Experimental study on the seismic behaviour of sleeve joint for beam-column connection.

This paper proposes the use of sleeve joints for the steel connection of concrete-filled, square, tubular columns to H-beams. To study the influence of the sleeve height and thickness, three joint specimens were designed and subjected to low-cycle loading tests. The effect of these size parameters is evaluated in terms of specimen stiffness, load-bearing capacity, energy dissipation capacity, ductility performance and shear deformation of the joint. The experimental results show that under the reciprocating load, the ultimate failure modes of the connection are tearing of the joints at the beam-sleeve interface and the welded column-sleeve interface. Increased sleeve thickness significantly increases the bearing capacity, stiffness, energy dissipation capacity and ductility of the members and joints, by reducing the strength degradation and stiffness degradation of the members. The joint strength and stiffness degradation is stable, with good ductility and energy dissipation capacity that meets seismic requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]