A component-based macro-mechanical model for inter-module connections in steel volumetric buildings

• Published in: Journal of constructional steel research 2023-08, Vol.207, p.107954, Article 107954
• Main Authors: Lim, Robert Z.C., Looi, Daniel T.W., Chen, Man-Tai, Tsang, Hing-Ho, Wilson, John L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Component-based; Inter-module connection; Macro model; Modular construction; Volumetric building
• ISSN: 0143-974X; 1873-5983
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcsr.2023.107954

Inter-module connections (IMC) are a research focus closely related to the robustness of steel volumetric buildings (VB). Many IMC have been proposed by numerous researchers and engineers, experimentally tested and numerically studied using finite element models. However, there are insufficient IMC macro models available, which imposes challenges for engineers to construct a global numerical VB model. Hence, this study aims to close the gap with a component-based macro-mechanical model for the macro-modelling of IMC in steel VB. In this paper, a comprehensive IMC database was collected to identify and characterise the active components. Two types of macro-mechanical models (H-shape and Q-shape) consisting of P-V-M links have been proposed and a novel uplifting mechanism has been derived for a typical IMC (bolted tie plate with shear key). The proposed macro-mechanical model and other existing macro-models were then compared with existing pushover experiments from an IMC subassembly. The proposed macro-mechanical model shows a good match to the existing experimental results, and it is adaptable to existing IMC. •A component-based macro-mechanical model for inter-module connections (IMC) is proposed.•A comprehensive IMC database was collected to identify and characterise the active components.•A novel uplifting mechanism is derived for a typical IMC (bolted tie plate with shear key).•The proposed macro-mechanical model is compared with existing pushover experiments of IMC subassembly.