• 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.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.397-408
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• 2001

Bolted connections are used commonly in the precast reinforced concrete structures. In such structures, to perform structural analysis, behaviour of connections must be determined. In this study, elastic rotation stiffness of semi-rigid bolted beam connections, applied in industrial precast structures, are determined by finite element methods. The results obtained from numerical solutions are compared with an experimental study carried out for the same connections. Furthermore, stress distributions of the connection zone are determined and a reinforcement scheme is proposed. Thus, a more appropriate reinforcement arrangement for the connection zone is enabled. The connection joint of the prefabricated frame is described as rigid, hinged or elastic, and a static analysis of the frame system is performed for each case. Values of bending moments and displacements obtained from the three solutions are compared and the effects of elastic connection are discussed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.715-723
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• 2007

A displacement-based seismic design procedure was proposed for mid-to-low-rise steel moment frames. The proposed method was totally different from the current R-factor approach in that it directly uses available connection rotation capacity as a primary design variable. To this end, the relationship between available connection rotation capacity and seismic response modification (R factor) was established first; this relationship has been a missing link in current ductility-based design practice. A step-by-step displacement-based iterative design procedure was then proposed and verified using inelastic dynamic analysis.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.245-255
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• 2017

The performance of an Industrialised Building System (IBS) consists of prefabricated reinforced concrete components, is greatly affected by the behaviour of the connection between beam and columns. The structural characteristics parameters of a beam-to-column connection like rotational stiffness, strength and ductility can be explained by load-rotation relationship of a full scale H-subframe under gravitational load. Furthermore, the connection's degree of rigidity directly influences the behaviour of the whole frame. In this research, rotational behaviour of a patented innovative beam-to-column connection with unique benefits like easy installation, no wet work, no welding work at assembly site, using a hybrid behaviour of steel and concrete, easy replacement ability, and compatibility with architecture was investigated. The proposed IBS beam-to-column connection includes precast concrete components with embedded steel end connectors. Two full-scale H-subframes constructed with a new IBS and conventional cast in-situ reinforced concrete system beam-to-column connections were tested under incremental static loading. In this paper, load-rotation relationship and ratio of the rigidity of IBS beam-to-column connection are studied and compared with conventional monolithic reinforced concrete connection. It is concluded that this new IBS beam-to-column connection benefits from more rotational ductility than the conventional reinforced concrete connection. Furthermore, the semi-rigid IBS connection rigidity ratio is about 44% of a full rigid connection.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.385-397
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• 2017

Currently, CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer) plate bonding is used quite extensively as a strengthening method. In this technique, a composite CFRP plate or sheet of relatively small thickness is bonded with an adhesion material to steel or concrete structure in order to improve its structural behavior and strength. The sheets or plates do not require much space and give a composite action between the adherents. In this study, the rotation capacity of CFRP-strengthened cold-formed steel (CFS) beams has been evaluated through numerical investigation. Studies on different structural levels have been performed. At the beam level, C-section has been adopted with different values of profile thickness, web height, and flange width. At the connection level, a web bolted moment resistant type of connection using through plate has been adopted. In web-bolted connections without CFRP strengthening, premature web buckling results in early loss of strength. Hence, CFRP sheets and plates with different mechanical properties and geometric configurations have been examined to delay web and flange buckling and to produce relatively high moment strength and rotation capacity. The numerical results reveal that CFRP strengthening may increase strength, initial stiffness, and rotation capacity when compared with the case without strengthening.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.70 no.5
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• pp.639-647
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• 2019

The performance of precast concrete structures is greatly influenced by the behaviour of beam-to-column connections. A single connection may be required to transfer several loads simultaneously so each one of those loads must be considered in the design. A good connection combines practicality and economy, which requires an understanding of several factors; including strength, serviceability, erection and economics. This research work focuses on the performance aspect of a specific type of beam-to-column connection using partly hidden corbel in precast concrete structures. In this study, the results of experimental assessment of the proposed beam-to-column connection in precast concrete frames was used. The purpose of this research is to develop and apply the Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) for moment-rotation prediction of precast beam-to-column connections. The ELM results are compared with genetic programming (GP) and artificial neural network (ANN). The reliability of the computational models was accessed based on simulation results and using several statistical indicators.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.31-43
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• 2024

