• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.273-289
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• 2020

Due to the unique construction method of modular steel buildings (MSBs) with units prefabricated fully off the site and assembled quickly on the site, the inter-module connection for easy operation and overall performance of the system were key issues. However, it was a lack of relevant research on the system-level performance of MSBs. This study investigated the seismic performance of two-storey modular steel structure with a proposed vertical rotary inter-module connection. Three full-scale quasi-static tests, with and without corrugated steel plate and its combination, were carried out to evaluate and compare their seismic behaviour. The hysteretic performance, skeleton curves, ductile performance, stiffness degradation, energy dissipation capacity, and deformation pattern were clarified. The results showed that good ductility and plastic deformation ability of such modular steel structures. Two lateral-force resistance mechanisms with different layout combinations were also discussed in detail. The corrugated steel plate could significantly improve the lateral stiffness and bearing capacity of the modular steel structure. The cooperative working mechanism of modules and inter-module connections was further analyzed. When the lateral stiffness of upper and lower modular structures was close, limited bending moment transfer may be considered for the inter-module connection. While a large lateral stiffness difference existed initially between the upper and lower structures, an obvious gap occurred at the inter-module connection, and this gap may significantly influence the bending moments transferred by the inter-module connections. Meanwhile, several design recommendations of inter-module connections were also given for the application of MSBs.

• 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.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.105-114
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• 2018

Modular system can be divided into two types based on the methods of resisting load. The one is the open-sided modular system composed of beams and columns. The other is the enclosed modular system composed of panels and studs. Of the Modular systems, the use of open-sided modular system is limited because it consists of closed member sections. In order to solve this problem, Choi et al.(2017) proposed a composite modular system with folded steel members filled with concrete. However, it was assumed in the previous study that the connections between modules are composed of rigid joint. Therefore it didn't identify the effect of connection behavior in structure. This study used finite element analysis to calculate stiffness of the connections in the proposed modular system. The linearization method presented in FEMA 440 is used for seismic performance assessment of structures, considering the connection stiffness computed in this study. The result of analysis shows that the capacity and story drift ratio obtained in the model considering stiffness of connection are less than those in the model not considering connection stiffness. Based on this observation, it is concluded that the stiffness of connection has a considerable effect on structural behavior.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 2019

Modular system can be divided into two types based on the methods of resisting load. The one is the open-sided modular system composed of beams and columns. The other is the enclosed modular system composed of panels and studs. Of the Modular systems, the use of open-sided modular system is limited because it consists of closed member sections. In order to solve this problem, Choi et al.(2017) proposed a composite modular system with folded steel members filled with concrete. However, it was assumed in the previous study that the connections between modules are composed of rigid joint. Therefore it didn't identify the effect of connection behavior in structure. This study used finite element analysis to calculate stiffness of the connections in the proposed modular system. The linearization method presented in FEMA 440 is used for seismic performance assessment of structures, considering the connection stiffness computed in this study. The result of analysis shows that the capacity and story drift ratio obtained in the model considering stiffness of connection are less than those in the model not considering connection stiffness. Based on this observation, it is concluded that the stiffness of connection has a considerable effect on structural behavior.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.315-328
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• 2018

Built-up Double-I (BD-I) columns consist of two hot rolled IPE sections and two cover plates which are welded by fillet welds. In Iran, this type of column is commonly used in braced frames with simple connections and sometimes in low-rise Moment Resisting Frames (MRF) with Welded Flange Plate (WFP) beam-column detailing. To evaluate the seismic performance of WFP connection of I-beam to BD-I column, traditional and modified exterior MRF connections were tested subjected to cyclic prescribed loading of AISC. Test results indicate that the traditional connection does not achieve the intended behavior while the modified connection can moderately meet the requirements of MRF connection. The numerical models of the connections were developed in ABAQUS finite element software and validated with the test results. For this purpose, moment-rotation curves and failure modes of the tested connections were compared with the simulation results. Moreover to avoid improper failure modes, some improvements of the connections were evaluated through a numerical study.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2006.05a
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• pp.130-133
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• 2006

Owing to Higher story tendency and ceiling hight restriction of recent times, even though the depth of Coupling Beam decreases the demand efficiency is coming to be high rather so it is the difficult to satisfy a demand efficiency with the actual existing RC/Steel condition. It has been researched a lot of methods as an alternative plan about these but designer cannot apply them for the reason ; the structure standard and theory background are not taking a triangular position. As accomplishing the test research about the beams-wall connections department of steel-plate composite coupling beams from the research in the study it examines closely the beams-wall connections conduct quality and tries to provide the fundamental data for reasonable and optimum connection department designs. It knows that connection fixation degree and composite conduct degree of member part together become the important variable showing an energy dissipation ability in Test result.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.15-26
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• 2020

