Design of newly proposed partially embedded transfer connection in steel-concrete vertically irregular structures

Anchorage in transfer connections significantly affects the dynamic response of steel-reinforced concrete vertically irregular structures under seismic conditions. The partially embedded transfer connection with wing wall (PETC-WW) has been proposed and experimentally validated, demonstrating superior moment resistance, enhanced structural stiffness, and improved energy dissipation capacity compared to conventional deeply embedded connections (DECs). This paper aims to investigate the effect of key parameters on the anchorage performance and failure mechanisms of the PETC-WW by finite element (FE) analyses using the ABAQUS programme. The concrete plastic damage model (CDPM) was implemented to account for the varying confining effects exerted by the H-shape steel and stirrups on the concrete. The accuracy of the FE model was verified by comparing its predictions with the test results in terms of moment-drift ratio curves, strain-drift ratio curves, and failure modes. The validated FE model was employed to conduct a comprehensive parametric study on the anchorage performance and failure mechanisms of the PETC-WW. The practical design methods for embedded depth and short steel beam length, along with empirical recommendations for axial load of the PETC-WW are proposed and validated based on FE results. The findings provide an essential fundamental for the design of PETC-WW of multi-story and large-span steel-concrete vertically irregular structures under seismic conditions.