Experimental study on seismic performance of column-column-beam joint in panelised steel-modular structure

Abstract

This paper proposes a fully-bolted column-column-beam joint for panelised steel-modular structure, which splices the box columns with integral inner sleeve and connects the box columns with H-shaped beam via stiffened angle steels and flush endplate. Compared to the currently prevailing joints, the currently proposed joint exhibits good constructional performances for panelised modules, such as higher prefabrication rate, lower transportation and stacking costs for column modules. To evaluate the influences of different vertical splicing bolt types, column top thickness and angle steel thickness, four different configurations of the joints are designed to derive the optimal performance of the currently proposed joint. On the premise of significant enhanced constructional performances, pseudo static tests on four different full-scale joint specimens are implemented to evaluate the seismic performance of the currently proposed joint via analyses of the failure mode, hysteretic curve, strength, stiffness, rotation capacity, ductility and energy dissipation capacity of the joints. It mostly exhibits as semi-rigid joint to possess sufficient rotation and energy dissipation capacities. Through the tests, compared with the long stay bolts, it is preferable to apply high strength bolts for vertical splice to improve seismic performance. Thickening the column top significantly avails the flexural capacity, stiffness and energy dissipation capacities of the joints. On the other hand, thickening the angle steel slightly enhances the positive flexural capacity, stiffness, whereas it negates the rotation and energy dissipation capacities.