This paper investigates the behaviour of column base connections and their influence on the overall stability of slender frame structures. It identifies the conditions for the transition of the floor connection from acting as fully fixed to acting as a pinned connection. The conditions depend upon the nature of the loading as well as on the geometry of the structure. The transition conditions at the column bases of a slender portal frame are explored theoretically using a computer algebra package to predict the carrying capacity. An experimental programme to validate the theoretical results is described. The results show good correlation between theoretical and experimental predictions. The theoretical results have also been verified by the use of finite element analysis. Transition conditions for multi-bay slender frame structures are derived using finite element analyses.
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