Shear Tab Connections
Cyclic Behavior, Modeling and Seismic Design

Abolhassan Astaneh-Asl, Ph.D., P.E. (Principal Investigator)
Judy Liu, Formerly Doctoral Graduate Student

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
University of California, Berkeley

Sponsor: SAC Joint Venture Steel Project/ Federal Emergency Management Agency


Please send your comments to A. Astaneh-Asl at astaneh@ce.berkeley.edu

ABSTRACT

Shear Tab Connections,
Cyclic Behavior, Modeling and Seismic Design

A. Astaneh-Asl and J. Liu
University of California, Berkeley, California, USA

A series of 16 full scale tests of beam-column-floor slab subassemblies with shear connections were conducted at the University of California, Berkeley (1997-1999). The test specimens had shear tab, stiffened seat, top-and-bottom bolted angles, and bolted seat angles. The specimens were placed in a set-up shown below and subjected to ever-increasing cyclic drifts while the gravity load on the slab was kept constant. The results of cyclic tests were used to develop seismic design recommendations for modeling and design of these connections. Nonlinear dynamic Analyses of a number of prototype structures, with shear connections and floor slab, subjected to dynamic effects of seismic ground motions, were conducted. The results can be found in the Final Report of the Project..




An example of moment-rotation response of specimens (Specimen with 6 bolts connected to flange of the column.


The "Inelastic" moment-rotation model proposed for shear tabs to be used in Push-over analyses. Simpler "Elastic", "Elasto-Plastic" and "Bi-Linear" models were also proposed for design office applications. (See Final Report)

PUBLICATIONS


Publications in the following list that have their title underlined, can be viewed, sent to an e-mail address or printed, free of charge, by clicking on the underlined title of the publication.
To purchase a copy of the reports in the following list (with their title NOT underlined) you can mail a cashier check ( or a check drafted in a US Bank) for $40.00 US Dollars, payable to "The Regents of the University of California" to: A. Astaneh, 781 Davis Hall, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720-1710, USA. Please write the title of the requested report on your check or cover letter. In 3-4 weeks an offset print, a Xerox copy or a PDF version (on CD) of the report (whichever is available) will be mailed to you. The requested report will be mailed to US addresses using airmail and to addresses outside the US using ground mail. If you like more information on obtaining the reports or would like expedited delivery, please send an e-mail to astaneh@ce.berkeley.edu.

13-Astaneh-Asl,A., Liu, J. and McMullin, K. M. (2002), "Behavior and Design of Single Plate Shear Connections", Journal of Constructional Steel Research, 58, (2002) pp.1121-1141.
12-Liu J, Astaneh-Asl A. Experimental and analytical studies of the cyclic behavior of simple connections in steel frame buildings. Final Report, Report No. UCB/CEE-STEEL-2000/01, Dept. of Civil and Env. Engrg., Univ. of California, Berkeley, 2000.( to purchase a copy of this report, please see above notes).
11-Liu, J. and Astaneh-Asl, A. (2000) "Cyclic Testing of Simple Connections, Including Effects of the Slab," J. of Structural Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 126, No. 1, pp. 32-39.
10-Liu, J. and Astaneh-Asl, A., (2000), "Cyclic behavior and seismic design of steel shear connections", Proceedings, International Workshop on Connections in Steel Structures IV, Roanoke, VA, October.
( To download a free PDF copy of this and other papers in the proceedings from AISC web page (www.aisc.org) please Click Here.)
09-Astaneh-Asl, A. and Liu, J., (2000), "Contributions of shear connections to seismic resistance of steel structures", Proceedings, The Fifth Conference on Tall Buildings in Seismic Regions, Los Angeles, May.
08-Liu, J. and Astaneh-Asl, A. (2000) "Cyclic behavior of steel shear connections with floor slab, " Proceedings, 6th ASCCS International Conference on Steel-Concrete Composite Structures, Los Angeles, CA.,
07-Liu, J. and Astaneh-Asl, A. (2000) "Cyclic testing on simple connections, including slab effects." Proceedings, North American Steel Construction Conference, Las Vegas, NV.
06-Liu, J. and Astaneh-Asl, A. (2000) "Seismic behavior and design of steel shear connections with floor slab," Proceedings, 12th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering, Auckland, New Zealand, January.
05-Liu, J. and Astaneh-Asl, A. (1999) "Cyclic behavior of steel shear connections including floor slab," Proceedings, 8th Canadian Conference on Earthquake Engineering, Vancouver, B.C.
04-Liu, J. and Astaneh-Asl, A., (1999) "Cyclic testing of simple connections, including slab effects; Volume 1: results of test series 'A'", Report No. UCB/CEE-STEEL-99/01, Dept. of Civil and Env. Engrg., Univ. of California, Berkeley
03-Liu, J. and Astaneh-Asl, A. (1998) "Experimental studies of seismic behavior of shear connections with floor slabs," Proceedings, SSRC Annual Technical Session & Meetings, Atlanta, GA.
02-Liu, J. and Astaneh-Asl, A., (1998) "Cyclic tests of shear connections including slab effects", Proceedings, World Structural Engineering Congress, ASCE, San Francisco, July.
01-Liu, J. and Astaneh-Asl, A. (1998) "Experimental studies of seismic behavior of shear connections with floor slabs," Proceedings, SSRC Annual Technical Session & Meetings, Atlanta, GA.
00. Astaneh-Asl, A., (1997), "Description of Work-Subtask 7.04:Studies and Cyclic Tests of Simple and PR Connections Including Slab Effects",lhProposal submitted to Sponsors: SAC Joint Venture Steel Project/FEMA (This publication is not in public domain).

