• 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.37 no.6
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• pp.633-647
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• 2020

This paper aims to study the seismic performance of external diaphragm connection between SST (square steel tube) column and H-shaped beam through experimental and analytical study involving finite element (FE) method and theoretical analysis. In the experimental study, three external diaphragm connection specimens with weak panel zone were tested under axial pressure on the top of the column and antisymmetric cyclic loads at the beam end to investigate the seismic performance of the panel zone. The hysteretic behavior, failure mode, stiffness and ductility of the specimens were discussed. Key point to be explored was the influence of the thickness of the steel tube flange on the shear capacity of the specimens. In the analytical study, three simplified FE models were developed to simulate the seismic behavior of the specimens for further analysis on the influence of steel tube flange. Finally, four existing calculation formulas for the shear capacity of the external diaphragm connection were evaluated through comparisons with the results of experiments and FE analysis, and application suggestions were put forward.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.73-91
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• 2016

The use of box columns has been increased due to the rigidity in rigid orthogonal moment resisting frames. On the other hand, the installation and welding of necessary horizontal continuity plates inside the columns are both labor-consuming and costly tasks. Accordingly, in this paper, a new beam-to-box column connection by trapezoidal external stiffeners and horizontal bar mats is presented to provide seismic parameters. The proposed connection consists of eight external stiffeners in the level of beam flanges and five horizontal bar mats in Concrete Filled Tube (CFT) columns. The new connection effectively alleviates the stress concentration and moves the plastic hinge away from the column face by horizontal external stiffeners. In addition, the result shows that proposed connection has provided the required strength and rigidity of connection, so that the increased strength, 8.08% and rigidity, 3.01% are compared to connection with internal continuity plates, also the results indicate that this connection can offer appropriate ductility and energy dissipation capacity for its potential application in moment resisting frames in seismic region. As a result, the proposed connection can be a good alternative for connection with continuity plates.

• Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
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• 2001.04a
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• pp.345-352
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• 2001

Recent destructive seismic events demonstrated the importance of mitigating human casualties and serious property damages in design and construction of structures. The Korean Bridge Design Specifications (1992) adopted seismic design requirements based on the AASHTO specification, and minor modification was made in 2000. The longitudinal steel connection of reinforced concrete bridge column is sometimes practically unavoidable. The longitudinal reinforcement details affect seisimc performance such as flexural failure and shear failure. This research aims to develop longitudinal steel connection details with confinement steel by experimental study for seismic performance of reinforced concrete bridge columns. Quasi-static test under three different axial load levels was conducted for 12 spiral column specimens. All the column specimens had the same aspect ratio of 3.5. The column specimens were transversely reinforced with spiral and with five different longitudinal steel connection. The final objective of this study is to suggest appropriate longitudinal reinforcement connection details for the limited ductility design concept and improve construction quality.

• International Journal of High-Rise Buildings
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.197-205
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• 2022

One of important design challenges in Chongqing Raffles City Plaza project is Sky Bridge structural design and its connection scheme in high level. This article systematically describes the structural system and its design and analysis methodology, with discussing the impacts on structural performance due to different connection approaches. The seismic isolation scheme in high level is innovatively adopted to the final design. Under the conditions of various load cases, the different models and assumptions are implemented. A full assessment on Sky Bridge's structural performance, seismic isolation, and its connection is conducted in terms of seismic performance based design. By co-operating with architecture, MEP and other disciplines, the structural economy index is fulfilled.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.271-286
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• 2017

The use of Hollow Structural Sections (HSS) provides an alternative for steel buildings in seismic zones, with the advantage over WF columns that the HSS columns have similar resistance along both axes and enhanced performance under flexure, compression and torsion with respect to other columns sections. The HSS columns have shown satisfactory performance under seismic loads, such as observed in buildings with steel moment frames in the Honshu earthquake (2011). The purpose of this research is to propose a new moment connection, EP-HSS ("End-plate to Hollow Structural Section"), using a wide flange beam and HSS column where the end plate falls outside the range of prequalification established in the ANSI/AISC 358-10 Specification, as an alternative to the traditional configuration of steel moment frames established in current codes. The connection was researched through analytical, numerical (FEM), and experimental studies. The results showed that the EP-HSS allowed the development of inelastic action on the beam only, avoiding stress concentrations in the column and developing significant energy dissipation. The experiments followed the qualification protocols established in the ANSI/AISC 341-10 Specification satisfying the required performance for highly ductile connections in seismic zones, thereby ensuring satisfactory performance under seismic actions without brittle failure mechanisms.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.507-518
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• 2013

The seismic performance of six types of weak-axis steel moment connections was investigated through cyclic testing of six full-scale specimens. These weak-axis moment connections were the column-tree type, WUF-B type, FF-W type, WFP type, BFP-B type and DST type weak-axis connections. The testing results showed that each of these weak-axis connection types achieved excellent seismic performance, except the WFP and the WUF-B types. The WFP and WUF-B connections displayed poor seismic performance because a fracture appeared prematurely at the weld joint due to stress concentrations. The column-tree type connection showed the best seismic behavior such that the story drift ratio could reach 5%.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.291-306
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• 2006

In order to improve the constructability and meanwhile ensure excellent seismic behavior, several innovative composite connection details were conceived and studied by the authors. This paper reports experimental results and observations on seismic behavior of steel beam bolted to reinforced concrete column connections (bolted RCS or BRCS). The proposed composite connection details involve post tensioning the end plates of the steel beams to the reinforced concrete or precast concrete columns using high-strength steel rods. A rational design procedure was proposed to assure a ductile behavior of the composite structure. Strut-and-tie model analysis indicates that a bolted composite connection has a favorable stress transfer mechanism. The excellent capacity and behavior were then validated through five full-scale beam to column connection model tests.

• Journal of Korean Association for Spatial Structures
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.87-94
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• 2021

The purpose of this paper is to improve the inappropriate analysis results when the end of the brace on braced frame is applied as pinned connection in practice. The stiffness of the gusset plate connection on the braced frame has the amount of between pinned and rigid connection, and the analysis model that applies the stiffness of the connection must be used for accurate performance evaluation. In this study, the stiffness of the gusset plate designed by the balanced design procedure are quantified, and applied to the analysis model to simulate the gusset plate connection. The proposed model was verified through nonlinear static analysis (pushover analysis) of SAP2000. The effect of the connection on the seismic performance of the braced frame was analyzed by comparing the proposed model and pinned model. As a result, it was confirmed that the performance of the braced frame was evaluated conservatively in practice, and the ductility was overestimated. Therefore, it is important to consider the connection for accurate and economical performance evaluation.

• Journal of Korean Association for Spatial Structures
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.27-34
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• 2020

This paper examines the seismic performance and structural design of the ceiling bracket-type modular connection. The bracket-type system reduces the cross-sectional area loss of members and combines units using fitting steel plate, and it has been developed to be fit for medium-story and higher-story buildings. In particular, this study conducted the cyclic loading test for the performance of the C-type and L-type brackets, and compared the results. The test results were also compared with the commercial FEA program. In addition, the structural design process for the bracket-type modular connection was presented. The two connections, proposed as a result of the test results, were all found to secure the seismic performance level of the special moment steel frame. In the case of initial stiffness, the L-type bracket connection was found to be great, but in the case of the maximum moment or fully plastic moment, it was different depending on the loading direction.