Principal Researcher: Gregory MacRae
Staff involved: Stefano Pampanin, Warren Walpole, John Butterworth, Charles Clifton, Clark Hyland
Student researchers: Hamish MacKinven
A series of tests are being carried out to assess and improve the performance of the sliding hinge joint, and modifications thereof, for steel moment frames. This joint was initially developed at the University of Auckland by Charles Clifton as part of his doctoral studies. The results of these tests will be published at the Pacific Structural Steel Conference and the NZSEE Conference, both in 2007.
If this connection is shown to be effective, it may be used for the retrofit of susceptible connections in existing steel frame buildings or for external frames attached existing structures to increase their strength and stiffness.
The connection is designed so that the distance between column centrelines either side of a bay does not change, and so that the connection, members, and any slab on top of the beam are not damaged as the frame undergoes lateral deformations. Energy is dissipated by friction between the bottom flange of the beam and a plate connected to the column flange. Different tests are being conducted to evaluate the effect of changes in the design details, to determine the effect of different materials placed in the location of friction, and to refine the design recommendations.
Currently a MRF building is being designed in Wellington using the SHJ, and steel shims in the joint.