Experimental and Analytical Investigation of Modified Moment Connection of I-Beam to Double-I Built-up Column

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Abstract

This paper presents analytical and experimental studies on the cyclic behavior of modified moment connection of I-beam to double-I built-up column. Traditional connection of I-beam to double-I built-up column, due to flexibility of the column cover plates, acts in a semi-rigid manner. In addition, it does not provide the required strength and ductility for a special moment frame connection. In this paper, it is suggested to reinforce the column cover plate in critical areas by substituting the column cover plate with a thicker and wider plate. To investigate the cyclic behavior of this proposed connection, non-linear finite element numerical analysis and experimental test were carried out on full-scale models. Both analytical and experimental results indicate that this modified connection has sufficient strength and ductility to be used in special moment frames. Its stiffness is also in the range of a fully restrained connection.

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