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Precast shear wall structures have been widely used due to their outstanding features, and the joints between precast members play a critical role in complete structures, specifically for vertical joints. The ring joint is a new connection method used for the vertical connection. Few studies and related regulations were traced; therefore more detailed studies are required. In order to study the anchoring performance and failure behavior, an experimental model was designed and tested under monotonic axial loading, taking the composite height of ring rebars, concrete specifications, diameter of the horizontal rebars, relative position of the ring rebars, diameter of the ring rebars, and number of horizontal rebars into consideration. The failure phenomena were observed and the data were collected. The failure pattern, bearing capacity, yield ratio, displacement ductility coefficient, and other performance parameters were analyzed. The study indicated that the failure patterns are divided into ring rebar pull-out and ring rebar fracture. Increasing the composite height of the ring rebar, the concrete specifications and the number of horizontal rebars could improve the bearing performance, and the contribution of the horizontal rebar diameter was limited, and interlocking ring rebars arranged uniformly are not optimal. In the case of joint failure, the yield ratio is relatively small and the displacement ductility coefficient is larger, which shows the bearing capacity reserve is better. A numerical model was established to analyze the internal behavior, and the results were in good agreement with the experimental results, important for us to understand the failure behavior. Design recommendations will promote its application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of autoclaved aerated concrete panels on the mechanical properties of fabricated steel frames was experimentally investigated. Two fabricated steel frame specimens, which were with and without autoclaved aerated concrete panels, respectively, were tested under reversed cyclic loads. They were 1/2-scale, two-storey, and single-bay steel frames that were assembled by bolted beamheight adjustable steel beam-to-column connections. The effect of autoclaved aerated concrete panel dimensions on the mechanical behavior of infilled frames was also parametrically analyzed with the proposed numerical models which were verified on the basis of experimental data. The results indicate that the fabricated steel frames, assembled by beam-height adjustable connections, could behave in a ductile manner with sufficient stiffness and strength under cyclic loads; compared with bare steel frames, autoclaved aerated concrete panels could postpone the failure of structures and increase their initial stiffness, peak load, and energy dissipation capacity; moreover, the geometric details of autoclaved aerated concrete panels could significantly change the mechanical properties of infilled steel frames. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminum alloys have found increasing use in space structures, mainly because of their high strength-to-weight ratio and satisfactory corrosion resistance. The work presented in this article is focused on finite element simulation of the failure behavior of aluminum alloy members subjected to an axial compression load and failing in overall buckling mode. The column members were fabricated by extrusion using the relatively new heat-treated aluminum alloy 6082-T6. An accurate finite element model has been developed for the simulation of aluminum alloy columns. The developed finite element model was verified against experimental results and demonstrated that it is capable of accurately predicting the deformed shapes and the ultimate loads of the tested columns. A parametric study was carried out on the stability of aluminum alloy column members failing by overall buckling. A fitting column curve was proposed for aluminum alloy design; it was somewhat more conservative than the column curve from current Chinese code GB50429. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]