Experimental and numerical research on seismic behavior of end-plate connection beam-column joints considering concrete floor effect

With the aims to study the seismic performance of the end-plate connection (EPC) joint with concrete floor, four full-scale specimens with different configuration (two specimens in major direction, and the other in minor direction) of the pseudo-static cyclic loading tests were conducted. Based on the failure criteria, the mechanical behaviors and failure modes of the specimens were investigated, including major and minor connection directions. The hysteresis response, bearing capacity, stiffness evaluation, and energy dissipation of the specimens were evaluated, and with a average ductility coefficient value of all specimens is about gamma = 4.0. Meanwhile, to analyze and verify the accuracy of experimental results, the nonlinear models of the specimens were performed in ABAQUS software. In addition, a series of parametric analysis were performed to study the influence of axial compression ratios, thickness ratios (the ratio(eta 1) 1 ) of end-plate thickness to column flange thickness, and the ratio (eta 2), 2 ), of end-plate thickness to column web thickness), and concrete compressive strength on the joint seismic performance. This parametric analysis result indicates that increasing the thickness ratio and concrete compressive strength reasonably can effectively improve the seismic behavior of the overall joint with the concrete floor, especially in minor direction joints.