Response of a Novel Beam-to-Column Connection to Monotonic and Cyclic Flexural Loading

A new beam-to-column joint with high rotational as well as shear deformation capacity was devised. This high rotational ‘capacity’ is required to fulfill the great ‘demand’ for rotation arising during earthquakes, severe waves and current loads, etc. Due to its ability to contain damage during an overload, it leaves the connected elements intact. This, together with its replaceability can reduce the cost of post-event repair substantially. Its bending as well as shear performance under “monotonic” loading had already been assessed experimentally (OMAE’02-28864, OMAE’03-37292, OMAE’04-51494 & OMAE’05-67361) and proved well superior to that of conventional joints. In order to study its performance under “cyclic” flexural loading experimentally, new bending tests were conducted on mild steel specimens of the connection. These tests clearly showed the ability of the devised joint to withstand adequate number of cycles in bending and dissipate energy through well-shaped hysteresis loops. This would result in large amount of energy being dissipated in each cycle. Such very ductile response of this connection in bending is expected to be exploited in various circumstances in offshore as well as onshore structures to give rise to a ductile overall behavior of the structure. In particular, it can be utilized for the repair and retrofitting of the aging offshore platforms which need to be treated in a non-destructive manner.