Design and Detailing Recommendations of Slotted-Hidden-Gap Connection for Square HSS Brace Members
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 149, Issue 2
Abstract
The slotted-hidden-gap (SHG) connection eliminates the need to reinforce the slot region of hollow structural sections (HSS) braces of concentrically braced frames (CBFs). However, the existing design approach for SHG connections is rather empirical and limited by the range of the connection geometries and materials that had previously been tested. A general design approach based on the findings of a large-scale parametric study is presented in this paper, where the most critical parameters of the connection were varied. Different weld configurations were investigated to examine the effect of shear lag on the overall performance of the brace. The inelastic performance of SHG-connected braces designed using the proposed approach was validated by means of numerically simulating the resulting braces and connections and subjecting them to a reversed-cyclic loading protocol. The simulated braces were able to attain their yield tensile resistance and fracture away from the connection region while sustaining an axial deformation corresponding to an average story drift of 5.43%. The proposed design and detailing method was, as such, found to be effective in the design of square HSS SHG connection braces ranging in size and steel grade.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. (e.g., Python scripts, Abaqus subroutines, testing data, material properties, geometric properties of models).
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank DPHV Structural Consultants, Constructions Proco, ADF Group Inc., and Atlas Tube for their technical and financial support, as well as the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Fonds de recherche du Québec–Nature et technologies (FRQ-NT). The FE computations were conducted on the supercomputer Graham cluster, which is managed by Calcul Québec and Compute Canada. Operation of the supercomputer is funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), NanoQuébec, RMGA, and the Fonds de recherche du Québec - Nature et technologies (FRQ-NT).
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Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 149 • Issue 2 • February 2023
Copyright
© 2022 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Apr 25, 2022
Accepted: Sep 29, 2022
Published online: Dec 9, 2022
Published in print: Feb 1, 2023
Discussion open until: May 9, 2023
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