A Numerical Study of the Behaviour of Steel Beam to Tubular Column Joints Using Reverse Channel

This paper presents the results of a numerical study of moment-rotational characteristics of joints between steel beams and steel tubular columns using reverse channel. Using reverse channel has the potential of turning a closed steel tube into an open section for joining purpose, thereby facilitating easy fabrication. After selecting an appropriate modelling strategy, this paper presents the results of a numerical investigation to study the effects of a variety of joint details on joint moment-rotation behaviour, including column profile (circular or square), joint type (whether flush end plate/flexible end plate on the beam side), orientation of the reverse channel and depth of reverse channel. The results of this numerical investigation suggest that (1) joints to circular columns tend to achieve higher strength and stiffness than joints to square columns; (2) reverse channels with deeper depth tend to result in joints with lower stiffness and strength; (3) welding the reverse channel legs parallel to the beam flanges tends to give much higher stiffness and strength than welding the reverse channel legs perpendicular to the beam flanges. If flush end plate connection is used, all the steel beam to circular tubular column joints using reverse channel can possess sufficiently high strength and stiffness to be classified as semi-rigid and partial-strength to be used in semi-continuous design.