Experimental Research and Finite Element Analysis on Behavior of Steel Frame with Semi-rigid Connections

Most steel beam-column connections actually show semi-rigid deformation behavior that can contribute substantially to overall displacements of the structure and to the distribution of member forces. Steel frame structure with semi-rigid connections are becoming more and more popular due to their many advantages such as the better satisfaction with the flexible architectural design, low inclusive cost and environmental protect as well. So it is very necessary that studying the behavior of those steel frame under cyclic reversal loading. On the basics of connections experiments the experiment research on the lateral resistance system of steel frame structure has been completed. Two one-second scale, one-bay, two-story steel frames with semi-rigid connections under cyclic reversal loading. The seismic behavior of the steel frames with semi-rigid connections, including the failure pattern, occurrence order of plastic hinge, hysteretic property and energy dissipation, etc, was investigated in this paper. Some conclusions were obtained that by employing top-mounted and two web angles connections, the higher distortion occurred in the frames, and the internal force distributing of beams and columns was changed, and the ductility and the absorbs seismic energy capability of steel frames can be improved effectively.