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PUBLICATIONS

Performance of Steel Moment Connections under a Column Removal Scenario. II: Analysis

Published

Author(s)

Fahim H. Sadek, Joseph Main, Hai S. Lew, Sherif El-Tawil

Abstract

This paper presents a computational investigation of the response of steel beam-column assemblies with moment connections under monotonic loading conditions simulating a column removal scenario. Two beam-column assemblies are analyzed, which incorporate (1) welded unreinforced flange-bolted web connections and (2) reduced beam section connections. Detailed models of the assemblies are developed, which use highly refined solid and shell elements to represent nonlinear material behavior and fracture. Reduced models are also developed, which use a much smaller number of beam and spring elements and are intended for use in future studies to assess the vulnerability of complete structural systems to disproportionate collapse. The two modeling approaches are described, and computational results are compared with the results of full-scale tests described in the companion paper. Good agreement is observed, demonstrating that both the detailed and reduced models are capable of capturing the predominant response characteristics and failure modes of the assemblies, including the development of tensile forces associated with catenary action and the ultimate failure of the moment connections under combined bending and axial stresses.
Citation
Journal of Structural Engineering-ASCE
Pub Type
Journals

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0000617
Local Download

Keywords

Buildings, Connections, Finite element method, Nonlinear analysis, Progressive collapse, Seismic design, Steel structures.
Structural engineering

Citation

Sadek, F. , Main, J. , Lew, H. and El-Tawil, S. (2012), Performance of Steel Moment Connections under a Column Removal Scenario. II: Analysis, Journal of Structural Engineering-ASCE, [online], https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0000617 , https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=909213 (Accessed October 10, 2025)

Issues

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Created April 2, 2012, Updated October 12, 2021
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