Design recommendations for Howick Rivet Connectors in cold-formed steel connections

IF 4.6 2区工程技术 Q1 CONSTRUCTION & BUILDING TECHNOLOGY

Journal of Constructional Steel Research Pub Date : 2026-04-01 Epub Date: 2026-01-14 DOI:10.1016/j.jcsr.2026.110244

Wei Wang , Krishanu Roy , Hooman Rezaeian , Renzhe Ma , Linfeng Lu , Zhengxin Xie , James B.P. Lim

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

This study develops a validated finite element (FE) model for T-stub connections with Howick Rivet Connectors (HRCs) and carries out a systematic parametric analysis considering variations in rivet diameter, plate thickness, and steel grade. Using numerical simulations together with previously published experimental data, the accuracy of existing bearing and shear strength formulas is evaluated, revealing substantial discrepancies when these formulas are applied to a wider dataset. To address these limitations, new strength formulas are proposed and validated through reliability analysis, achieving an average test/FEA-to-predicted ratio of 1.04 and correctly identifying failure modes in 91% of cases. Compared with existing design formulas, the proposed equations reduce prediction bias by approximately 18% and decrease strength dispersion by about 5%, demonstrating notable improvements in both accuracy and reliability. Based on the combined numerical and experimental findings, design recommendations are provided to support the practical use of HRC connections in cold-formed steel structures.

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冷弯型钢连接中豪威克铆钉连接器的设计建议

本研究开发了一个经过验证的有限元（FE）模型，用于使用Howick铆钉连接器（hrc）的t形短节连接，并进行了系统的参数分析，考虑了铆钉直径、板厚和钢等级的变化。利用数值模拟和先前发表的实验数据，评估了现有的承载和抗剪强度公式的准确性，揭示了这些公式在应用于更广泛的数据集时存在的巨大差异。为了解决这些限制，提出了新的强度公式，并通过可靠性分析进行了验证，实现了平均试验/有限元与预测的比值为1.04，在91%的情况下正确识别了失效模式。与现有设计公式相比，本文提出的方程预测偏差降低了约18%，强度离散度降低了约5%，精度和可靠性均有显著提高。结合数值和试验结果，提出了HRC连接在冷弯型钢结构中实际应用的设计建议。

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

Journal of Constructional Steel Research 工程技术-工程：土木

CiteScore

7.90

自引率

19.50%

发文量

550

审稿时长

46 days

期刊介绍： The Journal of Constructional Steel Research provides an international forum for the presentation and discussion of the latest developments in structural steel research and their applications. It is aimed not only at researchers but also at those likely to be most affected by research results, i.e. designers and fabricators. Original papers of a high standard dealing with all aspects of steel research including theoretical and experimental research on elements, assemblages, connection and material properties are considered for publication.