• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.269-284
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• 1994

The analysis and tests of thin-walled channel frames including nonlinear flexible or semi-rigid connection behaviour is presented. The semi-rigid connection behaviour is modelled using a mathematical approximation of the connection flexibility-moment relationship. Local instability such as local buckling and torsional flexural buckling of the member are included in the analysis. The full response of the frame, up to the collapse load, can be predicted. Experimental investigation was carried out on a series of simple double storey symmetrical frames with the purpose of verifying the accuracy and validity of the analysis. Agreement between the theoretical and experimental results is acceptable. The investigation also shows that connection flexibility and local instability such as local buckling and torsional flexural buckling can affect the behaviour and strength of thin-walled frames significantly. The results can also provide further insight into the advanced study of practical structures where interaction between flexible connections and phenomenon associated with thin-walled members are present.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.3 no.5
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• pp.371-382
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• 2003

This paper analyses the response of rigid and semi-rigid steel-concrete composite joints under monotonic loading. The influence of some important parameters, such as the presence of column web stiffening and the mechanical properties of component materials, is investigated by using a three-dimensional finite element modelling based on the Abaqus code. Numerical and experimental responses of different types of composite joints are also compared with the analytical results obtained using the component approach proposed by Eurocode 4. The results obtained with this approach generally fit well with the numerical and experimental values in terms of strength. Conversely, some significant limits arise when evaluating initial stiffness and non-linear behaviour of the composite joint.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-22
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• 2018

Multi-storey precast concrete skeletal structures are assembled from individual prefabricated components which are erected on-site using various types of connections. In the current design of these structures, beam-to-column connections are assumed to be pin jointed. Welded plate beam to-column connections have been used in the precast concrete industry for many years. They have many advantages over other jointing methods in component production, quality control, transportation and assembly. However, there is at present limited information concerning their detailed structural behaviour under bending and shear loadings. The experimental work has involved the determination of moment-rotation relationships for semi-rigid precast concrete connections in full scale connection tests. The study reported in this paper was undertaken to clarify the behaviour of such connections under symmetrical vertical loadings. A series of full-scale tests was performed on sample column for which the column geometry and weld arrangements conformed with successful commercial practice. Proprietary hollow core slabs were tied to the beams by tensile reinforcing bars, which also provide the in-plane continuity across the connections. The strength of the connections in the double sided tests was at least 0.84 times the predicted moment of resistance of the composite beam and slab. The secant stiffness of the connections ranged from 0.7 to 3.9 times the flexural stiffness of the attached beam. When the connections were tested without the floor slabs and tie steel, the reduced strength and stiffness were approximately a third and half respectively. This remarkable contribution of the floor strength and stiffness to the flexural capacity of the joint is currently neglected in the design process for precast concrete frames. In general, the double sided connections were found to be more suited to a semi-rigid design approach than the single sided ones. The behaviour of double sided welded plate connection test results are presented in this paper. The behaviour of single sided welded plate connection test results is the subject of another paper.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.603-622
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• 2018

Precast concrete structures are erected from individual prefabricated components, which are assembled on-site using different types of connections. In the present design of these structures, beam-to-column connections are assumed pin jointed. Bolted billet beam to-column connections have been used in the precast concrete industry for many years. They have many advantages over other jointing methods in component production, quality control, transportation and assembly. However, there is currently limited information concerning their detailed structural behaviour under vertical loadings. The experimental work has involved the determination of moment-relative rotation relationships for semi-rigid precast concrete connections in full-scale connection tests. The study reported in this paper was undertaken to clarify the behaviour of such connections under symmetrical vertical loadings. A series of full-scale tests was performed on sample column for which the column geometry and bolt arrangements conformed to successful commercial practice. Proprietary hollow core floor slabs were tied to the beams by 2T25 tensile reinforcing bars, which also provide the in-plane continuity across the connections. The contribution of the floor strength and stiffness to the flexural capacity of the joint is currently neglected in the design process for precast concrete frames. The flexural strength of the connections in the double-sided tests was at least 0.93 times the predicted moment of resistance of the composite beam and slab. The secant stiffness of the connections ranged from 0.94 to 1.94 times the flexural stiffness of the attached beam. In general, the double-sided connections were found to be more suited to a semi-rigid design approach than the single sided ones. The behaviour of double sided bolted billet connection test results are presented in this paper. The behaviour of single sided bolted billet connection test results is the subject of another paper.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.397-408
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• 2001

