Seismic performance of the Accordion-Web RBS connection

A new type of Reduced Beam Section (RBS) connection, “Accordion Web RBS (AW-RBS)”, is presented in this research. RBS connections are commonly known as connections with reduced flange width within a limited area near the column face. However, the AW-RBS decreases the web contribution in moment strength and a reduced section is developed in the beam. In an AW-RBS, the flat web is replaced by corrugated plates (L-shape folded plates, used here) at the expected location of the beam’s plastic hinge. While the corrugated web has adequate shear strength, its provided moment strength and flexural stiffness are negligible. Two relatively identical specimens including AW-RBS connections have been tested under cyclic loading. Both specimens provide at least 8% story drift, without any significant strength loss, which is more than current requirements for qualifying connections in special moment frames. The accordion effect of the corrugated web and the cyclic performance of the connection are verified by analytical results. According to the analytical and experimental results, the inelastic rotations of the connection are mostly provided by reliable and ductile rotation at the reduced region rather than in the connection plates or panel zone.     

Collapse analysis of steel moment frames with various seismic connections

Seismic connections with high ductile capacity are generally considered to be effective for resisting seismic loads. However, additional studies are still needed to evaluate the performance of seismic connections during progressive collapse. In this study the progressive collapse resisting capacity of the Reduced Beam Section (RBS), Welded Cover Plated Flange (WCPF), and Welded Unreinforced Flange-Welded Web (WUF-W) connections, which are seismic connections recommended by the FEMA/SAC project, was investigated. For progressive collapse analysis, two types of steel moment frame buildings were considered; one designed for high-seismic load and the other designed for moderate-seismic load. The vertical displacement at the point of column removal and the plastic hinge rotation at beam ends were checked by using an alternative load path method proposed in the guidelines. The analysis results showed that the performance of the Cover Plate connection turned out to be the most effective in resisting progressive collapse, especially in structures located in moderate-seismic regions.     

腹板开孔-翼缘削弱型刚性节点的数值研究

1994年北岭地震以来,翼缘削弱型节点和腹板开孔型节点成为抗震节点的传统形式。滞回试验表明,这两种节点均具有良好的抗震性能。介绍腹板开孔-翼缘削弱型节点在往复荷载作用下的非线性有限元分析。结果表明,这种节点形式比传统节点抗震性能更好。研究了节点域强度,连续板及开孔长度的影响。     

Numerical study of Slotted-Web-Reduced-Flange moment connection

Reduced Beam Section (RBS) and Slotted Beam Web (SBW) are two types of seismic resistant moment connections that were introduced after the 1994 Northridge earthquake. These connections have been tested under cyclic loading and have had acceptable performance. In this paper, a new hybrid connection is introduced that is composed of RBS and SBW and is named Slotted-Web-Reduced-Flange (SWRF). Nonlinear finite element analyses are performed on SWRF under cyclic loading. It is shown that the new connection in some cases performs better than its RBS and SBW predecessors. The effects of panel zone strength, continuity plates and slot length are also investigated.     

Fatigue Reduction in Tubular Web Connections in Semi-deep Beams

In this paper, the experimental and numerical results of a new type of Reduced Beam Section (RBS) connection called (abbreviated of Holed Tubular Web), are investigated. The HTW-RBS connection is a kind of accordion-web RBS connection by which contribution of the web to the flexural capacity of the beam would be reduced. In HTW-RBS connection, a steel tube is used instead of part of the beam web to place the plastic hinge in the expected location and also holes are created on the beam web. Similar to the corrugated webs, HTW-RBS connection has also adequate shear capacity but has little contribution to the flexural stiffness and capacity. Specimens of semi-deep beams with HTW-RBS connections are prepared and tested under cyclic loading. Results of proposed connection (HTW-RBS), indicated that the fatigue caused by stress concentration at the connection of the tube and beam is decreased and no fracture and cracking occurred at this area. Holes as second fuse actuated After the tube (primary fuse) and the length of plastic hinge is increased. Specimens provide at least 7% story drift, without any significant strength loss, which is more than current requirements for qualifying connections in special moment frames. Finally, the HTW-RBS specimen is simulated by finite element software and the results are compatible with the experimental results.

