Experimental and numerical study on steel frame with replaceable energy-dissipation connections
Hongwei Ma,Yixian Weng,Wei Xiong,Jing Jiang,Jiaxin Xu,Ming Li
Abstract
This study proposed an innovative chevron-braced steel frame system with replaceable energy dissipation connections based on the design concept of performance-based seismic design and replaceable energy dissipated elements. The connections incorporated two double U-shaped metal dampers as its core functional elements with one on each side. It connected to the side gusset plate on one side and to a gusset plate attached to the column on the other side with high-strength bolts. Through the optimization of the cross-section of energy-dissipation components, beams and columns. It is ensured that under seismic excitation, plastic damage is concentrated in the energy-dissipation connection, while the main beam and column components remain basically elastic or in a slightly damaged state. The connections can be conveniently disassembled and replaced after an earthquake, thereby improving construction efficiency. To investigate the seismic performance and post-earthquake repair performance of the frame equipped with the proposed connections, quasi-static tests were conducted on a 1/2 scale single-story, single-span substructure specimen and a repaired specimen. The strength, hysteresis, and skeleton curves of the specimens were studied to compare the difference between initial and repaired specimens. Notably, the initial loading phase was completed when the inter-story drift ratio reached 0.83%, whereas the residual inter-story drift ratio of the structure was 0.28% After replacing the connections, the mechanical properties of the structure were similar to the original structure. In addition, three-dimensional finite element models were established in ANSYS. After the correctness of the analysis model was verified by the test results, parametric analysis was performed. The effects of the connections, floor, and metal damper size on the structural performance were investigated. The numerical simulation revealed that, compared with the simple chevron-braced steel frame, the frame with the connections can prevent the brace from buckling. The floor effect promoted the safety of steel beams and should not be ignored. This study recommends that the stiffness ratio of the energy-dissipation frame system to the energy-dissipation connections should be maintained between 2.73 and 3.57 in the design.
Hongwei Ma — School of Civil Engineering and Transportation, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China
Yixian Weng — School of Civil Engineering and Transportation, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China
Wei Xiong — 1)Guangzhou Construction Co., Ltd., Guangzhou 510030, China 2)China Guangzhou International Economic and Technical Co., Ltd., Guangzhou 510180, China
Jing Jiang — Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316022, China
Jiaxin Xu — Natural Resources and Planning Bureau of Danzhou City, Danzhou 571700, China
Ming Li — School of Civil Engineering and Transportation, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China
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