Parametric study of hysteretic performance of high-strength steel framed-tube structures with web-bolted connected shear links

Abstract

High-strength steel framed tube structures with web-bolted connected shear links (HSSFTS-WCSLs) combine the advantages of replaceable shear link and high-strength steel (HSS) and can effectively improve the seismic performance and recoverability of traditional steel framed-tube structures. This parametric study investigates the effects of design parameters on the hysteretic behaviors of HSSFTS-WCSL using finite element analysis. The parameters include the length ratio of the shear link, span-to-depth ratio of the spandrel beam, intermediate link web stiffener space, and design details of the web-bolted connections. According to the numerical simulation results, the recommended length ratios of the web-bolted connected shear link are between 0.84 and 1.40. The span-to-depth ratios of the spandrel beams significantly influence the strength of the structures. The web-bolted connected shear links should be placed at the middle of the spandrel beams with span-to-depth ratios lower than 4.6. The link web stiffener spaces barely influence the seismic performance of HSS-FTS-RSLs. The allowable link web stiffener spaces given in the design codes can provide reliable capacities of the structures. The details of the web-bolted connections determine the energy dissipation performance of the structure, and this effect can be optimized by effectively increasing the diameter of the bolt and thickness of the reinforcement plate. The bolts should have sufficient shear strength to avoid shear failure. Increasing the thickness of the reinforcement plates of the connections can significantly enhance the energy dissipation capacities of HSS-FTS-RSLs. The overstrength factors of the web-bolted links with length ratios between 0.84 and 1.60 range from 1.42 to 1.79.