This paper is part 1 of two papers dealing with the semi-rigid behaviour of beam-to-column connections in precast concrete framed structures. In Part 1, the results of 28 full scale tests are presented. In Part 2, equations are presented to predict moment–rotation behaviour, together with a method to calculate the effective length factors for columns in semi-rigid sway frames.
Connections were made using proprietary pinned jointed billet, cleat and welded plate connectors, to form cruciform assemblages subjected to sway and gravity load. They were not purposefully intended as moment resisting. In some cases 200mm deep hollow cored slabs and high tensile reinforcement completed the connections. Although the moment of resistance of the connections varied from 11 to 239kNm, and flex-ural stiffness from 200 to 27 000kNm/radian, when the test results are normalised with respect to the capacity of the beams there is remarkable correlation leading to several useful parametric equations. Designers are therefore able to calculate the moment and stiffness values which provide the input data in the frame stability analysis described in Part 2.
Kim S. Elliott, BTech, PhD, CEng, MICE
School of Civil Engineering, University of Nottingham, UK
Gwynne Davies, BSc, PhD, CEng, MIStructE, MICE School of Civil Engineering, University of Nottingham, UK
Marcelo Ferreira, MEng, MSc, PhD, CEng University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
Formerly Post-Doctoral Researcher, Dept of Civil Engineering, University of Nottingham, UK
Halil Gorgun, BSc, MSc, PhD Lecturer, Dicle University, Turkey
Formerly Research Assistant, Dept of Civil Engineering, University of Nottingham, UK
A. A. Mahdi, BSc, MSc, PhD, MICE Hyder Consulting, UK
Formerly Research Assistant, Dept of Civil Engineering, University of Nottingham, UK