• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.185-197
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• 2019

Considering the increasing use of tubular profiles in civil construction, this paper highlights the study on the behavior of welded connections between square hollow section column and I-beam, with emphasis on the assessment of the joint stiffness. Firstly, a theoretical analysis of the welded joints has been done focusing on prescriptions of the technical literature for the types of geometries mentioned. Then, a numerical analysis of the proposed joints were performed by the finite element method (FEM) with the software ANSYS 16.0. In this study, two models were evaluated for different parameters, such as the thickness of the cross section of the column and the sizes of cross section of the beams. The first model describes a connection in which one beam is connected to the column in a unique bending plane, while the second model describes a connection of two beams to the column in two bending planes. From the numerical results, the bending moment-rotation ($M-{\varphi}$) curve was plotted in order to determine the resistant bending moment and classify each connection according to its rotational capacity. Furthermore, an equation was established with the aim of estimating the rotational stiffness of welded I beam-to-RHS column connections, which can be used during the structure design. The results show that most of the connections are semi-rigid, highlighting the importance of considering the stiffness of the connections in the structure design.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.443-456
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• 2019

Although numerous researchers demonstrated the significant difference in performance between the various beam-to-column connection types, most of the previous studies in the area of infilled steel frames focused on the behaviour of frames with welded connections. Therefore, there is a need for conducting studies on infilled steel frames with other common connection types (extended endplate with and without rib stiffeners, flush endplate and shear connections). In this paper, firstly, a two-dimensional finite-element model simulating the cyclic response of infilled steel frames was presented. The infill-frame interaction, as well as the interactions between connections' components, were properly modelled. Using the previously-validated model, a parametric study on infilled steel frames with five different beam-to-column connection types, under cyclic loading, was carried out. Several parameters, including infill material, fracture energy of masonry and infill thickness, were investigated. The results showed that the infilled frames with welded connections had the highest initial stiffness and load-carrying capacity. However, the infilled frames with extended endplate connections (without rib stiffeners) showed the greatest energy dissipation capacity and about 96% of the load-carrying capacity of frames with welded connections which indicates that this type of connection could have the best performance among the studied connection types. Finally, a simplified analytical model for estimating the stiffness and strength of infilled steel frames (with different beam-to-column connection types) subjected to lateral cyclic loading, was suggested.

• Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea Structure & Construction
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.157-165
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• 2019

Recently, lean duplex stainless steel, STS329FLD with less nickel (reduced to 0.5~1.5%) has been developed as a substitute of austenitic stainless steel (8%~10.5% nickel in STS304) and included in Korean standards (KS). This paper investigates the block shear behavior of cold-formed duplex stainless steel (STS329FLD, nominal plate thickness of 1.5mm) fillet-welded connection with base metal fracture. Main variables are weld lengths in the longitudinal and the transverse directions of applied force ranged from 20mm to 50mm. As a result, specimens failed by typical block shear facture (the combination of gross section tensile fracture and shear fracture or shear yielding) and ultimate strength of the specimens got higher with the increase of weld length. Block shear fracture strengths predicted by current design specifications (KBC2016/AISC2016 and EC3) and existing proposed equations for welded connections by Topkaya, Oosterhof & Driver and Lee et al. were compared with test strengths. KBC2016/AISC2016 and EC3 design specifications underestimated block shear strength of STS329FLD welded connections by on average 24%, 29%, respectively and Oosterhof & Driver, Topkaya and Lee et al's equations overestimated the ultimate strength of the welded connection by the range of 3% to 44%.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.135-148
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• 2015

The cutout hole locating at the place of rib-to-diaphragm welded connection is adopted to minimize the restraint, which is caused by the floor-beam web to rib rotation at the support due to the unsymmetrical loads in orthotropic deck. In practice, an inevitable problem is that there is a large number of welding joint's cracks formed at the edge of cutout hole. In this study, a comparative experiment is carried out with two types of cutout hole, the circular arc transition and the vertical transition. The fatigue life estimation of specimens is investigated with the application of the structural hot spot stress approach by finite element analyses. The results are compared with the ones of the fatigue tests which are carried out on these full-scale specimens. Factors affecting the stress range are also studied.

