# Static Bearing Capacity Investigation of a Novel Prefabricated Light-Steel Beam-Column Connection
## 2 Specim Fabrication  
### Configurations and Dimensions of Specimens  
In this study, eight cruciform light-steel beam-column connection specimens were fabricated and tested to failure under static monotonic loading. Figure 2a-h shows the numbering, configuration, and dimensions of eight specimens. All the dimensions shown in Figure 2a-h are in mm. The effect of two configurations of the truss beam on the static bearing capacity of the proposed beam-column connection was investigated (Figure 2a,c). For specimen JU60-1 shown in Figure 2a, two braces of each truss beam are in a \"V\"-shaped arrangement, whereas those for specimen JU60-3 (Figure 2c) are in a \"\(\wedge\)\"-shaped arrangement. The motive is to investigate which type of brace arrangement of the truss beam can bring more benefits to the static bearing capacity of the proposed beam-column connection. Two connection details between the SHS column and the truss-beams can be observed from Figure 2a,b. For the specimen shown in Figure 2a, channel connectors used to connect the truss beams are directly welded to the SHS column by fillet welding; however, for the specimen shown in Figure 2b, channel connectors are welded to the sleeve SHS tube plug-welded to the column. By using the sleeve tube, the SHS column is strengthened locally. Truss beams are bolted to the channel connectors for all specimens. Double truss beams are used on each side of the cruciform beam-column connection specimens named JU60 (Figure 2a-d), whereas a single truss beam is used for specimens named JU100 (Figure 2e-h). The motive of using double truss beams for specimens named with JU60 was to examine whether they have a higher static bearing capacity compared to specimens named JU100 using a single truss beam. Two types of U connectors, U60 and U100 (Figure 3a,b) were used to assemble the truss beams of all specimens. The connector shown in Figure 3a was used for specimens JU60-1, JU60-2, JU60-3, and JU60-4, and that shown in Figure 3b was used for four specimens named JU100. First, screw holes were drilled in a thin-walled hot galvanizing steel sheet, which was then stamped to form a U-connector. The pre-drilled screw holes of the U connector prevent sliding of the screw during screw drilling and expedite assembly speed of the truss beam. Dimensions in Figure 3a,b are in mm. Figure 1: General composition of the cruciform light-steel beam–column connection. Figure 2: _Cont._  
Figure 4a-c shows the connection details between the U connectors and the truss-beam members for specimens JU60-1, JU60-2, JU60-3, and JU60-4. Five self-drilling bolts were used to connecting the U connector and the diagonal SHS brace member, and eight self-drilling bolts were used to connect the U connector and the SHS chord member. Figure 5a-c shows the connection details between the U connectors and the truss-beam members for specimens JU100-1, JU100-2, JU100-3, and JU100-4. Six self-drilling bolts were used to connect the U connector and the diagonal SHS brace member, and eighteen self-drilling bolts were used to connect the U connector and the SHS chord member. Because the configurations of the specimens named JU60 and JU100 were different, two types of channel connectors, including single-channel and double-channel connectors to accommodating the end of truss beams, were used in this study. Figure 6 shows the details of the double-channel connectors for specimens JU60-2 and JU60-4; the SHS sleeve tube was plug-welded to the SHS column. Each double-channel connector could accommodate two truss-beams for specimens JU60-2 and JU60-4. For specimens JU60-1 and JU60-3, the same double-channel connectors without the SHS sleeve tube were directly welded to the SHS column. Figure 4: Connection details between the U connectors and the truss-beam members for specimens named JU60. (**a**) Node at free end of the beam, (**b**) node in the middle, (**c**) node adjacent to the column. Figure 5: Connection details between the U connectors and the truss-beam members for specimens named JU100.