• International journal of steel structures
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.1219-1241
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• 2018

This study aims towards the improvement of a reinforced concrete rigid-frame bridge in an effort to reduce the construction and maintenance costs, and achieve an improved seismic performance. Correspondingly, a new structural rigid connection is proposed for H-shaped steel girders and reinforcing bars at the corner of the rigid-frame structure. Both experiments and numerical analyses were performed. Prototype models were constructed and subjected to static loading tests to reveal their load-carrying capacity and failure mode. Numerical models were then developed using finite elements to evaluate the experimental results. Analyses elicited good agreement between simulation and experimental data and validated the numerical models. Moreover, the validity of the proposed rigid connection was confirmed, and the failure behavior was clarified. Finally, a full-size model of the reinforced concrete rigid-frame bridge with H-shaped steel girders was constructed and subjected to destructive loading tests to evaluate structural integrity of the proposed rigid connection.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.625-641
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• 2020

The realistic modeling of the beam-column semi-rigid connection in steel frames attracted the attention of many researchers in the past for the seismic analysis of semi-rigid frames. Comparatively less studies have been made to investigate the behavior of steel frames with semi-rigid connections under different types of earthquake. Herein, the seismic behavior of semi-rigid steel frames is investigated under both far and near-field earthquakes. The semi-rigid connection is modeled by the multilinear plastic link element consisting of rotational springs. The kinematic hysteresis model is used to define the dynamic behavior of the rotational spring, describing the nonlinearity of the semi-rigid connection as defined in SAP2000. The nonlinear time history analysis (NTHA) is performed to obtain response time histories of the frame under scaled earthquakes at three PGA levels denoting the low, medium and high-level earthquakes. The other important parameters varied are the stiffness and strength parameters of the connections, defining the degree of semi-rigidity. For studying the behavior of the semi-rigid frame, a large number of seismic demand parameters are considered. The benchmark for comparison is taken as those of the corresponding rigid frame. Two different frames, namely, a five-story frame and a ten-story frame are considered as the numerical examples. It is shown that semi-rigid frames prove to be effective and beneficial in resisting the seismic forces for near-field earthquakes (PGA ≈ 0.2g), especially in reducing the base shear to a considerable extent for the moderate level of earthquake. Further, the semi-rigid frame with a relatively weaker beam and less connection stiffness may withstand a moderately strong earthquake without having much damage in the beams.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.405-416
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• 2015

We proposed the concept of nominal rigidity of a long-span V-shaped rigid frame composite arch bridge, analyzed the effects of structural parameters on nominal rigidity, and derived a theoretical nominal rigidity equation. In addition, we discussed the selection of the arch-to-beam rigidity ratio and its effect on the distribution of internal forces, and analyzed the influence of the ratio on the internal forces. We determined the delimitation value between rigid arch-flexible beam and flexible arch-rigid beam. We summarized the nominal rigidity and arch to beam rigidity ratios of existing bridges. The results show that (1) rigid arch-flexible beam and flexible arch-rigid beam can be defined by the arch-to-beam rigidity ratio; (2) nominal rigidities have no obvious differences among the continuous rigid frame composite arch bridge, V-shaped rigid frame bridge, and arch bridge, which shows that nominal rigidity can reflect the global stiffness of a structure.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.31-51
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• 2012

This paper presents a computational study that explores the design of rigid steel frames by considering construction related costs. More specifically, two different aspects are investigated in this study focusing on the effects of (a) reducing the number of labor intensive rigid connections within a frame of given geometric layout, and (b) reducing the number of different member section types used in the frame. A genetic algorithm based optimization framework searches design space for these objectives. Unlike some studies that express connection cost as a factor of the entire frame weight, here connections and their associated cost factors are explicitly represented at the member level to evaluate the cost of connections associated with each beam. In addition, because variety in member section types can drive up construction related costs, its effects are evaluated implicitly by generating curves that show the trade off between cost and different numbers of section types used within the frame. Our results show that designs in which all connections are considered to be rigid can be excessively conservative: rigid connections can often be eliminated without any appreciable increase in frame weight, resulting in a reduction in overall cost. Eliminating additional rigid connections leads to further reductions in cost, even as frame weight increases, up to a certain point. These complex relationships between overall cost, rigid connections, and member section types are presented for a representative five-story steel frame.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.4 no.6
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• pp.453-469
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• 2004

In this article, a genetic algorithm based optimum design method is presented for non-linear steel frames with semi-rigid connections. The design algorithm obtains the minimum weight frame by selecting suitable sections from a standard set of steel sections such as European wide flange beams (i.e., HE sections). A genetic algorithm is employed as optimization method which utilizes reproduction, crossover and mutation operators. Displacement and stress constraints of Turkish Building Code for Steel Structures (TS 648, 1980) are imposed on the frame. The algorithm requires a large number of non-linear analyses of frames. The analyses cover both the non-linear behaviour of beam-to-column connection and $P-{\Delta}$ effects of beam-column members. The Frye and Morris polynomial model is used for modelling of semi-rigid connections. Two design examples with various type of connections are presented to demonstrate the application of the algorithm. The semi-rigid connection modelling results in more economical solutions than rigid connection modelling, but it increases frame drift.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.70 no.2
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• pp.221-231
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• 2019

