• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.143-162
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• 2019

A number of desirable characteristics concerning excellent durability, aesthetics, recyclability, high ductility and fire resistance have made stainless steel a preferred option in engineering practice. However, the relatively high initial cost has greatly restricted the application of stainless steel as a major structural material in general construction. This drawback can be partially overcome by introducing composite stainless steel-concrete structures, which provides a cost-efficient and sustainable solution for future stainless steel construction. This paper presents a preliminary numerical study on stainless steel-concrete composite beam-to-column joints with bolted flush endplates. In order to ensure a consistent corrosion resistance within the whole structural system, all structural steel components were designed with austenitic stainless steel, including beams, columns, endplates, bolts, reinforcing bars and shear connectors. A finite element model was developed using ABAQUS software for composite beam-to-column joints under monotonic and symmetric hogging moments, while validation was performed based on independent test results. A parametric study was subsequently conducted to investigate the effects of several critical factors on the behaviour of composite stainless steel joints. Finally, comparisons were made between the numerical results and the predictions by current design codes regarding the plastic moment capacity and the rotational stiffness of the joints. It was concluded that the present codes of practice generally overestimate the rotational stiffness and underestimate the plastic moment resistance of stainless steel-concrete composite joints.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.673-688
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• 2022

Post-earthquake fire is a major threat since most structures are designed allowing some damage during strong earthquakes, which will expose a more vulnerable structure to post-earthquake fire compared to an intact structure. A series of experimental research on steel-concrete composite beam-to-column joints subjected to fire after cyclic loading has been carried out and a clear reduction of fire resistance due to the partial damage caused by cyclic loading was observed. In this paper, by using ABAQUS a robust finite element model is developed for exploring the performance of steel-concrete composite joints in post-earthquake fire scenarios. After validation of these models with the previously conducted experimental results, a comprehensive numerical analysis is performed, allowing influential parameters affecting the post-earthquake fire behavior of the steel-concrete composite joints to be identified. Specifically, the level of pre-damage induced by cyclic loading is regraded to deteriorate mechanical and thermal properties of concrete, material properties of steel, and thickness of the fire protection layer. It is found that the ultimate temperature of the joint is affected by the load ratio while fire-resistant duration is relevant to the heating rate, both of which change due to the damage induced by the cyclic loading.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.245-268
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• 2001

The analysis of steel-concrete composite joints presents some particular aspects that increase their complexity when compared to bare steel joints. In particular, the influence of slab reinforcement and column concrete encasement clearly change the moment-rotation response of the joint. Starting from an energy approach developed in the context of steel joints, an extension to composite joints is presented in this paper that is able to provide closed-form analytical solutions. In addition, the possibility of tri-linear or non-linear component behaviour is also incorporated in the model, enabling adequate treatment of the influence of cracked concrete in tension and the softening response of the column web in compression. This methodology is validated through comparison with experimental tests carried out at the University of Coimbra.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.3 no.5
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• pp.371-382
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• 2003

This paper analyses the response of rigid and semi-rigid steel-concrete composite joints under monotonic loading. The influence of some important parameters, such as the presence of column web stiffening and the mechanical properties of component materials, is investigated by using a three-dimensional finite element modelling based on the Abaqus code. Numerical and experimental responses of different types of composite joints are also compared with the analytical results obtained using the component approach proposed by Eurocode 4. The results obtained with this approach generally fit well with the numerical and experimental values in terms of strength. Conversely, some significant limits arise when evaluating initial stiffness and non-linear behaviour of the composite joint.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.75-90
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• 2020

This paper introduces a new composite joint, which is the composite CFST beam- concrete column joint, and it is more convenient for transportation and erection than conventionally welded joints. The main components of this joint include steel H-beams welded with CFST beams, reinforced concrete columns, and reinforced concrete slabs. The steel H-beams and CFST beams are connected with a concrete slab using shear connectors to ensure composite action between them. An experimental investigation was conducted to evaluate the proposed composite joint performance. A three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) model was developed and analyzed for this joint using the ABAQUS/explicit. The FE model accuracy was validated by comparing its results with the relevant test results. Additionally, the parameters that consisted of the steel box beam thickness, concrete compressive strength, steel yield strength, and reinforcement ratio in the concrete slab were considered to investigate their influence on the proposed joint performance.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.17-29
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• 2017

