• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.68 no.5
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• pp.591-601
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• 2018

Non-moment beam-to-column connections, which are usually referred to as simple or shear connections, are typically designed to carry only gravity loads in the form of vertical shears. Although in the analysis of structures these connections are usually assumed to be pinned, they may provide a small amount of rotational stiffness due to the typical connection details. This paper investigates the effects of this small rotational restraint of simple beam-to-column connections on the behavior and seismic response of steel braced non-moment resisting frames. Two types of commonly used simple connections with bolted angles, i.e., the Double Web angle Connection (DWC) and Unstiffened Seat angle Connection (USC) are considered for this purpose. In addition to the pinned condition - as a simplified representation of these connections - more accurate semi-rigid models are established and then applied to some frame models subjected to nonlinear pushover and nonlinear time history analyses. Although the use of bracing elements generally reduces the sensitivity of the global structural response to the behavior of connections, the obtained results indicate considerable effects on the local responses. Namely, our results show that consideration of the real behavior of connections is essential in designing the column elements where the pin-connection assumption significantly underestimates design of outer columns of upper stories.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.309-318
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• 2018

Buckling Restrained Braced (BRB) frames have been widely used as an efficient seismic load resisting system in recent years mostly due to their symmetric and stable hysteretic behavior and significant energy dissipation capacity. In this study, to provide a better understanding of the behavior of BRB frames with various beam-column connections, a numerical study using non-linear finite element (FE) analysis is conducted. All models are implemented in the Abaqus software package following an explicit formulation. Initially, the results of the FE model are verified with experimental data. Then, diverse beam-column connections are modeled for the sake of comparison from the shear capacity, energy dissipation and frame hysteresis behavior points of view until appropriate performance is assessed. The considered connections are divided into three different categories: (1) simple beam-column connections including connection by web angle and connection by seat angle; (2) semi-rigid connection including connection by web and seat angles; and (3) rigid beam-column connections by upper-lower beam plates and beam connections with web and flange splices. Results of the non-linear FE analyses show that these types of beam-column connections have little effect on the maximum story drift and shear capacity of BRB frames. However, the connection type has a significant effect on the amount of energy dissipation and hysteresis behavior of BRB frames. Also, changes in length and thickness of the angles in simple and semi-rigid connections and changes in length and thickness of plates in rigid connections have slight effects (less than 4%) on the overall frame behavior.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.9 no.2 s.31
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• pp.205-220
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• 1997

The objective of this study is to investigate the structural behavior of concrete-filled steel tubular column-H beam connections with exterior stiffeners. As a preliminary test, simple tensile test on the column to H-beam flange connections stiffened were conducted The paramaters of tensile test are the thickness(T=9, 12, 15m) and the width(W=50, 75, 100, 150mm) of exterior stiffeners. The simple tensile test were conducted to 7 kinds of specimens. Estimating the load, displacement, and strain from each kind, results of simple tensile test were compared with results of second test. On the basis of simple tensile test, test on the column to H-km connections stiffened with the sames under monotonic and cyclic load were conducted. Specimens of 5 for the second experiment were made. In analysis, comparing each strengthes and stiffnesses we estimated deformation capacity. Comparing and estimating each yielding strength ratios and maxium-strength ratios on the basis of yield line theory, new strength formula of beam-to-column connections was suggested.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.9 no.3 s.32
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• pp.377-390
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• 1997

The objective of this study is to investigate the structural behavior of concrete-filled steel tubular column to H-beam connections with reinforced bar. As a preliminary test, simple tensile test on the column to H-beam connections stiffened were conducted. The parameters of tensile test are the diameters of each rebars. The simple tensile test were conducted to 5 kinds of specimens. Estimating the load. displacement and strain for specimens, the result of tensile test were compared with the results of main test. On the basis of simple tensile test, tests are conducted to montonic and cyclic loading column to H-beam connections with the same diameters of rebars. Specimens of 5 are made for monotonic and cyclic loading test. In analysis, estimating the yielding strength and maximum strength of specimens on the basis of yield line theory, strength formula of beam-to column connections with concrete-filled steel tubular column was suggested.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.143-152
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• 2017

This paper focuses on the seismic performance of pallet-type steel storage rack structures in their down aisle direction. As evidenced by experimental research, the seismic response of storage racks in the down-aisle direction is strongly affected by the nonlinear moment-rotation response of the beam-to-column connections. In their down-aisle direction, rack structures are designed to resist lateral seismic loads with typical moment frames utilizing proprietary beam-to-column moment-resisting connections. These connections are mostly boltless hooked type connections and they exhibit significantly large rotations resulting in large lateral frame displacements when subjected to strong ground motions. In this paper, typical hooked boltless beam-to-column connections are studied experimentally to obtain their non-linear reversed cyclic moment-rotation response. Additionally, a compound type connection involving the standard hooks and additional bolts were also tested under similar conditions. The simple introduction of the additional bolts within the hooked connection is considered to be a practical way of structural upgrade in the connection. The experimentally evaluated characteristics of the connections are compared in terms of some important performance indicators such as maximum moment and rotation capacity, change in stiffness and accumulated energy levels within the cyclic loading protocol. Finally, the obtained characteristics were used to carry out seismic performance assessment of rack frames incorporating the tested beam-to-column connections. The assessment involves a displacement based approach that utilizes a simple analytical model that captures the seismic behavior of racks in their down-aisle direction. The results of the study indicate that the proposed method of upgrading appears to be a very practical and effective way of increasing the seismic performance of hooked connections and hence the rack frames in their down-aisle direction.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.10 no.2 s.35
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• pp.161-175
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• 1998

