Experimental study and mechanical properties of prefabricated beam-column joint with L-shaped stiffeners.

This paper proposes a prefabricated beam–column joint with L-shaped stiffeners based on the traditional semi-rigid joint and end-plate connection. The joint is suitable for multi-story prefabricated steel frames and a fully bolted assembly construction. To study the seismic performance and failure modes of the joints, cyclic loading test were conducted on three full-scale specimens of prefabricated beam–column joints with L-shaped stiffeners. Furthermore, the rotation stiffness and bearing mechanism of the joint were obtained by an improved component method proposed in this paper. The results of the tests indicated that the failure modes of the joints were buckling and tearing of the flange and web of the beams. Additionally, the load-carrying capacity as well as ductility and energy dissipation capacities of the joints under cyclic loading can be improved by increasing the length and thickness of the L-shaped stiffeners. The rotation stiffness of the joint satisfies the Eurocode 3 moment–rotation model requirements and is suitable to improving the seismic performance analyses of prefabricated steel structures. • The mechanical properties of prefabricated beam–column joints with L-shaped stiffeners were investigated in this paper. • The Moment–rotation curves of joints were established, and the specimen has a strong plastic deformation capacity. • The bearing mechanism is calculated, and the theoretical values agree well with the test values. • The rotation stiffness of joint is established by component method and the initial stiffness is divided into four parts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]