STRUCTURALSTEELEDUCATIONALCOUNCIL

TECHNICALINFORMATION& PRODUCT SERVICE

AUGUST 1999

Design of Reduced Beam Section (RBS) Moment Frame Connections

by
Kevin S. Moore, James O. Malley, Michael D. Engelhardt

D E S I G N OF R E D U C E D B E A M S E C T I O N (RBS) MOMENT FRAME CONNECTIONS

ABOUT T H E AUTHORS
KEVIN S. MOORE is a Design E n g i n e e r with Degenkolb E n g i n e e r s in S a n Francisco, California. He e a r n e d his M.S. degree at The University of Texas at A u s t i n w o r k i n g u n d e r th e direction of Dr. J. A. Y u r a a n d Dr. M. D. E n g e l h a r d t . While c o n d u c t i n g r e s e a r c h , Kevin a s s i s t e d Dr. E n g e l h a r d t with m a t e r i a l testing for th e '~UT Tests," s o m e of th e first m o m e n t c o n n e c t i o n tests following t he 1994 Northridge e a r t h q u a k e . He was th e lead e n g i n e e r for a 5-stolry SMF building utilizing RBS c o n n e c t i o n s c o n s t r u c t e d in S a n F r a n c i s c o a n d is a registered Professional E n g i n e e r in California.
J A M E S 0. MALLEY is a Senior Principal at Degenkolb E n g i n e e r s in S a n Francisco, Califor-

nia. He is t he Project Director for Topical Investigations of the SAC J o i n t V e n t u r e P a r t n e r s h i p . The SAC J o i n t V e n t u r e w a s c r e a t e d to develop guideline d o c u m e n t s for t h e design, evaluation, a n d repair of steel m o m e n t frame bui l d in g s in r e s p o n s e to th e d a m a g e c a u s e d by th e Northridge e a r t h q u a k e . J i m h a s b e e n involved with m a n y steel design a n d peer review projects, i n c l u d i n g t he 5-story SMF building listed above. He is a m e m b e r of th e AISC C o m m i t t e e on Specifications a n d Chair of t he Seismic S u b c o m m i t t e e a n d h a s a u t h o r e d n u m e r o u s p a p e r s on steel design a n d c o n s t r u c t i o n t h r o u g h o u t h is career. He is also a r e g i s t e r e d S t r u c t u r a l Engin e e r in California. MICHAEL D. ENGELHARDT is a n a s s o ciate professor of Civil E n g i n e e r i n g at The University of Texas at Austin. Mike t e a c h e s c o u r s e s on s t r u c t u r a l steel design at The University of Texas a n d c o n d u c t s r e s e a r c h on seismic r e s i s t a n t steel framing. His previous w o r k i n c l u d e s m a j o r c o n t r i b u t i o n s to t h e d e v e l o p m e n t a n d validation of eccentrically b r a c e d f r a m e s (EBFs). Mike h a s b e e n a n active p a r t i c i p a n t in m o m e n t c o n n e c t i o n r e s e a r c h since t h e 1994 Northridge e a r t h q u a k e a n d h a s w o r k e d extensively on RBS r e l a t e d r e s e a r c h . Mike is a m e m b e r of AISC T a s k C o m m i t t e e N u m b e r 113 on Seismic Design a n d is a registered Professional E n g i n e e r in California.

D E S I G N OF REDUCED B E A M S E C T I O N (RBS) MOMENT FRAME CONNECTIONS

CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................... 1 1.1 DESCRIPTION OF SMF ................................................................................. 1 1.2 BACKGROUND OF RBS ............................................................................... 2 HISTORY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF RBS SMF CONNECTIONS ........................ 3 2.1 INITIAL RESEARCH ....................................................................................... 3 SUMMARY OF TEST RESULTS .............................................................................. 4 3.1 OVERVIEW OF TEST RESULTS FOR RADIUS CUT RBS SPECIMENS ........... 4 RBS DESIGN PROCEDURE FOR SMFS .................................................................. 6 4.1 RBS DESIGN ................................................................................................. 6 4.2 RBS SIZING .................................................................................................. 7 4.3 STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE ...................................................................... 10 4.4 ADDITIONAL DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 RBS DESIGN EXAMPLE ....................................................................................... 18 PROCEDURES FOR ACCEPTANCE OF DESIGN BY BUILDING AUTHORITIES ...21 6. I C O M M U N I C A T I O N ....................................................................................... 21 6.2 METHODOLOGY ......................................................................................... 22 6.3 CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS ................................................................... 22 FABRICATION AND INSPECTION ISSUES ........................................................... 22 7.1 CUTTING AND GRINDING ........................................................................... 22 7.2 WELDING .................................................................................................... 23 REFERENCES ....................................................................................................... 25 APPENDIX A ......................................................................................................... Ai

