The behaviour of hollow section connections under seismic loading

摘要

Steel structures are extensively used in regions of high seismic risk because it is assumed that their strength and ductility allows them to dissipate energy through hysteresis, thus reducing their response. However, the Northridge earthquake of 17 January 1994 exposed weaknesses in steel structures and prompted research into the behaviour of steel connections under seismic loading. That research has principally considered moment resisting frames and little work has been done on connections in tubular trusses, which are widely used offshore and in architecturally adventurous structures onshore. The aim of this project was to investigate the seismic performance of square hollow section connections and compare traditional X-joints with bird-beak joints, a novel joint configuration in which the chord and brace are rotated through 45°.