A new friction-slip connection for moment frames with continuous beams

Abstract

This paper presents a new configuration for connections in moment frames with continuous beams, which can be used as a friction-slip connection. Some studies on friction-slip connection with this new practice have been performed analytically.In moment frames with continuous beams, two beams are continuously passed next to the column. In current practice for connections in these frames, two vertical connection plates are placed on column flanges; the beams are connecting to these plates via their wings. A new configuration is proposed in this study with the advantage of an in-plane load path. The verification of the new proposed configuration has been done for the welded connection analytically, then some studies have been performed on eight models with friction-slip connection with the new practice. The effects of friction coefficient, design moment, and bolts' pretension load are assessed for two groups of beam sizes. In the new detail, regardless of the size of the beam, the friction joint works as expected. Changing the design moment will change the slip threshold force; as long as the design moment is constant, the change in the pretension load of the bolts or friction coefficient does not change the connection performance. The group slip occurred similar to the theoretical amounts. The amount of energy dissipation for these connections in comparison with corresponding welded connections is considerable; it will increase by increasing the design moment of the connection. So while these friction joints are used as an energy-dissipating system, the structural elements remain elastic.