Structural Engineering Convention (SEC-2016)

CSIR-SERC, Chennai, INDIA. 21-23 December 2016

BEHAVIOUR OF COLD-FORMED STEEL BEAM-COLUMN JOINTS WRAPPED

WITH LATEX
N. RajivGandhi1, P. S. Joanna2, Jane Helena H3

In many cases, the load carrying capacity of steel structure depends on the beam column-joint. To determine
the strength of beam-column joint, four specimens were tested. Different types of cold formed steel section
(back to back channel and hollow) wrapped with latex and without latex were subjected to reverse cyclic
loading. The beam-column joint wrapped with latex were found to bear higher load than that of beam
column joint without latex wrapping. The strength of the beam-column joint was assessed based on the
experimental hysteresis loop and the test results were compared. It was found that beam-column joint
wrapped with latex shows an increase of up to 25% in strength.

Keywords: Steel beam-column joint, latex, wrapping, reverse cyclic loading and channel section.

1 INTRODUCTION a particular shape for specific applications.

Steel has several advantages over reinforced concrete
in resisting seismic loads. Steel framed structures are
lighter, more flexible and possess ductility and hysteretic
energy absorption capacities making them ideal system
for earthquake resistance structures. By using cold
formed steel, the shape of the cross section can be
chosen to maximize the strength and stiffness under
a particular load action giving lighter and structurally
efficient section.
Cold formed tubular sections are generally made by
roll forming the section with a single sheet and seam
welding along the longitudinal edges. Square hollow
section and rectangular hollow section are made by first
making a circular tube and then rolling it to the required
shape. Generally thin steel sheets of thickness available
in the range of 0.4mm to 7mm are cold formed into
desired structural shape. This makes structures with cold
formed steel section easy to transport and erect.
Under seismic loading the failures occur at the
connections between the beam and column, it resulting
in loss of structural integrity. Fully bolted or riveted
connections tend to be large and expensive, and hence
fully welded connection or a combination of welding
and bolting are most frequently used.
Some of the advantages are listed below:
1. Dimensional accuracy and capability to be formed to
1
Research Scholar, rajivgandhi.yadav@gmail.com,
2
Professor,
3
joanna@hindustanuniv.ac.in, Associate Professor, jane@annauniv.edu
1,3
Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, Guindy,
Tamil Nadu, India, 2Department of Civil Engineering, Hindustan
University Tamil Nadu, India.
2. Lightness, which is particularly important for
buildings in poor ground conditions.
3. Long-term durability in internal environments, and
freedom from long term creep and shrinkage.
1.1 Literature review
Serrette and Ogunfunmi [1] investigated the performance
of 2.44m x 2.44m strap braced frame through experiment
under lateral in-plane loading. Screw connected wall
constructed with 50.8mm x 0.88mm strap on one face
were tested (3 specimens), in addition to walls with
strap braces on one face and gypsum sheathing board
on the order (4 specimens). A single test specimen
with braces on both sides of the wall was also included
in the study. In all cases, it was necessary to bolt an
11mm thick steel clip angle to the chord studs to act
as a hold-down device. Cold-formed steel gusset plates
were used to connect the strap braces to the stud-track
corner locations. It was shown that wall with bracing
on one side alone failed by excessive out-of-plane
deformation, which is not a favorable scenario in terms
of maintaining lateral stability of the braced frames, nor
ductile performance under inelastic shear deformations.
It wasreported that gypsum panels provide a substantial
increase in shear capacity compared with the 50.8mm
wide straps; however, the use of gypsum panels and
strap braces together is not practical. It was also noted
that in the design of crossed braced walls the engineer
must be concerned with strap yield strength in excess
of the minimum specified value, which may result in
connection or chord stud failure.

