Load–impulse characterization for steel connection

Abnormal loading generated by blast or impact may cause local damage in a building that may evolve to affect the whole structural system. Therefore, structures have to be designed to prevent such disproportional consequences. Connection is an important contributor to ductility and robustness of the structural steel systems in mitigating such consequences. The aim of this study was to derive a better understanding of how steel connections behave under high-speed loads by means of characterizing their resistance, ultimate strength, and ductility in the form of load–impulse diagrams. The established high-strain-rate resistance properties were applied into simplified frame analyses. The accuracy and cost-effectiveness of the approach were then evaluated comparing the results from detailed and simplified models.