3. 4.

6.

LIST OF FIGURES
1.1 1.2 2.1 2.2 PRE-NORTHRIDGE MOMENT CONNECTION DETAIL ................................................. 1 RADIUS CUT RBS MOMENT CONNECTION ............................................................... 2 TAPERED CUT RBS MOMENT CONNECTION ............................................................ 3 E X A M P L E O F L A B O R A T O R Y B E H A V I O R O F R A D I U S C U T R B S T E S T S P E C I M E N ..... 4 (A) DETAIL OF TEST SPECIMEN ........................................................................... 4 (B) RESPONSE OF TEST SPECIMEN ..................................................................... 4 MOMENT DIAGRAM AND BEAM GEOMETRY FOR RBS ............................................. 7 GEOMETRY OF RADIUS CUT RBS ............................................................................. 8 TYPICAL MOMENT FRAME BEAM WITH RBS CONNECTIONS ................................... 8 B E A M A T M I N I M U M S E C T I O N O F R B S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 F R E E B O D Y D I A G R A M B E T W E E N C E N T E R S O F R B S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 FREE BODY DIAGRAM BETWEEN CENTER OF RBS AND FACE OF COLUMN FLANGE ............................................................................ 12 F R E E B O D Y D I A G R A M F O R C A L C U L A T I O N O F C O L U M N M O M E N T S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 C O M P A R I S O N O F T E S T R E S U L T S F O R C O V E R P L A T E D A N D R B S C O N N E C T I O N S 17 RBS DIMENSIONS ................................................................................................... 18 P O R T I O N O F E X A M P L E B E A M B E T W E E N R B S C E N T E R S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 CONNECTION DETAIL FOR DESIGN EXAMPLE ....................................................... 21

4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 5.1 5.2 5.3

DESIGN OF REDUCED BEAM SECTION (RBS) MOMENT FRAME CONNECTIONS

I.

Introduction

W h e n s u b j e c t e d to a major e a r t h q u a k e , buildings designed to m e e t the design requirem e n t s of typical building codes, s u c h as the UniI'orm B u i l d i n g ~ C o d e (1997), are expected to have d a m a g e to both s t r u c t u r a l a n d n o n s t r u c t u r a l elements. The s t r u c t u r a l design for large seismic events m u s t therefore explicitly consider the effects of r e s p o n s e beyond th e elastic range. The "Special Moment Frame" (SMF) steel building system is designed s u c h t h a t t he c o n n e c t i o n s b e t w e e n t he f r a m e beams and columns absorb substantial energy a n d provide major contributions to the d i s p l a c e m e n t ductility d e m a n d .

Recent s t u d i e s by Lee (1997) a n d o t h e r s h a v e d e m o n s t r a t e d t h a t this a s s u m p t i o n is far different from the a c t u a l behavior.

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I I : I . 7/8" A325-XB LS 1 OT

1.1

D e s c r i p t i o n o f SMF Figure 1. I Pre-Northridge Moment Connection Detail

