Seismic Performance Of Inclined Moment Connection Between Cold-formed Beam-column Joints

In this paper, a combination of laboratory tests and finite element analyses was used to investigate the seismic performance of bolted moment connections between cold-formed steel sections. All structural members such as beams and columns are formed with two lipped C-sections back-to-back; Moment connections between beams and columns are formed with hot-rolled steel gusset plates; C cold-formed steel members and gusset plate are bolted tightly with high-strength bolts. Based on roofing slope, included angle between beam and column is formed with 100 degree. In summary, this is a inclined moment connections of beams and columns.In experimental study, six cold-formed steel external joints were tested under cyclic loading to measure the strain distribution of the connection members as well as M ?Φand P ?Δhysteretic curves. The effect produced by different node plate's thickness and different space between bolts were studied during the test. Failure mechanism, bearing capacity, stiffness, ductility and energy performance were discussed in this paper. In accordance with the test results: The bearing capacity of specimens become larger when the node-plate thickness and bolt-space increased, further, the degeneration of bearing capacity is stable. The initial stiffness is large, but degenerate seriously during the following circles. Compared with other fabric node, such as lightweight steel end-plate joints, connections of cold-formed Thin-walled steel frame with double webs top and seat steel angles, and steel-tube concrete joints, ductility of specimens in this paper is good, so is the energy performance.In finite element method, ABAQUS, the huge simulation program, did a good performance in simulating load-carrying capability of cold-formed steel C inclined moment connections. It executed six models by changing gusset-plate's thickness and bolt space in this simulation. Elements of S4R can give a good description of cold-formed steel's bearing-capacity, and coupling restriction simulated bolted connections well. This modeling method is facilitate, and the operation time of simulation is not long-playing. Compared data between experiment and simulation program, using this kind of finite element method is well-suited for moment connections between cold-formed steel sections.The results of this paper can give a reference to the engineering application of cold-formed thin-walled steel structure.