Cyclic behavior of a prefabricated self-centering beam–column connection with a bolted web friction device

• Propose a prefabricated self-centering beam–column connection.
• Does not need on-site aerial tension, suitable for high-rise buildings.
• About the experimental and theoretical cyclic behavior of the connection.
• Excellent re-center capacity and good energy dissipation capacity of the connection.

A prefabricated post-tensioned (PT) self-centering beam–column connection using a bolted web friction device (PSC connection) has been proposed. This connection is different from a common self-centering connection using a bolted web friction device (SC connection) in that the beam of a steel frame with a PSC connection is divided into three parts connected with a vertical plate and PT strands, and the beam, including the gap opening feature, can be treated as a normal single beam on site. Eight PSC connections were designed with various combinations of design parameters, which include the initial PT forces, friction bolt forces and loading histories. Low-cycle loading experiments were conducted to study the seismic behavior of the PSC connections and to investigate the effects of the initial PT force and the friction bolt force. Additionally, relevant theoretical analyses were conducted, and the results indicated that the maximum PT force at 5% radians drift with the PSC connection did not exceed the yield force, and the average loss of the PT force was within 10%. The residual rotations of all the specimens were minimal, which indicated that the PSC connection had the same robust self-centering behavior compared to that of the SC connection. Simultaneously, the PSC connection does not require on-site aerial tension in high-rise buildings because the post tensioning can be introduced on the ground or in the factory. The theoretical double-flag models match the experimental results notably well and can be applied in the analysis and design of prefabricated self-centering steel frames.