Experimental Study of New Structural System of H-shaped Beam-to-Square Column Connection with Outer diaphragm

Abstract

This study focuses on the development of a new method of H-shaped beam-tosquare tube column connection. Two specific types of beam-to-column connection are proposed; one is the type of connection using vertical stiffener with shop welding and the other is external stiffener with field welding type. The structural behavior of the cross-shaped frame with these con nections is examined experimentally by eight test specimens under cyclic loading. The test configu rations, test procedure, and specimen details are given. Next, analytical strength of beam-to-column connection for the each specimen is given and experimental beam-end loads versus rotation curves are discussed. From the results, it makes clear that vertical stiffener and external stiffener type connections proposed in this paper, are reliable connection methods.