Hysteretic behavior of a new assemble joint under out-of-plane bending: Experimental and numerical studies

The energy dissipation capacity of joints plays an important role in the seismic behavior of steel structures. In this study, the hysteretic curves, skeleton curves, elastic plastic deformation, and failure modes of bolt-column (BC) joints with different parameters were obtained and studied experimentally and numerically. The results indicated that the BC joints can dissipate energy stably after forming a plastic hinge. Two simplified models of the hysteretic curve of a BC joint were obtained based on whether the hysteretic curve had a slip stage. The finite element model (FEM) of the joint was verified by experimental results. Then, the hysteretic curves, carrying capacity, stiffness, damage features, hysteretic behavior, and energy dissipation behavior of the joints with different bolt pretension forces that were subject to different load combinations were investigated and discussed to provide a theoretical foundation for a secure and reliable seismic design method for BC joints.