Abstract
This paper presents a numerical study on the behavior of connection between steel I-beam and H-column when are affected by cyclic loading. The connection used the flange plates to connect the beam flanges to the column flange. They were welded to the top and bottom flange plates and created a welded flange plate (WFP) connection. Specimens were six models of WFP connections with different beam geometry and flange plate sizes which were modeled and their cyclic behavior were investigated using finite element analysis in ABAQUS program. Three of them were reinforced by a vertical triangular top and bottom rib plates, and others remained unreinforced. The results showed that reinforcement with a vertical triangular rib plate attached to the top and bottom flange plates can improve cyclic behavior of WFP connections. By using a rib plate, the equivalent plastic strain was increased and showed better plastic hinge formation compared to those with no vertical rib plate. Those models with IPB beam sections had the best cyclic behavior compared to those with IPE beam sections and satisfied the acceptance criteria of AISC seismic provisions for intermediate and special moment frames. We concluded that those WFP connections which did not satisfy the criteria of AISC seismic provisions for special moment frames, can be upgraded by a vertical triangular rib plate in order to be used in special moment frames.
Highlights
One of the most common moment connections that are used by designers especially after Northridge earthquake (1994) which caused brittle fracture in or around the groove weld between the beam and the column flange in moment frame connections is welded flange plate (WFP) connections
Deylami and Toloukian [4] conducted nonlinear finite element analyses to investigate the effect of geometry of vertical rib plate on cyclic behavior of these connections, and concluded that the reinforcement provided by the vertical ribs plates can reduce the stress concentration on the complete joint penetration weld which in turn decreases the risk of brittle fracture of this weld
It can be observed that the increase in the height of the beam increases the PEEQ index in the plastic hinge location; WFP connections with a larger beam height have the potential to brittle fracture in the joint area, and a soft failure in the plastic hinge area
Summary
One of the most common moment connections that are used by designers especially after Northridge earthquake (1994) which caused brittle fracture in or around the groove weld between the beam and the column flange in moment frame connections is welded flange plate (WFP) connections. Deylami et al [6] presented analytical and experimental study on the cyclic behavior of these connections between a steel beam and a welded box column by evaluating the effect of beam depth on the seismic response of flange plate connection Their test results indicated that a deeper beam can lead to a greater potential for fracture in the groove weld joining the beam web to the beam flange at the plastic hinge region. Kosarieh and Danesh [11] studied effects of panel zone yielding on the seismic performance of WFP connections under cyclic loading for external joints in steel moment resisting frames Their results reported a high connection rotation capacity for all specimens, and those with different panel zone strengths provided different amount of energy dissipation. We simulated the behavior of these connections with different beam geometry and flange-plate dimensions using finite element (FE) analysis and examined the effect of reinforcement with a vertical single rib plate on their cyclic behavior
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