     

Parameters affecting response and design of Steel Moment Frame Reduced Beam Section connections: An overview

The most crucial parameters that affect the response as well as the design of Steel Moment Frame (SMF) Reduced Beam Section (RBS) connections are discussed. After a brief historical background concerning the development of RBS connections, according to the reviewed literature these highly interdependent parameters are: (a) connection strength, (b) RBS profiles/sizing and location, (c) stiffness of beam, moment frame and connection, (d) use of deep columns and associated instability phenomena, (e) existence of composite floor slabs/lateral bracing, (f) strength and ductility of the column panel zone-beam instability, (g) connection type and (h) column axis orientation. Their effect on the design and the seismic performance of RBS connections is presented and recommendations, for future research required, in order to fully implement and refine the RBS concept in European Standards and Practices, are given.     

Comparison of component method with experimental tests for flush end-plate connections using hot-rolled perwaja steel sections

A component method has been introduced by Steel Construction Institute to predict the moment resistance of partial strength connection. The design philosophy is taken directly from Eurocode 3 with strength checks on bolts, welds, and steel which have been modified to comply with BS 5950-1:2000. The accuracy of the method however needs to be validated with the experimental tests especially for hot-rolled sections other than typical British Section (BS). Six experimental tests on beam-to-column connections have been carried out for Flush End-Plate (FEP) connections consisting of variable parameters such as thickness of end-plate, size and number of bolts, size of columns, and beams. The tests were set-up using local hot-rolled steel sections known as Perwaja Section (PS) for beams and columns instead of typical British Section (BS). The strength of materials for end-plate, column and beam sections were tested for tensile strength and used in predicting the moment resistance for component method. The moment versus rotation of the test results were plotted and compared with the moment resistance derived from component method. The study concluded that the moment resistance of the tested flush end-plate connections was higher than the predicted moment resistance from component method which showed good agreement between the two moments. The study also concluded that the tested FEP connections met the requirements and criteria of partial strength connections.     

Experimental and Numerical Assessment of Reduced IPE Beam Sections Connections with Box-Stiffener

Reduced Beam Section (RBS) is a new type of connection in steel moment resistant frames that was introduced after the Northridge earthquake of 1994. The application of RBS connections associated with reduced beam flange width can aid in accelerating web, flange, and lateral-torsional bucklings in the beam. To fix this problem, a new type of stiffener called the box-stiffener was presented in this study, which exactly encases the reduced portion of the beam. First, 4 laboratory tests were performed on RBS connections made of IPE140 and IPE270 sections in the two conditions of ‘with’ and ‘without’ a boxstiffener. Laboratory results showed that the stiffener considerably enhanced the connection ductility without a significant increase in the connection’s resistance. To examine other sizes of IPE sections, a verified Finite Element model was utilized. The results of the numerical models also confirmed the suitable performance of the box-stiffener.     

钢结构加腋型梁柱焊接节点抗震性能的探讨

介绍了钢结构加腋型梁柱焊接节点的结构、形状、主要参数与重要部件 ,并对其抗震性能进行了探讨。加腋型节点的塑性铰在远离柱翼缘面的梁上形成。与一般的梁柱节点相比 ,其韧性行为稳定 ,强度得到提高。与目前流行的削弱梁截面的改进型节点比较 ,加腋型梁柱焊接节点具有更大的塑性转角与更强的抗震性能     

足尺钢梁柱刚性连接节点抗震性能试验研究

通过10个不同连接构造的足尺钢梁柱刚性连接节点的试验,研究了标准栓焊连接节点、标准全焊连接节点、梁翼缘加强型节点、梁翼缘局部削弱型节点以及梁贯通型节点在梁端往复荷载作用下的破坏过程、破坏形态、承载力和塑性变形能力等抗震性能。试验结果表明,梁翼缘局部切割削弱和梁翼缘加盖板节点的梁的极限塑性转角大于0.03,梁贯通型节点、梁下翼缘加腋节点和梁翼缘打孔节点的梁的极限塑性转角大于0.02,其余类型节点的都小于0.02。对实测的梁翼缘和腹板的应力分布的分析表明,梁根部翼缘处于三向应力状态,是其脆性断裂破坏的原因之一。建议钢框架梁柱连接优先采用梁翼缘加梯形盖板节点和梁下翼缘加腋节点。     

