• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.165-172
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• 2002

Generally, the steel rigid frame has been analyzed using finite element analysis tools. While many efforts have been poured into the understanding and accurate prediction for the nonlinear behavior of the columns and beam-columns connections, the base of the columns are modeled as simply hinged or fixed. However, the base of the steel columns practically is neither fixed not hinged. It behaves as semi-rigid. In this paper, the supports of the columns we modeled as semi-rigid and the importance of such approach in moment-resisting columns is evaluated. Two typical buildings designed by the US specification are modeled and analyzed by the finite element based on stiffness method and flexibility method. The column bases of three-story buildings are modeled as rotational springs with a varying degree of stiffness and strength that simulates the semi-rigidity of the base. Depending on the degree of stiffness and strength, the semi-rigidity varies from the hinged to the fixed. Buildings with semi-rigid column bases behaves similarly to the building with fixed bases. It has been numerically observed through the pushover and nonlinear time history analyses that the decrease of the stiffness of the column base induces the rotational demand on the int air beams. an increase of rotation demands on the first store connections and lead to a soft-story mechanists Due often to the construction and environmental effects, undesired reduction of column base stiffness may cause an increase of rotation demands on the first store connections and lead to a soft-story mechanism.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.16 no.2 s.69
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• pp.201-213
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• 2004

A GA-based optimum design algorithm and a program for plane steel frame structures with semi-rigid connections are presented. The algorithm is incorporated with the refined plastic hinge analysis method wherein geometric nonlinearity is considered by using the stability functions of beam-column members, and material nonlinearity, by using the gradual stiffness degradation model that includes the effects of residual stresses, moment redistribution through the occurrence of plastic hinges, semi-rigid connections, and geometric imperfection of members. In the genetic algorithm, the tournament selection method and micro-GAs are employed. The fitness function for the genetic algorithm is expressed as an unconstrained function composed of objective and penalty functions. The objective and penalty functions are expressed as the weight of steel frames and the constraint functions, respectively. In particular, the constraint functions fulfill the requirements of load-carrying capacity, serviceability, ductility, and construction workability. To verify the appropriateness of the present method, the optimal design results of two plane steel frames with rigid and semi-rigid connections are compared.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.273-289
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• 2020

Due to the unique construction method of modular steel buildings (MSBs) with units prefabricated fully off the site and assembled quickly on the site, the inter-module connection for easy operation and overall performance of the system were key issues. However, it was a lack of relevant research on the system-level performance of MSBs. This study investigated the seismic performance of two-storey modular steel structure with a proposed vertical rotary inter-module connection. Three full-scale quasi-static tests, with and without corrugated steel plate and its combination, were carried out to evaluate and compare their seismic behaviour. The hysteretic performance, skeleton curves, ductile performance, stiffness degradation, energy dissipation capacity, and deformation pattern were clarified. The results showed that good ductility and plastic deformation ability of such modular steel structures. Two lateral-force resistance mechanisms with different layout combinations were also discussed in detail. The corrugated steel plate could significantly improve the lateral stiffness and bearing capacity of the modular steel structure. The cooperative working mechanism of modules and inter-module connections was further analyzed. When the lateral stiffness of upper and lower modular structures was close, limited bending moment transfer may be considered for the inter-module connection. While a large lateral stiffness difference existed initially between the upper and lower structures, an obvious gap occurred at the inter-module connection, and this gap may significantly influence the bending moments transferred by the inter-module connections. Meanwhile, several design recommendations of inter-module connections were also given for the application of MSBs.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.393-407
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• 2020

The braced tube frame system, a combination of perimeter frame and bracing frame, is one of the systems used in tall buildings. Due to the implementation of this system in tall buildings and the high rigidity resulting from the use of general bracing, providing proper ductility while maintaining the strength of the structure when exposing to lateral forces is essential. Also, the high stress at the connection of the beam to the column may cause a sudden failure in the region before reaching the required ductility. The use of Reduced Beam Section connection (RBS connection) by focusing stress in a region away from beam to column connection is a suitable solution to the problem. Because of the fact that RBS connections are usually used in moment frames and not tested in tall buildings with braced tube frames, they should be investigated. Therefore, in this research, three tall buildings in height ranges of 20, 25 and 30 floors were modeled and designed by SAP2000 software, and then a frame in each building was modeled in PERFORM-3D software under two RBS-free system and RBS-based system. Nonlinear time history dynamic analysis is used for each frame under Manjil, Tabas and Northridge excitations. The results of the Comparison between RBS-free and RBS-based systems show that the RBS connections increased the absorbed energy level by reducing the stiffness and increasing the ductility in the beams and structural system. Also, by increasing the involvement of the beams in absorbing energy, the columns and braces absorb less energy.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.351-361
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• 2001

