Seismic behaviour of beam-to-column partial-strength joints for steel-concrete composite frames

The paper presents a large experimental campaign carried out on ten steel-concrete composite beam-to-column sub-assemblages employing monotonic and cyclic loading test protocols. Structural members (beams, columns and slabs) were defined through the design of a full-scale 3D prototype frame subjected to PSD testing campaign; main design hypothesis was to dissipate seismic energy in the joints designed as partial-strength. Testing programme on beam-to-column sub-assemblages was executed in order to assess seismic performance varying structural details at beam-to-column connection level and material qualities. Different mechanical connecting systems between concrete slab and column, two end-plate configurations, weak and strong column web panel, two steel qualities and different concrete strengths. The analysis of sub-assemblages performance was realized in two steps: a first step in which the joints behaviour was assessed, characterizing response at local level (e.g. moment-rotation curves); a second step in which the response was assessed at global level (e.g. force-displacement curves). The structural behaviour (i.e. resistance, plastic deformation and stiffness) was evaluated at three stages - identified as initial, service and maximum load - in order to monitor the evolution of sub-assemblage response increasing solicitation level. Moreover, seismic behaviour of specimens - in terms of dissipated energy, ductility, over-strength and equivalent viscous damping - was also executed. Comparison between experimental results was made in order to identify those parameter suitable for improved and reliable seismic behaviour of steel-concrete composite partial-strength joints. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.