Study On Seismic Performance Of End Plate Connection With Top And Seat L-shaped Angle

Traditional construction techniques have been under scrutiny due to environmental hazards and economical losses.Prefabrication technology has been seen as a viable alternative to traditional construction techniques due to the benefits offered by it such as relatively less environmental hazards,economic benefits and less requirement of skilled labor force.In addition to prefabrication technology,finite element analysis technology has been proven to save time and resources as compared to laboratory experimentation,in the process of research.The study evaluates the seismic performance of H-column end plate connection with top and seat L-shaped connectors using finite element analysis.The connection is a fully prefabricated connection with end-plate bolted with beam flange in the factory and whole connection is assembled on the site using bolts This type of steel connection is a new type of connection and has the potential to be used in the high-rise buildings.(1)Finite element analysis model of H-column end plate 1:1 connection with top and seat L-angle connector was developed using ABAQUS software and subjected to low reciprocating cyclic load at the beam end.The model was validated by comparing the FEA results with the experimental investigation.Hysteresis curve,Skeleton curve and ductility coefficient were obtained from finite element analysis results and compared with experimental ones.The results were in good agreement with the experimental ones,hence proving the validity of finite element analysis model.(2)A parametric study was conducted keeping in view different joint geometric parameters such as thickness of vertical and horizontal leg,length of horizontal leg of L-shaped angle and thickness and number of cross stiffeners and combination of different lengths of horizontal and vertical leg of L-shaped angle.A total of thirteen connections were modelled using finite element analysis and subjected to low reciprocating cyclic load.The effect of different geometric parameters on the seismic performance of the joint was observed.Mechanical properties of the joint such as hysteresis curve,skeleton curve,ductility coefficient,stiffness degradation,bearing capacity degradation and energy dissipation capacity of the joint were obtained using finite element analysis.The joint with the most optimum seismic performance was proposed.(3)The effect of increasing the length of horizontal leg of L-shaped angle has most prominent positive effect on the seismic performance of the joint.The bearing capacity improved by almost 16.2%and the energy dissipation capacity of joint was also improved.While increasing the number of cross stiffeners has no or very minimal effect.Increasing the thickness of horizontal and vertical leg of L-shaped angle has no prominent effect.On the other hand,reducing the thickness adversely affect the joint’s bearing capacity and energy dissipation capacity.(4)Theoretically the connections are assumed to be either ideally pinned or rigid connection.In practice,however,practically the behavior of the steel connection is somewhat different.In this study the tested connection using finite element analysis are further classified on the basis of moment bearing capacity and stiffness of the connection in relevance to the European standard EN1993-1-8.The connections are classified into full strength semi-rigid connection.