Sustainable and Resilient Steel Structures: A FEM-Based Analysis of Clamp Connections with IPE220 Profile
摘要
The pursuit of sustainable construction practices has led to the development of innovative structural solutions that minimize environmental impact while ensuring mechanical efficiency. Clamp-based connections have emerged as a viable alternative to traditional welded or bolted joints, offering the advantages of reversibility, reusability, and reduced material waste. This study presents a numerical analysis using the Finite Element Method (FEM) to investigate the structural performance of steel connections with clamp systems, focusing on the impact of geometric variations when replacing an IPE200 profile with an IPE220 profile. The FEM simulations were calibrated based on experimental results from previous tests to ensure model accuracy. The analysis revealed that the IPE220 profile exhibited a 10% reduction in maximum displacement compared to the IPE200 profile, demonstrating the positive influence of increased moment of inertia on the connection’s behavior. Stress distributions indicated a uniform load transfer through the clamp interfaces, with the material remaining within the elastic range throughout the loading process. These results confirm the mechanical reliability of clamp-based connections, highlighting their potential to enhance structural adaptability and resource efficiency. The reversible nature of these connections enables the reuse of structural components without compromising performance, aligning with contemporary strategies for reducing waste and promoting the circular economy. The findings of this study underscore the relevance of clamp-based connections as a sustainable and resilient solution for modern steel structures. The adoption of such systems can significantly reduce the environmental footprint of construction activities while offering practical, flexible, and mechanically efficient alternatives for diverse engineering applications.