Numerical Study on Seismic Behavior of Demountable Joints Consisting of Reinforced Concrete Columns and Steel Beams

Abstract

In this study, three new types of demountable connections, consisting of reinforced concrete columns and steel beams, are proposed, and their seismic performance is investigated through the use of cyclic loading tests. The test results reveal that these three demountable RCS joints show good seismic performance, in which the ductility coefficients of specimens RCS-1 and RCS-2 are improved by 69% and 109%, respectively, compared with the reference group of RCS-0 specimens. Various parameters, such as the beam flange thickness, bolt strength, and connecting steel strength, were analyzed using the finite element software ABAQUS 2021 to determine the effect of these parameters on the seismic performance and behavior of the connections. The results also show that the three demountable RCS joints are very sensitive to the variation in beam flange steel thickness, while the connector steel strength and bolt type have very little effect on the joint load-carrying capacity. In addition, different current theoretical approaches for calculating the shear bearing capacity in the panel zone of joints are discussed.

Optimization of the Mechanical Properties of Bolted Connections between Concrete-Filled Tubular Columns and Steel Beam with Reinforcing Rings

“…Plastic deformation and sufficient joint ductility were found in the experiments of Zhang et al [11] on the steel beam-column connection between a cantilever beam and a normal I-beam composing of a flange plate, a web plate, and highstrength bolts in accordance with standard specifications. Cai et al [12] proposed three new detachable connection structures composed of reinforced concrete columns and steel beams, and the final results found that the new detachable RCS bolt connection is not only far better than the ordinary joints in terms of seismic performance, but also in the application of detachable structures in construction. The authors Wang et al [13] have developed a prefabricated bolted steel member end embedded concrete beam-column connection to address the limitations of current dry-joined prefabricated joints.…”