Evaluation of Component-Based Finite Element Method for Seismic Braced Frame Connections

In a steel structure, joints determine almost 50% of the total costs (Bijlaard & Brekelmans, 2008). This percentage of the total cost can drastically decrease if some details are avoided, like stiffeners (Navarro Villagómez, 2017). To eliminate these components, the most profound analysis of the joint is required, which will strengthen seamless workflows and increase productivity and safety in construction projects. IDEA StatiCa, introduced to the engineering world in 2014, is currently amongst one of the most revolutionary methods used for analyzing and designing a wide range of steel connections, ranging from commonly used standard connections to the most complex ones. Hence offering significant advantages in terms of time-saving, productivity, and safety in steel structure construction. This research was focused on evaluating four standard examples of Ordinary and Special Concentrically Braced Frames as per American Seismic Design Provisions, which are based on the uniform force method in CBFEM using IDEA StatiCa V23. All the limits states that are involved in a connection design are covered for each example. Also, an attempt to demonstrate efficient connection modeling has been made, which plays a pivotal role in analysis and design. It also involved performing several parametric studies to understand several limit states for parameter variation in detail. Overall, CBFEM gives approximately similar results when compared with AISC values, but slightly on the higher or lower side, depending on the type of concentrically braced frame and the type of analysis (i.e., stress-strain analysis, capacity design, etc.) used in CBFEM. It can also accurately predict the sequence of the occurrence of limit states concerning all the performed steel connections, similar to that predicted as per AISC Design. CBFEM can potentially be used as an analysis and design tool for the steel structure connection in high seismic zones of the United States.