This paper performs for the first time a simultaneous optimization for members sections along with semi-rigid beam-to-column connections for space steel frames with fixed, semi-rigid, and hinged bases using a biogeography-based optimization algorithm (BBO) and a genetic algorithm (GA). Furthermore, a member's sections optimization for a fully fixed space frame is carried out. A real and accurate simulation of semi-rigid connection behavior is considered in this study, where the semi-rigid base connections are simulated using Kanvinde and Grilli (2012) nonlinear model, which considers deformations in different base connection components under the applied loads, while beam-to-column connections are modeled using the familiar Frye and Morris (1975) nonlinear polynomial model. Moreover, the $P-{\Delta}$ effect and geometric nonlinearity are considered. AISC-LRFD (2016) specification constraints of the stress and displacement are considered as well as section size fitting constraints. The optimization is applied to two benchmark space frame examples to inspect the effect of semi-rigidity on frame weight and drift using BBO and GA algorithms.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.483-492
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• 2009

In this study, nonlinear analysis of steel plane frame was performed using the refined plastic hinge method of advanced analysis techniques. In deterioration of stiffness in plastic zone, influences by flexural bending, residual stress, geometrical non-linearity, and semi-rigid connection are considered. And also, further reduced tangent modulus was used for geometrical non-linearity, top and seat angle were chosen for semi-rigid connection. Furthermore, 3 parameter power model was used for moment-rotation behaviour of beam to column connection. The loading conditions are combined with axial and lateral force and the inverse triangle distribution of lateral and eight type of analytical models were used in analysis. The results of analyses were compared with semi-rigid and rigid connection on behaviour of numerical analysis models. And also, the behaviors of frame with changes of semi-rigidity were analyzed by using the results obtained from MIIDAS-GENw.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.8-15
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• 1995

This analytical study was carried out to make quality and productivity up in designing the frame-type furniture with semi-rigid joint by understanding the mechanical and structural behavior of the joint and by evaluating the validity of application of the time-saving Finite Element Method to its structural analysis. Slope deflection equation for rigid joint was modified to describe the moment-rotation behavior of semi-rigid joint and the joint stiffness factor(Z) could be calculated to lessen the experimental expense. It was proved that Finite Element Analysis with imaginary elements having equivalent MOE to the semi-rigid joint could be the alternative method for the structural analysis of the frame-type furniture, comparing the internal rotation of the 2-dimensional beam-to-column model with two-pin(wooden dowel) from the finite element method with other available theoretical and experimental rotation value.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.535-543
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• 2017

For column-beam gussets of wooden structures, slit-processed members inserted with a steel plate are used in general. In this study, a rigid portal frame bonded with a joint was fabricated and a semi-rigid portal frame was fabricated by making a wooden gusset, a replacement for steel plate, of which a half was integrated into the column member and the other half was joined with the beam member by drift-pins. The lateral strength performance of the wooden portal frame was compared with that of the steel plate-inserted joint portal frame. The lateral strength performance was evaluated through a perfect elasto-plasticity model analysis, sectional stiffness change rate, and short-term permissible shear strength. As a result of the experiment, the maximum strength of the rigid portal frame was lower than that of the steel plate-inserted joint portal frame. The yield strength and ultimate strength were calculated as 0.58 and 0.48, respectively, but the measurements of initial stiffness and cumulative ductility improved by 1.35 and 1.1, respectively. As a result of the perfect elasto-plasticity model analysis of the semi-rigid portal frame, the maximum strength was lower than that of the rigid portal frame, but the toughness after failure was excellent. Thus, the ultimate strength was higher by 1.05~1.07. The steel plate-inserted portal frame showed rapid decrease in stiffness with the progress of repeated tests, but the stiffness of the portal frames with a wooden joint decreased slowly.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.467-484
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• 2015

Seismic performances of dual steel moment-resisting frames with mixed use of rigid and semi-rigid connections were investigated to control of the base shear, story drifts and the ductility demand of the elements. To this end, nonlinear seismic responses of three groups of frames with three, eight and fifteen story were evaluated. These frames with rigid, semi-rigid and combined configuration of rigid and semi-rigid connections were analyzed under five earthquake records and their responses were compared in ultimate limit state of rigid frame. This study showed that in all frames, it could be found a state of semi-rigidity and connections configuration which behaved better than rigid frame, with consideration of the base shear and story drifts criterion. Finally, some criteria were suggested to locate the best place of the semi-rigid connections for improvement of the seismic performance of steel moment-resisting frames.