• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-22
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• 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
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.231-248
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• 2022

Hybrid Steel-Trussed Concrete Beam (HSTCB) is structural typology suitable for light industrialization. HSTCBs usually cover long span with small depths, which lead to significant amount of longitudinal rebars. The latter make beam-column joints more prone to damage due to earthquake-induced cyclic actions. This phenomenon can be avoided using friction-based BCCs. Friction devices at Beam-to-Column Connections (BCCs) have become promising solutions to reduce the damage experienced by structural members during severe earthquakes. Few solutions have been developed for cast-in-place Reinforced Concrete (RC) and steel-concrete composite Moment Resisting Frames (MRFs), because of the difficulty of designing cost-effective damage-proof connections. This paper proposes a friction-based BCC for RC MRFs made with HSTCBs. Firstly, the proposed connection is described, and its innovative characteristics are emphasized. Secondly, the design method of the connection is outlined. A detailed 3D FE model representative of a beam-column joint fitted with the proposed connection is developed. Several monotonic and cyclic analyses are performed, investigating different design moment values. Lastly, the numerical results are discussed, which demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed solution in preventing damage to RC members, and in ensuring satisfactory dissipative capacity.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.309-318
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• 2018

Buckling Restrained Braced (BRB) frames have been widely used as an efficient seismic load resisting system in recent years mostly due to their symmetric and stable hysteretic behavior and significant energy dissipation capacity. In this study, to provide a better understanding of the behavior of BRB frames with various beam-column connections, a numerical study using non-linear finite element (FE) analysis is conducted. All models are implemented in the Abaqus software package following an explicit formulation. Initially, the results of the FE model are verified with experimental data. Then, diverse beam-column connections are modeled for the sake of comparison from the shear capacity, energy dissipation and frame hysteresis behavior points of view until appropriate performance is assessed. The considered connections are divided into three different categories: (1) simple beam-column connections including connection by web angle and connection by seat angle; (2) semi-rigid connection including connection by web and seat angles; and (3) rigid beam-column connections by upper-lower beam plates and beam connections with web and flange splices. Results of the non-linear FE analyses show that these types of beam-column connections have little effect on the maximum story drift and shear capacity of BRB frames. However, the connection type has a significant effect on the amount of energy dissipation and hysteresis behavior of BRB frames. Also, changes in length and thickness of the angles in simple and semi-rigid connections and changes in length and thickness of plates in rigid connections have slight effects (less than 4%) on the overall frame behavior.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.10 no.3 s.36
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• pp.525-536
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• 1998

This paper is concerned with a theoretical study on the local load-carrying capacities of Concrete-Filled Circular Tubular(CFCT) column to H-beam connections by yield line theory. In this paper, the three cases which are assumed the yield line are involved. The first model is a simplified yield line model. The second model is modified by x and kx factors. The last one is a Morita's model. The local load-carrying capacities of CFCT column to H-beam connections has been studied both experimentally and theoretically using the yield line theory. The purpose of this paper is to suggest the basic data for developing the non-diaphragm connection.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.663-670
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• 2007

Column-tree beam-to-column joints are widely used in moment-resisting frames in Korea. In this study, we proposed four different arrangements for weak-axis moment-resisting beam-to-column connections, which are more economical than the conventional connection, while developing similar structural performance. We investigated the proposed connections whose connection details were different from the conventional one. The experiment was also conducted on a total of five beam-to-column joint specimensto verify the structural performance of the proposed connections. All four connections proposed in this study were found to be more economical that the conventional connection. Three out of four specimens with proposed details were able to developa structural performance similar to that of the specimen with the conventional detail.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.33-53
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• 2006

The rotational behaviour of bolted extended end plate beam-to-column connections is evaluated in the context of the component method. The full moment-rotation response is characterized from the force-deformation curve of the individual joint components. The deformability of end plate connections is mostly governed by the bending of the column flange and/or end plate and tension elongation of the bolts. These components form the tension zone of the joint that can be modelled by means of "equivalent T-stubs". A systematic analytical procedure for characterization of the monotonic force-deformation behaviour of individual T-stub connections is proposed. In the framework of the component method, the T-stub is then inserted in the joint spring model to generate the moment-rotation response of the joint. The procedures are validated with the results from an experimental investigation of eight statically loaded extended end plate bolted moment connections carried out at the Delft University of Technology. Because ductility is such an important property in terms of joint performance, particularly in the partial strength joint scenario, special attention is given to this issue.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.445-454
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• 2008