Figure 2.1: Details of beam-column 1
Yu et al [2] presented an extensive experimental
investigation on bolted moment connections between
cold formed steel sections.A total 16 internal and external
beam-column sub frame with various connection
configurations were tested under lateral loads. It is found
that for those six beam-column sub-frame with large
bolt pitches and thick gusset plates in the connections,
flexural failure of connected sections is always critical.
The moment resistance of the connections attains at
least 85% of the moment capacities of the connected
sections.
An analysis and design method for internal force
distribution of the connections is presented. Moreover,
a non-linear finite element model of the beam-column
sub-frame incorporating the effect of semi-rigid joints is
also presented. Moment joint rotation curves of the sub-
frame are found to follow closely the curve obtained
from tests. Furthermore, a semi-empirical formula for
flexibility prediction of the bolted moment connections
is also proposed after careful calibration against test
data.
It is demonstrated that the proposed rules are highly
effective for predicting the structural performance
of cold-formed steel frame with bolted moment
connections. Hence, structural engineers are encouraged
to design and build cold formed steel structures with
Figure 2.3: Details of beam-column 3
N. RajivGandhi, et al
Figure 2.2: Details of beam-column 2
bolted moment connections to achieve practical and
efficient construction.
Kwon et al [3]presented a series of connection
tests composed of closed cold-formed steel section to
investigate the performance of connections constituting
a pitched roof portal frame. The flexure strength of the
section was investigated first and the structural behavior
of the connections including the moment rotation
relation, the yield and the ultimate moment capacity of the
connections are studied experimentally. The connection
test specimens consisted of column base, eave and apex
connection of the portal frame. The main factor of the
connection tests were the thickness and the shape of the
mild steel connection element. Finally, the portal frame
was tested under both constant vertical and increasing
horizontal loads to failure. The experimental results
were compared with the numerical analysis results. The
semi rigid connection concept was considered for the
analysis of the portal frame using the secant stiffness of
the connections, which were estimated from the moment
rotation curve of the connection tested.
Cheng-Chih Chen et al [4]presented analytical and
experimental studies on the cyclic behavior of beam-
to-column moment connections used in steel column-
tree moment-resisting frames. The column-tree system
is joining the column-trees and link beams in the field
Figure 2.4: Details of beam-column 4
Structural Engineering Convention (SEC-2016)
Figure 3.1.1: Experimental hysteresis loop
while the column-trees are fabricated in the shop by
welding stub beams to the column. The proposed ductile
column-tree connections have two distinctively improved
connection details, which are no weld access hole detail
and widened flange of the stub beam. Nonlinear finite
element analysis demonstrated the effectiveness of the
improved connection details which significantly reduce
the stress concentration and plastic strain demands at the
beam flange groove weld.
Cyclic testing of three full-scale specimens was
conducted to verify the proposed connection details. All
the specimens successfully developed ductile behavior
with no brittle fracture by forming the plastic hinging
of the beam away from the beam-column interface.
The widened flange and no weld access hole details are
effective in reducing the potential of brittle fracture.
1.2 Need and scope of investigation
Ductile steel frames with higher energy absorption
capacity are generally more suitable for resistance
against dynamic loads. Research in the field of cold
formed steel structures subjected to cyclic loadings have
received relatively limited attention.Also, methods to
increase the strength of cold-formed steel beam-column
joint has not received due attention.Hence there is a need
Figure 3.1.3: Experimental hysteresis loop
Figure 3.1.2: Experimental hysteresis loop
to improve ductility of the connection. the performance
of cold formed steel frames wrapped with latexsubjected
to cyclic loading has been studied.
Natural rubber is a polymer of isoprene with the
chemical formula (C5H8) n. To put it more simply. It
is made of many thousands of basic C5H8 units (the
monomer of isoprene) loosely joined to make long,
tangled chains. These chains of molecules can be pulled
apart and untangled fairly easily, but they spring straight
back together if you release them and that is what makes
rubber elastic.
The primary objective of the present study is
to investigate the effectiveness of rubber sheets in
enhancing the behaviour of cold formed steel frames
under the reversed cyclic loading.
Four specimens were tested under reversed cyclic
loading. Two specimens are back to back channel
sections (one is wrapped with latex and another one
without latex) and another two are hollow sections
(one is wrapped with latex and another one without
latex). The lateral force-lateral displacement curves of
the portal frame were plotted. Comparisons of energy
dissipation of the control specimens and specimens with
latex were carried out.
Figure 3.1.4: Experimental hysteresis loop

