• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.351-361
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• 2001

The connections are classified as rigid, semi+rigid, or pinned. There are two classification systems, EC3 adn Bjorhovede et al., representatively. The EC3 boundary between rigid and semi-rigid connections is in on the whole restrictive in term of the stiffness as well as the moment capacity of connections. The boundary specified by Bjorhovede et al. may not be sufficient to assure the behavior of rigid frames in some cases. In this study, it is proposed the new classification system for steel connection that depends on the reduction factor(R) of critical buckling load for unbraced semi-rigid frame expressed by the stiffness ratio($\rho$) of beam to column and the stiffness ratio(k) of connection to beam. Finally, it is examined by experimental data that new classification criteria provides a practical boundary compared wit hteh existing classifications.

• 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.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.539-569
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• 2012

The behaviour of beam-to-column connections plays an important role in the analysis and design of steel structures. A computer-based method is presented for nonlinear steel frames with semi-rigid connections accounting for shear deformations. The analytical procedure employs transcendental stability functions to model the effect of axial force on the stiffness of members. The member stiffness matrix, and the fixed end forces for various loads were found. The nonlinear analysis method is applied for three 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.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.323-347
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• 2014

This paper proposes a Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm, which is improved by making use of the Harmony Search (HS) approach and called HS-PSO algorithm. A computer code is developed for optimal sizing design of non-linear steel frames with various semi-rigid and rigid beam-to-column connections based on the HS-PSO algorithm. The developed code selects suitable sections for beams and columns, from a standard set of steel sections such as American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) wide-flange W-shapes, such that the minimum total cost, which comprises total member plus connection costs, is obtained. Stress and displacement constraints of AISC-LRFD code together with the size constraints are imposed on the frame in the optimal design procedure. The nonlinear moment-rotation behavior of connections is modeled using the Frye-Morris polynomial model. Moreover, the P-${\Delta}$ effects of beam-column members are taken into account in the non-linear structural analysis. Three benchmark design examples with several types of connections are presented and the results are compared with those of standard PSO and of other researches as well. The comparison shows that the proposed HS-PSO algorithm performs better both than the PSO and the Big Bang-Big Crunch (BB-BC) methods.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.9 no.4 s.33
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• pp.479-487
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• 1997

The use of semi-rigid joints can be considered in the beam-to-column connections of buildings. The advantages of semi-rigid joints can be found in the convenience of construction and the ability of effective moment distribution of members. This study is a basic step to acertain the application of middle high rise buildings by using reformed T-stub, of which rotation capacity is thought to be excellent compared with that of existing T-stubs. The tests of tensile and compressive elements of reformed T-stubs were performed to investigate the behavior of reformed T-stubs. The beam-to-column connections using reformed T-stubs are tested under monotonic loading. The structural behaviors of reformed T-stubs were understood qualitatively and the possibility of application of semi-rigid connections with reformed T-stub was acertained.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.57 no.6
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• pp.1065-1084
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• 2016

The analysis and design of skeletal structures is greatly influenced by the behaviour of beam-to-column connections, where patented designs have led to a wide range of types with differing structural quantities. The behaviour of beam-to-column connections plays an important role in the analysis and design of framed structures. This paper presents an overview of the influence of connection behaviour on structural stability, in the in-plane (bending) mode of sway. A computer-based method is presented for geometrically nonlinear plane frames with semi-rigid connections accounting for shear deformations. The analytical procedure employs transcendental modified stability functions to model the effect of axial force on the stiffness of members. The member stiffness matrix were found. The critical load has been searched as a suitable load parameter for the loss of stability of the system. Several examples are presented to demonstrate the validity of the analysis procedure. The method is readily implemented on a computer using matrix structural analysis techniques and is applicable for the efficient nonlinear analysis of frameworks. Combined with a parametric column effective length study, connection and frame stiffness are used to propose a method for the analysis of semi-rigid frames where column effective lengths are greatly reduced and second order (deflection induced) bending moments in the column may be distributed via the connectors to the beams, leading to significant economies.

• 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.

• 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.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.16 no.2 s.69
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• pp.201-213
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• 2004

A GA-based optimum design algorithm and a program for plane steel frame structures with semi-rigid connections are presented. The algorithm is incorporated with the refined plastic hinge analysis method wherein geometric nonlinearity is considered by using the stability functions of beam-column members, and material nonlinearity, by using the gradual stiffness degradation model that includes the effects of residual stresses, moment redistribution through the occurrence of plastic hinges, semi-rigid connections, and geometric imperfection of members. In the genetic algorithm, the tournament selection method and micro-GAs are employed. The fitness function for the genetic algorithm is expressed as an unconstrained function composed of objective and penalty functions. The objective and penalty functions are expressed as the weight of steel frames and the constraint functions, respectively. In particular, the constraint functions fulfill the requirements of load-carrying capacity, serviceability, ductility, and construction workability. To verify the appropriateness of the present method, the optimal design results of two plane steel frames with rigid and semi-rigid connections are compared.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.603-622
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• 2018

Precast concrete structures are erected from individual prefabricated components, which are assembled on-site using different types of connections. In the present design of these structures, beam-to-column connections are assumed pin jointed. Bolted billet 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 currently limited information concerning their detailed structural behaviour under vertical loadings. The experimental work has involved the determination of moment-relative 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 bolt arrangements conformed to successful commercial practice. Proprietary hollow core floor slabs were tied to the beams by 2T25 tensile reinforcing bars, which also provide the in-plane continuity across the connections. The 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. The flexural strength of the connections in the double-sided tests was at least 0.93 times the predicted moment of resistance of the composite beam and slab. The secant stiffness of the connections ranged from 0.94 to 1.94 times the flexural stiffness of the attached beam. 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 bolted billet connection test results are presented in this paper. The behaviour of single sided bolted billet connection test results is the subject of another paper.