Bolted connections are used commonly in the precast reinforced concrete structures. In such structures, to perform structural analysis, behaviour of connections must be determined. In this study, elastic rotation stiffness of semi-rigid bolted beam connections, applied in industrial precast structures, are determined by finite element methods. The results obtained from numerical solutions are compared with an experimental study carried out for the same connections. Furthermore, stress distributions of the connection zone are determined and a reinforcement scheme is proposed. Thus, a more appropriate reinforcement arrangement for the connection zone is enabled. The connection joint of the prefabricated frame is described as rigid, hinged or elastic, and a static analysis of the frame system is performed for each case. Values of bending moments and displacements obtained from the three solutions are compared and the effects of elastic connection are discussed.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.493-499
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• 2017

The behaviour of steel frames is highly influenced by the beam-column connections. Traditionally, Steel frames were usually designed assuming that connections are ideally pinned or fully rigid. A semi-rigid connection, however, creates a balance between the two extreme approaches mentioned above. In this research, two full scales of Extended End Plate Connections (EEPCs) were tested. Mathematical and numerical models were used to analyse the connections, and close correlations were found between these models and the corresponding tested specimens, which confirmed the confidence in the experimental results. The experimental results obtained enrich the available test data about behaviour of EEPC. In addition, the purpose of studying EEPC experimentally is to compare the stiffness and moment-rotation curve of EEPCs with that of Cap Plate Connections (CPCs), which were tested in a previous work. CPCs have not been studied sufficiently in the literature. The results obtained show that the typical CPC reduces the connection stiffness and these results will make a valuable contribution to the available test data in the research area of CPC.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.277-309
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• 2013

Beam-to-column connections behaviour plays an important role in the analysis and design of steel and precast concrete structures. The paper presents a computer-based method for geometrically nonlinear frames with semi-rigid beam-to-column connections. The analytical procedure employs modified stability functions to model the effect of axial force on the stiffness of members. The member modified stiffness matrix, and the modified fixed end forces for various loads were found. The linear and nonlinear analyses were applied for two planar steel structures. The method is readily implemented on a computer using matrix structural analysis techniques and is applicable for the efficient nonlinear analysis of frameworks.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.1-21
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• 2022

In the structural analysis of steel frames, joints are generally considered as rigid or hinged considering their moment transfer ability. However, the first studies conducted with the beginning of the 20th century showed that the joints do not actually fit these two definitions. In reality, a joint behaves between these two extreme points and is called semi-rigid. Including the actual state of the joint in the structural analysis provides significant economic advantages, so the subject is an intense field of study today. However, it does not find enough application area in practice. For this reason, a large-scale literature published from the first studies on the subject to the present has been examined within the scope of the study. Three important points have been identified in order to examine a joint realistically; modelling the load-displacement relationship, performing the structural analysis and how to design. Joint modelling methods were grouped under 7 main headings as analytical, empirical, mechanical, numerical, informational, hybrid and experimental. In addition to the moment-rotation, other important external load effects like axial force, shear and torsion were considered. Various evaluations were made to expand the practical application area of semi-rigid connections by examining analysis methods and design approaches. Dynamic behaviour was also included in the study, and besides column-beam connections, other important connection types such as beam-beam, column-beam-cross, base connection were also examined in this paper.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 1997.04a
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• pp.777-781
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• 1997

In this study, the effect of strain-rate and inital solid fraction on the deformation behaviour of semi-solid material is investigated, when semi-solid forging is performed by the process of closed-die compression using A356 alloy of which the above results can be practically applied for industrical purpose. In order to simulate densification in the deformation of semi-solid material, the semi-solid material is assumed to be composed of solid region following rigid visco-plastic material, the liquid region following Darcy's law for the liquid flow saturated in the interstitial space. Simulation results of closed-die compression and simple upsetting under different strain-rate and initial solid fraction are compared.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.539-569
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• 2012

The behaviour of beam-to-column connections plays an important role in the analysis and design of steel structures. A computer-based method is presented for nonlinear steel frames with semi-rigid connections accounting for shear deformations. The analytical procedure employs transcendental stability functions to model the effect of axial force on the stiffness of members. The member stiffness matrix, and the fixed end forces for various loads were found. The nonlinear analysis method is applied for three planar steel structures. The method is readily implemented on a computer using matrix structural analysis techniques and is applicable for the efficient nonlinear analysis of frameworks.