Cyclic behavior of a replaceable LYP steel link with corrugated web: Parametrical analyses and design recommendations

In order to establish a rapid recoverable structural system in earthquake prone area, a novel replaceable low yield point steel link with corrugated web (LCSW link), consisting of the low yield point steel corrugated web with the top flange, the bottom flange, and the endplates, was proposed and tested in previous research. In this paper, a series of finite element (FE) models was established and validated to further study and understand the influence of different design parameters on the cyclic behaviors in terms of the hysteretic curves, initial stiffness, over-strength factor and cumulative energy dissipation. The analytical results indicate that the hysteretic behaviors of the specimens were obviously affected by the span-to-height ratio, the ductility and energy dissipation capacity were significantly improved by using low yield point steel (LYP steel). Furthermore, some recommendations have been introduced for the design of LCSW links in economic and safety side: the smallest ratios for flange slenderness and CSW height-to-thickness were recommended as 8.33 and 95 respectively; Flange-to-web thickness ratio was recommended to be greater than 2.0. In addition, the corrugation angle of CSW was recommended to be more than 45°, and the horizontal panel-to-wavelength ratio can be initially taken as 0.34. Finally, simple design equations for the skeleton curves were proposed and validated for LCSW links with recommended geometric dimensions.