The connections are classified as rigid, semi+rigid, or pinned. There are two classification systems, EC3 adn Bjorhovede et al., representatively. The EC3 boundary between rigid and semi-rigid connections is in on the whole restrictive in term of the stiffness as well as the moment capacity of connections. The boundary specified by Bjorhovede et al. may not be sufficient to assure the behavior of rigid frames in some cases. In this study, it is proposed the new classification system for steel connection that depends on the reduction factor(R) of critical buckling load for unbraced semi-rigid frame expressed by the stiffness ratio($\rho$) of beam to column and the stiffness ratio(k) of connection to beam. Finally, it is examined by experimental data that new classification criteria provides a practical boundary compared wit hteh existing classifications.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.395-405
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• 2001

A test program was conducted on seismic-resistant steel moment connections constructed using Reduced Beam Sections with beam web openings. In the connection, in order to enhance ductility capacity under severe cyclic loads, a portion of the beam web near the beam-to-column connection is cut out instead of the beam flange as in dogbone connections. A total of 4 large scale specimens were tested in this program. The specimens were all made using $H-458{\times}417{\times}30{\times}50$ sections for the columns and $H-792{\times}300{\times}14{\times}22$ sections for the beams. Test specimens showed excellent performance similar to that of dogbone connections.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.585-603
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• 2013

Generally the required strength and stiffness of an I-shaped beam to the box-shaped column connection is achieved if continuity plates are welded to the column flanges from all sides. However, welding the forth edge of a continuity plate to the column flange may not be easily done and is normally accompanied by remarkable difficulties. This study was aimed to propose an alternative for box columns with continuity plates to diminish such problems. For this purpose a double-web I-shaped column was proposed. In this case the strength and rotational stiffness of the connection was provided by nearing the column webs to each other. Finite element studies on about 120 beam-column connections showed that the optimum proportion of the distance between two column webs and the width of the column flange (parameter ${\beta}$) was a function of the ratio of the beam flange width to the column flange width (parameter ${\alpha}$). Hence, based on the finite element results, an equation was proposed to estimate the optimum value of parameter ${\beta}$ in terms of parameter ${\alpha}$ to achieve the highest connection performance. Results also showed that the strength and ductility of post-Northridge connections of such columns are in average 12.5 % and 54% respectively higher than those of box-shaped columns with ordinary continuity plates. Therefore, a double-web I-shaped column of optimum arrangement might be a proper replacement for a box column with continuity plates when beams are rigidly attached to it.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.741-751
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• 2010

An experimental study was performed to investigate the earthquake resistance of the beam-column connections as a part of a precast concrete moment-resisting frame that uses precast concrete U-shaped shells for the beams. Five full-scale precast concrete specimens and one conventional monolithic concrete specimen were tested under cyclic loading. The parameters for this test were the reinforcement ratio, stirrup spacing, and end-strengthening details of the precast beam shell. The test results showed that regardless of the test parameters, the precast concrete beam-column connections showed good load-carrying capacity and deformation capacity, which were comparable to those of conventional monolithic concrete specimen. However, at large deformations, the beam-column connections of the precast concrete specimens were subjected to severe strength degradation due to diagonal shear cracks and the bond-slip of re-bars at the joint region. For this reason, the energy dissipation capacity and stiffness of the precast concrete specimens were significantly less than those of the cast-in-place specimen.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.691-700
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• 2008

Contemporary architectural structures have diverse and complex forms. Such structural variety demands requisite performance from the connections in the steel structure so that the latter could resist a horizontal force, such as an earthquake. The connections are the all-important components that create the discontinuous form and that support stress concentration, determining the stiffness and toughness of the entire steel frame. In this study, a real-scale column-to-beam connection was constructed in the 600MPa-grade high-strength and high-performance steel, to test its behavior. Its material and welding characteristics were examined in this study, and its structural performance was analyzed by conducting seismic-resistance tests on the full-scale, cross-shaped column-to-beam welded connections with non-scallop, ordinary-scallop, and reinforced-scallop details. The weld ability of the high-strength, high-performance steel was also evaluated, and data regarding the seismic design for practical application were provided.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.12 no.4 s.47
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• pp.351-362
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• 2000

This paper is to study on the behavior of CFT column to H-beam end plate connections with penetrated high-strength bolts under cyclic load. The main parameters are as follows: 1) the thickness of end plate: 16mm, 22mm and 25mm, 2) the thickness of column : 9mm and 12mm. Comparison and analysis on the test results are performed in accordance with parameters. This study investigates energy absorption capacity of beam-column connections and analyzes the shear strength of joint panel. The shear strength of joint panel is estimated by superimposing the strength of the steel which is based on the von Mises yield criterion and that of the concrete which is used the Strut model to consider the effect of filled concrete.