Analytical investigation on performance of special moment-resisting connections with unequal beam depths

Abstract

SUMMARY This study considers the effect of detailing of an interior beam to column connection with unequal beam depths on seismic performance of special moment-resisting frame (SMRF), which has not explicitly been taken into account, despite its possible occurrence in engineering practice, by the current codes and provisions. Studied detailing consists of a continuity plate arrangement, cover plate, flange plate and haunch connection system as alternatives in order to connect a shallow beam and a deep beam to column. To improve the understanding of seismic performance in SMRF connections, coordinated analytical and experimental studies have been conducted to examine the effect of different geometries and the mentioned alternatives on the seismic performance of SMRF with unequal beam depths. This work describes the analytical studies and includes a summary of the experimental results used in the development and validation of the analytical models; the experiment and analyses show that some detailing could provide ductile behavior with a total storey drift angle of 0.06 rad before experiencing 20% strength degradation while other detailing would not satisfy this criterion. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.