Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Fracture prediction of welded steel connections using traditional fracture mechanics and calibrated micromechanics based models

  • Published:
International Journal of Steel Structures Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Fracture resistance is of primary concern in the seismic design of beam-to-column connections in steel moment resisting frames (SMRFs). Micromechanics based fracture models such as the void growth model (VGM) and the stress modified critical strain (SMCS) model provide alternative approaches for ductile fracture prediction by relating micro-mechanisms of void nucleation, growth and coalescence to macroscopic stresses and strains. In this study, the VGM and SMCS models were calibrated for Q345 structural steel and the corresponding weld, through smooth notched tensile (SNT) tests and complementary continuum finite element models (FEMs). A series of seven local connections representing beam-to-column connections in SMRFs were tested under monotonic tensile loading and the specimen elongations at fracture critical point were obtained. The traditional J-integral based fracture mechanics and micromechanics based fracture models (VGM and SMCS) were applied to predict fracture in each tested local connection through refined three-dimensional FEM. Comparisons between these numerical approaches and experimental observations in prediction of fracture critical displacement, indicated that the VGM and SMCS models were able to predict fracture of welded connection with good accuracy, while the J-integral based approach resulted in quite conservative fracture prediction. This paper has bridged the gap between small-scale material tests and large-scale structural experiments in fracture evaluations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • ABAQUS (2008). ABAQUS User’s Manual, Version 6.8. Hibbitt, Karlsson and Sorenson, Inc., Providence, RI.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, T. L. (2004). Fracture mechanics: Fundamentals and applications, 3 rd Ed.. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barsom, J. M. (2002). “Development of fracture toughness requirements for weld metals in seismic applications.” Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, 14(1), pp. 44–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, C. C., Lin, C. C., and Tsai, C. L. (2004). “Evaluation of reinforced connections between steel beams and box columns.” Engineering Structures, 26(13), pp. 1889–1904.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, C. C., Lin, C. C., and Lin, C. H. (2006). “Ductile moment connections used in steel column-tree momentresisting frames.” Journal of Constructional Steel Research, 62(8), pp. 793–801.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, H., Shi, Y. J., and Wang, Y. Q. (2004a). “Fracture toughness properties of moment resistant column-beam connections Part I: elastic analysis.” International Journal of Steel Structures, 4(1), pp. 1–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, H., Shi, Y. J., and Wang, Y. Q. (2004b). “Fracture toughness properties of moment resistant column-beam connections Part II: inelastic analysis.” International Journal of Steel Structures, 4(1), pp. 9–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chi, W. M. and Deierlein, G. G. (2000). Integration of analytical investigations on the fracture behavior of welded moment resisting connections. Blume Center TR136, Stanford University, Stanford, CA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chi, W. M., Kanvinde, A. M., and Deierlein, G. G. (2006). “Prediction of ductile fracture in steel connections using SMCS criterion.” Journal of Structural Engineering, 132(2), pp. 171–181.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • GB/T 228 (2002). Metallic materials — Tensile testing at ambient temperature. Standards Press of China, Beijing (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • GB/T 21143 (2007). Metallic materials — Unified method of test for determination of quasistatic fracture toughness. Standards Press of China, Beijing (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hancock, J. W. and Mackenzie, A. C. (1976). “On the mechanics of ductile failure in high-strength steel subjected to multi-axial stress-states.” Journal of Mechanics and Physics of Solids, 24(3), pp. 147–169.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, S. L., Fry, G. T., and Engelhardt, M. D. (2002). “Experimental evaluation of cyclically loaded reduced beam section moment connections.” Journal of Structural Engineering, 128(4), pp. 441–451.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kanvinde, A. M. and Deierlein, G. G. (2004). Micromechanical simulation of earthquake induced fracture in steel structures. Blume Center TR145, Stanford University, Stanford, CA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanvinde, A. M. and Deierlein, G. G. (2006). “Void growth model and stress modified critical strain model to predict ductile fracture in structural steels.” Journal of Structural Engineering, 132(12), pp. 1907–1918.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kanvinde, A. M. and Deierlein, G. G. (2007). “Finiteelement simulation of ductile fracture in reduced section pull-plates using micromechanics-based fracture models.” Journal of Structural Engineering, 133(5), pp. 656–664.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kanvinde, A. M., Fell, B. V., Gomez, I. R., and Roberts, M. (2008). “Predicting fracture in structural fillet welds using traditional and micromechanical fracture models.” Engineering Structures, 30(11), pp. 3325–3335.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kanvinde, A. M., Gomez, I. R., Roberts, M., Fell, B. V., and Grondin, G. Y. (2009). “Strength and ductility of fillet welds with transverse root notch.” Journal of Constructional Steel Research, 65(4), pp. 948–958.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liao, F. F. and Wang, W. (2010). “Parameter calibrations of micromechanics-based fracture models of Q345 steel.” Sciencepaper Online. 〈http://www.paper.edu.cn/index.php/default/releasepaper/content/201007-457〉

