Effects of bolt-hole clearance on seismic performance of column-tree moment resisting frames with reduced beam section

Manufacturing tolerances and field situation cause inappropriate positioning of bolts in their corresponding holes in bolted connections. In order to overcome this problem, bolt-hole diameter increases by incorrect methods like acetylene gas cutting method in the field. In this paper, effects of bolt-hole clearance on seismic performance of column-tree moment resisting frames (MRFs) with reduced beam section as an example of bolted connections were investigated. Column-tree models with reduced beam section and various bolt-hole clearances in connection subjected to cyclic loading were analyzed using finite element method and their hysteresis curves are compared. Results show that increase in bolt-hole clearance causes reduction in the flexural capacity of the connection and increase the interstory drift angle of the maximum bearing moment

Keywords:

Bolt-hole clearance , MRF , Seismic performance