• Earthquakes and Structures
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.81-90
• /
• 2023

The maximum drifts are important to the seismic evaluation of steel buildings and connections, but the information can hardly be obtained from the post-earthquake field investigation. This research studies the feasibility of using the loss rate of bolt pretension as an earthquake damage predictor. Full-scale tests were made on four steel connections using bolted-web-welded-flange details. One connection was unreinforced (UN), another was reinforced with double shear plates (DS), and the other two used reduced beam sections (RBS). The preinstalled strain gauges were used to control the pretensions and monitor the losses of the high-strength bolts. The results showed that the loss rate of bolt pretension was highly related to the damage of the connections. The pretensions lost up to 10% in all the connections at the yield drifts of 0.5% to 1%. After yielding of the connections, the pretensions lost significantly until fracture occurred. The UN and DS connections failed with a maximum drift of 4 %, and the two RBS connections showed better ductility and failed with a maximum drift of 6%. Under the far-field-type loading protocol, the loss rate grew to 60%. On the contrary, the rate for the specimen under near-fault-type loading protocol was about 40%. The loss rate of bolt pretension is therefore recommended to use as an earthquake damage predictor. Additionally, the 10% and 40% loss rates are recommended to predict the limit states of connection yielding and maximum strength, respectively, and to define the performance levels of serviceability and life-safety for the buildings.

• Earthquakes and Structures
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.217-243
• /
• 2016

The linear and nonlinear seismic responses of steel buildings with perimeter moment resisting frames and welded connections (WC) are estimated and compared with those of buildings with post-tensioned connections (PC). Two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) structural representations of the buildings as well as global and local response parameters are considered. The seismic responses and structural damage of steel buildings with PC may be significantly smaller than those of the buildings with typical WC. The reasons for this are that the PC buildings dissipate more hysteretic energy and attract smaller inertia forces. The response reduction is larger for global than for local response parameters. The reduction may significantly vary from one structural representation to another. One of the main reasons for this is that the energy dissipation characteristics are quite different for the 2D and 3D models. In addition, in the case of the 3D models, the contribution of each horizontal component to the axial load on an specific column may be in phase each other during some intervals of time, but for some others they may be out of phase. It is not possible to observe this effect on the 2D structural formulation. The implication of this is that 3D structural representation should be used while estimating the effect of the PC on the structural response. Thus, steel frames with post-tensioned bolted connections are a viable option in high seismicity areas due to the fact that brittle failure is prevented and also because of their reduced response and self-centering capacity.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.81-101
• /
• 2013

In this paper a robust 2-noded connection element has been developed for modelling the bolted end-plate connection between steel beam and column at elevated temperatures. The numerical procedure described is based on the model proposed by Huang (2011), incorporating additional developments to more precisely determinate the tension, compression and bending moment capacities of end-plate connection in fire. The proper failure criteria are proposed to calculate the tension capacity for each individual bolt row. In this new model the connection failure due to bending, axial tension, compression and shear are considered. The influence of the axial force of the connected beam on the connection is also taken into account. This new model has the advantages of both the simple and component-based models. In order to validate the model a total of 22 tests are used. It is evident that this new connection model has ability to accurately predict the behaviour of the end-plate connection at elevated temperatures, and can be used to represent the end-plate connections in supporting performance-based fire resistance design of steel-framed composite buildings.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.3 no.6
• /
• pp.451-474
• /
• 2003

Details are given of a cold-formed steel portal framing system that uses simple bolted moment-connections for both the eaves and apex joints. However, such joints function as semi-rigid and, as a result, the design of the proposed system will be dominated by serviceability requirements. While serviceability is a mandatory design requirement, actual deflection limits for portal frames are not prescribed in many of the national standards. In this paper, a review of the design constraints that have an effect on deflection limits is discussed, and rational values appropriate for use with cold-formed steel portal frames are recommended. Adopting these deflection limits, it is shown through a design example how a cold-formed steel portal frame having semi-rigid eaves and apex joints can be a feasible alternative to rigid-jointed frames in appropriate circumstances.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.727-734
• /
• 2017

This paper describes a quasi-static finite element analysis, which uses the explicit integration method, of the apex joint of a cold-formed steel portal frame. Such cold-formed steel joints are semi-rigid as a result of bolt-hole elongation. Furthermore, the channel-sections that are being connected have a reduced moment capacity as a result of a bimoment. In the finite element model described, the bolt-holes and bolt shanks are all physically modelled, with contact defined between them. The force-displacement curves obtained from the quasi-static analysis are shown to be similar to those of the experimental test results, both in terms of stiffness as well as failure load. It is demonstrated that quasi-static finite element analysis can be used to predict the behavior of cold-formed steel portal frame joints and overcome convergence issues experienced in static finite element analysis.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.70 no.4
• /
• pp.381-394
• /
• 2019

