Seismic Behavior and Resilience of an Endplate Rigid Connection for Circular Concrete-Filled Steel Tube Columns

A novel endplate bolted rigid joint is proposed in this study for connecting circular concrete-filled steel tube (CCFT) columns to wide-flange (WF) steel beams. The seismic performance and potential failure mechanisms of the proposed joint were investigated through quasi-static cyclic tests and fini...

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Main Authors: Yu Gao, Peilin Zhu, Junping Liu, Feng Lou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Buildings
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/12/2035
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author Yu Gao
Peilin Zhu
Junping Liu
Feng Lou
author_facet Yu Gao
Peilin Zhu
Junping Liu
Feng Lou
author_sort Yu Gao
collection DOAJ
description A novel endplate bolted rigid joint is proposed in this study for connecting circular concrete-filled steel tube (CCFT) columns to wide-flange (WF) steel beams. The seismic performance and potential failure mechanisms of the proposed joint were investigated through quasi-static cyclic tests and finite element (FE) simulations. This study aims to address several engineering challenges commonly observed in existing joint configurations, including an irrational force-resisting mechanism, complicated detailing and installation, on-site construction difficulties, constraints on beam size, and limited repairability. By optimizing the force transfer path, the new joint effectively reduces the number of critical tension welds, thereby enhancing the ductility and reliability. The experimental results indicate that the joint exhibits adequate flexural strength, stiffness, and ductility, with stable moment–rotation hysteresis loops under cyclic loading. Moreover, full restoration of the joint can be achieved by replacing only the steel beam and endplate, facilitating post-earthquake repair. FE analysis reveals that, under the ultimate bending moment at the beam end, multiple through cracks develop in the high-strength grout—which serves as a key load-transferring component—and significant debonding occurs between the grout and the surrounding steel members. However, due to confinement from adjacent components, these internal cracks do not compromise the overall strength and stiffness of the joint. This research provides an efficient and practical connection solution, along with valuable experimental insights, for the application of CCFT columns in moment-resisting frames located in high seismic zones.
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spelling doaj-art-5d43ff37cdcd4520ba20a539ef0ab0cc2025-08-20T03:26:25ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-06-011512203510.3390/buildings15122035Seismic Behavior and Resilience of an Endplate Rigid Connection for Circular Concrete-Filled Steel Tube ColumnsYu Gao0Peilin Zhu1Junping Liu2Feng Lou3School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Taizhou University, Taizhou 318000, ChinaZhejiang Dadongwu Construction Science & Technology Co., Ltd., Huzhou 313071, ChinaCollege of Civil Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, ChinaZhejiang Dadongwu Construction Science & Technology Co., Ltd., Huzhou 313071, ChinaA novel endplate bolted rigid joint is proposed in this study for connecting circular concrete-filled steel tube (CCFT) columns to wide-flange (WF) steel beams. The seismic performance and potential failure mechanisms of the proposed joint were investigated through quasi-static cyclic tests and finite element (FE) simulations. This study aims to address several engineering challenges commonly observed in existing joint configurations, including an irrational force-resisting mechanism, complicated detailing and installation, on-site construction difficulties, constraints on beam size, and limited repairability. By optimizing the force transfer path, the new joint effectively reduces the number of critical tension welds, thereby enhancing the ductility and reliability. The experimental results indicate that the joint exhibits adequate flexural strength, stiffness, and ductility, with stable moment–rotation hysteresis loops under cyclic loading. Moreover, full restoration of the joint can be achieved by replacing only the steel beam and endplate, facilitating post-earthquake repair. FE analysis reveals that, under the ultimate bending moment at the beam end, multiple through cracks develop in the high-strength grout—which serves as a key load-transferring component—and significant debonding occurs between the grout and the surrounding steel members. However, due to confinement from adjacent components, these internal cracks do not compromise the overall strength and stiffness of the joint. This research provides an efficient and practical connection solution, along with valuable experimental insights, for the application of CCFT columns in moment-resisting frames located in high seismic zones.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/12/2035CCFTseismic behaviorexperimental testmoment connectionseismic repairabilityresilience
spellingShingle Yu Gao
Peilin Zhu
Junping Liu
Feng Lou
Seismic Behavior and Resilience of an Endplate Rigid Connection for Circular Concrete-Filled Steel Tube Columns
Buildings
CCFT
seismic behavior
experimental test
moment connection
seismic repairability
resilience
title Seismic Behavior and Resilience of an Endplate Rigid Connection for Circular Concrete-Filled Steel Tube Columns
title_full Seismic Behavior and Resilience of an Endplate Rigid Connection for Circular Concrete-Filled Steel Tube Columns
title_fullStr Seismic Behavior and Resilience of an Endplate Rigid Connection for Circular Concrete-Filled Steel Tube Columns
title_full_unstemmed Seismic Behavior and Resilience of an Endplate Rigid Connection for Circular Concrete-Filled Steel Tube Columns
title_short Seismic Behavior and Resilience of an Endplate Rigid Connection for Circular Concrete-Filled Steel Tube Columns
title_sort seismic behavior and resilience of an endplate rigid connection for circular concrete filled steel tube columns
topic CCFT
seismic behavior
experimental test
moment connection
seismic repairability
resilience
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/12/2035
work_keys_str_mv AT yugao seismicbehaviorandresilienceofanendplaterigidconnectionforcircularconcretefilledsteeltubecolumns
AT peilinzhu seismicbehaviorandresilienceofanendplaterigidconnectionforcircularconcretefilledsteeltubecolumns
AT junpingliu seismicbehaviorandresilienceofanendplaterigidconnectionforcircularconcretefilledsteeltubecolumns
AT fenglou seismicbehaviorandresilienceofanendplaterigidconnectionforcircularconcretefilledsteeltubecolumns