Numerical Investigation of Shape Memory Alloys and Side Plates Perforation Effect on Hysteresis Performance of Connections

The most common disadvantage in moment connections is the brittle fracture of the welded area during an earthquake. One creative way to fix such disadvantages is to use Side Plates to connect the beam to the column. Previous studies have focused more on the performance of connections with side plates and comparison of these connections with other types of moment connections. In this study, the effect of material type, thickness, and perforation of the side plates on the cyclic performance is investigated. For this purpose, in addition to using side plates of soft steel (ST37) and high strength structural steel (ST52), nickel-titanium-shaped memory alloy (SMA-Ni-Ti) was also used to investigate the superelastic effect of this alloy on the connection performance. Modeling and analysis were performed in ABAQUS finite element software under cyclic loading. The results showed that the increased capacity and ductility of the side plate connections with shape memory alloy. Also, the findings revealed that optimal thicknesses can be obtained for a side plate to create the maximum possible ductility at the connection and preventing the formation of plastic hinges. According to the results obtained by changing the configuration and cutting in connection and in general, the capacity of the connection decreased by 0.04 radian (moment frame acceptance limit) and stress concentration in the cutting corners had the greatest effect on the failure of the side plates.