Análisis y diseño sismorresistente de conexiones rígidas para secciones tubulares

Abstract

Most of the problems encountered in steel structures are usually manifested due to poorly designed or poorly executed unions. Proper design of the joints has considerable implications in the cost of materials, reducing the dimensions of the structural components, and therefore the total cost of the structure. The construction of earthquake resistant buildings based on moment frames, using hollow section columns filled with concrete and/or tubular beams, has many advantages, both in structural, architectural, and economic fields. Currently, the use of this type of construction in Cuenca city and in Equator, has increased substantially. Here there is a need for a technical study of the foreign codes and scientific publications that will allow for a more accurate calculation methodology that can be applied to earthquake resistant solicitations of our country. Since Ecuador is a country prone to earthquakes, this research proposes the analysis and the earthquake resistant design of beam-column moment connections and column to footings. This research presents a theoretical compilation of joints and the empirical design of connections, together with the simulation by finite element analysis in a computer program, applied to four types of moment connections: a) tubular-beam to composite tubular column connection with external diaphragm, b) I-beam to composite tubular column with external diaphragm, c) composite tubular column to foundation connection with bolted base plate d) composite tubular column to foundation connection with stiffened bolted base plate.