• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.245-255
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• 2017

The performance of an Industrialised Building System (IBS) consists of prefabricated reinforced concrete components, is greatly affected by the behaviour of the connection between beam and columns. The structural characteristics parameters of a beam-to-column connection like rotational stiffness, strength and ductility can be explained by load-rotation relationship of a full scale H-subframe under gravitational load. Furthermore, the connection's degree of rigidity directly influences the behaviour of the whole frame. In this research, rotational behaviour of a patented innovative beam-to-column connection with unique benefits like easy installation, no wet work, no welding work at assembly site, using a hybrid behaviour of steel and concrete, easy replacement ability, and compatibility with architecture was investigated. The proposed IBS beam-to-column connection includes precast concrete components with embedded steel end connectors. Two full-scale H-subframes constructed with a new IBS and conventional cast in-situ reinforced concrete system beam-to-column connections were tested under incremental static loading. In this paper, load-rotation relationship and ratio of the rigidity of IBS beam-to-column connection are studied and compared with conventional monolithic reinforced concrete connection. It is concluded that this new IBS beam-to-column connection benefits from more rotational ductility than the conventional reinforced concrete connection. Furthermore, the semi-rigid IBS connection rigidity ratio is about 44% of a full rigid connection.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.373-385
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• 2019

This paper presents a useful in-plane structural analysis of low-rise blind-bolted composite frames with semi-rigid joints. Analytical models were used to predict the moment-rotation relationship of the composite beam-to-column flush endplate joints that produced accurate and reliable results. The comparisons of the analytical model with test results in terms of the moment-rotation response verified the robustness and reliability of the model. Abaqus software was adopted to conduct frame analysis considering the material and geometrical non-linearities. The flexural behaviour of the composite frames was studied by applying the lateral loads incorporating wind and earthquake actions according to the Australian standards. A wide variety of frames with a varied number of bays and storeys was analysed to determine the bending moment envelopes under different load combinations. The design models were finalized that met the strength and serviceability limit state criteria. The results from the frame analysis suggest that among lateral loads, wind loads are more critical in Australia as compared to the earthquake loads. However, gravity loads alone govern the design as maximum sagging and hogging moments in the frames are produced as a result of the load combination with dead and live loads alone. This study provides a preliminary analysis and general understanding of the behaviour of low rise, semi-continuous frames subjected to lateral load characteristics of wind and earthquake conditions in Australia that can be applied in engineering practice.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.53-69
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• 2023

The rotational stiffness of a semi-rigid beam-to-column connection plays an important role in the reduction of the second-order effects in the precast concrete skeletal frames. The aim of this study is to present a detailed nonlinear finite element study to reproduce the experimental response of a semi-rigid precast beam-to-column connection composed by corbel, dowel bar and continuity tie bars available in the literature. A parametric study was carried using four arrangements of the reinforcing tie bars in the connection, including high ratio of the continuity tie bars passing around the column in the cast-in-place concrete. The results from the parametric study were compared to analytical equations proposed to evaluate the secant rotational stiffness of beam-to-column connections. The good agreement with the experimental results was obtained, demonstrating that the finite element model can accurately predict the structural behaviour of the beam-to-column connection despite its complex geometric configuration. The secant rotational stiffness of the connection was good evaluated by the analytical model available in the literature for ratio of the continuity tie bars of up to 0.69%. Precast beam-to-column connection with a ratio of the continuity tie bars higher than 1.4% had the secant stiffness overestimated. Therefore, an adjustment coefficient for the effective depth of the crack at the end of the beam was proposed for the analytical model, which is a function of the ratio of the continuity tie bars.

• International Journal of High-Rise Buildings
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.343-362
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• 2018

A simplified spring connection modelling approach for steel flush endplate beam-to-column connections in fire has been developed to enable realistic behaviour of connections to be incorporated into full-scale frame analyses at elevated temperature. Due to its simplicity and reliability, the proposed approach permits full-scale high-temperature frame analysis to be conducted without high computational cost. The proposed simplified spring connection modelling approach has been used to investigate the influence of connection ductility (both axial and rotational) on frame behaviour in fire. 2D steel and 3D composite frames with a range of beam spans were modelled to aid the understanding of the differences in frame response in fire where the beam-to-column connections have different axial and rotational ductility assumptions. The modelling results highlight that adopting the conventional rigid or pinned connection assumptions does not permit the axial forces acting on the connections to be accurately predicted, since the axial ductility of the connection is completely neglected when the rotational ductility is either fully restrained or free. By accounting for realistic axial and rotational ductilities of beam-to-column connections, the frame response in fire can be predicted more accurately, which is advantageous in performance-based structural fire engineering design.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.363-380
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• 2018

