Abstract
Stainless steel is increasingly used in structural applications but there is still significant lack of experimental evidence on the moment-rotation (M-) behaviour of moment resisting beam-to-column connections. The current paper presents experimental test results obtained from full scale tests conducted on three widely used connection types i.e., double web angle (DWA), top seat angle (TSA) and top seat with double web angle (TS-DWA) connection. Considered beam, column and angle sections were fabricated using austenitic stainless steel plates and M20 high strength bolts were used for connection assembly. M- curves for all connections were carefully recorded and were used to determine initial stiffness (Ki) and moment capacity (M20mrad) for each of the connections. Eurocode 3 guidelines were used to check the classification i.e., whether or not the connections were semi-rigid in nature. Although the considered DWA connection failed to achieve partial-strength, both TSA and TS-DWA connections showed obvious semi-rigid nature despite the connection capacities were limited by bolts. In addition, extensive ductility of stainless steel ensured that all three connection types achieved a minimum connection rotation of 30 mrad, which is specified by FEMA as a requirement for earthquake design of ordinary moment frames.
Highlights
Beam-to-column connections are often considered as one of the most critical elements in bare metallic frame construction as the overall structural performance is highly influenced by the connection response
This paper presents one such experimental effort to investigate the M-φ response of typical beam-to-column connections such as double web angle (DWA), top seat angle (TSA) and top seat with double web angle (TS-DWA) connections produced from austenitic stainless steel
Experimental investigations on the moment-rotation (M- ) behaviour of three typical full scale stainless steel beam-to-column connections such as double web angle (DWA), top seat angle (TSA) and top seat with double web angle (TS-DWA) are presented in the current paper. These connection types are widely used in bare metallic construction, especially in ordinary steel construction, and significant research has been reported on connections produced from carbon steel
Summary
Beam-to-column connections are often considered as one of the most critical elements in bare metallic frame construction as the overall structural performance is highly influenced by the connection response. Ordinary steel construction has been dominating the construction field for centuries and significant research evidence are readily available on design, integrity and performance of various structural elements such as beams, columns and connections. The behaviour of stainless-steel bolted connections under axial loading has recently been reported by several researchers. Few studies reported investigations on the momentrotation (M- ) behaviour of SS beam-to-column connections [16,17]. Full-scale experimental tests were conducted on three widely used connection types such as double web angle (DWA), top-seat angle (TSA) and top-seat with double web angle (TS-DWA) as part of a recent PhD research in the University of New South Wales [21]. In addition to full scale testing, extensive parametric analysis was conducted using FE modelling technique and analytical models were proposed to simulate M- behaviour of considered beam-to-column connections. This paper presents an overview of the M- behaviour of all three full scale connection specimens, and assessment of the observed behaviour against Eurocode 3 classification system for semi-rigid behaviour
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