AMASS: Advanced Manufacturing for the Assembly of Structural Steel
Publication: Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction
Volume 26, Issue 1
Abstract
This paper describes an investigation into the use of advanced manufacturing techniques for the creation of a new class of intermeshed steel connections that rely on neither welding nor bolting. The project detailed herein lays the groundwork to transform the steel building construction industry by advancing the underlying science and engineering precepts for intermeshed connections created from precise, volumetric cutting. The proposed system enhances the integration between design, fabrication, and installation. Fully automated, precise, volumetric cutting of open steel sections poses challenges regarding the load-transfer mechanisms and failure modes for intermeshed connections. Implementation of the intermeshed connection would cause a discontinuity in the beam; therefore, the effects of such a configuration on the behavior of the steel frame are investigated in the current paper. Load resistance and design of these connections are also explored with physical tests and finite element modeling to investigate the mechanics of intermeshed connections, including stress and strain concentrations, fracture and failure modes, and connection geometry optimization.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code generated or used during the study are available in a repository or online in accordance with funder data-retention policies (https://www.isec-society.org/ISEC_PRESS/ISEC_10/pdf/STR-80.pdf). Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request (sections “Moment Frames with Intermeshed Connection” and “Side-Intermeshed Connection” of this paper).
Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support provided by the National Science Foundation (NSF) through Grant No. CMMI-1563115, by the Science Foundation Ireland through Grant No. SFI/15/US/B3234, by the Department for the Economy (DfE) and Invest Northern Ireland (InvestNI) through Grant No. USI-096, and by Enterprise Ireland through Grant No. CF20160454. The authors are very grateful to the AISC for donating the steel beams, angles, and plates that were used to build the test specimens. The authors also express their appreciation to the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering at the University of Minnesota for providing the fourth author (Ramzi Labbane) a departmental fellowship. Lastly, the authors would like to thank Grunau Metals and Am-Tec Designs, the manufacturers that fabricated the beams and angles, respectively.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction
Volume 26 • Issue 1 • February 2021
Copyright
© 2020 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jan 31, 2020
Accepted: Jun 5, 2020
Published online: Oct 13, 2020
Published in print: Feb 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Mar 13, 2021
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