The top-and-seat angles with double web angles are commonly used in the design of beam-to-column joints in Asian and North American countries. The seismic behavior analysis of these joints with large cross-section size of beam and column (often connected by four or more bolts) is a challenge due to the effects from the relatively larger size of stiffened angles and the composite action from the adjacent concrete slab. This paper presents an experimental investigation on the seismic performance of exterior composite beam-to-column joints with stiffened angles under cyclic loading. Four full-scale composite joints with different configuration (only one specimen contain top angle in concrete slab) were designed and tested. The joint specimens were designed by considering the effects of top angles, longitudinal reinforcement bars and arrangement of bolts. The behavior of the joints was carefully investigated, in terms of the failure modes, slippage, backbone curves, strength degradation, and energy dissipation abilities. It was found that the slippage between top-and-seat angles and beam flange, web angle and beam web led to a notable pinching effect, in addition, the ability of the energy dissipation was significantly reduced. The effect of anchored beams on the behavior of the joints was limited due to premature failure in concrete, the concrete slab that closes to the column flange and upper flange of beam plays an significant role when the joint subjected to the sagging moment. It is demonstrated that the ductility of the joints was significantly improved by the staggered bolts and welded longitudinal reinforcement bars.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.803-818
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• 2020

Semi-rigid connections with blind bolts could solve the difficulty that traditional high strength bolts were unavailable to splice a steel/composite beam to a closed section column. However, insufficient investigations have focused on the performance of semi-rigid connection to square concrete filled double-skin steel tubular (CFDST) columns. In this paper, a component model was developed to evaluate the mechanical behavior of semi-rigid composite connections to CFDST columns considering the stiffness and strength of column face in compression and column web in shear which were determined by the load transfer mechanism and superstition method. Then, experimental investigations on blind bolted composite joints to square CFDST columns were conducted to validate the accuracy of the component model. Dominant failure modes of the connections were analyzed and this type of joint behaved semi-rigid manner. More importantly, strain responses of CFDST column web and tubes verified that stiffness and strength of column face in compression and column web in shear significantly affected the connection mechanical behavior owing to the hollow part of the cross-section for CFDST column. The experimental and analytical results showed that the CFDST column to steel-concrete composite beam semi-rigid joints could be employed for the assembled structures in high intensity seismic regions.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.337-347
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• 2011

In this study, seismic resistance of concrete encased U-shaped steel beam-to-steel H-shaped column connections was evaluated. Three specimens of the beam-to-column connection were tested under cyclic loading. The composite beam was integrated with concrete slab using studs. Re-bars for negative moment were placed in the slab. The primary test parameter was the details of the connections, which are strengthening and weakening strategies for the beam end and the degree of composite action. The depth of the composite beams was 600mm including the slab thickness. The steel beam and the re-bars in the slab were weld-connected to the steel column. For the strengthening strategy, cover plates were weld-connected to the bottom and top flanges of the steel beam. For the weakening strategy, a void using styrofoam box was located inside the core concrete at the potential plastic hinge zone. The test results showed that the fully composite specimens exhibited good strength, deformation, and energy dissipation capacities. The deformation capacity of the beam exceeded 4% rotation angle, which is the requirement for the Special Moment Frame.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.459-480
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• 2001

The damage suffered by steel structures during the Northridge (1994) and Kobe (1995) earthquakes indicates that the fully restrained (FR) connections in steel frames did not behave as expected. Consequently, researchers began studying other possibilities, including making the connections more flexible, to reduce the risk of damage from seismic loading. Recent experimental and analytical investigations pointed out that the seismic response of steel frames with partially restrained (PR) connections might be superior to that of similar frames with FR connections since the energy dissipation at PR connections could be significant. This beneficial effect has not yet been fully quantified analytically. Thus, the dissipation of energy at PR connections needs to be considered in analytical evaluations, in addition to the dissipation of energy due to viscous damping and at plastic hinges (if they form). An algorithm is developed and verified by the authors to estimate the nonlinear time-domain dynamic response of steel frames with PR connections. The verified algorithm is then used to quantify the major sources of energy dissipation and their effect on the overall structural response in terms of the maximum base shear and the maximum top displacement. The results indicate that the dissipation of energy at PR connections is comparable to that dissipated by viscous damping and at plastic hinges. In general, the maximum total base shear significantly increases with an increase in the connection stiffness. On the other hand, the maximum top lateral displacement $U_{max}$ does not always increase as the connection stiffness decreases. Energy dissipation is considerably influenced by the stiffness of a connection, defined in terms of the T ratio, i.e., the ratio of the moment the connection would have to carry according to beam line theory (Disque 1964) and the fixed end moment of the girder. A connection with a T ratio of at least 0.9 is considered to be fully restrained. The energy dissipation behavior may be quite different for a frame with FR connections with a T ratio of 1.0 compared to when the T ratio is 0.9. Thus, for nonlinear seismic analysis, a T ratio of at least 0.9 should not be considered to be an FR connection. The study quantitatively confirms the general observations made in experimental results for frames with PR connections. Proper consideration of the PR connection stiffness and other dynamic properties are essential to predict dynamic behavior, no matter how difficult the analysis procedure becomes. Any simplified approach may need to be calibrated using this type of detailed analytical study.