Application of Full Depth Side Plate to Moment Connection of I-Beam to Double-I Column

Abstract

Double-I built-up columns are used extensively in low and medium rise steel structures. These sections have inherent compression, torsion and bending strength in all directions. The open sides of this type of column are covered with plates. When I beams are connected to double-I built-up columns through the column cover plate, the load transfer at the joint becomes a disturbing problem. To modify the connection, the authors propose a special type of connection using side plates. In this method the end of a beam is connected to the column by full depth side plates instead of direct welding of the beam ends to the column. The new geometry eliminates the traditional welded connection between the end of the beam and the face of the column. A series of eight non-linear, three dimensional finite elements models were developed to study the behaviour of the connection under cyclic loadings. The results obtained from the numerical analyses indicate that the proposed connection geometry has sufficient strength and ductility to be applied in “special moment frames (SMF)” as a “full strength” connection.