Simplified Design and Seismic Performance Analysis of Beam-to-Beam Bolted Connections in Modular Construction

Modular steel constructions (MSCs) are a rapid state-of-the-art construction technique that provides improved quality and cost efficiency. However,their applications have been limited to low-rise buildings in areas with insignificant seismic activities. Therefore, this study needs to investigate the seismic performance of MSC with different stories. Incorporating high-strength bolts into the double-channel beams can enhance its resistance to lateral deformation caused by seismic loads; however, the existing simplified connection model fails to consider this characteristic. The objective of this study is to propose a simplified model that accurately represents the characteristics of beam-to-beam connections suitable for MSC. Based on Chen’s experimental results, a detailed beam-to-beam connection model was developed and the pushover method was used to analyze its mechanical behavior. The obtained numerical simulation results were compared with previous experimental test results to verify their accuracy. Subsequently, this paper utilizes a similar pushover method to investigate the mechanical behavior of the simplified connection model and apply it to full-scale tests. The study investigates the seismic performance of three MSC models (3-story-unbraced, 6-story, and 9-story braced modular constructions). The models were designed to compare their MSC seismic performance with traditional steel constructions using non-linear static and dynamic analysis approaches to capture its capacity curves, story displacement, global damage index and inter-story drift ratio. The results show that the simplified model with high-strength bolts in the double-channel beams.