FE analysis on the structural behavior of a novel precast semi-rigid composite joint

This paper proposes a novel prefabricated semi-rigid composite joint with the column and minor-axis beams connected by channel steel components, which has no weakening effect on the column web and is easy to install with high strength bolts. In this study, the mechanical behavior of the novel prefabricated semi-rigid composite joint under static and cyclic loading are investigated by using ABAQUS. The FE modelling method is firstly verified to be correct. Then, to investigate the mutual influence between major axis and minor axis under static and cyclic loading, the prefabricated composite joint is loaded under different loading programs in this study. The results indicate that the novel prefabricated semi-rigid composite joint proposed in this study has excellent static performance in terms of initial stiffness and load bearing capacity, as well as satisfactory seismic performance in terms of energy dissipation ability and ductility. Furthermore, the initial stiffness, load bearing capacity, deformability and energy dissipation ability of this proposed novel prefabricated semi-rigid composite joint is greatly improved compared with that of the corresponding prefabricated semi-rigid steel joint. Thus, the connection method of this novel prefabricated semi-rigid composite joint is proved to be reliable, efficient and easy to install on site, and this composite joint shows good mechanical behavior meanwhile. Moreover, the influence of the interaction between the major and minor axes of this novel prefabricated semi-rigid composite joint on the mechanical behaviors, especially for the initial stiffness and ductility, should be considered.