Experimental investigation of steel beam to RC column connection via a through-plate

Composite-framed structures provide desirable mechanical and economical features. However, methods to provide a beam to column connection with enhanced performance are currently under investigation. In the current paper, two interior connections at 3/4 scale were evaluated experimentally under cyclic lateral loading and a constant axial load on the column. In the specimens, the beams, one of I-section and the other of channel section, were connected to a vertical plate passing through the concrete column (Through Plate). To limit sliding between the steel and concrete, rigid shear connectors were employed. Steel cover plates remove any separation potential of the rigid shear connectors from the concrete while increasing the concrete strength. The load transfer occurs through three mechanisms, which include the in-plane mechanisms of the TP and side plates and the mechanism of the concrete strut. The portions of mentioned mechanisms of the entire connection moment were 65%, 20%, and 15%, respectively. By proportioning the connection components based on the presented design procedure, plastic hinges were created in the beams, and the connection components remained undamaged. The through plate involved with concrete provided a strong panel zone with elastic behavior, and the suggested connection is categorized as a fully restrained connection. The tested specimens provided permanent hysteretic diagrams without any pinching.