Bending behavior of an inter-module slider self-locking connection for steel modular buildings

This study investigates a novel slider self-locking connection proposed by the authors' research group. A Four-point bending tests were conducted on the slider self-locking inter-module connections to characterize their failure modes and flexural bearing capacities. The failure mode was characterized by rotational deformation centered at the connection, buckling of the self-locking device base plate, pronounced deformation of the slider, and displacement of the bolt head. A refined finite element (FE) model was developed and validated against experimental data, demonstrating excellent agreement with a discrepancy of 6.55% in initial stiffness and 2.74% in maximum load capacity between the finite element and experimental results. Parametric studies using the validated FE model were performed to investigate the influence of critical parameters, including the material strength grades of the self-locking device and slider, on the flexural performance of the connection. Finally, analytical formulas for calculating the initial flexural stiffness and flexural bearing capacity of the joint were derived. The findings provide a theoretical basis for the flexural design methodology of self-locking connections in steel modular structures.