Keywords: rigid connection, rigidity, connection, semi-rigid, enhancement.

In standard rigid connections, it is necessary to apply full penetration welding between flanges or auxiliary plates and column flanges [1,2,3]. In many cases, this standard process will not be exactly observed and even fillet welding is used in place of full penetration welding. This phenomenon can be widely found in Iran. Since, in rigid connections the moment is transferred from beam to column by welding of the beam flanges or plates to the column, the quality of this welding is very important and imperfections in them, may cause connection rapture and lead to structural failure, especially in case of seismic loading. On the other hand, improving the welding by any process, will impose residual thermal stress to the relevant elements in addition to practical difficulties. These extra stresses can have undesirable effects and can cause a plastic hinge in the column and could lead to structural instability.

Foroughi [4] has introduced a method consisting of special details. In this method some stiffeners are added to the top of the upper element of the connection and welded to this element and to the column by fillet welding. In addition the original welding of the upper element is improved by fillet welding. A comprehensive study has shown satisfactory results and it was not difficult in practice [5]. In the current study [6], the authors decided to study the behavior of the connection. The improved connection is modeled and analyzed employing the ANSYS software [7] considering material and geometric nonlinearity. The cyclic displacement loading is applied. To improve accuracy of the model, it is compared with other connection modeling used by the authors in previous research projects [8,9]. In addition, a standard rigid connection is analyzed using the same model and the result was satisfactory. In conclusion, the method showed a satisfactory improvement. The cyclic moment- rotation curve was stable and continues to distortion point and it was capable of considerable energy absorption.

1

"Manual of Steel Construction, Allowable Stress Design", ninth edition, American Institute of Steel Construction, 1989.

2

W.F. Chen, S. Toma, "Advanced Analysis of Steel Frames: Theory, Software, and Applications", Hawaii University, USA, 1994.

3

C. Faella, V. Piluso, Rizzano, "Structural Steel Simi Rigid Connections: Theory, Design, and Software", Hawaii University, USA, 1999.

4

M. Foroughi, "A Report on Enhancement of Poor Rigid Connections of the Steel Structure of Dr. Aflatoonian Home", Yazd, 2005.

5

M. Foroughi, "A Report on Enhancement of the Steel Structure of Poor Rigid Connections of Mrs. Moshfeqi Home", Yazd, 2009.

6

M. Foroughi, S.M. Aqaee Meybodi, H. Varaee, "Investigation on Methods of Enhancement of Poor Rigid Connections", Yazd University, Yazd, Iran, 2009.

7

ANSYS 10 Tutorial (Help), ANSYS Release 10.0, Documentation.

8

M. Foroughi, M.A. Barkhordari, "Rigid Khorjini Connections With Peripheral Angles and Comparison With the Proposed Rigid Khorjini Connections Code", International Journal of Science & Technology, Amirkabir (CMM), 18(67-C), Fall 2007 - Winter 2008.

9

M.A. Barkhordari, M. Foroughi, "An Improved Saddle-Like Connection for Steel Structures", in B.H.V. Topping, G. Montero, R. Montenegro, (Editors), "Proceedings of the Eighth International Conference on Computational Structures Technology", Civil-Comp Press, Stirlingshire, UK, Paper 115, 2006. doi:10.4203/ccp.83.115

purchase the full-text of this paper (price £20)

go to the previous paper
go to the next paper
return to the table of contents
return to the book description
purchase this book (price £145 +P&P)