The connection between modules is critical to ensuring the overall structural safety of modular steel
buildings. However, many existing modular systems require openings to be made in the column walls, which adversely
affect the global structural performance. Additionally, existing non-opening connection systems generally exhibit
relatively low stiffness and load-bearing capacity. To address these issues, this study proposes a novel connection,
screwed sleeve connection (SSC) for modular steel structures, which connects modules inside the columns and
preserves the integrity of the modules. Four sets of symmetric connections were tested to investigate its shear
performance, considering the influences of sleeve diameter, sleeve thickness and different connection configurations.
Test results show that connection failure is governed by the screwed sleeve (SS), progressing through four stages:
shearing of the locating rod (LR), yielding of the sleeve, buckling of the sleeve and strengthening of the sleeve. A finite
element model was developed and validated against the experimental results, followed by parametric analyses.
Subsequent parametric analyses revealed that the sleeves diameter and thickness are key factors affecting the shear
performance. A 40% increase in the sleeve-to-column thickness ratio led to a 31.97% increase in the shear strength,
while a 24% increase in the sleeve diameter-to-column cavity net width ratio led to a 27.84% increase. A simplified
model is proposed to predict the shear strength of SSC, showing satisfactory accuracy for practical engineering
applications.
Xinyi Song — JiangSu Key Laboratory of Environmental Impact and Structural Safety in Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Xiaoyu Yan — JiangSu Key Laboratory of Environmental Impact and Structural Safety in Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Zhanguo Ma — JiangSu Key Laboratory of Environmental Impact and Structural Safety in Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Yidu Bu — School of Sustainability, Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Surrey, Surrey GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
Pinhan Wen — 1)JiangSu Key Laboratory of Environmental Impact and Structural Safety in Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China 2) Suzhou industrial Park high-end manufacturing and international trade zone, Suzhou 215024, China
Ying Wang — 1)JiangSu Key Laboratory of Environmental Impact and Structural Safety in Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China 2) School of Civil Engineering, Xinjiang Institute of Engineering, Urumqi, 830023, China
Hongfei Chang — 1)JiangSu Key Laboratory of Environmental Impact and Structural Safety in Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China 2) School of Civil Engineering, Xinjiang Institute of Engineering, Urumqi, 830023, China
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