A Method to Construct FE Model Simulating the Cyclic Behavior of High Strength WUF-W Connections

In high-rise buildings, large member sections are often required, particularly for columns in their lower stories. It is difficult sometime to find adequate member sections provided by steel manufacturers for such members. The use of high strength steel could tackle such difficulties. The aim of this study is to simulate the cyclic behavior of welded unreinforced flange-welded web (WUF-W) connections comprising of high strength steel columns and mild steel beams using numerical analyses. The (WUF-W) connection is a prequalified connection for steel special moment frames (SMFs). Nonlinear three-dimensional finite element (FE) models are constructed for the WUF-W connections. Combining hardening models are also constructed to simulate the low cycle fatigue (LCF) behavior of high strength and mild steel materials based on measured material test data, which are implemented in the FE model. The accuracy of the FE model is verified by comparing measured and calculated cyclic curves of the WUF-W connections.