In th e design of SMF c o n n e c t i o n s , t h e e n g i n e e r m u s t set objectives for both load a n d d e f o r m a t i o n capacities. Usually, the load c a p a c i t y r e q u i r e m e n t is b a s e d on the plastic m o m e n t of th e b eam. The c o n n e c t i o n m u s t be strong e n o u g h to develop t h e s t r e n g t h of the b e a m , t h u s r e d u c i n g th e risk of brittle failure in the c o n n e c t i o n . Inelastic deformation c a p a c i t y is r e q u i r e d to a s s u r e ductility in p r e d e t e r m i n e d locations w h e n s u b j e c t e d to large d e f o r m a t i o n d e m a n d s . After some of the p r o b l e m s observed in SMF c o n n e c t i o n s after the Northridge e a r t h q u a k e , a c o m m o n p h i l o s o p h y h a s b e e n to design the c o n n e c t i o n to r e m a i n n o m i n a l l y elastic at the c o l u m n face, a n d force t h e inelastic d e f o r m a t i o n of the frame to o c c u r in a portion of the b e a m , a w a y from th e connection. This p h i l o s o p h y is e x e c u t e d by u s i n g a "capacity design" a p p r o a c h . The plastic m o m e n t a n d a s s o c i a t e d s h e a r of the b e a m is b a s e d on probable s t r e n g t h s of materials. These m a x i m u m s t h e n b e c o m e t h e design loads for the co n n ectio n . The c o n n e c t i o n of the b e a m to th e c o l u m n flange is t h e n d e s i g n e d u s i n g n o m i n a l m a t e r i a l properties. Most post-Northridge c o n n e c t i o n d e s i g n s locate t h e plastic h i n g e (where inel as t i c

A SMF lateral force resisting s y s t e m is often preferred by building o w n e r s a n d a r c h i t e c t s b e c a u s e this type of s y s t e m provides large u n o b s t r u c t e d s p a c e s t h r o u g h o u t the building plan. This "open" layout offers the m o s t flexibility for p r o g r a m m i n g the spaces as well as a r c h i t e c t u r a l a p p o i n t m e n t s . For t he s e reasons, steel buildings with SMF s y s t e m s are quite c o m m o n in m a j o r c o m m e r c i a l a n d instit ut i ona l s t r u c t u r e s . F u r t h e r m o r e , t h e SMF s y s t e m is c o n s i d e r e d by m a n y to be one of the m o s t ductile steel building s y s t e m s available to the engineer. For this r e a s o n , SMF s y s t e m s have b e e n widely u s e d in a r e a s of high seismicity. SMFs are typically c o m p r i s e d of c o n n e c tions b e t w e e n wide flange b e a m s a n d c o l u m n s w h e r e b e a m flanges are welded to c o l u m n flanges utilizing complete joint penetration welds. Figure 1.1 s how s a typical u n r e i n f o r c e d design detail for a beam-to-colu m n c o n n e c t i o n u s e d in SMF s y s t e m s prior to the 1994 Northridge e a r t h q u a k e . C o m m o n practice prior to the Northridge e a r t h q u a k e was to either bolt or weld the web to the colu m n s h e a r plate, a n d to weld the b e a m flanges to the c o l u m n flange u s i n g a complete joint p e n e t r a t i o n groove weld. Historically, de si gne rs have a s s u m e d t h a t b e a m s h e a r is t r a n s f e r r e d to the c o l u m n by the b e a m web c o n n e c t i o n a n d the m o m e n t is t r a n s f e r r e d t h r o u g h t h e b e a m flanges.

