• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.295-309
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• 1994

The present paper concerns the mathematical study and the numerical treatment of the problem of semirigid connections in bolted steel column base plates by taking into account the possibility of appearance of separation phenomena on the contact surface under certain loading conditions. In order to obtain a convenient discrete form to simulate the structural behaviour of a steel column base plate, the continuous contact problem is first formulated as a variational inequality problem or, equivalently, as a quadratic programming problem. By applying an appropriate finite element scheme, the discrete problem is formulated as a quadratic optimization problem which expresses, from the standpoint of Mechanics, the principle of minimum potential energy of the semirigid connection at the state of equilibrium. For the numerical treatment of this problem, two effective and easy-to-use solution strategies based on quadratic optimization algorithms are proposed. This technique is illustrated by means of a numerical application.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.139-157
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• 2006

In this paper, a cyclic mechanical model is presented to simulate the behaviour of top and seat with web angle beam-to-column connections. The introduced mechanical model is compared with Eurocode 3 Annex J, its extension, and with experimental data. To have a better insight regarding the actual response of the joints, available results of the experiments, carried out on full-scale top and seat angle joints under monotonic and cyclic loading, are first considered. Subsequently, a finite element model of the test setup is developed. The application of the proposed model, its comparisons with the experimental curves and with the Eurocode 3 Annex J and with its modification, clearly show the excellent quality of the model proposed.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.449-455
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• 2017

Using X-braced frames in steel structures is a current procedure to achieve good strength against lateral loads. Study on mid-connections of X-braces and their effects on frame behavior is a subject whose importance has been more or less disregarded by researchers. Experimentally inspecting models involves considerable expense and time; however, computer models can be more suitable substitutes. In this research, a numerical model of X-braced frame has been analyzed using finite element software. The results of pushover analysis of this frame are compared with those of the experimental test. With the help of computer model, the effects of different mid-connection details on ductility and lateral strength of the frame are inspected. Also performances of bolted and welded connections are compared. Taking into account ductility and strength, this study suggests details of a decent pattern for the mid-connection.

• Composites Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.101-107
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• 2021

Composite structures have components and joints. Theses connections or joints can be potentially weak points in the structure. The failure mode of the composite bolted joint is designed as a bearing failure mode for structural safety. The load-displacement relation exhibits bearing failure mode shows a nonlinear behavior after the initial failure and progressive failure behavior. In order to accurately predict the failure behavior of composite bolted joints, this study modified the shear damage variable calculation process in the existing progressive failure analysis model. The results of the bearing stress-bearing strain of the composite bolted joint were predicted using the modified progressive failure analysis model, and the modified model was verified through comparison with the previous progressive analysis model.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.463-478
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• 2006

The design of structural frameworks for buildings is constantly evolving and is dependent on regional issues such as loading and constructability. One of the most promising recent developments for low to medium rise construction in terms of efficiency of construction, robustness and aesthetic appearance utilises concrete-filled steel tubular sections as the columns in a moment-resisting frame. These are coupled to rigid or semi-rigid connections to composite steel-concrete beams. This paper includes the results of a pilot experimental programme leading towards the development of economical, reliable connections that are easily constructed for this type of frame. The connections must provide the requisite strength, stiffness and ductility to suit gravity loading conditions as well as gravity combined with the governing lateral wind or earthquake loading. The aim is to develop connections that are stiffer, less expensive and easier to construct than those in current use. A proposed fabricated T-stub connection is to be used to connect the beam flanges and the column. These T-stubs are connected to the column using "blind bolts" with extensions, allowing installation from the outside of the tube. In general, the use of the extensions results in a dramatic increase in the strength and stiffness of the T-stub to column connection in tension, since the load is shared between membrane action in the tube wall and the anchorage of the bolts through the extensions into the concrete.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.157-185
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• 2014

This paper examines the behaviour of two types of practical open beam-to-tubular column connection details subjected to combined moment, axial and/or shear loads. Detailed continuum finite element models are developed and validated against available experimental results, and extended to deal with flexural, axial and shear load interactions. A numerical investigation is then carried out on the behaviour of selected connections with different stiffness and strength characteristics under various load combination scenarios. The influence of applied levels of axial tensile or compressive loads on the bending stiffness and capacity is examined and discussed. Additionally, the interaction effects between shear forces and co-existing bending and axial loads are examined and shown to be comparatively insignificant in terms of stiffness and capacity in most cases. It is also shown that the range of connections considered in this paper can provide rotational ductility levels in excess of those required under typical design scenarios. Based on these findings, a simplified component-based representation is proposed and described, and its ability to represent the connection response under combined loading is verified using results from detailed numerical simulations.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.237-253
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• 2017

Among various structural health monitoring technologies, impedance-based damage detection has been recognized as a promising tool for diagnosing critical members of civil structures. Since the piezoelectric transducers used in the impedance-based technique should be bonded to the surface of the structure using bonding layers (e.g., epoxy layer), it is hard to maintain the as-built condition of the bonding layers and to reconfigure the devices if needed. This study presents an experimental investigation by using magnetically attached PZT-interface for the impedance-based damage detection in bolted girder connections. Firstly, the principle of the impedance-based damage detection via the PZT-interface device is outlined. Secondly, a PZT-interface attachment method in which permanent magnets are used to replace the conventional bonding layers is proposed. Finally, the use of the magnetic attraction for the PZT-interface is experimentally evaluated via detecting the bolt-loosening events in a bolted girder connection. Also, the sensitivity of impedance signatures obtained from the PZT-interface is analyzed with regard to the interface's material.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.343-361
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• 2007

This article presents a numerical tool for dimensioning two-threaded fasteners connecting prismatic parts subjected to fatigue tension loads that are coplanar with the screw axis. A simplified numerical model is developed from unidirectional finite elements, modeling the connected parts and screws with bent elements and the elastic contact layer between the parts with springs. An algorithm updating the contact stiffness matrix, calculating forces and displacements at each node of the structure and thus normal stresses in the screws in both static and fatigue is further developed using C language. An experimental study is also conducted in parallel with the numerical approach to validate the developed model assumptions, the numerical model and the 3D finite element results. Since stiffness values for the compressive zones in the parts are analytically difficult to determine, a statistical software method is used, from which a tuning factor is derived for identifying these stiffness values. The method is also applied to set out the influence of each parameter on the fatigue behaviour of each screw. Finally, the developed model will be used to establish a new, sophisticated, fast and accurate tool for dimensioning bolted mechanical structures.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2020

This paper presents a method of estimation of fatigue demands on connection bolts of tubular steel wind turbine towers. The presented method relies on numerical simulation of aerodynamic loads and structural behavior of bolted connections modeled using finite element method. Variability of wind parameters is represented by a set of values derived from their probability densities, which are adjusted based on field measurements. Numerically generated stress time-series show agreement with the measurements from strain gauges inside bolts, in terms of power spectra and the resulting damage. Position of each bolt has a determining effect on its fatigue damage. The proposed framework for fatigue life estimation represents the complexities in loading and local behavior of the structure. On the other hand, the developed procedure is computationally efficient since it requires a limited number of simulations for statistically representing the wind variations.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.33-50
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• 2001

In this paper an experimental study is performed on end-plate type joints. The test arrangement represents a column-base joint of a steel frame. Altogether six specimens were tested, each of them subjected to cyclic loading. The specimens were carefully designed by performing detailed preliminary calculations so that they would present typical behaviour types of end-plate joints. On the basis of the experimentally established moment-rotation relationship, the cyclic characteristics of each specimen have been calculated and compared to one another. The results are evaluated, qualitative and quantitative conclusions are drawn.