Tensile Capacity of Partial Penetration Groove Welds

The flanges of six W14x320 sections with milled ends were joined together at midheight with different size partial penetration groove welds to form short columns; one additional specimen had complete penetration groove welds through both flanges. Four of the specimens were failed directly in tension; three were subjected to a few compression-tension cycles until failure. The experiments were designed to simulate conditions which can develop in some columns of steel frames during severe earthquakes. The spliced joints developed their specified strengths with the smallest weld attaining highest stress. Failure for all specimens with partial penetration groove welds occurred through the splice exhibiting very limited ductility. The data generated by these experiments should be useful for earthquake design as well as provide basic information on the behavior of partial penetration groove welds of unprecedented size.