• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.99-108
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• 2015

The partially restrained smart CFT (concrete filled tube) column-to-beam connections with top-seat split T connections show various behavior characteristics according to the changes in the diameter and tightening force of the fastener, the geometric shape of T-stub, and material properties. This paper presents results from a systematic three-dimensional nonlinear finite element study on the structural behavior of the top-seat split T connections subjected to cyclic loadings. This connection includes super-elastic shape memory alloy (SMA) T-stub and rods to obtain the re-centering capabilities as well as great energy dissipation properties of the CFT composite frame. A wide scope of additional structural behaviors explain the influences of the top-seat split T connections parameters, such as the different thickness and gage distances of split T-stub.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.113-139
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• 2016

The nonlinear seismic responses of steel buildings with perimeter moment resisting frames (PMRF) and interior gravity frames (IGF) are estimated, modeling the interior connections first as perfectly pinned (PPC), and then as partially restrained (PRC). Two 3D steel building models, twenty strong motions and three levels of the PRC rigidity, which are represented by the Richard Model and the Beam Line Theory, are considered. The RUAUMOKO Computer Program is used for the required time history nonlinear dynamic analysis. The responses can be significantly reduced when interior connections are considered as PRC, confirming what observed in experimental investigations. The reduction significantly varies with the strong motion, story, model, structural deformation, response parameter, and location of the structural element. The reduction is larger for global than for local response parameters; average reductions larger than 30% are observed for shears and displacements while they are about 20% for bending moments. The reduction is much larger for medium- than for low-rise buildings indicating a considerable influence of the structural complexity. It can be concluded that, the effect of the dissipated energy at PRC should not be neglected. Even for connections with relative small stiffness, which are usually idealized as PPC, the reduction can be significant. Thus, PRC can be used at IGF of steel buildings with PMRF to get more economical construction, to reduce the seismic response and to make steel building more seismic load tolerant. Much more research is needed to consider other aspects of the problem to reach more general conclusions.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.35-52
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• 2008

The paper investigates the seismic performance of a Partially-Restrained (PR) steel-concrete composite frame using the probabilistic approach. The analysed frame was tested at the ELSA laboratory of the Joint Research Centre of Ispra (Italy), while the representative beam-to-column composite connections were tested at the Universities of Pisa, Milan and Trento (Italy). The component modelling of both interior and exterior composite joints is described first, including the experimental-numerical validation. The Latin Hypercube method has been used to draw the probabilistic distribution curves of joints, and then the whole PR composite frame has been analysed. Pushover and incremental dynamic analyses have been carried out using the non-linear FE code SAP2000 version 9.1. The fragility and performance curves of the PR composite frame have been determined for four damage limit states.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.441-458
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• 2001

We analyzed the experimental and theoretical behavior of a particular type of steel joint designed to connect beam to beam and able to transfer both shear forces and bending moments. This joint is characterized by the use of steel plates and bolts enclosed in the width of the beams. The experimental investigation was carried out characterizing the constituent materials and testing in flexure beams constituted by two portions of beams connected in the middle with the joint proposed. Connections having different characteristics in terms of thickness of plates, number and type of bolts were utilized. Flexure tests allow one to determine the loaddeflection curves of the beam tested and the moment-rotation diagrams of the connections, highlighting the strength and the strain capacity of the joints. The proposed analytical model allows one to determine the moment-rotation relationship of the connections, pointing out the influence of the principal geometrical and mechanic characteristics of single constituents on the full properties of the joint.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.271-287
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• 2005

