Cyclic Behavior of Gabled Frames with Web-Tapered Columns and Rafters

Cyclic loading tests were conducted on three 1/2-scale, half-bay steel gabled frames (SGFs) to investigate their seismic performance. The three specimens with reduced joint stiffness were designed based on the prototype drawing shown in China design guideline 02SG518—1: specimen SV1 with a reduced thickness of the joint end-plate and bolt diameter, specimen SV2 with a reduced number of bolts, and specimen SV3 with a reduced bolt diameter. The load capacity, rotational stiffness, rotational capacity, and ultimate failure mode of specimens SV1, SV2, and SV3 were investigated. The experimental results showed that specimen SV1 failed due to the local buckling of the lower flange of the rafter, and specimens SV2 and SV3 due to the local buckling of upper flange of the rafter. The joint zone of all specimens kept well, indicating that the prototype joint had a large margin of safety. The hysteresis curves of all specimens were not full, and the ductility and energy dissipation capacity were limited. The end-plate thickness, bolt diameter, and steel grade affected the hysteresis performance of the SGF little. A refined finite element model was established, and the predicted results compared well with the test results. The test and analysis results demonstrated that there was slight utilization and distribution of post-buckling strength.