• International Journal of High-Rise Buildings
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.197-205
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• 2022

One of important design challenges in Chongqing Raffles City Plaza project is Sky Bridge structural design and its connection scheme in high level. This article systematically describes the structural system and its design and analysis methodology, with discussing the impacts on structural performance due to different connection approaches. The seismic isolation scheme in high level is innovatively adopted to the final design. Under the conditions of various load cases, the different models and assumptions are implemented. A full assessment on Sky Bridge's structural performance, seismic isolation, and its connection is conducted in terms of seismic performance based design. By co-operating with architecture, MEP and other disciplines, the structural economy index is fulfilled.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.305-312
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• 2003

Recently, with a progressive development of hardware of computer, the internet and network technology, the environment of construction varies rapidly due to increase the complex form in structure shape and system. With variations, the CAD system for design and products also varies from 2D system to 3D system. This study mainly deals with the methodology of automatic connection design of 3D CAD system, steel connection system (XSteel) using macro. First, using design program in the steel connection system, Xsteel, the joint connection macro will be made up and established the detail classes of design. The next, Database Program (Converter Program) related to the general structural analysis program (MIDAS) and the steel connection program (Xsteel) is constructed for data interface between two programs. From this study, if the merits of 3D CAD system and converter program are utilized well, it is expected that the time needed in modeling and the amounts due to material loses decrease gradually.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2007.04a
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• pp.539-544
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• 2007

Glass fiber reinforced composite decks have high-strength, light-weight and high durability. The composite decks having vertical snap-fit connections are designed for pedestrian bridges and their structural behaviour are studied. The existing connection method of the composite decks in horizontal direction is replaced by the developed snap-fit connection method in vertical direction. The section shape of the composite decks having the vertical snap-fit connection is designed. The safety of the vertical snap-fit connection is verified by finite element analysis.

• Composites Research
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2010

In this paper, we present the result of an experimental investigation pertaining to the structural behavior of bolted lap-joint connection of pultruded fiber reinforced plastic structural shapes. In the experimental investigation, in order to find the mechanical property of the material, tension and shear tests on the pultruded structural composite specimen are conducted prior to the investigation on the structural behavior of bolted lap-joint connection of the member. Based on the result, number of bolts, type of placement and location of bolt are determined to be a test variable. Three different types of experimental specimens are prepared. Tensile load is applied through the center of the specimen with lap-joint connection and the structural behavior and failure mode of the test specimens with respect to the tensile load increment are investigated. As a result, it is found that most of the failure mode at the lap-joint connection is shear failure mode. Consequently, it is also found that the data obtained through this experimental program could be used for the structure connection design as a basis.

• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• v.18 no.3E
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• pp.199-205
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• 2006

The composite frame system with reinforced concrete column and steel beam can be improved in its structural efficiency by complementing the shortcomings of the two systems. The system, however, has many inherent problems in practical design and construction process due to the dissimilarities of the materials. Considering these circumstance, this research aims for the development of a composite structural system which connects the steel beams to the R/C columns with higher structural safety and economy. Basically, the proposed connection system is composed of four split tees, structural angles reinforced by a stiffener, high strength steel rods, connecting plates and shear plates. Structural tests have been carried out to investigate the moment transfer mechanism 1Tom the beam flange to steel rods or connecting plates through the structural angle reinforced by a stiffener. The four prototype specimens have been tested until the flange of the beam reached a plastic state. The test results indicated that no distinct material dissimilarities between concrete and steel have been detected for the proposed hybrid beam-column connection system and that the stress transfer through the structural angle between the beam flange and steel rods or connecting plates was very encouraging.

• Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea Structure & Construction
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.37-44
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• 2017

Due to structural characteristics, construction costs and duration of a modular system would be saved by minimizing the schedule on the job site. As such, it is crucial to develop a connection that can guarantee stiffness while allowing for simple assembling. Particularly, the mid- to high-rise construction of the modular system necessitates the securing of the structural stability and seismic performance of multi-unit frames and connections, and thus, the stiffness of unit-assembled structures needs to be re-evaluated and designed. However, evaluating a frame consisting of slender members and reinforcing materials is a complicated process. Therefore, the present study aims to examine the structural characteristics of a modular unit connection based a method for reinforcing connection brackets and hinges while minimizing the loss of the cross section. Toward this end, the study modeled the beam-to-column connection of a modular system with the proposed connection, and produced a specimen which was used to perform a cycling loading test. The study compared the initial stiffness, the attributes of the hysteretic behavior, and the maximum flexural moment, and observed whether the model acquired the seismic performance, compared to the flexural strength of the steel moment frame connection that is required by the Korean Building Code. The test results showed that the proposed connection produced a similar initial stiffness value to that of the theoretical equation, and its maximum strength exceeded the theoretical strength. Furthermore, the model with a larger ceiling bracket showed higher seismic performance, which was further increased by the reinforcement of the plate.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.745-762
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• 2014

As an important part, the connections generally are important for the overall behavior of the structure and the strength and serviceability of the connection should be ensured. This paper presents the mechanical properties of membrane connections in tensioned membrane structure. First, the details of common connections used in the membrane structure are introduced. Then, the common connections including membrane seam, membrane-flexible edge connection and membrane-rigid edge connection are tested and the corresponding failure mechanisms are discussed. Finally, the effects of connection parameters on the connection strength are investigated and proper connection parameters are proposed. The strength reduction factors corresponding to different connection types are proposed, which can be references for the design and analysis of membrane structures.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.877-895
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• 2015

Connections to circular hollow steel sections (CHS) are considered one of the most complex and time consuming connections in steel construction. Such connections are usually composed of gusset plates welded to the outside of the steel tube or penetrating the steel tube. Design guides, accounting for the effect of connection configuration on the strength of the connection, are not present. This study aims to investigate, through experimental testing and a parametric study, the influence of connection configuration on the strength of one sided branch plate-to-CHS members. A notable effect was observed on the behavior of the connections due to its detailing changes with respect to capacity, failure mode, ductility, and stress distribution. A parametric study is performed using the calibrated analytical model to include a wider range of parameters. The study involves 26 numerical analyses of finite element models including parameters of the diameter-to-thickness (D/t) ratio, length of gusset plate, and connection configuration. Accordingly, a modification to the formulas provided by the current design recommendations was suggested to include connection configuration effects for the one sided branch plate-to-CHS members.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.109-123
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• 2021

This research endeavor intends to use the implicit finite element method to investigate the structural response of steel shear walls with partial plate-column connection. To this end, comprehensive verification studies are initially performed by comparing the numerical predictions with several reported experimental results in order to demonstrate the reliability and accuracy of the implicit analysis method. Comparison is made between the hysteresis curves, failure modes, and base shear capacities predicted numerically using ABAQUS software and obtained/observed experimentally. Following the validation of the finite element analysis approach, the effects of partial plate-column connection on the strength and stiffness performances of steel shear wall systems with different web-plate slenderness and aspect ratios under monotonic loading are investigated through a parametric study. While removal of the connection between the web-plate and columns can be beneficial by decreasing the overall system demand on the vertical boundary members, based on the results and findings of this study such detachment can lower the stiffness and strength capacities of steel shear walls by about 25%, on average.

• 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.