Abstract
The present study attempts to determine the main characteristics of a new proposed steel connection retrofitted by an elastomeric isolator. Its stiffness, strength, and ductility are investigated. The elastomeric isolators were designed according to the Japanese Society of Base Isolation with the aim of improving the energy dissipation of the connection. Experimental tests were conducted to evaluate the moment rotation (M-θ) curve of the proposed connection as well as of fully-rigid (SidePlate) and semi-rigid (flush end-plate) connections. The behaviour of beams with flexible and fixed-end connections was also studied by classical methods of analysis. The initial stiffness and classification index of the connections were identified by an analytical calculation in compliance with the methods suggested by Eurocode 3 Part 1-8 and ANSI/AISC 360-10. The results confirmed that the new proposed connection can be classified as a flexible connection in terms of its initial stiffness; however, it developed 90% of the plastic moment capacity of a connected beam. Besides, it showed that the isolated connection did address the AISC drift angle capacity requirement of θSD for a special moment frame (SMF).
Highlights
Subsequent to the Northridge disasters, the reliability of welded moment- resisting connections was found to be strongly compromised due to the widespread brittle damage identified in many frames [1,2]
The initial stiffness and classification index of the connections were identified by an analytical calculation in compliance with the methods suggested by Eurocode 3 Part 1-8 and ANSI/AISC 360-10
A number of research programs have been conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) [9,10] to characterize the performance of a steel connection subjected to cyclic loading for seismic design purposes
Summary
Subsequent to the Northridge disasters, the reliability of welded moment- resisting connections was found to be strongly compromised due to the widespread brittle damage identified in many frames [1,2] According to these observations, great efforts in experimental and theoretical research were developed in the USA, Japan and Europe on the seismic behaviour of both welded and other configurations of steel beam-to-column connections. As found by several researchers, including [3,4,5], the dynamic performance of semi-rigid structures can be improved due to the longer period and increase in damping because of the connection's high level of dissipative friction These effects can be considered as a kind of self-isolation that leads to a substantial decrease of the seismic actions of the structures. By installing two strong sideplates, there will be no stresses to the column shear panel zone, resulting in a 100%-rigid panel zone
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