Seismic Performance of H-Shaped Steel Column with Replaceable Slip Friction Joints

Based on the concept of structural damage control, a beam-through steel frame system with continuous columns was constructed. Replaceable connectors were set at both ends of an H-shaped steel column to connect the beam with high-strength bolts. In this study, three specimens were designed and fabricated, that is, a standard H-shaped column, an H-shaped column with replaceable connectors at the bottom of the column, and an H-shaped column with replaceable connectors at both ends. Low-circumferential reciprocal loading tests were carried out to analyse the influence of the location of replaceable slip friction joints on the seismic performance of steel columns. Results showed that the H-shaped steel column with replaceable slip friction joints at both ends slipped during the loading process, as expected. The test hysteresis curve was full, and the skeleton curve did not drop significantly; thus, the column demonstrated satisfactory seismic performance. The steel column was not significantly damaged or deformed, and connectors could be reset and replaced after an earthquake to achieve post-earthquake repair. The effect of the thickness of the horizontal limbs of the connectors on the seismic performance of the H-shaped column with replaceable connectors at both ends was analysed using finite element simulation. The results revealed that the reasonable setting of the thickness of the horizontal limbs of the connectors can ensure the frictional energy dissipation capacity of the connectors and achieve the expected damage control.

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