Finite element analysis of the strengthen-joint region connection of i-shaped columns for the strong axis

Abstract

In the I-shaped column strong axis joint connection, the joint region needs to be strengthened when the column web thickness does not meet specification requirements. This paper presents a new strengthening measure of welding the vertical skin plate between the column flanges in the range of the joint region of the weak axis. So, the I-shaped column could rigidly connect in two mutually perpendicular directions with the beam. This has more advantages than a box column. The mechanical behavior of the new strengthening measure and the traditional measure of welding the reinforcement plate in the column web of range of joint region was comparatively analyzed using finite element analysis under monotonic loading by ABAQUS software. The results show that the bearing capacity of the new strengthening measure is slightly higher than that of the traditional measure and at the same time it overcomes the shortcomings of stress concentration caused by welding of the traditional strengthening measure.