City Research Online

Abstract

A gap in current design approaches demands explicitly introducing a capacity design approach when designing steel-concrete composite reduced web section (RWS) connections. This paper addresses this gap by presenting detailed finite element models and parametric investigations, focusing on parameters, the presence and absence of composite action over the web opening, diameter, and the end-distance of the web opening. Additionally, the first-ever comprehensive experimental and numerical database from the literature on bare steel and composite RWS connections is compiled and thoroughly analysed to develop the capacity design assessment for such connections. Both parametric investigations and the database highlight the significance of the capacity design ratio between the connected components in achieving a desirable ductile mechanism. This is crucial, as evidenced by the results: a 15% increase in the connection's moment capacity led to an average 21% difference in dissipated energy, favouring the web opening with a diameter of 50d_o over 80d_o, in RWS connections with the presence of composite action. The results show that proper consideration of the capacity design approach in designing RWS connections ensures a stable yield mechanism is governed, resulting in the redistribution of global action and capping deformation demands on non-ductile elements. This enhances connections' rotational capacity and ductility by forming the Vierendeel mechanism. Lastly, the paper presents a recommended detailing for employing RWS connections in both existing and new structures for seismic purposes.

Publication Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons CC-BY license, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Publisher Keywords:	Capacity design; RWS connection; Ductility; Composite action; Retrofit
Subjects:	T Technology > TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
Departments:	School of Science & Technology School of Science & Technology > Engineering
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Administrator

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