Numerical parametric analysis of replaceable link with corrugated web plates: Plastic rotation and overstrength

Abstract

This study proposes a replaceable link with a corrugated web for traditional eccentrically braced steel frames and focuses on the impact of key parameters on the seismic performance of the corrugated web replaceable link. The numerical analysis model was established by an ABAQUS software, and the finite element analysis results were compared and analyzed with experimental results to validate the effectiveness of finite element numerical simulation. A parametric analysis was conducted on 24 finite element models, examining the influence of parameters such as the link length (e), web thickness (t_w), corrugation parameter θ (the inclination angle of the inclined plate strip in the ripple), and a (the width of the flat plate strip in the ripple) on the performance of the replaceable link. The analysis indicates that the maximum plastic rotation γ_pmax of the specimen is approximately 0.08 rad. At the same time, as the thickness of the web and the corrugation parameter θ increase, the overstrength coefficient of the model continues to rise. Conversely, the overstrength coefficient of the model decreases with a reduction in the length ratio, indicating that models with smaller length ratios exhibit better overstrength behavior. The research findings offer significant insights into the seismic performance and strength of replaceable links featuring corrugated web plates, highlighting their practical applications in engineering.