SEISMIC ANALYSIS FOR STEEL BEAM TO COLUMN JOINT CONNECTION: A REVIEW

Abstract

Different steel sections provide an alternative to typical wide flange section in low-rise seismic
moment resisting frame. Their beneficial strength to weight ratio as well as bending, compression and
torsional resistance increase the versatility of moment frames and potentially improves performance under
earthquake loads. With an understanding of current design requirement for seismic moment connection
and static beam to column connection. Fully welded unreinforced connection are explored through finite
element analyses. However, performance is limited due to column face plastification and inability to
develop the plastic moment capacity of the beam. To rectify this problem through plate and external
diaphragm plate beam to column moment connection are analysed. Several important geometric
parameters such as the beam width-column width ratio, beam thickness-column thickness ratio, plate
length and plate thickness are considered to understand their effect on the connection moment capacity
and sources of inelastic rotation. The through plate and external diaphragm reinforcement greatly improve
the connection behaviour moving yielding away from the column face and into the beam member. The
results from the reinforced connection are used in combination with current seismic design provisions to
develop a design procedure that optimizes the performance of these connections. The reinforced
connection can be detailed to develop plastic hinging in the beam member while minimizing the likelihood
of a non-ductile weld failure.