Experimental and Analytical Testing of a Rotational Friction Connection for Metal Buildings with Hard Walls

摘要

Metal building systems clad in masonry or precast concrete panels (hard walls) have been shown through analytical studies, shake table tests, and postearthquake reconnaissance to be susceptible to collapse under significant earthquakes due to a stiffness incompatibility between the heavy, stiff wall cladding and the light, flexible steel frame. This paper details the development of a new, simple rotational friction connection (RFC) that takes advantage of this stiffness incompatibility and passively dissipates seismic energy. Theoretical equations of the rotational friction connection were developed to predict the structural behavior. The connection was experimentally tested using a monotonic pushover test, unidirectional cyclic testing, a biaxial test, and an out-of-plane test. The test results showed that the connection exhibited a stable nondegrading hysteresis behavior. Connection damage was minimal and would not require component replacement or maintenance adjustments following a seismic event. Three-dimensional solid finite-element models of the connection were successfully developed to capture the force-displacement behavior and were utilized in a parametric study to evaluate a wider range of connection parameters. (C) 2020 American Society of Civil Engineers.