The seismic behavior of two steel moment-resisting frames, which satisfy all the current seismic design requirements, are evaluated and compared in the presence of pre-Northridge connections denoted as BWWF and an improved post-Northridge connections denoted as BWWF-AD. Pre-Northridge connections are modeled first as fully restrained (FR) type. Then they are considered to be partially restrained (PR) to model their behavior more realistically. The improved post-Northridge connections are modeled as PR type, as proposed by the authors. A sophisticated nonlinear time-domain finite element program developed by the authors is used for the response evaluation of the frames in terms of the overall rotation of the connections and the maximum drift. The frames are excited by ten recorded earthquake time histories. These time histories are then scaled up to produce some relevant response characteristics. The behaviors of the frames are studied comprehensively with the help of 120 analyses. Following important observations are made. The frames produced essentially similar rotation and drift for the connections modeled as FR type and PR type represented by BWWF-AD indicating that the presence of slots in the web of beams in BWWF-AD is not detrimental to the overall response behavior. When the lateral displacements of the frames are significantly large, the responses are improved if BWWF-AD type connections are used in the frames. This study analytically confirms many desirable features of BWWF-AD connections. PR frames have longer periods of vibration in comparison to FR frames and may attract lower inertia forces. However, calculated periods of the frames of this study using FEMA 350 empirical equation is longer than those calculated using dynamic characteristics of the frames. This may result in even lower design forces and may adversely influence the design.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.277-296
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• 2002

A research investigation of single bolt lap-plate connection load-deformation behavior is presented. Each important characteristic of this behavior is evaluated and two methods for analytically approximating the behavior are developed and presented. The first of these methods is a component method in which the behavior of the connection is modeled as a combination of the behavior of the parts. The second method utilizes a number of parametric relationships that relate the connection parameters to coefficients of two non-linear continuous analytical curves. The test results from four independent experimental programs that investigated the behavior of single bolt lap-plate connections are used in the development and verification of these methods.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.12 no.1 s.44
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• pp.75-82
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• 2000

Recently, many studies on connections in steel structures have been performed. In practice, designers assume that the connection is a rigid- or pinned-one, however, actually the connection behaves as partially restrained one, neither fully restrained nor unrestrained. This paper concentrates on the behavior of double angle connections in the field of semi-rigid connections. The behavior of double angle connection. induced by abrupt axial tension load or by collapsed brace in medium or low rise building, is analyzed by 3D nonlinear finite element method using ABAQUS(ver 5.8). From the analytic results. a simplified model of double angle and a rotational stiffness at the corner of the angle are derived, which are fundamentally used for understanding the behavior of the double angle connection.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.191-204
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• 2014

In this paper a systematic numerical analysis is performed to obtain the bending moment resisting capacity of a top and seat angle connection, which is a type of partially restrained connection, for a CFT composite frame subjected to cyclic loading. This partially restrained composite CFT connections are fabricated using high strength steel connection bar. The three-dimensional nonlinear finite element models are constructed to investigate the rotational stiffness, bending moment capacity, and failure modes. A wide scope of additional structural behaviors explain the different influences of the top and seat angle connection's parameters, such as the different thickness of connection angles and the gage distances of the high strength steel bar. The moment-rotation angle relationships obtained from the finite element analysis are compared with those from Richard's theoretical equation.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.757-771
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• 2013

We present a semi-rigid connection estimation method by using cross modal strain energy method. While rigid or pinned assumptions are adopted for steel frames in traditional modeling via finite element method, the actual behavior of the connections is usually neither. Semi-rigid joints enable connections to be modeled as partially restrained, which improves the quality of the model. To identify the connection stiffness and update the FE model, a newly-developed cross modal strain energy (CMSE) method is extended to incorporate the connection stiffness estimation. Meanwhile, the relations between the correction coefficients for the CMSE method are derived, which enables less modal information to be used in the estimation procedure. To illustrate the capability of the proposed parameter estimation algorithm, a four-story frame structure is demonstrated in the numerical studies. Several cases, including Semi-rigid joint(s) on single connection and on multi-connections, without and with measurement noise, are investigated. Numerical results indicate that an excellent updating is achievable and the connection stiffness can be estimated by CMSE method.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.511-520
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• 2012

The double split Tee connection, a type of full strength-partially restrained connection, has adequate flexural strength according to the changes in the thickness of the T-stub flange and the gauge distance of the high-strength bolts. Moreover, the double split Tee connection is designed and constructed with seismic connections that have enough ductility capacity applicable to ordinary moment frame and special moment frame by grade of steel, size of beam and column and geometric connection shape. However, such a domestic research and a proposal of a suitable design formula about the double split Tee connection are insufficient. Thus, many experimental and analytical studies are in need for the domestic application of the double split Tee connection. Therefore, this study aimed to examine and suggest feasibility of a design formula of the double split Tee connection of FEMA.