 2-D frames and as connected 2-D frames. The peak ground accelerations of four earthquake records were modified in a time-history analysis for the levels of the mean return period and for the maximum base-shear force in a pushover analysis. The top story displacement, base-shear force, story drift, demanded ductility ratio for the semi-rigid connection, maximum bending moment of the column, beam, and connection, and distribution of the plastic hinge were examined in the time-history analysis. The frame with the semi-rigid connection yielded a lower base-shear force, less magnitude, and increasing ratio in the bending moment of the column, beam, and connection than the frame with a fully rigid connection. The TSD connection was deemed to have secured the economy and safety of the sample structure that was subjected to seismic excitation for the Korean design level.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2004.05a
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• pp.688-691
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• 2004

This study summarizes results of a research project aimed at investigating the inelastic rotation capacity of beam-column joints of reinforced concrete moment frames. A total of 28 specimens were classified as special moment frame connections based on the design and detailing requirements in the ACI 318-99 provisions. Then, the acceptance criteria, originally defined for steel moment frame connections in the AISC-97 Seismic Provisions, were used to evaluate the joint connections of concrete moment frames. Twenty seven out of 28 test specimens that satisfy the design requirements for special moment frame structures provided sufficient strength and are ductile up to a plastic rotation of $3\%$ without any major degradation in strength.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.267-293
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• 2016

It is well known that, in order to accurately predict the behaviour of steel structures a requirement the definition of the mechanical behaviour of beam-to column joints is of primary importance. This goal can be achieved by means of the so-called component method, which, in order to obtain the whole behaviour of connections, provides to break up joints in basic components of deformability and resistance. One of the main joint components used to model bolted connections is the so-called equivalent T-stub in tension, which is normally used to predict the behaviour of bolted plates in bending starting from the behaviour of the single bolt rows. In past decades, significant research efforts have been devoted to the prediction of the behaviour of bolted T-stubs but, to date, no particular attention has been devoted to the characterization of their plastic deformation capacity. To this scope, the work presented in this paper, taking into account the existing technical literature, proposes a new theoretical model for predicting the whole behaviour up to failure of bolted T-stubs under monotonic loading conditions, including some complexities, such as the bolt/plate compatibility requirement and the bolt fracture, which are necessary to accurately evaluate the ultimate displacement. After presenting the advances of the proposed approach, a comparison between theoretical and experimental results is provided in order to verify its accuracy.