Seismic behavior of Q620 high-strength steel welded Box-section columns: Experimental tests, analysis, and model

Abstract

This study experimentally and numerically investigates the seismic behavior of high-strength steel (HSS) welded Box-section columns. The HSS structures have made rapid development in various types of building structures. However, the high yield-to-tensile ratio of HSS limits its application in seismic design. To address this gap, a new type of HSS called Q620 has been developed by Hebei Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. (HISCO). A total of three specimens were designed by this seismic-resistant Q620 HSS material and tested under cyclic load. The main failure modes included local buckling of the bottom section of the column, and obvious flexural deformation led to fracture of the specimen. Additionally, the nonlinear kinematic hardening model was utilized to accurately establish the finite element (FE) model for the HSS welded Box-section columns. Based on the validated FE model, an extensive parametric analysis (e.g., width-to-thickness ratio, axial compression ratio, and slenderness ratio) was conducted to evaluate the seismic behavior of the Q620 HSS welded Box-section columns. The results indicated that the Box-section columns exhibited favorable hysteretic behavior and notable plastic deformation capacity. A higher width-to-thickness ratio resulted in a faster decline in stiffness and a more pronounced advancement of damage. The ductility and energy dissipation capacity of Box-section columns were generally decreased with increasing axial compression ratio or slenderness ratio. A newly simplified hysteretic model was proposed, which was in good agreement with the experimental results.