This paper presented an integral design procedure for demountable bolted composite frames with semi-rigid joints. Moment-rotation relationships of beam-to-column joints were predicted with analytical models aiming to provide accurate and reliable analytical solutions. Among this, initial stiffness of beam-to-column joints was derived on the basis of Timoshenko's plate theory, and moment capacity was derived in accordance with Eurocodes. The predictions were validated with relevant test results prior to further applications. Frame analysis was conducted by using Abaqus software with material and geometrical nonlinearity considered. Variable lateral loads incorporating wind actions and earthquake actions in accordance with Australian Standards were adopted to evaluate the flexural behaviour of the composite frames. Strength and serviceability limit state criteria were utilized to verify configurations of designed models. A wide range of frames with the varied number of storeys and bays were thereafter programmed to ascertain bending moment envelopes under various load combinations. The analytical results suggest that the proposed approach is capable of predicting the moment-rotation performance of the semi-rigid joints reasonably well. Outcomes of the frame analysis indicate that the load combination with dead loads and live loads only leads to maximum sagging and hogging moment magnitudes in beams. As for lateral loads, wind actions are more crucial to dominate the design of the demountable composite frames than earthquake actions. No hogging moment reversal is expected in the composite beams given that the frames are designed properly. The proposed analysis procedure is demonstrated to be a simple and efficient method, which can be applied into engineering practice.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.675-689
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• 2012

Most connections of steel structures exhibit flexible behaviour under cyclic loading. The flexible connections can be assumed as nonlinear rotational springs attached to the ends of each beam. The nonlinear behaviour of the connections can be considered by suitable moment-rotation relationship. Time-history analysis by direct integration method can be used as a powerful technique to determine the nonlinear dynamic response of the structure. In conventional numerical integration, the response is evaluated for a series of short time increments. The limitations on the size of time intervals can be removed by using Chen and Robinson improved time history analysis method, in which the integrated displacements are used as the new variables in integrated equation of motion. The proposed method permits longer time intervals and reduces the computational works. In this paper the nonlinearity behaviour of the structure is summarized on the connections, and the step by step improved time-history analysis is used to calculate the dynamic response of the structure. Several numerical calculations which indicate the applicability and advantages of the proposed methodology are presented. These calculations illustrate the importance of the effect of the nonlinear behaviour of the flexible connections in the calculation of the dynamic response of steel frames.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.341-354
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• 2001

This paper provides a state-of-the-art review on advanced analysis models for investigating the load-displacement and ultimate load behaviour of steel and composite frames subjected to static gravity and lateral loads. Various inelastic analysis models for steel and composite members are reviewed. Composite beams under positive and negative moments are analysed using a moment-curvature relationship which captures the effects of concrete cracking and steel yielding along the members length. Beam-to-column connections are modeled using rotational spring. Building core walls are modeled using thin-walled element. Finally, the nonlinear behaviour of a complete multi-storey building frame consisting of a centre core-wall and the perimeter frames for lateral-load resistance is investigated. The performance of the total building system is evaluated in term of its serviceability and ultimate limit states.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.411-425
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• 1998

The effective length factor of a framed column may be determined by means of the alignment chart procedure. This method is based on many unrealistic assumptions, among which is that all columns have the same stiffness parameter, which is dependent on the length, axial load, and moment of inertia of the column. A new approximate method is developed for the determination of effective length factors for columns in unbraced frames. This method takes into account the effects of inelastic column behaviour, far end conditions of the restraining beams and columns, semi-rigid beam-to-column connections, and differentiated stiffness parameters of columns. This method may be implemented on a microcomputer. A numerical study was carried out to demonstrate the extent to which the involved parameters affect the K factor. The beam-to-column connection stiffness, the stiffness parameter of columns, and the far end conditions of restraining members have a significant effect on the K factor of the column under investigation. The developed method is recommended for design purposes.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.77-94
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• 2004

Steel beam-to-column joints are often subjected to a combination of bending and axial forces. The level of axial forces in the joint may be significant, typical of pitched-roof portal frames, sway frames or frames with incomplete floors. Current specifications for steel joints do not take into account the presence of axial forces (tension and/or compression) in the joints. A single empirical limitation of 10% of the beam's plastic axial capacity is the only enforced provision in Annex J of Eurocode 3. The objective of the present paper is to describe some experimental and numerical work carried out at the University of Coimbra to try to extend the philosophy of the component method to deal with the combined action bending moment and axial force.

• Proceedings of the Polymer Society of Korea Conference
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• 2006.10a
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• pp.364-364
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• 2006

The rheological properties of Parmax 1200, a new semi-flexible substituted polyphenylene, were investigated. The reported high stiffness of the material was confirmed. The rheological measurements proved that, despite the very high stiffness of the molecules, Parmax showed shear thinning and that, although the viscosity is very high and the melt is highly elastic, the polymer can be extruded in the melt. A worm-like morphology was detected in AFM and TEM. This morphology could explain the reported mechanical and rheological behaviour. The compatibility with flexible chain polymers (e.g. polycarbonate) could also be explained by the worm-like morphology.