DESIGN OF REDUCED BEAM SECTION (RBS} MOMENT FRAME CONNECTIONS

d e f o r m a t i o n s a r e c o n c e n t r a t e d in t h e SMF b e a m ) a w a y f r o m t h e c o l u m n flange t h r o u g h r e i n f o r c i n g a s h o r t p o r t i o n of t h e b e a m n e a r t h e c o l u m n . By i n c r e a s i n g t h e s t r e n g t h of t h e b e a m in t h i s region, a plastic h i n g e will t e n d to form j u s t a d j a c e n t to t h e r e i n f o r c e d portion of t h e b e a m . T h e i n h e r e n t difficulty w i t h utilizing a r e i n f o r c e d b e a m - c o l u m n c o n n e c tion is t h e i n c r e a s e d m a t e r i a l a n d l a b o r c o s t s a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h i s c o n n e c t i o n a n d t h e SMF s y s t e m as well as r e q u i r i n g w e l d s t h a t are difficult a n d costly to m a k e a n d i n s p e c t . Following t h e N o r t h r i d g e e a r t h q u a k e , t h e y w a i v e d all p a t e n t a n d c l a i m r i g h t s a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e RBS for t h e benefit of t h e p r o f e s s i o n . This g r a c i o u s g e s t u r e allowed f u r t h e r develo p m e n t of t h e c o n c e p t for u s e in p o s t - N o r t h ridge SMF b u i l d i n g s . T h e s h a p e , size a n d l o c a t i o n of t h e RBS all h a v e a n effect o n t h e c o n n e c t i o n d e m a n d s and performance. Various shapes have been t e s t e d a n d u s e d in n e w c o n s t r u c t i o n d u r i n g t h e p a s t several y e a r s . Test p r o g r a m s h a v e b e e n p e r f o r m e d to investigate s t r a i g h t c u t (Plumier, 1997), t a p e r c u t (Chen, et.al. 1996) a n d r a d i u s c u t ( E n g e l h a r d t 1997; T r e m b l a y , et.al. 1997; Popov, et.al. 1998) r e d u c e d b e a m sections. T h e RBS forces yielding a n d h i n g e f o r m a tion to o c c u r w i t h i n t h e r e d u c e d s e c t i o n of t h e b e a m a n d limits t h e m o m e n t t h a t c a n be d e v e l o p e d at t h e face of t h e c o l u m n . By r e d u c i n g d e m a n d s on t h e b e a m flange groove welds and the surrounding base metal r e g i o n s , t h e RBS r e d u c e s t h e p o s s i b i l i t y of f r a c t u r e s o c c u r r i n g in this v u l n e r a b l e region. A l t h o u g h t h e RBS e s s e n t i a l l y w e a k e n s t h e b e a m , its i m p a c t o n t h e o v e r a l l l a t e r a l s t r e n g t h a n d stiffness of a steel m o m e n t f r a m e is g e n e r a l l y q u i t e small. T h e i n e l a s t i c d e f o r m a t i o n f o c u s e d in a n RBS c o n n e c t i o n r e m a i n s in t h e r e d u c e d b e a m s e c t i o n , w h i c h c a n be d e s i g n e d a n d located such that minimal protective measu r e s n e e d to be t a k e n at t h e c o n n e c t i o n of b e a m to c o l u m n . The s m a l l e r m o m e n t g e n e r a t e d a t t h e face of t h e c o l u m n for a n RBS c o n n e c t i o n , in a d d i t i o n to r e d u c i n g s t r e s s levels on t h e welds, also offers s o m e a d v a n t a g e s in satisfying s t r o n g c o l u m n - w e a k b e a m r e q u i r e m e n t s a n d in m i n i m i z i n g c o l u m n d o u b l e r plate r e q u i r e m e n t s . F a b r i c a t i o n a n d e r e c t i o n of t h e RBS c o n n e c t i o n avoids t h e a d d i t i o n of s t r e n g t h e n i n g plates and special weldments that are r e q u i r e d of m a n y p o s t - N o r t h r i d g e m o m e n t c o n n e c t i o n s . C o n s e q u e n t l y , t h e RBS c o n n e c tion is very c o m p e t i t i v e from a c o s t p e r s p e c tive. B e c a u s e of t h e c o m p e t i t i v e c o s t a n d established performance based on extensive t e s t i n g a n d a n a l y s i s , t h e RBS c o n n e c t i o n a p p e a r s to be a c o s t effective, c o n s i s t e n t l y p e r f o r m i n g c o n n e c t i o n for u s e in t h e s e i s m i c d e s i g n of SMF b u i l d i n g s t r u c t u r e s .

