• 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.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.109-120
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• 2017

The behavior of moment resistant steel structures depends on both the beam-column connections and columns foundations connections. Obviously, if the connections can meet the adequate ductility and resistance against lateral loads, the seismic capacity of these structures will be linked practically to the performance of these connections. The shape memory alloys (SMAs) have been most recently used as a means of energy dissipation in buildings. The main approach adopted by researchers in the use of such alloys is firstly bracing, and secondly connecting the beams to columns. Additionally, the behavior of these alloys is modeled in software applications rarely involving equivalent torsional springs and column-foundation connections. This paper attempts to introduce the shape memory alloys and their applications in steel structural connections, proposing a new steel column-foundation connection, not merely a theoretical model but practically a realistic and applicable model in structures. Moreover, it entails the same functionality as macro modeling software based on real behavior, which can use different materials to establish a connection between the columns and foundations. In this paper, the suggested steel column-foundation connection was introduced. Moreover, exploring the seismic dynamic behavior under cyclic loading protocols and the famous earthquake records with different materials such as steel and interconnection equipment by superelastic shape memory alloys have been investigated. Then, the results were compared to demonstrate that such connections are ideal against the seismic behavior and energy dissipation.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.205-228
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• 2015

The results of a numerical investigation pertaining to the hysteretic behaviour of concrete filled steel tubular (CFT) column to I-beam connections are discussed in detail. Following the verification of the numerical results against the available experimental tests, the nonlinear finite element (FE) analysis was implemented to evaluate the effects of different parameters including the column axial load, beam lateral support, shape and arrangement of stiffeners, stiffness of T-stiffeners, and the number of shear stiffeners. Pursuing this objective, an external CFT column to beam connection, tested previously, was selected as the case-study. The lateral forces on the structure were simulated, albeit approximately, using an incremental cyclic loading reversal applied at the beam tip. The results were compared in terms of hysteretic load-displacement curves, stress distributions in connection, strength, rotation, and energy dissipation capacity. It was shown that external T-stiffeners combined with internal shear stiffeners play an important role in the hysteretic performance of CFT columns to I-beam connections.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.81 no.4
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• pp.493-502
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• 2022

Shear lag phenomenon has long been considered in numerous structural codes; however, the AISC provisions have now no longer proposed any unique equation to calculate the shear lag ratio in bolted connections for angles in general. It is noticeable that, however, codes used in this case are largely conservative and need to be amended. A parametric study consisting of 27 angle sections with equal legs and different with bolted connections was performed to investigate the effects of shear lag on the ultimate tensile capacity of angle members. The main parameters were: steel grade, connection length and eccentricity from the center of the plate, as well as the number of rows of bolts parallel to the applied force. The test results were compared with the predictions of the classical 1-x/l law proposed by Mons and Chesen to investigate its application to quantify the effect of shear lag. A parametric study was performed using valid FE models that cover a wide range of parameters. Finally, based on the numerical results, design considerations were proposed to quantify the effect of shear lag on the ultimate tensile capacity of the tensile members.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.227-241
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• 2020

An experimental study has been carried out to investigate the effect of beam to column connection rigidity on the behavior of infilled steel frames. Five half scale, single-story and single-bay specimens, including four infilled frames, as well as, one bare frame, were tested under in-plane lateral cyclic reversal loading. The connections of beam to column for bare frame as well as two infill specimens were rigid, whereas those of others were pinned. For each frame type, two different infill panels were considered: (1) masonry infill, (2) masonry infill strengthened with shotcrete. The experimental results show that the infilled frames with pinned connections have less stiffness, strength and potential of energy dissipation compared to those with rigid connections. Furthermore, the validity of analytical methods proposed in the literature was examined by comparing the experimental data with analytical ones. It is shown that the analytical methods overestimate the stiffness of infilled frame with pinned connections; however, the strength estimation of both infilled frames with rigid and pinned connections is acceptable.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.863-875
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• 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.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.747-759
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• 2021

