Seismic behavior of an innovative bolted connection with dual-slot hole for modular steel buildings

•An innovative bolted connection with dual-slot hole was proposed.•Four full-scale specimens were tested and seismic behavior was obtained.•The FEM was validated using test data and different parameters were discussed.•A hysteresis model that compares well with the test curves was given.•Designs to improve the connection’s fast splicing and energy dissipation capacity were found.