Tensile resistance and deformation of novel bending T-stub connections against progressive collapse

To improve the anti-progressive collapse performance of top-seat and web-angle connections, a novel bending T-stub connection (BTC) is proposed, and its tensile mechanical properties are studied. Fifteen BTCs were subjected to tensile tests and their resistance and deformation characteristics were analyzed. The test results show that the BTC deformation process undergoes five stages: elastic, T-model yield, V-model yield, transition, and straightening and hardening. Five types of BTC failure modes were observed during uniaxial tension. Compared with the specimen with unbending angle steels, BTC yields larger resistance and deformation capacity outcomes. Based on the existing test and numerical parameter analysis results, the calculation formulas for the resistance and deformation of the V-model when subjected to large deformations were fitted and verified. A flowchart for calculating the BTC's resistance and deformation is presented. The verification results showed that the theoretical analysis values obtained from the flowchart correlated with the test results. These outcomes lay a foundation for research on the anti-collapse behavior of the improved top-seat and web-angle connections. •A novel bending T-stub connection (BTC) was proposed.•Fifteen BTCs were subjected to tensile tests.•BTC had a greater resistance and deformation capacity than specimens with unbending-angle steels.•The deformation process of the BTC involved five stages.•A calculation flowchart of the resistance and deformation of the BTC was provided.