• 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.

• Analyses & Alternatives
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.39-76
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• 2021

This article examines the effect of CEO's political connections on firm performance in Chinese private firms. Following the upper echelon theory and human capital theory, CEO's personal characteristics affect the strategic decision-making of the firm, and it is also firm-specific advantages that work as the human capital for the sustainable growth of the firm. In this regard, this article tries to empirically confirm whether CEO's political connections have positive effects on firm performance as the firm's human capital by dividing the Chinese local governments, which is a direct subject of political connections hierarchically. In addition, this research examines the mediating effects of government subsidies between political connections and firm performance. To verify these questions, we use a sample of 9,849 observations of 1,451 private firms listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges from 2008 to 2016, the results show that the CEO's political connections are positively related to firm performance. Moreover, we find that only political connections with the provincial local government had a positive effect on firm performance. It indicates that values and influences of human capital held by CEOs only affect when they are related to the highest local government. Finally, when CEOs have political connections with city-level, it shows complete mediating effect. It provides empirical evidence to find that CEO's political connections affect firm performance as the results of non-market strategic of firms.

• Analyses & Alternatives
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.111-145
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• 2023

This study examines the impact of political connections of Chinese listed firms on CSR(Corporate Social Responsibilities) activities. Firms recognize the political connections as 'non-market strategy' and actively utilize various benefits obtained through them for management activities. In order to utilize these political connections, there is a need for firms to implicitly perform the government's social policy obligations in return for their benefits. In particular, CSR activities in China are one of the government-led social policies unlike in the West, and the government wants firms to solve social problems through active CSR activities. In this background, this study empirically verifies whether firms with political connections are actively carrying out CSR activities required by the government from 2013 to 2019. As a result, Chinese listed firms with political connections have a positive effect on CSR activities. Especially, those with political connections with central government carry out both government benefits and social policy obligations.

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

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.773-791
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• 2023

Connections with damage concentrated to pre-selected components can enhance seismic resilience for moment resisting frames. These pre-selected components always yield early to dissipate energy, and their energy dissipation mechanisms vary from one to another, depending on their position in the connection, geometry configuration details, and mechanical characteristics. This paper presents behaviour insights on two types of beam-to-beam connections that the angles were designed as energy dissipation components, through the results of experimental study and finite element analysis. Firstly, an experimental programme was reviewed, and key responses concerning the working mechanism of the connections were presented, including strain distribution at the critical section, section force responses of essential components, and initial stiffness of test specimens. Subsequently, finite element models of three specimens were established to further interpret their behaviour and response that were not observable in the tests. The moment and shear force transfer paths of the composite connections were clarified through the test results and finite element analysis. It was observed that the bending moment is mainly resisted by axial forces from the components, and the dominant axial force is from the bottom angles; the shear force at the critical section is primarily taken by the slab and the components near the top flange. Lastly, based on the insights on the load transfer path of the composite connections, preliminary design recommendations are proposed. In particular, a resistance requirement, quantified by a moment capacity ratio, was placed on the connections. Design models and equations were also developed for predicting the yield moment resistance and the shear resistance of the connections. A flexible beam model was proposed to quantify the shear resistance of essential components.

• Journal of the Korean School Mathematics Society
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.395-410
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• 2012

When planning lessons and developing materials about mathematical teaching and learning, we should condignly change and reconstruct contents and orders in light of ranks and connections between subject materials. Moreover teachers should teach mathematical concepts so that students might understand then not only independently and disjunctively but also relationally and reflectively. For this, teachers have to prepare thoroughly. By analyzing advanced research for mathematical connections, this study categorizes them according to two conditions: internal-external and content-formality. Through this, tactical aspect similarity and indistinguishability between mathematical external connections and mathematical internal connections have been identified. Based upon this fact, this study proposed the principles and the examples of tactical aspect on mathematical Internal Connetions.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1405-1421
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• 2015

Semi-rigid connections are the actual behavior of beam-to-column connections in steel frames. However, the behavior of semi-rigid connections is not taken into account for the simplicity in the conventional analysis and design of steel frames. A computer-based analysis and design has been studied for the three-dimensional steel frames with semi-rigid connections. The nonlinear analysis which includes the effects of the flexibility of connections is used for this study. It is designed according to the buckling and combined stress constraints under the present loading after the joint deformations and the member end forces of the space frame are determined by the stiffness matrix method. The semi-rigid connection type is limited to the top and bottom angles with a double web angle connection. The Frye-Morris polynomial model is used to describe the non-linear behavior of semi-rigid connections. Various design examples are presented to demonstrate the efficiency of the method. The results of design and analysis of unbraced semi-rigid frames are compared to the results of unbraced rigid frames under the same design requirements.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.109-120
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• 2017

The behavior of moment resistant steel structures depends on both the beam-column connections and columns foundations connections. Obviously, if the connections can meet the adequate ductility and resistance against lateral loads, the seismic capacity of these structures will be linked practically to the performance of these connections. The shape memory alloys (SMAs) have been most recently used as a means of energy dissipation in buildings. The main approach adopted by researchers in the use of such alloys is firstly bracing, and secondly connecting the beams to columns. Additionally, the behavior of these alloys is modeled in software applications rarely involving equivalent torsional springs and column-foundation connections. This paper attempts to introduce the shape memory alloys and their applications in steel structural connections, proposing a new steel column-foundation connection, not merely a theoretical model but practically a realistic and applicable model in structures. Moreover, it entails the same functionality as macro modeling software based on real behavior, which can use different materials to establish a connection between the columns and foundations. In this paper, the suggested steel column-foundation connection was introduced. Moreover, exploring the seismic dynamic behavior under cyclic loading protocols and the famous earthquake records with different materials such as steel and interconnection equipment by superelastic shape memory alloys have been investigated. Then, the results were compared to demonstrate that such connections are ideal against the seismic behavior and energy dissipation.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.33-53
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• 2006

The rotational behaviour of bolted extended end plate beam-to-column connections is evaluated in the context of the component method. The full moment-rotation response is characterized from the force-deformation curve of the individual joint components. The deformability of end plate connections is mostly governed by the bending of the column flange and/or end plate and tension elongation of the bolts. These components form the tension zone of the joint that can be modelled by means of "equivalent T-stubs". A systematic analytical procedure for characterization of the monotonic force-deformation behaviour of individual T-stub connections is proposed. In the framework of the component method, the T-stub is then inserted in the joint spring model to generate the moment-rotation response of the joint. The procedures are validated with the results from an experimental investigation of eight statically loaded extended end plate bolted moment connections carried out at the Delft University of Technology. Because ductility is such an important property in terms of joint performance, particularly in the partial strength joint scenario, special attention is given to this issue.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.23-32
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• 1999

Behavior of H-beam connections under cyclic loadings is investigated experimentally in this study. The purpose of this study is to study the effect of steel properties and coping shape on the hysteretic behavior of H-beam connections. Five beam-to-column connection specimens were fabricated and tested under cyclic loadings. The load-rotation curves of the beam connections were mainly obtained. Deformation capacity and energy dissipation capacity of the connections are compared each other. The connections fabricated from SS400 showed good deformability and energy dissipation capacity, but those from SM490 showed brittle fracture at the connection. The coping shape at the connections showed a little difference in cyclic behavior.