Effect of penetration depth of electro-slag welding on ductility of beam-to-column connection

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to clarify the effect of the ESW penetration depth on the plastic deformation capacity of beam-to-column connections. This paper describes cyclic loading tests of beam-to-column connections with deep penetration of the ESW and the effect of the penetration depth in comparison with past experiments. Three kinds of test specimens with different penetration depths showed high plastic deformation capacity even if the CVN impact energy were low. The test specimens with deep penetration in the diaphragm thickness direction and the column flange thickness direction avoided the brittle fracture originating from the unfused notch of the electro-slag welded joint. The brittle fracture occurred later in the test specimen with shallow penetration in diaphragm thickness direction and deep penetration in the column flange thickness direction. It is shown that both the penetration depth in the column flange direction and the penetration depth in the diaphragm plate thickness direction affect the plastic deformation capacity of beam-to-column connections.