Experimental analysis of beam-column moment connections of industrial storage racks

Abstract

Test results of beam-column moment connections of storage racks are presented. Quasi-static tests were performed using a displacement-controlled electromechanical actuator on connections with two different bolting torques. The experimental setup contemplates a 1.48 m long column, labeled at both ends, and a 1.72 m long beam. The actuator has a 900 kg capacity load cell at its connection end with the beam and registers the applied deformation through a 300 mm travel displacement sensor. The beam was instrumented with rotation sensors, having one just before the support, and two in the L profile that connects it with the column. The loading corresponds to sawlike cyclic displacement sequences with increasing amplitudes, adapted from the AISC341 (2022) section K. The results showed that, by increasing the torque from 54.2 Nm to 108.5 Nm, the elastic stiffness increased by 45%. A higher tightening torque generated a reduction in pinching and an increase in the energy dissipated from the connection, compared to the case with lower torque. In general, the connections were capable of resisting rotations of up to 0.07 rad.