RESEARCH TEAM AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT


The study reported here was supported by the SAC Joint Venture Steel Project and the US Federal Government Federal Emergency Management Agency. The primary research team consisted of Abolhassan Astaneh-Asl (Professor and Principal Investigator) and Judy Liu (doctoral graduate student). The support and technical input received from the SAC and FEMA engineers, particularly from Mike Mahoney and Robert Hanson of FEMA and Professor Mahin, James Malley, Mark Saunders, Ron Hamburger of SAC were very useful, essential to success of this project and are sincerely appreciated.
The tests reported here were conducted in Davis Hall, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of University of California at Berkeley with the participation of Dr. Marcial Blondet, William Mac Cracken, Dr. Lev Stepanov, Chris Moy, Larry Baker, Richard Parsons, Douglas Zulaica, Mark Troxler, all staff of Department laboratories. Clay Naito, Wendy Wang, Kai Wong and Freddy Samad, graduate and undergraduate students were involved in various aspects of this large scale testing. Herrick Corporation of Stockton California fabricated the test specimens in time and on budget. Verco donated the steel deck and Nelson Studs donated the studs and installed them. Their assistance is appreciated.


 

Judy Liu and Abolhassan Astaneh-Asl

SPONSORS

The research reported herein was conducted in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of the University of California, Berkeley and was supported by the SAC Joint Venture Steel Project and the US Federal Government Federal Emergency Management Agency. Additional support was also provided by the Deaprtment of Civil and Environmental Engineeering. The opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of California, Berkeley, the Sponsors or other agencies and individuals whose names appear here.

DISCLAIMER

The information presented here has been prepared in accordance with recognized engineering principles and is for general information only. While it is believed to be accurate, this information should not be used or relied upon for any specific application without competent professional examination and verification of its accuracy, suitability, and applicability by a licensed professional engineer, designer or architect. The publication of the material contained herein is not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of any person or agency named herein, that this information is suitable for any general or particular use or of freedom from infringement of any patent or patents. Anyone making use of this information assumes all liability arising from such use. Caution must be exercised when relying upon specifications and codes developed by others and incorporated by reference herein since such material may be modified or amended from time to time subsequent to the posting of this material. The authors bear no responsibility for such material other than to refer to it and incorporate it by reference at the time of the initial posting of this document.

FINAL REPORT

Liu J, Astaneh-Asl A. Experimental and analytical studies of the cyclic behavior of simple connections in steel frame buildings. Final Report, Report No. UCB/CEE-STEEL-2000/01, Dept. of Civil and Env. Engrg., Univ. of California, Berkeley, 2000.( to purchase a copy of this report, please see above note under "Publications").

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