Experimental and numerical study on seismic performance of H-beam to HSST column joints connected by elliptical head one-sided bolts

One-sided bolts, commonly used to connect components with closed cross sections , pose challenges in terms of construction and installation. To address these challenges, elliptical head one-sided bolt (EHOB) was introduced, offering simplified installation without the requirement of specialized tools. This research aim to investigate seismic performance of H-beam to Hollow Square Steel Tubular (HSST) column joints connected by EHOBs. First, two types of innovative bolt hole inhibiting components were designed using 3D printing technology to prevent bolt rotation during the tightening process. Then, four sets of pseudo-static experiments were conducted, followed by finite element analysis for verification. Further parametric studies were performed to examine the impact of various factors on the moment-angle relationships of different joints. Finally, a method for calculating the initial stiffness of joints was developed. Key conclusions from the research are: (1) The joints showed excellent rotational performance and energy dissipation . (2) No significant bolt failure occurred during testing, indicating that EHOBs perform reliably under cyclic loading. However, the thickness of the column and endplate had a greater impact on the seismic performance. (3) Pins are the most effective inhibiting components, significantly improving the seismic performance of the joint. • An innovative type of one-sided bolt with an elliptical head is proposed, offering ease of installation without the requirement for specialized tools. • Two types of innovative bolt hole inhibiting components were designed using 3D printing technology to prevent bolt rotation during the tightening process. • The H-beam to HSST column joint connected by this kind of one-sided bolts has excellent rotational performance and energy dissipation capacity. • A calculation method for determining the joint initial stiffness was established, incorporating the equivalent stiffness of joint without panel zone.