Compressive Behavior of a Fully Prefabricated Liftable Connection for Modular Steel Construction

Modular steel construction (MSC) consists of the off-site prefabrication a fully finished module and on-site assembling unit. The popularity MSC is on rise, attributable to its technical advantages speed quality buildings with repetitive units. Inter-module connection critical for overall stability load-bearing capacity MSC. An innovative, prefabricated liftable (FPLC) using standard corner fittings long stay bolts proposed in this paper. This paper focuses axial compressive behavior design FPLC. Five full-scale specimens were tested under compression. Local buckling column shear observed during test. It can be concluded from test results that may decrease as number diameter increase. A three-dimensional nonlinear finite element model (FEM) was developed validated against by general purpose software ABAQUS. Furthermore, parametric study conducted verified FEM provide better understanding indicated fitting up 15% lighter columns thicknesses 6 mm 8 without substantial reduction Moreover, location adjusted achieve uniform Von Mises stress equivalent plastic strain (PEEQ) distribution connection. presented research work provides an engineering-practical inter-module behavior, which will helpful references further application