削切钢盖板梁柱接头设计与耐震行为

本研究的目的为提出新式的梁柱接头以避免在工地现场进行梁柱接头全渗透焊接,同时亦控制塑性变形发生在一简单、可修复的装置(削切盖板)而非钢梁。削切盖板(RFP)以焊接或栓接方式固定于钢管混凝土(CFT)柱,以螺栓或填角焊与梁翼板接合,四组全尺寸削切盖板梁柱接头试体试验结果显示:(1)削切盖板梁柱接头在反复载重作用下均可超越0.04弧度的位移角,而使梁的塑性弯矩强度得以发挥;(2)塑性变形发生在削切盖板而非钢梁上,进而避免钢梁的挫屈;(3)利用有限元素分析程序ABAQUS可预测试体接头的反复载重行为,并证明削切盖板梁柱接头的弹性挠曲劲度与盖板梁柱接头相似,满足刚性接头的劲度要求;(4)削切盖板的非弹性挫屈强度可藉由本研究提出的非线性回归分析模型预测。     

The effect of stiffener on behavior of reduced beam section connections in steel moment-resisting frames

Reduced Beam Section (RBS) connections are a new type of connection which have been used in steel moment-resisting frames since the 1994 Northridge earthquake. This study is primarily aimed at analyzing the effects of suitable web stiffeners on preventing the deterioration effect of the hysteresis curve for RBS connections. Results of more than 183 nonlinear finite element analyses on different IPE sections with radius cut, straight cut, and drilled-flange RBS connection showed that different web stiffeners considerably contribute to the enhancement of seismic performance of RBS connections. In this research, the effects of factors such as the geometry and the number of the stiffeners, the distance between the stiffener and column side, and the length and thickness of the stiffener on the seismic performance of RBS connections were also studied.     

Proposing two new methods to decrease lateral-torsional buckling in reduced beam section connections

Reduced web section (RWS) connections can prevent lateral-torsional buckling and web local buckling experienced by reduced beam section (RBS) connections. In RWS connections, removing a large portion of web can result in shear demand intolerance induced to plastic hinge region. The present study aims to resolve the problems of RBS and RWS connections by proposing two new connections: (1) RBS with stiffener (RBS-ST) and (2) RBS with reduced web (RW-RBS) connections. In the first connection (RBS-ST), a series of stiffeners is connected to the beam in the reduced flange region, while the second connection (RW-RBS) considers both a reduction in flanges and a reduction in web. Five beam-to-column joints with three different connections, including RBS, RBS-ST, and RW-RBS connections were considered and simulated in ABAQUS. According to the results, RBS-ST and RW-RBS connections can decrease or even eliminate lateral-torsional buckling and web local buckling in RBS connection. It is important to note that RW-RBS connection is more effective in long beams with smaller shear demands in the plastic hinge region. Moreover, results showed that RBS and RW-RBS connections experienced strength degradation at 4% to 5% drift, while no strength degradation was observed in RBS-ST connection until 8% drift.     

钢结构焊接翼缘板加强式梁柱刚性连接滞回性能试验研究

焊接翼缘板加强式梁柱刚性连接是塑性铰外移以提高连接塑性变形的一种改进形式。为考察这种连接形式在循环荷载作用下的滞回性能,共进行了4个1/2模型的拟静力加载试验,研究了梁翼缘宽厚比、腹板高厚比对连接性能的影响和节点域强弱对连接塑性转动能力的影响。作为比较,还进行了一个盖板加强式梁柱刚性连接的试验。试验结果表明,这种连接形式性能优良,所有的试件都没有发生脆性破坏,都能确保塑性铰转移到加强板以外,梁端塑性转角介于0.044～0.054rad之间,达到了特殊抗弯钢框架连接塑性转动能力不小于0.03rad的要求。在试验过程中所有的加强板都没有发生局部屈曲。在满足我国抗震规范要求的前提下,增大梁翼缘的宽厚比,梁翼缘更易于发生塑性局部屈曲,但对极限承载能力和变形能力的影响不大;减小梁腹板的高厚比则对承载能力的影响较明显;较弱的节点域,会显著降低连接的承载力,但可提高其变形能力。     

