Computational Modelling of Intra-Module Connections and Their Influence on the Robustness of a Steel Corner-Supported Volumetric Module
This paper investigates the robustness of a single 3D volumetric corner-supported module made of square hollow-section (SHS) columns. Typically, the moment–rotation (M-θ) behaviour of connections within the module (intra-module) is assumed to be fully rigid rather than semi-rigid, resulting in inacc...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Modelling |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-3951/5/1/21 |
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| author | Si Hwa Heng David Hyland Michael Hough Daniel McCrum |
| author_facet | Si Hwa Heng David Hyland Michael Hough Daniel McCrum |
| author_sort | Si Hwa Heng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper investigates the robustness of a single 3D volumetric corner-supported module made of square hollow-section (SHS) columns. Typically, the moment–rotation (M-θ) behaviour of connections within the module (intra-module) is assumed to be fully rigid rather than semi-rigid, resulting in inaccurate assessment (i.e., overestimated vertical stiffness) during extreme loading events, such as progressive collapse. The intra-module connections are not capable of rigidly transferring the moment from the beams to the SHS columns. In this paper, a computationally intensive shell element model (SEM) of the module frame is created. The M-θ relationship of the intra-module connections in the SEM is firstly validated against test results by others and then replicated in a new simplified phenomenological beam element model (BEM), using nonlinear spring elements to capture the M-θ relationship. Comparing the structural behaviour of the SEM and BEM, under notional support removal, shows that the proposed BEM with semi-rigid connections (SR-BEM) agrees well with the validated SEM and requires substantially lower modelling time (98.7% lower) and computational effort (97.4% less RAM). When compared to a BEM with the typically modelled fully rigid intra-module connections (FR-BEM), the vertical displacement in the SR-BEM is at least 16% higher. The results demonstrate the importance of an accurate assessment of framing rotational stiffness and the benefits of a computationally efficient model. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T17:59:03Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-255e79a4db634ae7883e8f337b90423a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2673-3951 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T17:59:03Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Modelling |
| spelling | doaj.art-255e79a4db634ae7883e8f337b90423a2024-03-27T13:56:32ZengMDPI AGModelling2673-39512024-03-015139240910.3390/modelling5010021Computational Modelling of Intra-Module Connections and Their Influence on the Robustness of a Steel Corner-Supported Volumetric ModuleSi Hwa Heng0David Hyland1Michael Hough2Daniel McCrum3Modern Methods of Construction Research Group, School of Civil Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, D04 V1W8 Dublin, IrelandMJH Structural Engineers, Suite 3 Anglesea House, 63 Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock, Co., A94 X209 Dublin, IrelandMJH Structural Engineers, Suite 3 Anglesea House, 63 Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock, Co., A94 X209 Dublin, IrelandModern Methods of Construction Research Group, School of Civil Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, D04 V1W8 Dublin, IrelandThis paper investigates the robustness of a single 3D volumetric corner-supported module made of square hollow-section (SHS) columns. Typically, the moment–rotation (M-θ) behaviour of connections within the module (intra-module) is assumed to be fully rigid rather than semi-rigid, resulting in inaccurate assessment (i.e., overestimated vertical stiffness) during extreme loading events, such as progressive collapse. The intra-module connections are not capable of rigidly transferring the moment from the beams to the SHS columns. In this paper, a computationally intensive shell element model (SEM) of the module frame is created. The M-θ relationship of the intra-module connections in the SEM is firstly validated against test results by others and then replicated in a new simplified phenomenological beam element model (BEM), using nonlinear spring elements to capture the M-θ relationship. Comparing the structural behaviour of the SEM and BEM, under notional support removal, shows that the proposed BEM with semi-rigid connections (SR-BEM) agrees well with the validated SEM and requires substantially lower modelling time (98.7% lower) and computational effort (97.4% less RAM). When compared to a BEM with the typically modelled fully rigid intra-module connections (FR-BEM), the vertical displacement in the SR-BEM is at least 16% higher. The results demonstrate the importance of an accurate assessment of framing rotational stiffness and the benefits of a computationally efficient model.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-3951/5/1/21modular constructioncorner-supported modulephenomenological modelsemi-rigid connection stiffnessrobustnessnumerical modelling |
| spellingShingle | Si Hwa Heng David Hyland Michael Hough Daniel McCrum Computational Modelling of Intra-Module Connections and Their Influence on the Robustness of a Steel Corner-Supported Volumetric Module Modelling modular construction corner-supported module phenomenological model semi-rigid connection stiffness robustness numerical modelling |
| title | Computational Modelling of Intra-Module Connections and Their Influence on the Robustness of a Steel Corner-Supported Volumetric Module |
| title_full | Computational Modelling of Intra-Module Connections and Their Influence on the Robustness of a Steel Corner-Supported Volumetric Module |
| title_fullStr | Computational Modelling of Intra-Module Connections and Their Influence on the Robustness of a Steel Corner-Supported Volumetric Module |
| title_full_unstemmed | Computational Modelling of Intra-Module Connections and Their Influence on the Robustness of a Steel Corner-Supported Volumetric Module |
| title_short | Computational Modelling of Intra-Module Connections and Their Influence on the Robustness of a Steel Corner-Supported Volumetric Module |
| title_sort | computational modelling of intra module connections and their influence on the robustness of a steel corner supported volumetric module |
| topic | modular construction corner-supported module phenomenological model semi-rigid connection stiffness robustness numerical modelling |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-3951/5/1/21 |
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