1.2

Background of RBS

A n o t h e r type of c o n n e c t i o n d e v e l o p e d to force the inelastic deformation away from the b e a m - c o l u m n i n t e r f a c e is r e f e r r e d to as a " R e d u c e d B e a m Section" c o n n e c t i o n (RBS) or "dogbone". This c o n n e c t i o n relies o n t h e selective r e m o v a l of b e a m flange m a t e r i a l a d j a c e n t to t h e b e a m - t o - c o l u m n c o n n e c t i o n , typically f r o m b o t h top a n d b o t t o m flanges, to r e d u c e t h e c r o s s s e c t i o n a l a r e a of t h e b e a m . This r e d u c t i o n in c r o s s s e c t i o n a l a r e a will r e d u c e t h e m o m e n t c a p a c i t y at a d i s c r e t e location in t h e b e a m . V a r i o u s s h a p e s of c u t o u t s a r e possible, i n c l u d i n g c o n s t a n t c u t , t a p e r e d c u t , r a d i u s c u t a n d o t h e r s . Figure 1.2 i l l u s t r a t e s a r a d i u s c u t RBS c o n n e c t i o n . The L u x e m b o u r g - b a s e d steel m a n u f a c t u r i n g c o m p a n y , ARBED, h e l d a 1992 US p a t e n t on t h e r e d u c e d b e a m s e c t i o n (RBS).

' A

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F i g u r e 1.2 Radius Cut RBS Moment Connection 2

D E S I G N OFF R E D U C E D B E A M S E C T I O N (RBS) MOMENT FRAME CONNECTIONS

History of the Development of RBS SMF Connections

A n u m b e r of significant events led to the curr e n t e n v i r o n m e n t s u r r o u n d i n g SMF design a n d c o n s t r u c t i o n methodologies. C o n c e r n s over m a t e r i a l properties, c o n n e c t i o n geometry, design p a r a m e t e r s a n d weld quality are j u s t a few i s s u e s w h i c h b e c a m e a c o n c e r n after brittle failures were observed in SMF m o m e n t c o n n e c t i o n s after the 1994 Northridge e a r t h q u a k e . SMF s t r u c t u r e s were still being d e s i g n e d a n d r e q u e s t e d by o w n e r s for all t he r e a s o n s de sc ri be d earlier. The pre-Northridge connection detail h a d b e c o m e a driving econ o m i c factor for t he viability of t he SMF system. To redesign m o m e n t c o n n e c t i o n s in a SMF s y s t e m utilizing expensive c o n n e c t i o n r e i n f o r c e m e n t t e c h n i q u e s m a d e this building s y s t e m less competitive.

m i n i m u m section of the t a p e r e d RBS. These c h a n g e s of c r o s s - s e c t i o n i n t r o d u c e s t r e s s c o n c e n t r a t i o n s t h a t c a n lead to f r a c t u r e within th e highly s t r e s s e d r e d u c e d section of the b eam.

F i g u r e 2. I Tapered Cut RBS Moment Connection

The r a d i u s c u t RBS a p p e a r s to m i n i m i z e stress c o n c e n t r a t i o n s , t h e r e b y r e d u c i n g t h e c h a n c e s of a f r a c t u r e o c c u r r i n g within t h e r e d u c e d section (Engelhardt, et.al. 1996). Furthermore, test results indicate that inelastic d e f o r m a t i o n s d i s t r i b u t e over tl~e length of t h e r e d u c e d section. The r a d i u s c u t is also relatively simple to fabricate. Figure 2.2 s h o w s a n e x a m p l e of a laboratory test of a r a d i u s c u t RBS s p e c i m e n . The c o n n e c t i o n detail is s h o w n in Figure 2.2(a) a n d t h e m o m e n t v e r s u s p lastic r o t a t i o n r e s p o n s e is s h o w n in Figure 2.2(b). As is typical of m o s t r a d i u s c u t RBS tests, this specim e n s h o w e d excellent p e r f o r m a n c e . As s h o w n in Figure 2.2(a),.it is i m p o r t a n t to n o t e t h a t m o s t RBS test s p e c i m e n s , in addition to i n c o r p o r a t i n g the RBS, also incorp o r a t e d significant i m p r o v e m e n t s in w el d i n g a n d in o t h e r detailing f e a t u r e s as c o m p a r e d to th e p r e - N o r t h r i d g e c o n n e c t i o n . All specim e n s w e r e c o n s t r u c t e d u s i n g w e l d i n g electrodes t h a t exhibit i m p r o v e d n o t c h t o u g h n e s s as c o m p a r e d to t h e E70T-4 electrode c o m m o n l y u s e d p rio r to t h e N o r t h r i d g e earthquake. The m a j o r i t y of s p e c i m e n s also incorpor a t e d i m p r o v e d p ractices with r e s p e c t to b a c k i n g b a r s a n d weld tabs. In m o s t cases, b o t t o m flange b a c k i n g b a r s were removed, b a c k g o u g e d a n d sealed with a fillet weld, a n d top flange b a c k i n g b a r s were seal w e l d e d to th e c o l u m n . Weld ru n -o ff t a b s w e r e r e m o v e d in m o s t cases. In a d d i t i o n to w eld in g r e l a t e d i m p r o v e m e n t s , m o s t s p e c i m e n s also incorpo-

