PERFORMANCE OF SEISMIC MOMENT RESISTING CONNECTIONS UNDER COLUMN REMOVAL SCENARIO

Published

April 9, 2008

Author(s)

Fahim Sadek, Hai S. Lew, Joseph A. Main, John L. Gross

Abstract

Beam-to-column moment connections in steel frame construction have been studied extensively for seismic applications.  However, the behavior of such connections has not been studied under the monotonic loading conditions expected in progressive collapse scenarios, in which connections are subjected to combined bending and tension.  This paper presents an experimental and analytical assessment of the performance of beam-column assemblies with two types of moment resisting connections under vertical column displacement.  The connections considered include (1) a welded unreinforced flange - bolted web connection and (2) a reduced beam section connection.  The study provides insight into the behavior and failure modes of the connections, including the ability of the connections to carry tensile forces that develop in the beams.  The results indicate that these connections can sustain larger rotations under monotonic loading conditions than under the cyclic loading conditions developed for seismic applications.  Validated models of the connections are developed that capture the primary response characteristics and failure modes.

Proceedings Title

Proceeding of the International Workshop on Connections in Steel Structures 2008 (Connections VI)

Conference Dates

June 23-25, 2008

Conference Location

Chicago, IL

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

Disproportionate Collapse, Finite Element Analysis, Moment Connections, Steel Frames, Progressive Collapse, Structural Robustness

Citation

Sadek, F. , Lew, H. , Main, J. and Gross, J. (2008), PERFORMANCE OF SEISMIC MOMENT RESISTING CONNECTIONS UNDER COLUMN REMOVAL SCENARIO, Proceeding of the International Workshop on Connections in Steel Structures 2008 (Connections VI), Chicago, IL, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=861512 (Accessed October 13, 2025)