Techno Press
Techno Press

Steel and Composite Structures
  Volume 59, Number 5, June 10 2026 , pages 631-653
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12989/scs.2026.59.5.631
 


Shear performance of screwed sleeve connection for modular steel structures
Xinyi Song, Xiaoyu Yan, Zhanguo Ma, Yidu Bu, Pinhan Wen, Ying Wang, Hongfei Chang

 
Abstract
    The connection between modules is critical to ensuring the overall structural safety of modular steel buildings. However, many existing modular systems require openings to be made in the column walls, which adversely affect the global structural performance. Additionally, existing non-opening connection systems generally exhibit relatively low stiffness and load-bearing capacity. To address these issues, this study proposes a novel connection, screwed sleeve connection (SSC) for modular steel structures, which connects modules inside the columns and preserves the integrity of the modules. Four sets of symmetric connections were tested to investigate its shear performance, considering the influences of sleeve diameter, sleeve thickness and different connection configurations. Test results show that connection failure is governed by the screwed sleeve (SS), progressing through four stages: shearing of the locating rod (LR), yielding of the sleeve, buckling of the sleeve and strengthening of the sleeve. A finite element model was developed and validated against the experimental results, followed by parametric analyses. Subsequent parametric analyses revealed that the sleeves diameter and thickness are key factors affecting the shear performance. A 40% increase in the sleeve-to-column thickness ratio led to a 31.97% increase in the shear strength, while a 24% increase in the sleeve diameter-to-column cavity net width ratio led to a 27.84% increase. A simplified model is proposed to predict the shear strength of SSC, showing satisfactory accuracy for practical engineering applications.
 
Key Words
    inter-module connection; modular structure; prediction model; screwed sleeve; shear performance
 
Address
Xinyi Song:JiangSu Key Laboratory of Environmental Impact and Structural Safety in Engineering, China University of
Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China

Xiaoyu Yan:JiangSu Key Laboratory of Environmental Impact and Structural Safety in Engineering, China University of
Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China

Zhanguo Ma:JiangSu Key Laboratory of Environmental Impact and Structural Safety in Engineering, China University of
Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China

Yidu Bu:School of Sustainability, Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Surrey,
Surrey GU2 7XH, United Kingdom

Pinhan We:1)JiangSu Key Laboratory of Environmental Impact and Structural Safety in Engineering, China University of
Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
2)Suzhou industrial Park high-end manufacturing and international trade zone, Suzhou 215024, China

Ying Wang:1)1JiangSu Key Laboratory of Environmental Impact and Structural Safety in Engineering, China University of
Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
2)School of Civil Engineering, Xinjiang Institute of Engineering, Urumqi, 830023, China

Hongfei Chang:1)1JiangSu Key Laboratory of Environmental Impact and Structural Safety in Engineering, China University of
Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
2)School of Civil Engineering, Xinjiang Institute of Engineering, Urumqi, 830023, China
 

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