Built-up Double-I (BD-I) columns have been commonly used for mid-rise steel-frame structures in Iran. These columns consist of two hot rolled IPE sections which are connected by two cover plates and fillet welds. Until 2017, BD-I columns were employed in intermediate moment resisting frames (MRF) using welded flange plate (WFP) connections. To evaluate the seismic behavior of the connections, four samples were made and tested based on cyclic loading according to AISC 341-16. It was concluded that typical samples cannot satisfy the seismic provisions related to intermediate MRFs. In contrast, the proposed connections retrofitted with two-part external diaphragms were able to satisfy not only the seismic requirements related to intermediate MRFs but also those related to special MRFs according to AISC. The numerical modeling of these samples was performed using ABAQUS finite element software. This study compared the hysteresis moment-rotation curves, plastic strains, and behavior modes in both experimental samples and numerical models.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.79-90
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• 2019

This study introduces new connections that connect the beam to the column with slit dampers. Plastic deformations and damages concentrate on slit dampers. The slit dampers prevent plastic damages of column, beam, welds and panel zone and act as fuses. The slit dampers were prepared with IPE profiles that had some holes in the webs. In this paper, two experimental specimens were made. In first specimen (SDC1), just one slit damper connected the beam to the column and one IPE profile with no holes connected the bottom flange of the beam to the column. The second specimen (SDC2) had two similar dampers which connected the top and bottom flange of the beam to the column. Cyclic loading was applied on Specimens. The cyclic displacements conditions continued until 0.06 radian rotation of connection. The experimental observations showed that the bending moment of specimen SDC2 increased until 0.04 story drift. In specimen SDC1, the bending moment decreases after 0.03 story drift. Test results indicate the high performance of the proposed connection. Based on the results, the specimen with two slit damper (SDC2) has higher seismic performance and dissipates more energy in loading process than specimen SDC1. Theoretical formulas were extended for the proposed connections. Numerical studies have been done by ABAQUS software. The theoretical and numerical results had good agreements with the experimental data. Based on the experimental and numerical investigations, the high ductility of connection is obtained from plastic damages of slit dampers. The most flexural moment of specimen SDC1 occurred at 3% story drift and this value was 1.4 times the plastic moment of the beam section. This parameter for SDC2 was 1.73 times the plastic moment of the beam section and occurred at 4% story drift. The dissipated energy ratio of SDC2 to SDC1 is equal to 1.51.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.213-228
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• 2020

Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) are new materials used in various fields of science and engineering, one of which is civil engineering. Owing to their distinguished capabilities such as super elasticity, energy dissipation, and tolerating cyclic deformations, these materials have been of interest to engineers. On the other hand, the connections of a steel structure are of paramount importance because of their vulnerabilities during an earthquake. Therefore, it is indispensable to find approaches to augment the efficiency and safety of the connection. This research investigates the behavior of steel connections with extended end plates equipped hybridly with 8 rows of high strength bolts as well as Nitinol superelastic SMA bolts. The connections are studied using component method in dual form. In this method, the components affecting the connections behavior, such as beam flange, beam web, column web, extended end plate, and bolts are considered as parallel and series springs according to the Euro-Code3. Then, the nonlinear force- displacement response of the connection is presented in the form of moment-rotation curve. The results obtained from this survey demonstrate that the connection has ductility, in addition to its high strength, due to high ductility of SMA bolts.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.7 no.11
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• pp.962-966
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• 2001

The major problem at a branch point for point-to-multipoint available bit rate(ABR) services in asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) networks is how to consolidate backward resource management(BRM) cells from each branch for a multicast connection. In this paper, we propose an efficient feedback consolidation algorithm based on an adaptive dynamic threshold(ADT) to eliminate the consolidation noise and the reduce the consolidation delay. The main idea of the ADT algorithm lies in that each branch point estimates the ABR traffic condition of the network through the virtual queue estimation and the transmission threshold of the queue level in branch points is adaptively controlled according to the estimation. Simulation results show that the proposed ADT algorithm can achieve a faster response in congestion status and a higher link utilization compared with the previous works.