Numerical modelling of a reversible connections between beams and columns of steel modular buildings

Steel modular buildings is an alternative to conventional constructions with the advantages in terms of construction time, reversibility, durability, flexibility and sustainability. This type of construction is composed by modules assembled horizontally and vertically with steel connections. In this work, a steel connection between adjacent modules is proposed, consisting of steel hidden dowel inserted within the hollowed columns. In this study, preliminary results are shown by referring to the simplest configuration of one hidden dowel vertically connecting two steel modules. Its possible kinematics are first analyzed, and thereafter the beam-column joint is studied numerically using a FEM model. The paper presents a preliminary phase of study that is concerned with proposing module solutions that can be adopted in different earthquake hazard areas with low seismic damage and that can be applied for different solutions such as hospitals, schools, housing, etc.