The objective of this study is to investigate the structural behavior of Concrete-Filled Steel Tubular Column-H Beam connections with plate stiffeners. The first, we made experiment on the Column to H-beam flange connections stiffened with simple tensile loading. The paramaters of tensile experiment are the area of each plates. The simple tensile experiment is conducted to 5 kinds of specimens. Eestimating the load, displacement, and strain from each kind, we compared them with results of second experiment. The second, we made experiment on the Column to H-beam connections stiffened with the sames under monotonic and cyclic load. we made specimens of 5 for the second experiment. In analysis, comparing each strengthes and stiffnesses we estimated deformation capacity. Comparing and estimating each yielding strength ratios and maxium-strength ratios on the basis of Yield line theory, we suggested new Strength Formula of Beam-to-Column Connections.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2001

Due to aesthetic, economic, and structural performance, the use of structural hollow sections as columns in both continuous moment resisting and nominally pinned construction is attractive. Connecting the beams to these sections is somewhat problematic as there is no access to the interior of the section to allow for the tightening of a standard bolt. Therefore, bolts that may be tightened from one side, i.e., blind bolts, have been developed to facilitate the use of site bolting for this arrangement. This paper critically reviews available information concerning blind bolting technology, especially the performance of fasteners in shear, tension, and moment resisting connections. Also provided is an explanation of the way in which the results have been incorporated into design guidance covering the particular case of nominally pinned connections. For moment resisting connections, it is concluded that whilst the principle has been adequately demonstrated, sufficient data are currently not available to permit the provision of authoritative design guidance. In addition, inherent flexibilities in the connections mean that performance equivalent to full strength and rigid is unlikely to be achievable: a semicontinuous approach to frame design will therefore be necessary.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1103-1117
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• 2015

It is known that material properties, connection quality and manufacturing methods are among the important factors directly affecting the behavior of steel connections and hence steel structures. The possible performance differences between a fabricated connection and its computer model may cause critical design problems for steel structures. Achieving a reliable design depends, however, on how accurately the material properties and relevant constitutive models are considered to characterize the behavior of structures. Conventionally, the stress and strain fields in structural steel connections are calculated using the finite elements method with assumed material properties and constitutive models. Because the conventional strain gages allow the measurement of deformation only at one point and direction for specific time duration, it is not possible to determine the general characteristics of stress-strain distributions in connections after the laboratory performance tests. In this study, a new method is introduced to measure displacement distribution of simple steel welded connections under tension tests. The method is based on analyzing digital images of connection specimens taken periodically during the laboratory tension test. By using this method, displacement distribution of steel connections can be calculated with an acceptable precision for the tested connections. Calculated displacements based on the digital image correlation method are compared with those calculated using the finite elements method.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.35-50
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• 2002

A series of tests on simple-welded plate specimens (SWPS) and T-stub tension specimens simulating some of the joint details in moment frame connections were conducted in this investigation. The effects of weld strength mismatch and weld metal toughness on structural behavior of these specimens were considered under both static and dynamic loading conditions. Finite element analyses were performed by taking into account typical weld residual stress distributions and weld metal strength mismatch conditions to facilitate the interpretation of the test results. The major findings are as follows: (a) Sufficient specimen size requirements are essential in simulating both load transfer and constraint conditions that are relevant to moment frame connections, (b) Weld residual stresses can significantly elevate stress triaxiality in addition to structural constraint effects, both of which can significantly reduce the plastic deformation capacity in moment frame connections, (c) Based on the test results, dynamic loading within a loading rate of 0.02 in/in/sec, as used in this study, premature brittle fractures were not seen, although a significant elevation of the yield strength can be clearly observed. However, brittle fracture features can be clearly identified in T-stub specimens in which severe constraint effects (stress triaxiality) are considered as the primary cause, (d) Based on both the test and FEA results, T-stub specimens provide a reasonable representation of the joint conditions in moment frame connections in simulating both complex load transfer mode and constraint conditions.

• Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.163-171
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• 2003

Most of existing beam-to-column connections are reinforced symmetrically because of reverse action cause by earthquake but in the weak-earthquake region like Korea connections reinforced asymmetrically can be used. Specially, the connections between CFT(Concrete Filled Tube) column and H-shape beam can be applied by simplified lower diaphragm. The tensile capacity of Combined Cross Diaphragm for upper reinforcing was tested by simple tension test and four types for lower reinforcing; Combined Cross, None, Horizontal T-bar and Vertical Plate were tested by ANSI/AISC SSPEC 2002 loading program. Horizontal T-bar and stud bolts in vertical flat bar transmit tensile stress from bottom flange of beam to filled concrete. All test specimens were satisfied 0.01 radian of inelastic rotational requirement in ordinary moment frame of AISC seismic provision. As the results of parametric studies, simplified lower diaphragms demonstrated an outstanding strength, stiffness and plastic deformation capacity to use sufficient seismic performance in the field.