Development and Experimental Verification of Self-Centering Haunched Plug-In Modular Connections
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 149, Issue 5
Abstract
An innovative self-centering modular steel structure (SC-MSS) connection is proposed in this research, which adopts a plug-in integration technology to permit efficient construction and reliable structural continuity, introduces diagonal self-centering (SC) haunch braces installed near the connection core serving as a pleasing approach to achieve seismic improvement, safety, and recoverability purposes. In order to evaluate the seismic performance of the SC-MSS connection system, quasi-static cyclic loading tests were conducted on two SC haunch braces and three SC-MSS connections with different braces. Representative test phenomena and failure modes of the specimens were recorded during the tests, the discussion and the comparison of the primary seismic behavior indicators of the three specimens, including hysteretic responses, energy dissipation, residual deformation, and strain features, were provided. The results demonstrate that the SC haunch braces present sufficient mechanical stability and excellent self-centering behavior as expected, and all the SC-MSS connections show satisfactory development potential of bearing capacity, stable energy dissipation, and self-centering capacity. The prepressed force and post-activation stiffness of the haunch brace can impact the strength, deformation behavior, and plastic development of the connection to varying degrees. As for the resistance of tenons in the connector and the control effect of the haunch braces, they can protect the key areas of the connection by concentrating the main damage on the beam. Moreover, the SC haunch braces are able to maintain a coordinated deformation with the modules, and they can continuously provide reliable and effective restoring forces for minimizing the residual deformation of the system.
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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.
Acknowledgments
The writers gratefully acknowledge the partial support of this research by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos. 52125804 and 52078036.
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Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 149 • Issue 5 • May 2023
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 30, 2022
Accepted: Dec 8, 2022
Published online: Mar 13, 2023
Published in print: May 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Aug 13, 2023
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