The Use of U Plates as Continuity plates of Box Column in Steel Structures Under Cyclic Loading

Abstract

One of the effective parts in providing the hard rigid connections of the beam to the column is continuity plates in the connections panel zone. The continuity plates in providing the connection hardness and its suitable operation play key role. Using continuity plates in the H columns is performable easily but in the box columns since of closing the cross section, its connection had problem. For this reason some times the flows of the steel structures prevented of using them. Installing internal continuity plates is a difficult fabrication task and also a costly procedure, and therefore researchers have tried to improve this type of connection not only by improving the connection details in the presence of internal continuity plates, but also by avoiding internal continuity plates and providing new load paths via external features. In this study to evaluate the performance of the U plates as external continuity plates of box column under cyclic loading. The results showed that in proposed connection with small dimention the plastic hing location is in the beam and stress of the column remains in the elastic limit, but proposed connection with medium and large dimention the plastic hing location is in the column. Therefor the medium and large connection strengthend whit rib plates. The rib plates in the proposed connection caused the plastic hing location is in the beam and the hysteresis curve is regular and stable.

Keywords

• "box column"
• "moment resistant frame"
• "external continuity u plates"
• "rib plates"