Theoretical research into cyclic web buckling and plastic overstrength of shear links

Abstract

In this paper, a numerical model for shear links was firstly established and carefully validated, and the cyclic web buckling behavior were also discussed with comparison to experimental results. On this basis, firstly, the influence of boundary conditions was explored. The influence of axial displacement constraint on cyclic buckling and plastic overstrength was discussed, and a theoretical plastic overstrength factor considering axial displacement constraint was proposed. In addition, the influence of axial forces on cyclic buckling and plastic overstrength was discussed, and the limited range of axial forces on shear links was recommended. Afterwards, the influence of various parameters on cyclic web buckling was analyzed and discussed, and a theoretical prediction approach for cyclic buckling angle was proposed, which was applicable to shear links with or without stiffeners. Also, the influence of parameters on plastic overstrength was analyzed and discussed, and the theoretical model of the relationship between plastic overstrength and displacement angle was proposed for shear links with or without stiffeners. Finally, based on the works above, a simplified theoretical model to predict the relationship between shear force and displacement angle was proposed, with consideration of cyclic buckling. The experimental validations confirmed it had good accuracy. • The influence of axial boundary conditions on cyclic web buckling and plastic overstrength of shear links was discussed. • The cyclic web buckling was parametrically studied, and a theoretical approach predicting buckling angle was given. • The plastic overstrength was parametrically studied, and a theoretical prediction approach was given. • The theoretical prediction model for skeleton curve of shear links was proposed, which gave good prediction results.