钢构造梁扩翼接头之耐震行为

传统抗弯构架之梁柱接头梁腹板以螺栓接合而梁翼板以全渗透焊接于柱,在北岭及阪神地震的侵袭下,梁柱接头处发生严重脆性破坏。本研究针对钢梁连接H型钢柱之接头,以扩大接头处梁翼板宽度之改良方式,改善扇形开孔处与梁翼全渗透焊道之应力集中现象。藉由参数研究确立各设计参数,制作六组实尺寸试体进行试验。试验结果显示,扩翼式梁柱接头试体可降低梁柱接头处发生脆性破坏之可能,而皆可产生塑性铰,提供优良且稳定之弯矩强度及韧性能力。     

未补强焊接梁柱接头之应用于箱形柱

探讨钢结构特殊弯矩构架梁柱接头的耐震行为,梁柱接头采用未补强焊接梁柱接头,特点在于厚梁翼板、箱形柱断面、且焊接扇形孔采用美国AWS的建议,以盼能提供良好的韧性行为。以试验方法进行两组实尺寸试体的试验,梁柱子结构承受反复载重。试验结果显示,两组试体皆可达4%弧度层间变位角,梁发展塑性弯矩强度;破坏肇因于梁翼全渗透焊道裂缝造成的撕裂。研究成果提供预审合格梁柱接头更广泛的实务应用。     

钢框架梁翼缘削弱型节点单元刚度矩阵及内力分析

梁柱连接采用翼缘削弱型节点(RBS)可促使节点塑性铰外移,提高结构延性,达到节点抗震设计目的.采用能量法推导出梁翼缘削弱型节点的单元刚度矩阵和转角位移方程,通过实例进行内力分析.研究结果表明:RBS节点导致梁的抗弯刚度、刚架的抗侧刚度降低,使梁的固端弯矩减小,跨中弯矩增加,反弯点位置前移;梁单元刚度矩阵中各元素较普通节...     

梁柱盖板连接的滞回性能研究

盖板加强式梁柱刚性连接节点是使塑性铰外移以提高节点塑性变形的一种改进形式。为了研究梁柱盖板连接的滞回性能,在考虑材料、几何和接触状态非线性基础上,采用三维实体单元对梁柱盖板连接进行了循环加载有限元模拟。设计了4组共12个试件,研究了节点域厚度、梁高、盖板长度及轴压比等参数对盖板连接滞回性能的影响。有限元分析结果表明:大部分节点表现出良好的延性,梁端位移超过80mm;节点域厚度越厚,连接的承载力和刚度越高;梁高越大,连接的延性越差,可能会发生强梁弱柱破坏;盖板长度对节点性能没有显著影响;轴压比越大,节点的强度、刚度和延性会显著降低。     

Strength criteria for bolted beam-column connections

This paper describes an experimental investigation into the strength parameters of bolted beam-to-column connections. Fifteen specimens of beam-column connections were tested with 16 mm, 20 mm and 24 mm diameter bolts and 12 mm, 16 mm and 20 mm endplates for a constant beam and a constant column cross section using both pulsating and gradually increasing ‘static’ loads.Test connections were designed to the Australian specifications. All connections, except one, met the strength requirements by transferring the nominal plastic moment of the beam across the connection. According to the design criteria, the bending of the endplate was the predicted mode of failure, but experiments revealed different phenomena. Specimens failed generally with the yielding of column flanges/web and welds around the beam tension flange. High factors of safety were obtained for specimens tested with thin endplates.     

Seismic performance of reduced web section moment connections

Seismic behavior of beam-to-column connections can be improved by shifting the location of inelasticity away from the column’s face. Such connections can be achieved by reducing the flange area at a specific distance from the beam-column connection, called reduced beam section (RBS), or by reducing web area by introducing a perforation into the web, called reduced web section (RWS). This paper presents a parametric study that is carried out on the effect of the perforation size, perforation location, and the beam span length in the RWS connections, using finite element modeling. Next, an interaction formula is derived for design purposes, and a step by step design method is developed. Finally, a frame is analyzed to verify the reliability of the proposed design process and assess the impact of the RWS connections on the behavior of special moment frames. The study concludes that RWS connections can effectively improve seismic performance of special moment frames, causing plastic hinges to form around the perforation away from the column’s face.