Experimental cyclic behavior of connection to double-skin composite wall with truss connector

• Published in: Journal of constructional steel research Vol. 162; p. 105759
• Main Authors: Qin, Ying, Shu, Gan-Ping, Zhang, Hui-Kai, Zhou, Guan-Gen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2019
• Subjects: Composite wall; Connection; Cyclic loading; Seismic behavior, hysteretic response; Cyclic loading; Connection; Seismic behavior, hysteretic response; Composite wall
• ISSN: 0143-974X; 1873-5983
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcsr.2019.105759

Double-skin composite walls have been increasingly applied in high-rise buildings. The behavior of connection to the wall under seismic action is essential to the performance of the whole structures. This paper investigated the experimental seismic behavior of four proposed connections to an innovative double-skin composite wall. The wall employs steel trusses as internal connectors. Large-scaled cyclic tests were performed on connections with different configurations. The seismic behavior was evaluated in terms of failure mode, hysteretic response, stiffness degradation, ductility, and energy dissipation ability. The test results found that all specimens exhibited stable and plentiful hysteretic performance without noticeable pinching effect. Reasonable stiffness degradation, good ductility and satisfying energy absorbing capacity were also observed. Strain distributions at key locations were analyzed to evaluate the strain development at beam, stiffener, and wall face. It is concluded that the connection with vertical stiffeners has good seismic behavior. The application of vertical plate or additional cover plate is also acceptable. In addition, the use of through plate should be careful as the welding quality is important to the behavior of connections. •New connection details were proposed for composite walls.•Cyclic tests were conducted on full-scaled specimens.•Influence of connection configuration on performance was discussed.