If an alternative path would not be considered for redistribution of loads, local failure in structures will be followed by a progressive collapse. When a vertical load-bearing element of a steel structure fails, the beams connected to it will lose their support. Accordingly, an increase in span's length adds to the internal forces in beams. The mentioned increasing load in beams leads to amplifying the moments there, and likewise in their corresponding connections. Since it is not possible to reinforce all the elements of the structure against this phenomenon, it seems rational to use other technics like specified strengthened connections. In this study, a novel connection is suggested to handle the stated phenomenon which is introduced as a passive connection. This connection enables the structure to tolerate the added loads after failing of the vertical element. To that end, two experimental models were constructed and thereafter tested in half-scale, one-story, double-bay, and bolted connections in three-dimensional spaces. This experimental study has been conducted to compare the ductility and strength of a frame that has ordinary rigid connections with a frame containing a novel passive connection. At last, parametric studies have been implemented to optimize the dimensions of the passive connection. Results show that the load-bearing capacity of the frame increased up to 75 percent. Also, a significant decrease in the displacement of the node wherein the column is removed was observed compared to the ordinary moment resisting frame with the same loads.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
• /
• v.14 no.6
• /
• pp.75-84
• /
• 2010

In current seismic design provisions, a reduced beam section with bolted web (RBS-B) connections is only permitted for intermediate moment frames (IMF). This study evaluated the seismic performance of steel moment resisting frame systems having RBS-B connections designed according to current seismic design provisions. For this purpose, 12 archetypal IMF systems having two different span lengths (9m, 6m) were designed considering two design load levels (SDC $C_{max}$, SDC $C_{min}$). A nonlinear analytical model that can simulate hysteretic behavior of an RBS-B connection was also developed in this study. The procedures specified in ATC 63 are used to conduct a seismic performance evaluation. Moreover, this study conducts the seismic performance evaluation of IMF systems designed according to a new design method proposed by the authors in the previous study. It was observed that several model frames designed according to current seismic design provisions did not provide satisfactory collapse margin ratios (ACMR). This study also showed that the model frames designed according to the new design procedures had a sufficient ACMR.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.461-468
• /
• 2012

P.E.B (Pre-Engineering Building) system means an economical system, which designs and uses optimal section proportion of tapered members according to the magnitude of bending moment. However, it is hard to adjust the friction type bolted joint in the joint of tapered member in the P.E.B system. End-plate connection is mainly used in this system due to that difficulty. Because P.E.B system has end-plate vertical defacts by heat welding deformation, a gap between end-plates and rafter or rib can be observed. In this study, an examination of construction stability was throughly performed and analyzed by the investigation of permissible internal force of bolts in end-plate connections under the bending moment using the end-plate's initial connection-defect (gap).

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.121-128
• /
• 2010

The current trends in steel construction involve the use of tapered sections to minimize the use of excess materials to the extent possible, by choosing cross-sections that are as economical as possible abandoning the classical approach of using prismatic members. In addition, snug-tightened connections, especially the end-plate type, have the advantage of fetching less construction costs and shorter assembly times as opposed to fully tightened joints. Although they have many merits, however, snug-tightened bolted end plates are extremely complex in their structural behavior. In this study, an experimental investigation of the snug-tightened flush end-plate connections of tapered beams were conducted. The primary test parameters were the torque for the clamping bolt, the loading pattern, the bolt type and the connection failure type. Using initial stiffness and load-carrying capacity as proposed by Silva et al. and AISC (2003), the moment-rotation curve of a linearly tapered member with a snug-tightened flush end-plate connection was predicted. Moreover, numerical and experimental data for moment-rotation curves were compared.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.469-478
• /
• 2012

In this study, structural behavior of high tension bolted connections was analyzed in order to investigate effective utilizations. Also, the simplified numerical analysis method showing bolt behavior was proposed using the connector element in the ABAQUS, a nonlinear finite element program and verified by numerical analyses on the basis of the experiment of previous study. In an effort to analyze strength properties of plate girder which high tension bolts are applied to, the effects of each design parameter were compared and analyzed after moment-displacement relations were investigated according to design parameters (upper flange, lower flange, upper and lower flange, web) by action force standards.