• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.305-323
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• 2024

Previous experimental studies have effectively demonstrated the remarkable efficiency of the stiffened channel link in connecting circular columns and I-shaped beams. This research aims to present design criteria and assess the seismic properties of this specific connection type through numerical modeling. Various parameters, including stiffener type and geometric properties of the stiffened channel element, were duly taken into account. The findings from over 136 nonlinear finite element analyses (FEAs) reveal that the recommended detailing scheme reliably satisfies all the regulations specified for rigid beam-to-column connections in special moment frames.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.93-100
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• 2015

Modern wooden structures usually are connected with steel fastener type connectors. And joints using multiple connectors in wooden structures will form semi-rigid connection. If connection in wooden structure would be designed to be pinned joint, the underestimate for loads transmitted through connection, would result in the deficient capacity of resistance in connection. And if joints in wooden structures would be assumed to be fully-rigid joint, amount of fasteners needed at the connection could be excessively increased. It will give a bad effect in the view of beauty, constructability and economy. Estimate for the reasonable stiffness of connection might be essential in design of reasonable connection in wooden structure. This paper will suggest analysis modelling technique that can represent approximate stiffness of connections using a common analysis program for double shear connection in order to give help in performing easily the design of wooden structure. It is verified that the suggested approximate analysis modelling technique could represent the behavior in connection by comparing the analysis results with test results for tensile, bending moment.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.201-214
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• 2001

Four finite element (FE) models are examined to find the one that best estimates moment-rotation characteristics of top- and seat-angle with double web-angle connections. To efficiently simulate the real behavior of connections, finite element analyses are performed with following considerations: 1) all components of connection (beam, column, angles and bolts) are discretized by eight-node solid elements; 2) shapes of bolt shank, head, and nut are precisely taken into account in modeling; and 3) contact surface algorithm is applied as boundary condition. To improve accuracy in predicting moment-rotation behavior of a connection, bolt pretension is introduced before the corresponding connection moment being surcharged. The experimental results are used to investigate the applicability of FE method and to check the performance of three-parameter power model by making comparison among their moment-rotation behaviors and by assessment of deformation and stress distribution patterns at the final stage of loading. This research exposes two important features: (1) the FE method has tremendous potential for connection modeling for both monotonic and cyclic loading; and (2) the power model is able to predict moment-rotation characteristics of semi-rigid connections with acceptable accuracy.

• Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea Structure & Construction
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• v.34 no.12
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• pp.3-10
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• 2018

Recently, severe damage to domestic horticultural structures is frequently observed due to extreme climate effects. To minimize the structures' damage, a study on the structural stability of multi-span vinyl greenhouses is needed. This paper presents to measure the rotational stiffness of different connectors to improve the design capacities of the specification. The paper investigated fourteen types of the different connectors, which was commonly used in the multi-span greenhouses, and three different types of the connectors predicted to be under moment-connection were selected: i) T-clamp, ii) U-clamp, iii) C-clamp. Static loading tests for three different connectors were performed to measure the rotational stiffness. Additionally, the boundary condition for the structural design was proposed based on the experimental results of the rotational stiffness. One of three connectors, C-clamp had larger rotational stiffness than other connectors, and the experimental results presented the three connectors had boundary conditions; i) T-clamp was pinned-connection, ii) U-clamp was semi-rigid connection, iii) C-clamp was semi-rigid connection.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.277-309
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• 2013

Beam-to-column connections behaviour plays an important role in the analysis and design of steel and precast concrete structures. The paper presents a computer-based method for geometrically nonlinear frames with semi-rigid beam-to-column connections. The analytical procedure employs modified stability functions to model the effect of axial force on the stiffness of members. The member modified stiffness matrix, and the modified fixed end forces for various loads were found. The linear and nonlinear analyses were applied for two planar steel structures. The method is readily implemented on a computer using matrix structural analysis techniques and is applicable for the efficient nonlinear analysis of frameworks.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.503-515
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• 2022

Global or partial damage to a structure due to the failure of gravity or lateral load-bearing elements is called progressive collapse. In the present study, the alternate load path (ALP) method introduced by GSA and UFC 4-023-03 guidelines is used to evaluate the progressive collapse in special steel moment-resisting frame (SMRF) buildings. It was assumed that the progressive collapse is due to the earthquake force and its effects after the removal of the elements still remain on the structures. Therefore, nonlinear dynamic time history analysis employing 7 earthquake records is used to investigate this phenomenon. Internal and external column removal scenarios are investigated and the stiffness of the connections is changed from semi-rigid to rigid. The results of the analysis performed in the OpenSees program show that the loss of the bearing capacity of an exterior column due to a seismic event and the occurrence of progressive collapse can increase the inter-story drift of the structure with semi-rigid connections by more than 50% and make the structure unable to satisfy the life safety performance level. Furthermore, connection stiffness severely affects the redistribution of forces and moments in the adjacent elements of the removed column.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.409-422
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• 2013

