• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.11 no.3 s.40
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• pp.271-279
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• 1999

Recently, studies on semi-rigid beam-to-column connections have been done to develop a T-stub element with separators between column face and T-stub flange. In this paper, inelastic analyses for the improved T-stub element are performed, and their results are compared with existing experimental results. The inelastic analyses using gap elements between column face and the separator, and initial stresses at the high-tension bolts result in good agreement with experimental results. Simplified design methods estimating the initial stiffness and the strength of the semi-rigid connection for compression force are proposed.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.383-398
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• 2009

Applying nonlinear statistical analysis methods in estimating the performance of structures in earthquakes is strongly considered these days. This is due to the methods' simplicity, timely lower cost and reliable estimation in seismic responses in comparison with time-history nonlinear dynamic analysis. Among nonlinear methods, simplified to be incorporated in the future guidelines, Modal Pushover Analysis, known by the abbreviated name of MPA, simply models nonlinear behavior of structures; and presents a very proper estimation of nonlinear dynamic analysis using lateral load pattern appropriate to the mass. Mostly, two kinds of connecting joints, 'hinge' and 'rigid', are carried out in different type of steel structures. However, it should be highly considered that nominal hinge joints usually experience some percentages of fixity and nominal rigid connections do not employ totally rigid. Therefore, concerning the importance of these structures and the significant flexibility effect of connections on force distribution and elements deformation, these connections can be considered as semi-rigid with various percentages of fixity. Since it seems, the application and implementation of MPA method has not been studied on moment-resistant steel frames with semi rigid connections, this research focuses on this topic and issue. In this regard several rigid and semi-rigid steel bending frames with different percentages of fixity are selected. The structural design is performed based on weak beam and strong column. Followed by that, the MPA method is used as an approximated method and Nonlinear Response History Analysis (NL-RHA) as the exact one. Studying the performance of semi-rigid frames in height shows that MPA technique offers reasonably reliable results in these frames. The methods accuracy seems to decrease, when the number of stories increases and does decrease in correlation with the semi-rigidity percentages. This generally implies that the method can be used as a proper device in seismic estimation of different types of low and mid-rise buildings with semi-rigid connections.

• 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 Navigation and Port Research
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• v.29 no.5 s.101
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• pp.389-394
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• 2005

The additional moment occurs because the superstructures of VLFS are influenced by wave loads instead of earthquake loads. In order to reduce the additional moment, this study used the semi-rigid connections which lie between fully rigid and pinned. If the semi-rigid connections are used for superstructures of VLFS, the moment of beams can be reduced and more economical construction will be possible. This study aims to show the effect of wave loads on structure and the efficiency of the semi-rigid connections due to wave loads by analyzing the time history responses. The dynamic behaviors of the rigid frame are compared with those of the semi-rigid frame considering of static loads, wave loads and combination loads for a four-bay, three-story frames. The semi-rigid connection type is a steel tubular column with square external-diaphragm connections and the time history analysis is used for the dynamic responses. The additional moment responses due to wave loads increase $33\%$ in the rigid frame, $26\%$ in the semi-rigid frame with the spring model.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.175-180
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• 2012

The shape of floating superstructure is the same as other buildings, but the foundation is based not on land but on a floating body. Unlike inland structures, they are largely influenced by the wave load. Deformation of the floating pontoon due to the wave loads affects the connection, which in turn causes problems related to the habitability and safety to the superstructure users. Accordingly, this study conducted elastic analysis regarding rigid connection and semi-rigid connection by the integration analysis that combined together the superstructure and pontoon of the 3-D floating structure. Moreover, this study investigated the results of the separation analysis excluding pontoon and the integration analysis. In addition, elasticity analysis was used to divide up the wave loads cases, and to classify the moment and displacement of the structure depending on connection following the changes in the wave loads.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.493-499
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• 2017

The behaviour of steel frames is highly influenced by the beam-column connections. Traditionally, Steel frames were usually designed assuming that connections are ideally pinned or fully rigid. A semi-rigid connection, however, creates a balance between the two extreme approaches mentioned above. In this research, two full scales of Extended End Plate Connections (EEPCs) were tested. Mathematical and numerical models were used to analyse the connections, and close correlations were found between these models and the corresponding tested specimens, which confirmed the confidence in the experimental results. The experimental results obtained enrich the available test data about behaviour of EEPC. In addition, the purpose of studying EEPC experimentally is to compare the stiffness and moment-rotation curve of EEPCs with that of Cap Plate Connections (CPCs), which were tested in a previous work. CPCs have not been studied sufficiently in the literature. The results obtained show that the typical CPC reduces the connection stiffness and these results will make a valuable contribution to the available test data in the research area of CPC.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.447-462
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• 2020

The paper aims to investigate the mechanical mechanism and seismic effect of stiffeners in blind bolt endplate connection to CFST column. A precise 3D finite element model with considering the cyclic properties of concrete and steel materials was established, and the efficiency was validated through monotonic and cyclic test data. The deforming pattern and the seismic performance of the unstiffened and stiffened blind bolt endplate connections were investigated. Then a parametric analysis was conducted to analyze the contribution of stiffeners and the joint working behaviors with endplate under cyclic load. The joint stiffness classifications were compared and a supplement stiffness classification method was proposed, and the energy dissipation ability of different class connections were compared and discussed. Results indicated that the main deformation pattern of unstiffened blind bolt endplate connections was the local bending of end plate. The vertical stiffeners can effectively alleviate the local bending deformation of end plate. And influence of stiffeners in thin endplate and thick endplate was different. Based on the stiffness of external diaphragm welded connection, a more detailed rigidity classification was proposed which included the pin, semi-rigid, quasi-rigid and rigid connection. Beam was the main energy dissipation source for rigid connection. For the semi-rigid and quasi-rigid connection, the extended endplate, stiffeners and steel beam would all participate in the energy dissipation.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.269-284
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• 1994

The analysis and tests of thin-walled channel frames including nonlinear flexible or semi-rigid connection behaviour is presented. The semi-rigid connection behaviour is modelled using a mathematical approximation of the connection flexibility-moment relationship. Local instability such as local buckling and torsional flexural buckling of the member are included in the analysis. The full response of the frame, up to the collapse load, can be predicted. Experimental investigation was carried out on a series of simple double storey symmetrical frames with the purpose of verifying the accuracy and validity of the analysis. Agreement between the theoretical and experimental results is acceptable. The investigation also shows that connection flexibility and local instability such as local buckling and torsional flexural buckling can affect the behaviour and strength of thin-walled frames significantly. The results can also provide further insight into the advanced study of practical structures where interaction between flexible connections and phenomenon associated with thin-walled members are present.

• 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.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.