FE Analyses of RWS Composite Connections Under Cyclic Loading

This study investigates the behaviour of the composite beam-column connection through a comprehensive finite element (FE) analysis using a perforated beam with a circular web opening; the so-called reduced web section (RWS) connections. Results showed that the existence of a web opening can be effective as the stresses are mobilised away from the column face, thus, the ductility and the energy dissipation of the connection can improve significantly. In the previous research, the composite action was not considered with scope to account for the severest case in terms of the load carrying capacity. However, this study proves that the composite effect should be included since it has a detrimental effect on the ductility and the rotational capacity of the RWS connections. It was also concluded that the contribution of the composite action to the load carrying capacity increases with the increase in the web opening diameter. Therefore, the calculated negative capacity tends to be very conservative if the composite effect is neglected when the large opening diameter is used.