Development of a novel I-beam to box column connection with welded steel plates

Box steel columns have significant advantages compared with H-columns. However, box steel columns have the detrimental tendency of developing a plastic hinge at the column panel zone due to stress concentration. One of the methods for moving the concentration of the stresses at the column panel zone is to use a reduced beam. Nevertheless, a reduced beam decreases the capacity of the beam. This paper proposes a solution to the plastic hinge location without reducing the capacity of the beam. In this study, 106 connection configurations were numerically investigated using ABAQUS software. Two relevant experimental studies were used to validate the modeling techniques. The proposed joint was classified as semi-rigid and full strength according to Eurocode-3. To predict the cyclic behavior of the proposed connection, analytical simulation was performed using a Matlab program that uses the Richard and Abbot function. The program was able to accurately reproduce the connection behavior. Through parametric studies, the influence of plate thickness, column, and beam geometry on the connection's initial stiffness and moment resistance was examined. Finally, by using regression analysis, linear functions capable of predicting the initial stiffness and moment resistance of the connection were proposed.