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Response of stainless steel beam-to-column bolted connections under column removal

Response of stainless steel beam-to-column bolted connections under column removal
Response of stainless steel beam-to-column bolted connections under column removal
This study presents a comprehensive numerical investigation comparing the performance of stainless steel and carbon steel beam-to-column connections under static and dynamic column removal scenarios, aiming to assess the potential of stainless steel to enhance structural robustness through increased connection strength and ductility. Validated finite element models of two connection types, web angle (WA) and top and seat with web angle connections (TSWAC), were used to assess connection performance under static and dynamic column removal scenarios, considering variations in angle cleat thickness, bolt material, and boundary conditions. The results show that adopting stainless steel in key connection components significantly enhances both the strength and ductility of the connection, thereby improving the overall structural robustness. The maximum bending moment increased by a factor of 1.3 to 2, while the maximum loading capacity under column removal scenario improved by 1.5 to 2 times. In dynamic scenarios, stainless steel connections exhibited lower peak displacements (~20%) and improved energy absorption, with dynamic increase factors may exceeding code-recommended values. These finding evidence the potential of targeted stainless steel use to enhance resistance against progressive collapse, with a minor and relatively inexpensive structural intervention.
Ductility, Fracture modelling, Progressive collapse, Robustness, Stainless steel connection
0143-974X
Li, Weiran
36e11743-d68a-45bc-a362-311415017cfd
Cabrera, Manuela
c3398f21-fc5c-4e00-8591-a8cf4bf115a8
Theofanous, Marios
b55b4c16-ec84-4089-aa15-7bfec2867f28
Afshan, Sheida
68dcdcac-c2aa-4c09-951c-da4992e72086
Li, Weiran
36e11743-d68a-45bc-a362-311415017cfd
Cabrera, Manuela
c3398f21-fc5c-4e00-8591-a8cf4bf115a8
Theofanous, Marios
b55b4c16-ec84-4089-aa15-7bfec2867f28
Afshan, Sheida
68dcdcac-c2aa-4c09-951c-da4992e72086

Li, Weiran, Cabrera, Manuela, Theofanous, Marios and Afshan, Sheida (2025) Response of stainless steel beam-to-column bolted connections under column removal. Journal of Constructional Steel Research, 235 (Part A), [109767]. (doi:10.1016/j.jcsr.2025.109767).

Record type: Article

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive numerical investigation comparing the performance of stainless steel and carbon steel beam-to-column connections under static and dynamic column removal scenarios, aiming to assess the potential of stainless steel to enhance structural robustness through increased connection strength and ductility. Validated finite element models of two connection types, web angle (WA) and top and seat with web angle connections (TSWAC), were used to assess connection performance under static and dynamic column removal scenarios, considering variations in angle cleat thickness, bolt material, and boundary conditions. The results show that adopting stainless steel in key connection components significantly enhances both the strength and ductility of the connection, thereby improving the overall structural robustness. The maximum bending moment increased by a factor of 1.3 to 2, while the maximum loading capacity under column removal scenario improved by 1.5 to 2 times. In dynamic scenarios, stainless steel connections exhibited lower peak displacements (~20%) and improved energy absorption, with dynamic increase factors may exceeding code-recommended values. These finding evidence the potential of targeted stainless steel use to enhance resistance against progressive collapse, with a minor and relatively inexpensive structural intervention.

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Accepted/In Press date: 24 June 2025
e-pub ahead of print date: 3 July 2025
Published date: 3 July 2025
Keywords: Ductility, Fracture modelling, Progressive collapse, Robustness, Stainless steel connection

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 504028
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/504028
ISSN: 0143-974X
PURE UUID: 92c65a54-893e-46f0-9b3e-d182e8fe7f49
ORCID for Sheida Afshan: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-1048-2931

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 21 Aug 2025 15:52
Last modified: 22 Aug 2025 02:26

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Contributors

Author: Weiran Li
Author: Manuela Cabrera
Author: Marios Theofanous
Author: Sheida Afshan ORCID iD

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