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2.1

Initial Research

A significant a m o u n t of r e s e a r c h a n d t e s t i n g on RBS m o m e n t c o n n e c t i o n s h a s a l r e a d y b e e n c o m p l e t e d , a n d a d d i t i o n a l w o r k is u n d e r w a y . Appendix A provides a listing of tests on RBS c o n n e c t i o n s . The list i n c l u d e s key f e a t u r e s of e a c h test, i n c l u d i n g m e m b e r sizes a n d s t r e n g t h s , c o n n e c t i o n details, RBS size a n d shape, a n d t he plastic rotation achieved by e a c h test assemblage. As indicated by t he d a t a - i n Appendix A, s u c c e s s f u l tests have b e e n c o n d u c t e d on c o n s t a n t cut, t a p e r e d c u t a n d r a d i u s c u t RBS s p e c i m e n s . The t a p e r e d cut, s h o w n in Figure 2.1, is i n t e n d e d to allow the section m o d u l u s of th e b e a m to m a t c h the seismic m o m e n t g r a d i e n t in the r e d u c e d region, t h e r e b y p r o m o t i n g more u n i f o r m yielding within t he r e d u c e d section. This is i n t e n d e d to create a reliable, u n i f o r m hi ngi ng location. However, stress c o n c e n t r a t i o n s at t he r e - e n t r a n t c o r n e r s of the flange c ut m a y lead to f r a c t u r e at t h e s e locations. After significant p l a s t i c rotation, both the c o n s t a n t c u t a n d t a p e r e d c u t RBS connections, have experienced fractures within the RBS in some laboratory tests. These fra c t ures have o c c u r r e d at c h a n g e s in section within t he RBS, for example at the 3

DESIGN OF REDUCED BEAM SECTION (RBS} MOMENT FRAME CONNECTIONS

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Figure 2.2 E x a m p l e of Laboratory Behavior of Radius Cut RBS Test S p e c i m e n

rated additional detailing improvements. Consequently, although the beam flange cutouts are the most distinguishing feature of t h e R B S c o n n e c t i o n , t h e s u c c e s s of t h i s c o n n e c t i o n in l a b o r a t o r y t e s t s is a l s o likely r e l a t e d to t h e m a n y o t h e r w e l d i n g a n d detaili n g i m p r o v e m e n t s i m p l e m e n t e d in t h e t e s t s p e c i m e n s , i.e. t h e u s e of w e l d m e t a l w i t h improved notch toughness, improved pract i c e s w i t h r e s p e c t to b a c k i n g b a r s a n d w e l d t a b s , u s e of c o n t i n u i t y p l a t e s , etc. in s a t i s f y i n g t h ~ s e q u a l i f i c a t i o n t e s t r e q u i r e m e n t s . A p p e n d i x S of t h e Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings p r o v i d e s g u i d e lines on extrapolating test results beyond the t e s t e d m e m b e r sizes. A p p e n d i x A i n c l u d e s l i s t i n g s for 4 3 R B S tests. This number does not include tests by P l u m i e r (1997), or s h a k i n g t a b l e t e s t s b y C h e n , Y e h a n d C h u (1996). A d d i t i o n a l t e s t s h a v e a l s o b e e n c o n d u c t e d o n s p e c i m e n s in w h i c h t h e R B S w a s p r o v i d e d in t h e b o t t o m f l a n g e o n l y for u s e a s a retrofit m e a s u r e for existing moment frame connections. These RBS r e t r o f i t t e s t s a r e n o t r e p o r t e d in A p p e n dix A. I n f o r m a t i o n o n t h e t e s t s is a v a i l a b l e in t h e AISC Steel Design Guide Series Twelve (Gross, et.al. 1999).

3.

