Vol. 19, No. 2, pp. 102-111 (2023)
THE TENSILE PERFORMANCE OF INTER-MODULE CONNECTION WITH A BOLT
AND SHEAR KEY FITTING FOR MODULAR STEEL BUILDINGS
Hong-Lei Chen 1, Cao Ke 2, Chen Chen 1 and Guo-Qiang Li 1, 3, *
1 College of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
2 School of Management Science and Real Estate, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
3 National Key Laboratory for Disaster Reduction in Civil Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200001, China
* (Corresponding author: E-mail:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Received: 30 November 2021; Revised: 26 June 2022; Accepted: 26 June 2022
DOI:10.18057/IJASC.2023.19.2.2
 View Article |
Export Citation: Plain Text | RIS | Endnote |
ABSTRACT
Modular steel buildings, as one of the most integrated prefabricated construction forms, have recently received extensive attention. The connection between modules (inter-module connection) plays a vital role in modular steel buildings’ overall performance. However, most of the existing inter-module connections have problems such as insufficient construction space, difficulty in disassembly, etc. This paper proposed an innovative inter-module connection with bolt and shear key fitting, which is convenient for construction and has a clear force transmission path. The proposed connection separates the load-bearing components and has a high tolerance for installation errors. The advantages of the connection in configuration and installation were introduced, and the tensile performance of the connection was investigated with the monotonic static test. A finite element model verified with the test was also proposed to simulate the performance of the connection, and the main bearing components and failure modes of the connection were obtained through parametric study with the finite element model. Combining the experimental and numerical study results, a formula was proposed for predicting the tension capacity of the connection for practical design of inter-module connection for modular steel buildings.
KEYWORDS
Modular steel buildings, Inter-module connection, Bolt and shear key fitting, Tensile performance, Monotonic static test
REFERENCES
[1] F.J. Luo, C. Ding, A. Styles, Y. Bai, End Plate-Stiffener Connection for SHS Column and RHS Beam in Steel-Framed Building Modules, International Journal of Steel Structures, 19 (2019) 1353-1365.
[2] A.W. Lacey, W.S. Chen, H. Hao, K.M. Bi, Structural response of modular buildings - An overview, Journal of Building Engineering, 16 (2018) 45-56.
[3] R. Sanches, O. Mercan, B. Roberts, Experimental investigations of vertical post-tensioned connection for modular steel structures, Engineering Structures, 175 (2018) 776-789.
[4] Z.H. Chen, J.D. Liu, Y.J. Yu, Experimental study on interior connections in modular steel buildings, Engineering Structures, 147 (2017) 625-638.
[5] C.D. Annan, M.A. Youssef, M.H. El Naggar, Experimental evaluation of the seismic performance of modular steel-braced frames, Engineering Structures, 31 (2009) 1435-1446.
[6] C.D. Annan, M.A. Youssef, M.H. El Naggar, Seismic Overstrength in Braced Frames of Modular Steel Buildings, Journal of Earthquake Engineering, 13 (2009) 1-21.
[7] Z. Chen, H. Li, A. Chen, Y. Yu, H. Wang, Research on pretensioned modular frame test and simulations, Engineering Structures, 151 (2017) 774-787.
[8] Z.H. Chen, J. Wang, J.D. Liu, Z.Y. Cong, Tensile and shear performance of rotary inter-module connection for modular steel buildings, Journal of Constructional Steel Research, 175 (2020) 15.
[9] S. Lee, J. Park, E. Kwak, S. Shon, C. Kang, H. Choi, Verification of the Seismic Performance of a Rigidly Connected Modular System Depending on the Shape and Size of the Ceiling Bracket, Materials, 10 (2017).
[10] G.-Q. Li, K. Cao, Y. Lu, Column effective lengths in sway-permitted modular steel-frame buildings, Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers-Structures and Buildings, 172 (2019) 30-41.
[11] Y.-F. Lyu, G.-Q. Li, K. Cao, S.-Y. Zhai, H. Li, C. Chen, Y.-Z. Wang, Behavior of splice connection during transfer of vertical load in full-scale corner-supported modular building, Engineering Structures, 230 (2021).
[12] Kyung-Suk Choi, Ho-Chan Lee, Hyung-Joon Kim, Influence of Analytical Models on the Seismic Response of Modular Structures, Journal of The Korea Institute for Structural Maintenance and Inspection, 20 (2016) 74-85.
[13] X.-M. Dai, L. Zong, Y. Ding, Z.-X. Li, Experimental study on seismic behavior of a novel plug-in self-lock joint for modular steel construction, Engineering Structures, 181 (2019) 143-164.
[14] P.M. Lawson, M.P. Byfield, S.O. Popo-Ola, P.J. Grubb, Robustness of light steel frames and modular construction, Structures & Buildings, 161 (2008) 3-16.
[15] R.M. Lawson, J. Richards, Modular design for high-rise buildings, Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers-Structures and Buildings, 163 (2010) 151-164.
[16] GB/T 228.1-2010. Metallic materials-Tensile testing-Part 1: Method of test at room temperature, in, Standards Press of China, Beijing, 2010. (in Chinese)
[17] Guo-Qiang Li, Hong-Lei Chen,Chen Chen, Cast steel connections between modules. China Patent: ZL201810883013.6,December 4, 2020. (in Chinese)
[18] Tian-Hong Zheng, Theoretical and experimental study on friction model, in, Guizhou University, (2020) 59-61.