Experimental analysis of innovative dissipative bolted double split tee beam-to-column connections

The use of double split tee (DST) connections in seismic zones may represent an interesting solution from the technological point of view because of easy substitution of damaged components after destructive seismic events. But despite this significant advantage, partial-strength DST connections have found limited application so far because their use requires that tee elements are characterized by high plastic deformation capacity to assure adequate energy dissipation. Therefore, in order to overcome the limitations to the energy dissipation capacity of traditional DST connections due to significant pinching of hysteresis loops and aiming at the development of a structural solution able to withstand severe seismic events without damage to members and connecting elements, this paper proposes two different innovative dissipative solutions for DST connections and investigates their performance by means of an experimental programme whose results are presented and discussed.