Tests on impact effect of partial fracture at steel frame connections

Abstract

Impact effect of sudden fracture at steel frame connections under severe earthquake or other extreme loads is presented in this paper. The relation of impulse caused by structural fracture to the release of inner force at the cracked location, the magnitude of the response to impact on the basis of one degree of freedom model, and the ratio of the peak value of response to natural period of the system are investigated. Two types of fracture tests were designed and carried out both on uniaxial steel bar tensioned and moment resistant steel frame model. It is proven that the response during the fracture process can be measured quite well using high-frequency data processing system. It is also revealed that the instant fracture of structural connection is characterized by progressive and partial fracture. Numerical evaluation of the impact effect of connection fracture is carried out.

Keywords

steel frame connection / partial fracture / impact effect / extreme load / experimental research