Study on plug-pin energy-dissipating joint with integrated mild steel dampers

Abstract

Plug-pin joints are designed for easy assembly and fast construction. Full-scale experiments were carried out on three exterior beams-to-column joints subjected to reversal cyclic loading. It has been proved from experimental results that the proposed connection not only guarantees structural integrity but also moves the plastic hinge away from the column edge. Based on the experimental results, a novel plug-pin connection with integrated mild steel dampers is proposed. The energy dissipation joint fully adopts a dry connection method, and the joint's ductility is significantly improved by the integrated energy-dissipating steel plates. Finite element models are established to study the effects of different diameters of steel bars and thicknesses of energy-dissipating steel plates on structural response and mechanical properties under low cyclic reciprocating loads. Parameter studies were carried out, and the obtained results indicate that the proposed joints can bear a greater displacement load than that of cast-in-place joints and achieve greater energy dissipation. The maximum bearing capacity of the joint can be improved by increasing the thickness of the energy-dissipating steel plates, but the bearing capacity decline period of the joint will appear in advance under the same order of loading. If designed properly, structures installed with the plug-pin joint will be expected to adjust the order of plastic hinge development, thus achieving better seismic performance.