Summary of Test Results

T h e t a b l e in A p p e n d i x A p r o v i d e s a l i s t i n g of R B S t e s t d a t a . While t h i s list m a y n o t b e e x h a u s t i v e or c o n t a i n e v e r y t e s t p e r f o r m e d on RBS beam-column subassemblies or a n c i l l a r y t e s t i n g to s u p p o r t p e r f o r m a n c e , t h e list d o e s p r o v i d e t h e r e a d e r w i t h a s u b s t a n tial a m o u n t of d o c u m e n t e d p e r f o r m a n c e c o n d i t i o n s for t h i s c o n n e c t i o n . T h e t a b l e a l s o i n c l u d e s R B S t e s t s c o m p l e t e d u n d e r t h e SAC P h a s e 2 r e s e a r c h p r o g r a m a s of m i d - 1 9 9 9 . These test results have not been formally p u b l i s h e d , b u t a r e i n c l u d e d b a s e d o n available test reports. T h e AISC Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings (1997) r e q u i r e q u a l i f i c a t i o n t e s t i n g for S M F c o n n e c t i o n d e s i g n s . T h e t e s t r e s u l t s r e p o r t e d in A p p e n d i x A m a y b e u s e f u l

3.1

Overview of Test Results Radius Cut RBS Specimens

for

T h i s s e c t i o n p r o v i d e s a n o v e r v i e w of t h e t e s t d a t a l i s t e d in A p p e n d i x A for r a d i u s c u t R B S t e s t s p e c i m e n s . T h e r e a r e 27 r a d i u s c u t R B S t e s t s l i s t e d in t h e table. E x a m i n a t i o n of t h i s d a t a i n d i c a t e s t h a t t h e s e c o n n e c t i o n s developed plastic rotations ranging from 0.029 rad to b e y o n d 0 . 0 5 r a d . T h e s e r e s u l t s s u g g e s t that the radius cut RBS connection can develop large plastic rotations on a consist e n t b a s i s . Also n o t a b l e is t h e fact t h a t a

