Comparison of Displacement Measurements and Simulation on Fillet Weld of Steel Column Base

The Hyogoken Nanbu earthquake (Kobe earthquake) that occurred on January 17. 1995, caused extensive and severe damages to a large number of buildings in Kobe city area. After the earthquake many steel structures were constructed using frame welded joint of welded construction and welded base. However, the capacity of these weld joints to absorb energy during earthquakes is small. For that reason, it is believed that in the design of steel structures that use welded joints, strong earthquake resistant characteristics must be provided in special for those joints of the steel welded bases. Moreover, these weld joints have little capacity to absorb energy during earthquakes. Therefore, for designing steel structures incorporating welded joints, strong earthquake-resistance characteristics must be specially provided for those joints of steel welded bases. Furthermore, structural monitoring will be necessary. Using simple dynamic measurements and simulations, this report evaluates the resistance and displacement characteristics of fillet welded construction by piezoelectric joint sensors.