Recent research has demonstrated the importance of reserve capacity for collapse prevention of low-ductility steel concentrically-braced frames (CBFs) commonly used in moderate seismic regions. The beam-column connections within CBFs may be a viable means of providing this reserve capacity, but the cyclic flexural response of these connections is largely unstudied. This research investigates cyclic flexural behavior and performance of various beam-column connection configurations for use in CBFs. A typical connection using double angles provides the baseline and alternate details using end plates, thicker double angles, and supplementary seat angles are studied using full-scale tests. The local behavior of the connection region is characterized by observations related to beam-gusset plate weld failure and principal strain distribution in the gusset plate and beam web.
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