Main Parameters of a Butt Joint With Meander Outline for Box-section Column in Frame Moment Connection for Seismic Applications
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The article presents the research results of the main parameters of a new technical solution aimed at increasing the reliability of an earthquake-resistant frame moment connection between a box-section column and an I-beam beam. This effect is achieved by reducing the number of welds within the connection and performing them under factory conditions. The essence of the solution lies in creating a butt joint of box-section profiles with an outline like a continuous broken line (meander outline) and clamping it from four sides with splice plates using through-bolt high-strength pretensioned bolts. This approach allows welding internal diaphragm plates inside the profile cavity under factory conditions and arranging a frame moment connection with an I-beam beam at the joint location, which can be executed as a bolted unstiffened end-plate connection (BUEEP) or a double-tee moment connection. Previously, an idealized concept of this connection within a steel moment frame was analyzed through numerical modeling under seismic impact, concluding that the performance of the butt joint is equivalent to that of a solid profile. А sensitivity analysis of the stress-strain state of the frame moment connection with a BUEEP was conducted regarding variations in the main parameters of the butt joint with the outline like a meander. These parameters include the meander height, meander fillet radius, thicknesses of flanges and diaphragm plates, as well as the number of bolts per row, their position, diameter, and pretension force value. Based on the data obtained, the parameters exerting the greatest influence on the connection performance were identified, and recommendations for its optimal design were formulated.
Authors: Yurii Kost, Andrey Plyaskin, Tatiana Dmitrieva
Language: English
Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7214337017