• 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.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.687-704
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• 2014

A great number of moment-resisting steel structures collapsed due to ductile crack initiation at welded beam-column connections, followed by explosive brittle fracture in the Kobe (Hyogoken-Nanbu) earthquake in 1995. A series of experimental and numerical studies on cracking behaviors of beam-column connections in steel bridge piers were carried out by the authors' team. This paper aims to study the effect of post weld treatment on cracking behaviors of the connections during a strong earthquake event. Experiments of three specimens with different weld finishes, i.e., as-welded, R-finish, and burr grinding, were conducted. The experimental results indicate that the instants of ductile crack initiation are greatly delayed for the specimens with R-finish and burr grinding finishes compared with the as-welded one. The strain concentration effect in the connection is also greatly reduced in the specimens with post weld treatment compared with the as-welded one, which was also verified in the tests.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.12 no.5 s.48
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• pp.487-494
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• 2000

This paper intends to propose design information with the result or comparing the deformation capacity with different panel stiffness specimens and estimating the plastic deformation capacity, toughness and strength of welded joint connection according to the different scallop types. The test results of the beam to column unit structure are as follow: the non-scalloped and the low stiffness panel specimen have more desirable result values than the scalloped and the high stiffness one in plastic deformation. Comparing the scallop types shows very unlikely tendency as follows, second cracking occurs at the very edge of scallop in the scalloped specimen otherwise cracking occurs bond area of welded beam flange in the non-scalloped one.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.311-321
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• 2015

In this study, an experimental study to evaluate the seismic performance of beam-to-column connection for medium and low-rise building was conducted. Five connections using SHN490 steel were made with test variables such as flange welded or bolted, web welded or bolted. Specimen SHN-W-W is web welded and flange welded type. Specimen SHN-W-B is web welded and flange bolted type. Specimen SHN-B-W is web bolted and flange welded type. Specimen SHN-B-B is web bolted and flange bolted type. Specimen SHN-EP is a connection with the end plate to the beam ends. Cyclic loadings was applied at the tip of beam following KBC2009 load protocol. The load vs rotation curves for different connection are shown and final failure mode shapes are summarized. The connections are classified in terms of stiffness and strength as semi-rigid or rigid connection. Energy dissipation capacities for seismic performance evaluation were compared.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.17 no.3 s.76
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• pp.325-335
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• 2005

This study tackles the development of an improved detail of partially restrained CFT square column-to-beam connection and the evaluation of its mechanical behavior under monotonic loading. The connection is designed to strengthen shearing capacity at the bottom of the connection due to the ultimate behavior of PR-CC by its detail of the bottom connection and simplify the fabrication process. The suggested connection is the welded bottom beam flange connection(M-2) and is compared with the existing PR-CC of bolted seat angle connection(M-1). Two specimens were fabricated in actual size and tested under monotonic loading. Based on the test results, the welded bottom beam flange connection exhibited about 85% of the stiffness of steel beam. It was similar to the bolted seat angle connection and behaved as PR-CC. The specimen of the supposed connection type failed at the shear connection of web but was similar to the bolted seat angle connection until the failure. It obtained sufficient stiffness and capacity through the reinforcingsteel and the capacity and deformational ability equivalent to the full-plastic moment through the anchor inside the steel tube at the web connection. So, it can be said that the suggested connection exhibits sufficient ductile behavior.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.9 no.2 s.42
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• pp.59-69
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• 2005

Employing the classical beam theory for the design of welded steel moment connections has been brought into question by several researchers since the 1994 Northridge earthquake. In this study, the load transfer mechanism in various welded steel moment connections is comprehensively reviewed mainly based on recent studies conducted by the writer. Available analytical and experimental results showed that the load path in almost all the welded steel moment connections is completely different from that as predicted by the classical beam theory. Vertical plates near the connection such as the beam web, the web of the straight haunch, and the rib act as a strut rather than following the classical beam theory. The shear force transfer in the RBS connection is essentially the same as that in PN type connection. Some simplified analytical models that can be used as the basis of a practical design procedure are also presented.