The seismic performance of steel beam to concrete-encased composite column with unsymmetrical steel section joints is investigated and reported within this paper. Experimental and analytical evaluation were conducted on a total of 8 specimens with T-shaped and L-shaped steel section under lateral cyclic loading and axial compression. The test parameters included concrete strength, stirrup ratio and axial compression ratio. The response of the specimens was presented in terms of their hysterisis loop behavior, stress distribution, joint shear strength, and performance degradation. The experiment indicated good structural behavior and good seismic performance. In addition, a three-dimensional nonlinear finite-element analysis simulating was conducted to simulate their seismic behaviors. The finite-element analysis incorporated both bond-slip relationship and crack interface interaction between steel and concrete. The results were also compared with the test data, and the analytical prediction of joint shear strength was satisfactory for both joints with T-shaped and L-shaped steel section columns. The steel beam to concrete-encased composite column with unsymmetrical steel section joints can develop stable hysteretic response and large energy absorption capacity by providing enough stirrups and decreased spacing of transverse ties in column.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.39-58
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• 2009

Composite joints, considering the composite action of steel and concrete, exhibit, in general, high strength and high ductility. As a consequence, the use of this type of joint has been increasing in many countries, especially in those that are located in earthquake-prone regions. In this paper, a hysteretic model with pinching is presented that is able to reproduce the cyclic response of steel and composite joints. Secondly, the computer implementation and adaptation of the model in a spring element within the computer code Seismosoft is described. The model is subsequently calibrated using a series of experimental test results for composite joints subjected to cyclic loading. Finally, typical parameters for the various joint configurations are proposed.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.583-594
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• 2019

In recent years, composite concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) members have been widely utilized in framed building structures like beams, columns, and beam-columns since they have significant advantages such as reducing construction time, improving the seismic performance, and possessing high ductility, strength, and energy absorbing capacity. This paper presents a new composite joint - the composite CFST beam-column joint in which the CFST member is used as the beam. The main components of the proposed composite joint are steel H-beams, CFST beams welded with the steel H-column, and a reinforced concrete slab. The steel H-beams and CFST beams are connected with the concrete slab using shear connectors to ensure composite action between them. The structural performance of the proposed composite joint was evaluated through an experimental investigation. A three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) model was developed to simulate this composite joint using the ABAQUS/Explicit software, and the accuracy of the FE model was verified with the relevant experimental results. In addition, a number of parametric studies were made to examine the effects of the steel box beam thickness, concrete compressive strength, steel yield strength, and reinforcement ratio in the concrete slab on the proposed joint performance.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.3 no.5
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• pp.349-369
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• 2003

The paper concerns the modelling of rigid and semi-rigid steel-concrete composite joints under monotonic loading through use of the Abaqus program, a widespread finite element code. By comparing numerical and experimental results obtained on cruciform tests, it is shown that the proposed modelling allows a good fit of the global joint response in terms of moment-rotation law. Even the local response in terms of stresses and strains is adequately predicted. Hence, this numerical approach may represent a useful tool for attaining a better understanding of experimental results. It may also be used to perform parametric analyses and to calibrate simplified mechanical models for practical applications.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.73-84
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• 2018

Low cyclic loading tests are conducted on the steel reinforced recycled concrete (SRRC) column-steel (S) beam composite frame joints. This research aims to evaluate the earthquake damage performance of composite frame joints by performing cyclic loading tests on eight specimens. The experimental failure process and failure modes, load-displacement hysteresis curves, characteristic loads and displacements, and ductility of the composite frame joints are presented and analyzed, which shows that the composite frame joints demonstrate good seismic performance. On the basis of this finding, seismic damage performance is examined by using the maximum displacement, energy absorbed in the hysteresis loops and Park-Ang model. However, the result of this analysis is inconsistent with the test failure process. Therefore, this paper proposes a modified Park-Ang seismic damage model that is based on maximum deformation and cumulative energy dissipation, and corrected by combination coefficient ${\alpha}$. Meanwhile, the effects of recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) replacement percentage and axial compression ratio on the seismic damage performance are analyzed comprehensively. Moreover, lateral displacement angle is used as the quantification index of the seismic performance level of joints. Considering the experimental study, the seismic performance level of composite frame joints is divided into five classes of normal use, temporary use, repair after use, life safety and collapse prevention. On this basis, the corresponding relationships among seismic damage degrees, seismic performance level and quantitative index are also established in this paper. The conclusions can provide a reference for the seismic performance design of composite frame joints.