Shear behaviour of a novel self-locking inter-module connection with spring-loaded plunger latches

IF 6.6 1区工程技术 Q1 ENGINEERING, CIVIL

Thin-Walled Structures Pub Date : 2025-09-27 DOI:10.1016/j.tws.2025.114034

Jiahao Peng, Chao Hou, Xinxiang Liang

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

One of the greatest challenges in designing modular buildings lies in the inter-module connection, which is distinct from conventional structural systems. The role it plays is essential not only in determining the structural responses of stacked modules but also in enhancing the efficiency of on-site assembly. Among many existing designs, the proposed self-locking inter-module connection emerges as a promising solution, offering a balanced integration of functionality and workability. This study aims to explore the structural behaviour of the self-locking connection under shear through both experimental and numerical approaches, and to contribute valuable insights into the safe design of multi-storey modular buildings subject to lateral loads that may be generated from winds, seismics, and localised damages. First, a total of six full-scale specimens with various sleeve configurations were tested in a double-shear arrangement to identify the typical failure mode, which was found to be the fracture of protruded sleeve for all the tested specimens. By calibrating the ductile fracture simulation, a finite element model was established and proven reliable in predicting the structural responses of the connection under shear. This model was then used to evaluate the full-range damage evolution of critical components, as well as serving as an effective means to explore the effects of parameters. Finally, a simplified calculation method was developed by examining the relationship between the effective area for shear and the aspect ratio of the sleeve section, offering a practical solution for routine engineering designs.

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一种新颖的自锁模块间连接与弹簧加载柱塞闩锁的剪切特性

设计模块化建筑的最大挑战之一在于模块间的连接，这与传统的结构系统不同。它不仅在确定堆叠模块的结构响应方面发挥着重要作用，而且在提高现场组装效率方面也发挥着重要作用。在许多现有的设计中，提出的自锁模块间连接作为一种有前途的解决方案，提供了功能和可操作性的平衡集成。本研究旨在通过实验和数值方法探索自锁连接在剪切作用下的结构行为，并为多层模块化建筑的安全设计提供有价值的见解，这些建筑可能受到风、地震和局部损伤产生的横向荷载的影响。首先，对6个不同套筒构型的全尺寸试件进行双剪试验，确定典型破坏模式，发现所有试件均为凸出套筒断裂。通过对延性断裂模拟的校正，建立了一个有限元模型，并证明了该模型能够可靠地预测连接在剪切作用下的结构响应。该模型可用于评估关键部件的全范围损伤演化，并可作为探讨参数影响的有效手段。最后，通过考察有效剪切面积与套筒截面长径比的关系，提出了一种简化的计算方法，为常规工程设计提供了实用的解决方案。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Thin-Walled Structures 工程技术-工程：土木

CiteScore

9.60

自引率

20.30%

发文量

801

审稿时长

66 days

期刊介绍： Thin-walled structures comprises an important and growing proportion of engineering construction with areas of application becoming increasingly diverse, ranging from aircraft, bridges, ships and oil rigs to storage vessels, industrial buildings and warehouses. Many factors, including cost and weight economy, new materials and processes and the growth of powerful methods of analysis have contributed to this growth, and led to the need for a journal which concentrates specifically on structures in which problems arise due to the thinness of the walls. This field includes cold– formed sections, plate and shell structures, reinforced plastics structures and aluminium structures, and is of importance in many branches of engineering. The primary criterion for consideration of papers in Thin–Walled Structures is that they must be concerned with thin–walled structures or the basic problems inherent in thin–walled structures. Provided this criterion is satisfied no restriction is placed on the type of construction, material or field of application. Papers on theory, experiment, design, etc., are published and it is expected that many papers will contain aspects of all three.