T. Ramadan et A. Ghobarah, BEHAVIOR OF BOLTED LINK COLUMN JOINTS IN ECCENTRICALLY BRACED FRAMES, Canadian journal of civil engineering, 22(4), 1995, pp. 745-754
Current seismic provisions require that shear links in eccentrically b
raced frames be fully welded to the column flanges at the link-column
joint. Since field welding may have its disadvantages, the use of bolt
ed extended end-plate connection is examined. An experimental program
is conducted to assess the response of extended end-plate connections
of link-column joints in eccentrically braced frames. Six link-column
joint specimens are tested using a cyclic load that represents the sev
ere load reversals that the frame may be subjected to during strong ea
rthquakes. The specimens are selected on the basis of different connec
tion designs. Measurements of forces, strains, and displacements are m
ade. Interaction curves relating the shear force acid moment acting on
links with semirigid connections are developed. The slip tendency and
energy dissipation capacity of the different specimens are compared.
On the basis of the test results, a design procedure is developed for
the bolted extended end-plate link-column connection. It is concluded
that bolted extended end-plate connections can be used for link-column
joints of eccentrically braced frames. In properly designed connectio
ns bolt slippage was not measured even at high shear forces that are c
haracteristic of link-column joint. Existing guidelines for the design
of extended end-plate link-column joints are modified to account for
the variable shear force and moment associated with links of different
lengths.