Abstract

This investigation examines the performance of tension and compression connections in steel beam-column assemblies and concrete slabs, with a particular focus on end-plate joints employing four bolts. By utilising advanced finite element modelling (FEM) and simulation techniques, the study aims to elucidate the behaviour of these joints under both service and extraordinary load conditions. While these connections exhibit favourable flexibility and resilience during typical use, they present challenges in transmitting exceptional loads without incurring joint failure and potential structural collapse, particularly when subjected to unexpected loading scenarios. The research employs a meticulous analytical approach utilising ABAQUS/CAD software. This analysis incorporates a comprehensive evaluation of various parameters, including inherent structural imperfections, material properties, the interplay between steel and concrete, and the influence of non-linear material behaviour. The findings indicate that while these joints perform adequately under standard loading conditions, they may exhibit susceptibility to failure under extreme stresses. This underscores the critical need for the development of adaptable and robust steel beam-column connections to ensure paramount structural safety and stability. Furthermore, the study emphasises the significance of continuous advancements in modelling and simulation techniques, enabling the effective resolution of intricate structural challenges. This investigation offers valuable insights that can be harnessed to develop more efficient and secure composite steel-concrete structures. Furthermore, the study emphasises the significance of continuous advancements in modelling and simulation techniques, which can be employed to mitigate potential structural hazards and enhance building practices, ultimately leading to safer and more resilient structures. © 2024 by authors, all rights reserved.

Author keywords

ABAQUS/CADComposite JointsDurabilityEnd Plate ConnectionsExceptional LoadsFlexibilitySimulation

• ISSN: 23321091
• Source Type: Journal
• Original language: English
• DOI: 10.13189/cea.2024.120437
• Document Type: Article
• Publisher: Horizon Research Publishing

  Saleh, B.; Department of Civil Engineering, School of Science Engineering, Libyan Academy, State of Libya

© Copyright 2024 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Buildings exert a profound influence on the environment, with the design phase recognized as the pivotal determinant of a building’s overall performance. Green building design, in particular, introduces heightened complexity, where the attributes of the design team play a pivotal role in shaping performance outcomes. Consequently, the characteristics of the design team emerge as crucial factors in the enhancement of both green building design performance and client attributes. This study aims to empirically examine a model formulated to gauge the extent to which Effective Design Team Attributes contribute to the enhancement of performance in designing green buildings and influencing client attributes. To achieve this objective, a comprehensive questionnaire survey was administered to professionals within the architecture and engineering domains actively engaged in the design and consulting sectors of the building industry. The collected data underwent meticulous scrutiny for authenticity and dependability using the WINSTEPS 5.2.5 software before undergoing subsequent analysis. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 19, with Principal Components Analysis (PCA) and the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach implemented through Amos version 18 to derive the most robust model. The findings underscore the pivotal role of an adeptly managed design team in significantly improving both the performance of green building designs and the qualities of clients. Rasch’s analysis confirmed the validity of our 5-point Likert scale for Design Green Building Performance (DGBP), Effective Design Team Attributes …

Abstract

Depending on the type of configuration and connector arrangement, beam-to-column end-plate joints can be rigid, semi-rigid, or pinned. Fully restrained joints are required for rigid frames in which it is anticipated that the frame joints will have adequate rigidity to maintain the angles between intersecting parts in the service condition, ensuring full moment transfer. In contrast, partially restrained joints in semi-continuous frames are distinguished by relative rotations between crossing members, allowing the bending force to be transferred only partially. The concept of utilizing partially restricted, unstiffened joints in construction has gained traction since it looks to be more feasible and inexpensive. Bending transfer in partially constrained joints allows semi-continuous frames to withstand actions. Semi-continuous frames can survive actions due to bending transfer in partially restricted joints. At the same time, a certain degree of rotation is permitted, which improves the overall ductility of these structures. Using thinner end plates than those used in practical applications is one of the most effective ways to affect the ductility of end-plate beam-to-column joints. It was confirmed in a previous experimental study that the composite joints, where the thickness of the end plates is equivalent to about 60% of the diameter of the bolt used in composite joints, were taken into account in subsequent tests, and these studies can be confirmed using ABAQUS and Ls-Dyna modelling. All of these concerns are addressed, and recommendations for numerical modelling methodologies are made in order to ultimately analyse the reaction of the symmetric extended end plate joints with 8-bolts under hogging and sagging bending moments.

Jamal Abdul-Nasser is a major trunk road that divides Sebha city into two semi-equal parts. It connects almost all districts with different activities and services in the center of the city. Alongside Jamal Abdul-Nasser Street, exist various types of activities: administrative, educational, commercial, public services and some other activities. Due to its importance, the street carries out the densest traffic movement within the city. This paper tries to study and analyze traffic movement at five intersections on Jamal Abdul-Nasser Street: (1) Al-Nahdha; (2) Khaled IbnAl-Walid; (3) Al-Khotoot; (4) Al-Tijari Bank; (5) Al-Zeraie Bank. Selection of the pre-mentioned intersections referred to their importance as converging points to various important activities and land uses. Data required for the study purposes include intersection characteristics, traffic flow characteristics and traffic composition pattern. The results reveal the significance of taking care of the geometric and regulatory aspects that enable the intersections to perform well with regard the smoothness of traffic flow.

The paper presents new studies on numerical modeling (FEM) for beam-to-column behavior under sagging and hogging bending moment when the framework is exposed to service and unexpected loads that may cause a column loss scenario. This investigation is focused on four bolts end-plate joints with 10 mm thickness which are proven experimentally to have more ductile behavior than other end-plates joints (6, 8 bolts), spite of their weakness to transfer the unexpected loads from the initial state to a residual state of the stable equilibrium, that leads to a failure of limited floor area to adjacent joints when tested experimentally (Saleh, 2014). FEM technique used in this research is an extension of the previous technique and is characterized by the use of a more sophisticated technique than the previous, discovered from the result of continuous research and the use of all the options available in the new version of commercial ABAQUS/CAD software. The elements are designed using multiple layers of specific elements of a brick arranged in such a way that the mesh nodes of the tiles should coincide with certain layers with the top of the shear inlay and in line with reinforcement, not as the former study that used thick shell elements to model the reinforced concrete slab with total negligence of reinforcing steel and bolts between the slap and the beam. This investigation is very complex because of highly nonlinear effects associated with the prediction of joint performance, such as structural imperfections, huge displacements and large rotations, inelastic properties of steel and concrete, bonding effects between steel and concrete, friction between …

This paper presents the mediating effect of information technology (IT) on the relationship between contextual factors and performance of small construction companies. A total of 200 questionnaires were distributed to Malaysian construction firms (G3, G4, and G5). The target respondents were general managers, senior managers, and project managers of construction firms and those who have considerable knowledge of IT implementation in their firms. Sixty-eight completed questionnaires were collected, which indicates a 34% response rate. The three determinants used are the firm contextual factors, IT effectiveness (independent variable), and overall firm performance (dependent variable). The relationship between contextual factors and firm performance was evaluated according to two hypotheses. The first hypothesis suggested a positive relationship between contextual factors and overall firm performance, whereas the second hypothesis suggested a positive relationship between contextual factors and IT effectiveness. IT resource strategy was identified as the most important factor in firm performance. The results indicate a weak positive relationship between contextual factors and overall firm performance. The mediating effects of IT effectiveness on contextual factors and overall firm performance were insignificant.