Behavior and simplified calculation method of novel connections for assembled box-shaped steel structure

Abstract

Connections play a critical role in determining the structural behavior and load transfer between modules in assembled box-shaped steel structure buildings. In this paper, a new type of inserted connection with embedded sleeves and long beam bolts is presented. First, the construction of the connections is introduced, and the formula for load rotation of the connections is derived. Subsequently, refined models of the connections are developed using ABAQUS to study their mechanical behavior and failure mechanisms, and the accuracy of the finite element simulation was then verified through experiments. Furthermore, a simplified computational method for the connections, namely, the rod-spring model, is proposed, and its accuracy was validated using the local box refinement model. Finally, an assembled box-shaped structure building structures is established using the refined model and simplified rod-spring model. And the connectivity performance of the simplified calculation for connections in the overall structure is analyzed by comparing the deformations and stress indices of the actual connection model, hinge connection model, and rigid connection model. The findings indicate that the new type of connection is semi-rigid, closely approaching a rigid connection, with the ultimate bending moment and rotational stiffness reaching 95% and 90% of the values of an ideal rigid connection, respectively. The proposed simplified calculation method exhibits differences of approximately 6% and 2.5% in the lateral stiffness and ultimate bearing capacity of the connection, respectively. The simplified calculation method of the connection demonstrates high computational accuracy and efficiency in structural calculations.