For stability design and P-${\Delta}$ analysis of steel frames with semi-rigid connections, the explicit form of the exact tangential stiffness matrix of a generalized semi-rigid frame element having rotational and translational connections is firstly derived using the stability functions. And its elastic and geometric stiffness matrix is consistently obtained by Taylor series expansion. Next depending on connection types of semi-rigidity, the corresponding tangential stiffness matrices are degenerated based on penalty method and static condensation technique. And then numerical procedures for determination of effective buckling lengths of generalized semi-rigid frames members and P-${\Delta}$ and shortly addressed. Finally three numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the validity and accuracy of the proposed method. Particularly the minimum braced frames and coupled buckling modes of the corresponding frames are investigated.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.68 no.5
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• pp.591-601
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• 2018

Non-moment beam-to-column connections, which are usually referred to as simple or shear connections, are typically designed to carry only gravity loads in the form of vertical shears. Although in the analysis of structures these connections are usually assumed to be pinned, they may provide a small amount of rotational stiffness due to the typical connection details. This paper investigates the effects of this small rotational restraint of simple beam-to-column connections on the behavior and seismic response of steel braced non-moment resisting frames. Two types of commonly used simple connections with bolted angles, i.e., the Double Web angle Connection (DWC) and Unstiffened Seat angle Connection (USC) are considered for this purpose. In addition to the pinned condition - as a simplified representation of these connections - more accurate semi-rigid models are established and then applied to some frame models subjected to nonlinear pushover and nonlinear time history analyses. Although the use of bracing elements generally reduces the sensitivity of the global structural response to the behavior of connections, the obtained results indicate considerable effects on the local responses. Namely, our results show that consideration of the real behavior of connections is essential in designing the column elements where the pin-connection assumption significantly underestimates design of outer columns of upper stories.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.12 no.5 s.48
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• pp.527-535
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• 2000

Accurate determination of the relative restraint of beam-to-column connections is important for both the strength and the serviceability of structural frames. But steel frame analysis is carried out under the assumption that the connections are either fixed or pinned. Overestimating the connection restraint can result in underestimating lateral sway and underestimating the connection restraint can lead to underestimating forces developed in the beams and columns. This implies that the exact stiffness of connections as well as the geometric effects should be considered in the frame analysis and the overall behavior of connections could be described adequately. Therefore, the stiffness matrix which is able to consider the moment-rotation of connection was derived previously and the modified exponential model, power model and the proposed log model are adopted for modeling the semi-rigid connections. The main purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility of the derived stiffness matrix and to show the validity of log model proposed.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-22
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• 2018

Multi-storey precast concrete skeletal structures are assembled from individual prefabricated components which are erected on-site using various types of connections. In the current design of these structures, beam-to-column connections are assumed to be pin jointed. Welded plate beam to-column connections have been used in the precast concrete industry for many years. They have many advantages over other jointing methods in component production, quality control, transportation and assembly. However, there is at present limited information concerning their detailed structural behaviour under bending and shear loadings. The experimental work has involved the determination of moment-rotation relationships for semi-rigid precast concrete connections in full scale connection tests. The study reported in this paper was undertaken to clarify the behaviour of such connections under symmetrical vertical loadings. A series of full-scale tests was performed on sample column for which the column geometry and weld arrangements conformed with successful commercial practice. Proprietary hollow core slabs were tied to the beams by tensile reinforcing bars, which also provide the in-plane continuity across the connections. The strength of the connections in the double sided tests was at least 0.84 times the predicted moment of resistance of the composite beam and slab. The secant stiffness of the connections ranged from 0.7 to 3.9 times the flexural stiffness of the attached beam. When the connections were tested without the floor slabs and tie steel, the reduced strength and stiffness were approximately a third and half respectively. This remarkable contribution of the floor strength and stiffness to the flexural capacity of the joint is currently neglected in the design process for precast concrete frames. In general, the double sided connections were found to be more suited to a semi-rigid design approach than the single sided ones. The behaviour of double sided welded plate connection test results are presented in this paper. The behaviour of single sided welded plate connection test results is the subject of another paper.