Based on previous research on steel moment connections, experimental and analytical results showed that the deformation capacity was poor in specimens using RHS columns and with conventional weld access holes and strain concentration at the end of beam is influenced by the efficiency in transmitting the moment in the web of beam through the beam-to-column joint. This paper is focused on the retrofitting of pre-Kobe steel moment frame connections using a stiffened RBS and a welded horizontal stiffener. These retrofitting methods were considered only in beam bottom flange. A parametric study was performed using nonlinear finite element analysis to elucidate and improve the retrofit methods of connections.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.295-312
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• 2001

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new type of steel reinforced concrete (SRC) beam-column joints and to examine the structural performance of the proposed joints, which simplify the construction procedure of steel fabrication, welding works, concrete casting and joint strengthening. In the proposed beam-column joints, the steel element of columns forms continuously built-in crossing of H-sections (${\Box}$), with adjacent flanges of column being connected by horizontal stiffeners in a joint at the level of the beam flanges. In addition, simplified lateral reinforcement (${\Box}$) is adopted in a joint to confine the longitudinal reinforcing bars in columns. Experimental and analytical studies have been carried out to estimate the structural performance of the proposed joints. Twelve cruciform specimens and seven SRC beam-column subassemblage specimens were prepared and tested. The following can be concluded from this study: (1) SRC subassemblages with the proposed beam-column joints show adequate seismic performances which are superior to the demand of the current code; (2) The yield and ultimate strength capacities of the beam-to-column connections can be estimated by analysis based on the yield line theory; (3) The skeleton curves and the ultimate shear capacities of the beam-column joint panel are predicted with a fair degree of accuracy by considering a simple stress transfer mechanism.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.261-279
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• 2010

Generally, a box tube, which is used for an existing square CFT structure, is made by welding four plates. The manufacturing efficiency of this steel tube is poor, and it also needs special welding technology to weld its internal diaphragm and the through diaphragm. Therefore, an interior-anchor-type square steel tube was developed using the method of cold-forming thin plates to prevent welding of the stress concentration position, and to maximize the section efficiency. And, considering of the flow of beam flange load, the efficiency of erection and the weldability of the diaphragm to thin walled steel column, the external diaphragm connection was selected as the suitable type for the welded built-up square CFT column to beam connection. And, an analytical study and tests were conducted to evaluate the structural performance of the suggested connection details and to verify the suggested equations for the connection details. Through this study, the composite effect of the internal anchor to concrete, the resistance and stress distribution of the connections before and after the existing column is welded to the beam, the effective location of welding in connection were analyzed.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.589-601
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• 2000

A simplified analysis procedure utilizing the strut-tie modeling technique is developed to take a close look into the post-elastic deformation capacity of beam-column connections in ductile reinforced concrete frame structures. Particular emphasis is given to the effect of concrete strength decay and quantity and arrangement of joint shear steel. For this a fan-shaped crack pattern is postulated through the joints. A series of hypothetical rigid nodes are assumed through which struts, ties and boundaries are connected to each other. The equilibrium consideration enables all forces in struts, ties and boundaries to be related through the nodes. The boundary condition surrounding the joints is obtained by the mechanism analysis of the frame structures. In order to avoid a complexity from the indeterminacy of the truss model, it is assumed that all shear steel yielded. It is noted from the previous research that the capacity of struts is limited by the principal tensile strain of the joint panel for which the strain of the transverse diagonal is taken. The post-yield deformation of joint steel is taken to be the only source of the joint shear deformation beyond the elastic range. Both deformations are related by the energy consideration. The analysis is then performed by iteration for a given shear strain. The analysis results indicate that concentrating most of the joint steel near the center of the joint along with higher strength concrete may enhance the post-elastic joint performance.