Numerical study of the behavior of intermeshed steel connections under mixed-mode loading

Abstract

In recent years, advanced manufacturing techniques, such as high-definition plasma, water jet, and laser cutting, have opened up an opportunity to create a new class of steel connections that rely on intermeshed (i.e. interlocked) components. The main advantage of this type of connection is that they do not require either welding or bolting, which allows faster construction. Although the interest in intermeshed connections has increased in recent years, the mechanical behavior of these connections has not been fully understood. This paper presents a numerical study on the ultimate load capacity failure modes of intermeshed connections under mixed-mode loading. The experimental behavior of the connection components is also investigated through a series of tests. The study considers a recently developed intermeshed connection for beams and columns. The numerical simulations were performed by using a commercially available 3D finite element software package. By considering different types of mixed mode loading, interaction diagrams of axial, shear, and moment capacities of the intermeshed connection were obtained. The results 2 indicated that there exists an intricate interaction among axial, shear, and moment capacities, which arises from the intermeshed configuration of the flanges and web. For each interaction diagram, the corresponding failure mechanism was analyzed. The simulated interaction between axial, shear, and moment capacities were further compared with the provision of the current design codes. While the intermeshed connection studied here showed promise for gravity loading, further study is needed to ensure alignment of the flanges so as to avoid axial and/or flexural failures.

Applications of digital manufacturing to steel frames: The Intermeshed Steel Connection

“…This limit is controlled by the slightly reduced flange width due to the cutting of the fingers. More details on the connection load path and load transfer are available in [15], [16].…”

Numerical Study of the Behaviour of the Intermeshed Steel Connections under Cyclic loading

“…Intermeshed connections transfer force through direct contact bearing of multiple, precisely shaped surfaces of the interlocking elements. The potential impact of an alternative steel connection of this type that targets reductions in time and cost and simplifies disassembly for reuse is further highlighted by the dominance of steel in the construction industry [7]. Intermeshed connections can be divided in to two, front ISC and side ISC.…”