Work

An Experimental Evaluation of Steel Beam-HSST/CFSST Column Connection with Varying Joint Configurations

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Sixteen beam–column joints with different column types and connection configurations were designed and tested to identify suitable joints for low-rise prefabricated square steel tube (SST) columns and H-beams. The columns included hollow square steel tube (HSST) and concrete-filled square steel tube (CFSST) types, while the joints consisted of welded, end plate, flange-connected, and angle connector plate configurations. Cyclic loading tests were conducted to examine failure modes, hysteresis and skeleton curves, stiffness degradation, and cumulative energy dissipation. The results showed that joints with angle connector plates outperformed welded, end-plate, and flange-connected joints. The height of the triangular stiffener was found to be a critical factor, with a 144 mm stiffener increasing the ultimate bending moment by 78.65% for CFSST and 79.3% for HSST columns, along with notable improvements in stiffness and energy dissipation. Based on Eurocode 3, angle connector plate joints with high stiffeners were classified as semi-rigid and full-strength. A combined assessment of mechanical behavior and economic efficiency indicated that this joint type provides the highest cost-effectiveness and significant application potential.

Source: Buildings

DOI: 10.3390/buildings15203774

Authors: Zongmin Zhang, Lanhua Chen, Ling Cai, Yanchun Li, Zaharah Mohd Yusoff

Institutions: North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Universiti Teknologi MARA System, Universiti Teknologi MARA

Language: English

Topic: Structural Load-Bearing Analysis

Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137