  • Liu, Y. M., Zhang, Y. J., Chen, Y. Y., and Chen, Y. J. (2002). “Experimental research on fracture performance in weld heat-affect zone.” Chinese Quarterly of Mechanics, 23(2), pp. 157–163 (in Chinese).

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Matos, C. G. and Dodds, R. H. Jr. (2001). “Probabilistic modeling of weld fracture in steel frame connections part I: quasi-static loading.” Engineering Structures, 23(8), pp. 1011–1030.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matos, C. G. and Dodds, R. H. Jr. (2002) “Probabilistic modeling of weld fracture in steel frame connections part II: seismic loading.” Engineering Structures, 24(6), pp. 687–705.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McClintock, F. A. (1968). “A criterion for ductile fracture by the growth of holes.” Journal of Applied Mechanics, 35(2), pp. 363–371.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rice, J. R. and Tracey, D. M. (1969). “On the ductile enlargement of voids in triaxial stress fields.” Journal of Mechanics and Physics of Solids, 17(3), pp. 201–217.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ricles, J. M., Fisher, J. W., Lu, L. W., and Kaufmann, E. J. (2002). “Development of improved welded moment connections for earthquake-resistant design.” Journal of Constructional Steel Research, 58(5–8), pp. 565–604.

    Google Scholar 

  • Righiniotis, T. D., Lancaster, E. R., and Hobbs, R. E. (2000). “Fracture strength of a moment resisting welded connection under combined loading Part I — Formulation.” Journal of Constructional Steel Research, 56(1), pp. 17–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Righiniotis, T. D. and Hobbs, R. E. (2000). “Fracture strength of a moment resisting welded connection under combined loading Part II — Results.” Journal of Constructional Steel Research, 56(1), pp. 31–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stojadinović, B., Goel, S. C., Lee, K. H., and Choi, J. H. (2000). “Parametric tests on unreinforced steel moment connections.” Journal of Structural Engineering, 126(1), pp. 40–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Uang, C. M., Yu, Q. S., Noel, S., and Gross, J. (2000). “Cyclic testing of steel moment connections rehabilitated with RBS or welded haunch.” Journal of Structural Engineering, 126(1), pp. 57–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Y. Q., Zhou, H., Shi, Y. J., and Chen, H. (2010). “Fracture behavior analyses of welded beam-to-column connections based on elastic and inelastic fracture mechanics.” International Journal of Steel Structures, 10(3), pp. 253–265.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, Y. M. (2004). Research for mechanism of brittle fracture of structural steel and its engineering design method. Ph.D. Dissertation, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu, Y. M., Wang, Y. Q., Shi, Y. J., and Jiang, J. J. (2004). “Effects of low temperature on properties of structural steels.” Journal of University of Science and Technology Beijing, 11(5), pp. 442–448.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Civil Engineering Safety and Durability of China Education Ministry, Department of Civil Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China

    Yuanqing Wang, Hui Zhou, Yongjiu Shi & Jun Xiong

Authors
  1. Yuanqing Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hui Zhou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yongjiu Shi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jun Xiong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yuanqing Wang.

Additional information

Note.-Discussion open until February 1, 2012.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wang, Y., Zhou, H., Shi, Y. et al. Fracture prediction of welded steel connections using traditional fracture mechanics and calibrated micromechanics based models. Int J Steel Struct 11, 351–366 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13296-011-3010-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13296-011-3010-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation