Structural Model for beam-upright connection in high-rise cold-formed steel storage rack structures

Abstract

Ultra-high steel storage racks are becoming more common to accommodate Automatic Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS). This type of structure employs partially restrained connections at the beam-to-column joints. Accurate structural analysis of this type of structure requires a realistic structural model for the beam-to-column joint.  This research presents beam-to-column joints model for the design of high-rise cold-formed steel storage racks.  This study consisted of analyzing beam-to-column joint tests from past studies and developing a moment-rotation joint model based on an appropriate mathematical function and statistical analysis. When used in a structural analysis simulation, it was found that the moment-rotation response from model could predict the beam-column joint behavior with acceptable accuracy. Therefore, it can be concluded that proposed model could be used in the design process and performance evaluation of the steel storage racks