Cyclic Behavior of Electroslag Welded Joints in Beam-to-Built-Up Box Column Steel Moment Connections
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 145, Issue 12
Abstract
Steel special moment frames (SMFs) with built-up box columns are often used in taller buildings when two orthogonal axes of participating moment frames intersect. Interior diaphragm (or continuity) plates are usually required to strengthen the column at the beam flanges. A common US practice is to use the electroslag weld (ESW) process to provide complete-joint-penetration (CJP) groove welds connecting the plates to the blindside of the box column after it has been welded closed. Available research in Asia has shown that ESW joints used in this application are vulnerable to brittle fracture. Limited research and guidelines are available in US seismic design codes. The design standard for prequalified connections is primarily developed for SMF connections with wide-flange columns in strong-axis bending. To address the use of large box columns in SMFs with reduced beam section (RBS) connections, a test program with three full-scale specimens was conducted; the depth of the column section also exceeded the prequalification limit. Test results showed that the quality of ESW and SMF joint detailing was crucial for the integrity of the connections. Modifications to ESW detailing and welding process included the use of beveled containment plates intended to delay crack development that might initiate from a notch-like condition inside the flange of the box column. SMF detailing recommendations include an enlarged weld access hole geometry and steel backing treatment of the beam top flange.
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Acknowledgments
The test program was sponsored by Judicial Council of California (JCC). The authors are grateful to Dr. Ker-Chun Lin at the National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering in Taiwan for sharing a patented detail for ESW welding that is commonly used for ESW welding in Taiwan, and to Arcmatic Welding for sharing their development of narrow-gap electroslag welding. Professor Kenneth Vecchio, Department of Nanoengineering, University of California San Diego, assisted in characterizing the mechanical properties of the welded joints.
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Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 145 • Issue 12 • December 2019
Copyright
©2019 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 6, 2018
Accepted: Mar 7, 2019
Published online: Sep 19, 2019
Published in print: Dec 1, 2019
Discussion open until: Feb 19, 2020
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