Post-tensioned self-centering moment connections with beam bottom flange energy dissipators

Abstract This work presents results of experimental and analytical studies of self-centering moment connections. The connection subassembly consists of post-tensioned steel beams, a reinforced concrete column, and energy dissipators placed only below the beam bottom flange for simplicity of construction, ease of replacement, and no interference with the composite slab. Two types of steel energy dissipators are proposed: one includes a reduced section plate restrained by two flat plates, and the other uses cross-shaped steel plates. Cyclic tests are conducted on three full-scale post-tensioned connection subassemblies and six energy dissipators. Finite element analysis is performed to investigate the cyclic performance and likelihood of fracture at critical regions in the energy dissipators. Cyclic test results show that (1) energy dissipation, moment, and flexural stiffness of the beam in positive bending are larger than those of the beam in negative bending, (2) the location of the compression toe at the end of the beam stabilizes at the junction between the beam flange and web after an interstory drift of 1.5%, in which the gap opening angles of the beams are similar in both bending directions, and (3) the shoulder radius equal to 2.5 times plate thickness results in a premature fracture along the shape transition of the reduced section plate. This study also develops an iterative analytical procedure for predicting un-symmetrical cyclic responses of post-tensioned connection subassemblies.