Seismic Performance of Reduced Beam Section Moment Connections to Deep Columns

摘要

The use of reduced beam section (RBS) moment connections has become popular in the seismic resistant design of steel special moment resisting frames (SMF). Deep columns in SMFs are desirable because they offer more economical drift control compared to shallower columns (e.g., W12 or W14 sections). The lack of knowledge about the behavior of RBS connections to a deep column under seismic loading conditions led to the experimental study presented in this paper. The seismic performance of the deep column RBS connection test specimens having a composite floor slab with lateral bracing, or no floor slab and a supplemental lateral brace at the RBS, were found to meet the criteria in Appendix S of the AISC Seismic Provisions for qualifying the connection for seismic resistant design.