Experimental Results for Seismic Resistant Steel Moment Frame Connections
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 122, Issue 6
Abstract
Steel moment resisting frames were highly regarded for seismic resistant design. This opinion was based on early research and observations of their performance in past earthquakes. Its reputation was tarnished during the 1994 Northridge earthquake, because cracking was noted in many steel frame buildings. Widely divergent opinions have been expressed regarding the causes of this cracking. The present paper examines the results of past experiments to provide a rational evaluation of potential causes of the observed damage. More than 120 experiments are reviewed, and 91 are examined in detail. Comparisons across different test programs and statistical analyses are performed. The results show that flexural ductility of the beam is reduced by shear yielding in the panel zone and increased beam depth. Beam-flange thickness, column orientation, and beam span to depth ratio also influence the flexural ductility. Other factors including welding process, the size and type of weld, and the yield stress and tensile strength of the steel are briefly examined. The implications of these observations to engineering practice are summarized.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
1.
Bertero, V. V., Krawinkler, H., and Popov, E. P. (1973). “Further studies on seismic behavior of steel beam-to-column subassemblages.”EERC Rep. 73-27, Univ. of California, Berkeley, Calif.
2.
Englehart, M. D., and Husain, A. S. (1993). “Cyclic loading performance of welded flange–bolted web connections.” ASCE, J. Struct. Engrg., ASCE, 119(12), 3537–3550.
3.
Krawinkler, H., Bertero, V. V., and Popov, E. P. (1971). “Inelastic behavior of steel beam-to-column subassemblages.”EERC Rep. 71-7, Univ. of California, Berkeley, Calif.
4.
Popov, E. P., and Pinkney, R. B. (1968). “Behavior of steel building connections subjected to inelastic strain hardening.”Bull. No. 14, AISI.
5.
Popov, E. P., and Pinkney, R. B.(1969). “Cyclic yield reversals in steel building connections.”J. Struct. Div., ASCE, 95(3), 327–353.
6.
Popov, E. P., and Stephen, R. M. (1970). “Cyclic loading of full size steel connections.”EERC Rep. 70-3, Univ. of California, Berkeley, Calif.
7.
Popov, E. P., Bertero, V. V., and Chandramouli, S. (1975). “Hysteretic behavior of steel columns.”EERC Rep. 75-11, Univ. of California, Berkeley, Calif.
8.
Popov, E. P., Amin, N. R., Louie, J. J., and Stephen, R. M.(1986). “Cyclic behavior of large beam-column assemblies.”Engrg. J., 23(1), 9–23.
9.
Roeder, C. W., Schneider, S. P., and Carpenter, J. E.(1993). “Seismic behavior of moment-resisting steel frames: Analytical study.”J. Struct. Engrg., ASCE, 119(6), 1866–1884.
10.
SAC Joint Venture, Sacramento, Calif. (1994). “Invitational workshop on steel seismic issues.”Proc., Los Angeles, Calif.
11.
SAC Joint Venture, Sacramento, Calif. (1995). Preliminary Rep. on SAC Test Results, Univ. of Texas at Austin and Univ. of California, Berkeley, Calif.
12.
SAC Joint Venture, Sacramento, Calif. (1995). “Steel moment frame connection advisory.”No. 3, SAC 95-01 . San Diego, Calif.
13.
Schneider, S. P., Roeder, C. W., and Carpenter, J. E.(1993). “Seismic behavior of moment-resisting steel frames: Experimental study.”J. Struct. Engrg., ASCE, 119(6), 1885–1902.
14.
Tsai, K. C., and Popov, E. P. (1988). “Steel beam-column joints in seismic moment resisting frames.”EERC Rep. 88/19, Univ. of California, Berkeley, Calif.
15.
Uniform building code. (1988). Int. Conf. of Build. Officials, Whittier, Calif.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 122 • Issue 6 • June 1996
Pages: 581 - 588
Copyright
Copyright © 1996 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Jun 1, 1996
Published in print: Jun 1996
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.