Experimental and numerical study on seismic behaviour of aluminium alloy frames. (1st June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Zhongxing; Wang, Yuanqing; Li, Beibei; Zhang, Ying
• Is Part Of: Journal of building engineering. Volume 50(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-06-01
• Subjects: Aluminium alloy -- Frame -- Beam-to-column joint -- Seismic behaviour -- Numerical modelling; Building -- Periodicals; 690.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jobe.2022.104231
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-7102

Abstract

Abstract: Aluminium alloy frames are emerging in structural engineering, however there is a clear need for the study on their structural behaviour under earthquakes. Towards satisfying this need, the seismic performance of aluminium alloy frame structures with due consideration of the joint behaviour was comprehensively investigated in the present paper. A total of four full-scale aluminium alloy beam-to-column joints connected by swage-locking pins were designed and tested under cyclic loads. Two joint types were investigated with the influence of several key geometrical and material parameters considered in the testing procedure. The test programme as well as the experimental results, including test observations, hysteretic responses, energy-dissipating capacities and the stiffness degradation behaviour, were fully reported. Following this, a comprehensive numerical study on a typical aluminium alloy frame was carried out by using OpenSees program. Upon validation of the numerical model, the seismic responses of the frame under different earthquake hazard levels, including the inter-story drift, residual inter-story drift, joint rotation, and the moment-axial force interaction response of beams and columns, were systematically analysed. The experimentally and numerically obtained results in this paper provide essential data and a firm basis for the earthquake resistant design and rapid repair of aluminium alloy frames. Highlights: Four full-scale aluminium alloy beam-to-column joints connected by swage-locking pins were cyclically tested. Test observations, hysteretic responses, energy-dissipating capacities and stiffness degradation behaviour were reported. The numerical model of the novel joint was established and verified against experimental results. The seismic responses of a 2-story 3-bay aluminium alloy frame with the novel joint were systematically analysed under the FOE, DBE, MCE and ERE levels.