Damage Evaluation of T-Stub Connected to Hollow Section Column Using Blind Bolts under Tension

The quantitative calculation and evaluation of seismic damage play a crucial role in ensuring structural safety, conducting performance-based structural analysis, and implementing seismic strengthening measures. However, there is limited research on the damage performance of blind-bolted T-stub steel connections used extensively in prefabricated buildings. In this study, the tensile sub model of a blind-bolted T-stub steel connection in a beam–column joint is investigated. The influence of the flange and web thickness of the T-stub connector, as well as the shear-loaded connecting bolts on the web of the T-stub, on the tensile performance of the sub model are considered. Four tensile destructive tests are conducted on a T-stub connector connected to a hollow section column using blind bolts. The experimental results, including failure modes, force–displacement curves, and strain development in the hollow section column and T-stub, are discussed and analyzed in this study. The test results reveal three main failure modes for this tensile substructure: the plastic deformation of the hollow section column, the bending fracture of the T-stub flange, and the fracture of the T-stub web bolt holes due to compression. Furthermore, a ductile damage finite element analysis method is employed to simulate the fracture damage process of the substructure, and the corresponding damage index is calculated using the typical Park–Ang damage model for evaluation, showing good agreement with the damage classification levels specified in FEMA.