EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON THE PERFORMANCE OF ASSEMBLED STEEL-STRUCTURE BOX-SHAPED COLUMN FLANGE CONNECTION ACHIEVED BY PLUG WELDING-CORE SLEEVE

In order to solve the problems of a complicated construction procedure, low construction efficiency and high labor costs of the box-shaped columns with full penetration welded connection in assembled steel-structure, an assembled box-shaped column flange connection achieved by plug welding-core sleeve and its design method were proposed. It is designed to conduct the pseudo-static tests for three different forms of flange connections achieved by plug welding-core sleeve (PWCS), a connection with flange (FC), and a box-shaped column without connection (BCWC). The tests results indicated that: the initial rigidity of PWCS was increased by 16.6% and the maximum bearing capacity was increased by 9.97% compared to FC. The mechanical properties of the connection can be significantly improved by the setting of the core sleeve. Compared with 10.9s high strength bolts, the employment of bolts with larger pretension of 12.9s high strength can increase the extrusion force between flange plates, restrict the opening between flange plates, and improve the overall rigidity of the connection. The stiffeners can effectively prevent weld from cracking between the flange and column and, slightly improve the mechanical properties. It can be concluded that PWCS possesses similar mechanical properties compared with that of BCWC, and it can be designed as a rigid connection when applied in actual engineering. Besides, PWCS can be assembled efficiently on site, and the engineering costs can be controlled appropriately.