Experimental and analytical investigation of semi-rigid CFST frames with external SCWPs

- Cyclic testing of four blind bolted CFST frames with external SCWPs and one pure blind bolted CFST frame was conducted.
- FE analysis modeling was developed and verified against those from test results.
- Extensive parameters and openings of the SCWPs have been explored by FE analysis.

An experimental and numerical research on the seismic performance of semi-rigid concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) frames with external sandwich composite wall panels (SCWPs) was reported. Four specimens of semi-rigid CFST frames with external SCWPs and one specimen of pure semi-rigid CFST frame subjected to low-cyclic loading were conducted. Failure modes, horizontal load versus displacement relation curves were analyzed. The test specimens exhibited good hysteretic behavior, energy dissipation and ductility. Finite element (FE) analysis modeling was developed and the results obtained from the FE model matched well with the experimental results. Extensive parametric studies have been carried out to investigate the effect of steel strength, column slenderness ratio and steel wire diameter of wall, etc. on the strength and stiffness of the typed composite frames. The opening ratio and location of the SCWPs were also discussed. The experimental study and numerical analysis will provide the scientific basis for design theory and application of the SCWPs in fabricated steel structure building.