Seismic Design of RBS Moment Connections Strengthened With Welded Inclined Plates

Abstract

The chapter discusses the seismic design of reduced beam section (RBS) moment connections strengthened with welded inclined plates. The finite element analysis shows that the presence of vertical stiffeners in the web of beam results in increase of axial force in inclined plates. By applying compatibility condition, an equation for computing the axial force of inclined plates is obtained. In this equation, the effect of vertical stiffeners is considered by a correction coefficient. A model that considers simple truss member behavior of inclined plates is also proposed in the chapter. In RBS moment connections, a portion of the flanges of the beam near the column is cut out to shift the plastic hinging away from the face of column. This reduces the possibility of brittle failure conditions. To improve the RBS behavior, inclined plates are used.