• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.317-331
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• 2014

An experimental study was performed to investigate the seismic performance of solid steel reinforced concrete (SRC) frames with special-shaped columns that are composed of SRC special-shaped columns and reinforced concrete beams. For this purpose, two models of two-bay and three-story frame, including an edge frame and a middle frame, were designed and tested. The failure process and patterns were observed. The mechanical behaviors such as load-displacement hysteretic loops and skeleton curves, load bearing capacity, drift ratio, ductility, energy dissipation and stiffness degradation of test specimens were analyzed. Test results show that the failure mechanism of solid SRC frame with special-shaped columns is the beam-hinged mechanism, satisfying the seismic design principle of "strong column and weak beam". The hysteretic loops are plump, the ductility is good and the capacity of energy dissipation is strong, indicating that the solid SRC frame with special-shaped columns has excellent seismic performance, which is better than that of the lattice SRC frame with special-shaped columns. The ultimate elastic-plastic drift ratio is larger than the limit value specified by seismic code, showing the high capacity of collapse resistance. Compared with the edge frame, the middle frame has higher carrying capacity and stronger energy dissipation, but the ductility and speed of stiffness degradation are similar. All these can be helpful to the designation of solid SRC frame with special-shaped columns.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.83-97
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• 2011

In this study, the seismic details of a concrete-encased, U-shaped steel beam-to-RC column connection were developed. Three specimens of the beam-to-column connection were tested under cyclic loading to evaluate the seismic performance of the connection. The test parameters were the beam depth and the column section shape. The depths of the composite beams were 610 and 710 mm, including the slab depth. For the RC columns, a square section and a circular section were used. Special details using diagonal re-bars and exterior diaphragm plates were used to strengthen the connections with the rectangular and circular columns, respectively. The test results showed that the specimens exhibited good strength, deformation, and energy dissipation capacities. The deformation capacity exceeded 4% interstory drift angle, which is the requirement for the Special Moment Frame.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.503-514
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• 2011

In this research, the seismic connection details for two concrete-filled U-shape steel beam-to-H columns were proposed and cyclically tested under a full-scale cruciform configuration. The key connecting components included the U-shape steel section (450 and 550 mm deep for specimens A and B, respectively), a concrete floor slab with a ribbed deck (165 mm deep for both specimens), welded couplers and rebars for negative moment transfer, and shear studs for full composite action and strengthening plates. Considering the unique constructional nature of the proposed connection, the critical limit states, such as the weld fracture, anchorage failure of the welded coupler, local buckling, concrete crushing, and rebar buckling, were carefully addressed in the specimen design. The test results showed that the connection details and design methods proposed in this study can well control the critical limit states mentioned above. Especially, the proposed connection according to the strengthening strategy successfully pushed the plastic hinge to the tip of the strengthened zone, as intended in the design, and was very effective in protecting the more vulnerable beam-to-column welded joint. The maximum story drift capacities of 6.0 and 6.8% radians were achieved in specimens A and B, respectively, thus far exceeding the minimumlimit of 4% radians required of special moment frames. Low-cycle fatigue fracture across the beam bottom flange at a 6% drift level was the final failure mode of specimen A. Specimen B failed through the fracture of the top splice plate of the bolted splice at a very high drift ratio of 8.0% radian.