A very widely used analytical method (mathematical model), mentioned in Eurocode 3, to examine the connections' bending behavior is the component-based method that has certain weak points shown in the plastic behavior part of the moment-rotation curves. In the component method available in Eurocode 3, for simplicity, the effect of strain hardening is omitted, and the bending behavior of the connection is modeled with the help of a two-line diagram. To make the component method more efficient and reliable, this research proposed its advanced version, wherein the plastic part of the diagram was developed beyond the guidelines of the mentioned Regulation, implemented to connect the end plate, and verified with the moment-rotation curves found from the laboratory model and the finite element method in ABAQUS. The findings indicated that the advanced component method (the method developed in this research) could predict the plastic part of the moment-rotation curve as well as the conventional component-based method in Eurocode 3. The comparison between the laboratory model and the outputs of the conventional and advanced component methods, as well as the outputs of the finite elements approach using ABAQUS, revealed a different percentage in the ultimate moment for bolt-extended end-plate connections. Specifically, the difference percentages were -31.56%, 2.46%, and 9.84%, respectively. Another aim of this research was to determine the optimal dimensions of the end plate joint to reduce costs without letting the mechanical constraints related to the bending moment and the resulting initial stiffness, are not compromised as well as the safety and integrity of the connection. In this research, the thickness and dimensions of the end plate and the location and diameter of the bolts were the design variables, which were optimized using Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Snake Optimization (SO), and Teaching Learning-Based Optimization (TLBO) to minimization the connection cost of the end plate connection. According to the results, the TLBO method yielded better solutions than others, reducing the connection costs from 43.97 to 17.45€ (60.3%), which shows the method's proper efficiency.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.427-435
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• 2019

The estimation of moment and rotation in steel rack connections could be significantly helpful parameters for designers and constructors in the initial designing and construction phases. Accordingly, Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) has been optimized to estimate the moment and rotation in steel rack connection based on variable input characteristics as beam depth, column thickness, connector depth, moment and loading. The prediction and estimating of ELM has been juxtaposed with genetic programming (GP) and artificial neural networks (ANNs) methods. Test outcomes have indicated a surpass in accuracy predicting and the capability of generalization in ELM approach than GP or ANN. Therefore, the application of ELM has been basically promised as an alternative way to estimate the moment and rotation of steel rack connection. Further particulars are presented in details in results and discussion.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.569-590
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• 2022

This paper presents a combined experimental and numerical study on stainless steel end-plate connections, with an emphasis placed on their ultimate behaviour and rotation capacity. In the experimental phase, six connection specimens made of austenitic and lean duplex stainless steels are tested under monotonic loads. The tests are specifically designed to examine the close-to-failure behaviour of the connections at large deformations. It is observed that the rotation capacity is closely related to fractures of the stainless steel bolts and end-plates. In the numerical phase, an advanced finite element model suitable for fracture simulation is developed. The incorporated constitutive and fracture models are calibrated based on the material tests of stainless steel bolts and plates. The developed finite element model exhibits a satisfactory accuracy in predicting the close-to-failure behaviour of the tested connections. Finally, the moment resistance and rotation capacity of stainless steel end-plate connections are assessed based on the experimental tests and numerical analyses.

• Magazine of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.78-87
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• 1998

In this study, semi-rigid light-weight framed structures analysis model (SERIFS) was developed by advancing the LEIFS model. This model enables us to analyze simultaneous effects of large deflection and semi-rigid connection by computing unbalanced load occurring in the process of repeated loading through equalization of bending moments and torsion. This model is also able to handle the effect of the semi-rigid connection and large deflection by modifying the elastic stiffness matrix using moment-rotation behavior of connection. Moment-rotation behavior of the semi-rigid connection was adopted from the experimental results of load-vertical displacement of frame element In conclusion, this model achieves to analyze the nonlinear and large deflection behavior on the semi-rigid and light-weight steel frame connection.