Dynamic experimental study on single and double beam-column joints in steel traditional-style buildings

In order to study the failure mode and seismic behavior of the interior-joint in steel traditional-style buildings, a single beam-column joint and a double beam-column joint were produced according to the relevant building criterion of ancient architectural buildings and the engineering instances, and the dynamic horizontal loading test was conducted by controlling the displacement of the column top and the peak acceleration of the actuator. The failure process of the specimens was observed, the bearing capacity, ductility, energy dissipation capacity, strength and stiffness degradation of the specimens were analyzed by the load-displacement hysteresis curve and backbone curve. The results show that the beam end plastic hinge area deformed obviously during the loading process, and tearing fracture of the base metal at top and bottom flange of beam occurred. The hysteresis curves of the specimens are both spindle-shaped and plump. The ultimate loads of the single beam-column joint and double beam-column joint are 48.65 kN and 70.60 kN respectively, and the equivalent viscous damping coefficients are more than 0.2 when destroyed, which shows the two specimens have great energy dissipation capacity. In addition, the stiffness, bearing capacity and energy dissipation capacity of the double beam-column joint are significantly better than that of the single beam-column joint. The ductility coefficients of the single beam-column joint and double beam-column joint are 1.81 and 1.92, respectively. The cracks grow fast when subjected to dynamic loading, and the strength and stiffness degradation is also degenerated quickly.