Figure 3.2.1: Comparison of strength capacity
1.3 Application
1. Lighting and transmission towers: These towers are
often made from thin tubular or angle sections that
are cold-formed.
2. Motorway crash barriers: These relatively thin steel
shapes are primarily designed for strength, but also
have properties of energy absorption under impact
by permitting gross deformation.
3. Silos for agricultural use: Silo walls are often stiffened
and supported by cold-formed steel shapes.
4. Culverts Curved profiled claddings are often used as
culverts and storm pipes.Other major non-structural
applications in building include such diverse uses as
dry walls and partitions, garage doors, and ducting
for heating and ventilating systems.
2. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
Experiments were conducted on four cold formed
steel frames of height 1.20m and 1.50m width with
tack welded connections. The frame consists of square
hollow tubular and channel sections. The angle plate
used for all the specimens is ISA 50X50X6. The fillet
weld is used for connecting cleat angle. Two specimens
were tested with latex and two specimens without latex.
3mm thick rubber latex sheet was used for wrapping the
beam. Hemlock solution was used for pasting the rubber
sheet on the beam-column junction. Then wrapped beam
is steam cured at a temperature of 12¬0¬°C with 3.5 kg/
cm² pressure.The details of beam-column section are
Figure 3.3.1(2): Comparison of Energy Dissipation
N. RajivGandhi, et al
Figure 3.2.2: Comparison of strength capacity
given in Figure2.1-Figure2.4
Load is applied to the test specimen with the help of a
hydraulic actuator of capacity 200 kN with a stroke length
of ± 100mm and a loading frame with a hydraulic jack
of 50 kN. 200 kN actuator was used to apply reversed
cyclic load on the specimens. Instrumentation included
linear variable displacement transducers (LVDT) for
lateral displacement measurement at the top of the
column and a load cell attached to the actuator was used
for measurement of lateral reversed cyclic loads. The
forward lateral load applied by the actuator was taken
as positive and the backward lateral load applied by the
actuator was taken as negative. The load cycle levels
adopted for the specimens were ±0.5, ±1, ±1.5, ±2, ±2.5,
±3, ±3.5, ±4, ±4.5, ±5, ±5.5, ±6kN, ±7kN, ±8kN, ±9kN,
±10kN.
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
3.1 Hysteresis loops for various specimens:
3.1.1 Beam-Column 1
The experimental lateral load deflection curve for the
beam-column joint is shown in the Figure 3.1.1 At a load
of 6 kN, yielding occurs and buckling failure occursnear
the joint.
3.1.2 Beam-Column 2
The experimental lateral load deflection curve for the
beam-column joint is shown in the Figure3.1.2at a load
Figure 3.3.1(b): Comparison of Energy Dissipation
Structural Engineering Convention (SEC-2016)
Figure 3.3.2(a): Comparison of Energy Dissipation
of 8 kN, yielding occurs and buckling failure occursnear
the joint.
3.1.3 Beam-Column 3
The experimental lateral load deflection curve for the
beam-column joint is shown in the Figure 3.1.3. At a
load of9.2kN, yielding of the frame occurs. No external
failure was noticed nearthe joint.
3.1.4 Beam-Column 4
The experimental lateral load deflection curve for the
beam-column joint is shown in the Figure 3.1.4 At a load
of 10.1kN, yielding of the frame occurs. No external
failure was noticed near the joint.
3.2 Strength capacity interaction
There is 68% increase in the strengthability (to hold or
do something) for the back to back channel with latex
wrapped than that of the back to back channel without
latex wrapped and there is no visible change in latex.
There is 9% increase in the strength ability (to hold or
do something) for the hollow section with latex wrapped
than that of the hollow section without latex wrapped
and there is no visible change in latex.
3.3 Energy dissipation
The energy dissipated by tested specimen during
Figure 3.4.1: Comparison of ductility
Figure 3.3.2(b): Comparison of Energy Dissipation
reversed cyclic load testing was calculated as the area
enclosed by its hysteresis loop. The energy dissipation
of the channel section with latex wrapping is 16% more
than the plain channel section. This proves that the latex
performance of the channel section is expected to be
superior to that of the section without latex wrapping
The energy dissipation of the hollow section with
latex wrapping is 3% more than the plain hollowsection.
This proves that the latex performance of the channel
section is expected to be superior to that of thesection
without latex wrapping.
3.4 Comparison of ductility
The ductility of the channel section with rubber latex
wrapping is 14% more than the channel section without
wrapping. This proves that the latex performance of the
channel section is superior to that of the section without
latex wrapping.
The ductility of the hollow section with rubber latex
wrapping is 18% more than the hollow section without
wrapping.
4. CONCLUSION
In this project, an experimental investigation was carried
out to assess the behavior of latex wrapped steel beam-
columns. Four experiments were conducted on cold
Figure 3.4.2: Comparison of ductility
 N. RajivGandhi, et al

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with two channel section back to back and wrapped
with rubber latex sheet is 16 % more than the beam-
column without wrapping.
• Energy dissipation of the beam-column joints made
with hollow section and wrapped with rubber latex
sheet is 3 % more than the beam-column without
wrapping.
• Thus there is an average of 8.5% increase in strength
of the beam-column with latex wrapping.
• Ductility of the beam-column joints made with two
channel section back to back and wrapped with
rubber latex sheet is 14% more than the beam-
column without wrapping.
• Ductility of the beam-column joints made with
hollow open section and wrapped with rubber latex
sheet is 18 % more than the beam-column without
wrapping.
• Thus there is an average of 16 % increase in strength
of the beam-column with latex wrapping.