D E S I G N OF R E D U C E D B E A M S E C T I O N (RBS) MOMENT FRAME CONNECTIONS

large n u m b e r of r a d i u s c u t RBS c o n n e c t i o n s have been tested u n d e r a variety of conditions by a n u m b e r of different investigators, a n d t h e r e h a s not b e e n a single test with poor performance. This suggests t he c on n ection is quite r o b u s t a n d reliable. The d a t a in Appendix A d e m o n s t r a t e s th e possible u l t i m a t e failure m o d e s for the r a d i u s cu t RBS connection. In m a n y tests, s p e c i m e n s t r e n g t h g r a d u a l l y d e t e r i o r a t e d d u e to local a n d lateral torsional buckling, a n d testing w a s t e r m i n a t e d d u e to limitations of t he testing e q u i p m e n t or test setup. However, a n u m b e r of c o n n e c t i o n s have b e e n loaded well p a s t the o c c u r r e n c e of local flange b u c k l i n g within the RBS, a n d u l t i m a t e l y failed by low cycle fatigue f r a c t u r e of t he RBS. Only one of the 27 r a d i u s c u t RBS s p e c i m e n s experie n c e d a f r a c t u r e at t he b e a m - t o - c o l u m n connection. This s p e c i m e n , d e s i g n a t e d "DBBWC - B e a m 2" in Appendix A, f r a c t u r e d in th e b e a m b o t t o m flange b a s e m e t a l a d j a c e n t to the groove weld, with t he f r a c t u r e initiating at t he weld a c c e s s hole. However, even this c o n n e c t i o n developed 0.038 rad. of plastic rotation prior to fracture. Most of t h e r a d i u s c u t RBS s p e c i m e n s h a v e b e e n tested p s e u d o statically, u s i n g a loading protocol in w h i c h applied displacem e n t s are progressively i n c r e a s e d . However, one s p e c i m e n ("S-l") w a s tested m o n o t o n i cally to failure. Two s p e c i m e n s ("LS-2" a n d "LS-3") were tested u s i n g a loading protocol i n t e n d e d to r e p r e s e n t n e a r s o u r c e g r o u n d mot i ons t h a t c o n t a i n a large pulse. Finally, two s p e c i m e n s ("S-4" a n d "SC-2") were t e s t e d dynamically. The r a d i u s c u t RBS s p e c i m e n s have pe rforme d well u n d e r all of t h e s e loading conditions. A wide r a n g e of b e a m sizes h a v e b e e n tested with t he r a d i u s c u t RBS. The s m a l l e s t b e a m listed in Appendix A is a W530x82 ( C a n a d i a n designation) w h i c h is r o u g h l y equivalent to a W2 lx50. The heaviest b e a m tested is a W36x300. All c o l u m n s for r a d i u s cut RBS tests have b e e n W14 sections. Most of the c o l u m n s have b e e n sized to provide for a very strong p a n e l zone, a l t h o u g h a small n u m b e r of tests h a v e i n c l u d e d m o d e r a t e p ane l zone yielding. No tests h a v e b e e n cond u c t e d on s p e c i m e n s with very w e a k p an el zones. However, s u c h tests will be c o m p l e t e d d u r i n g 1999. Of the 27 r a d i u s c u t RBS s p e c i m e n s listed in Appendix A, t h e r e are no r e p o r t e d cas es of weld fracture. B e a m flange groove welds for all r a d i u s c u t RBS s p e c i m e n s have b e e n m a d e by t h e self s h i e l d e d flux co red arc welding p r o c e s s (SS-FCAW) u s i n g electrodes with a m i n i m u m specified CVN t o u g h n e s s of 20 ft.-lbs, a t - 2 0 F. Three different electrode d e s i g n a t i o n s h a v e b e e n u s e d in t h e s e tests: E71T-8, E70TG-K2, a n d E70T-6. For one of th e r a d i u s c u t RBS s p e c i m e n s , details of t h e b a c k i n g b a r s were n o t reported. However, for the r e m a i n i n g 26 s p e c i m e n s in w h i c h backing b ar details w e r e reported, th e b o t t o m flange b a c k i n g w a s r e m o v e d a n d t h e top flange b a c k i n g w a s left in place. For t h e majority of t h e s e s p e c i m e n s , th e top flange b a c k i n g w a s seal w e l d e d to t h e face of t h e c o l u m n , a l t h o u g h t h e s e seal welds were n o t provided in four s p e c i m e n s (WG-1 to WG-4). Note t h a t only o n e of t h e 27 r a d i u s c u t RBS s p e c i m e n s u s e d cover plates at th e b e a m - t o c o l u m n c o n n e c t i o n as a s u p p l e m e n t to t h e RBS.. The r e m a i n i n g 26 s p e c i m e n s u s e d no s u p p l e m e n t a l rein fo rcin g m e a s u r e s (cover plates, ribs, etc.) at th e c o n n e c t i o n . D i m e n s i o n s of th e RBS c u t s for t h e 27 r a d i u s c u t s p e c i m e n s vary over a fairly small range. The d i s t a n c e from t h e face of th e colu m n to th e s t a r t of t h e RBS c u t (designated as L 1 in Appendix A) r a n g e d from 50 to 75% of th e b e a m flange width. The l e n g t h s of t h e c u t s (designated as LRB S in Appendix A) h a v e varied from 74 to 82% of th e b e a m depth. The a m o u n t of flange w i d t h r e m o v e d at th e m i n i m u m section of th e RBS (design a t e d as FR in Appendix A) h a s v a r i e d from 38 to 55%. Two types of web c o n n e c t i o n details h a v e b e e n u s e d for r a d i u s c u t RBS test s p e c i m e n s : a welded a n d a bolted detail. In th e w e l d e d detail, th e b e a m web is w e l d e d directly to t h e c o l u m n flange u s i n g a c o m p l e t e j o i n t p e n e tration groove weld. For th e bolted detail, fully t e n s i o n e d h i g h s t r e n g t h bolts are u s e d . Approximately h a l f t h e s p e c i m e n s h a v e u s e d the bolted detail, a n d half t h e w e l d e d detail. The d a t a i n d i c a t e s no significant difference in p e r f o r m a n c e for r a d i u s c u t s p e c i m e n s .

D E S I G N O F REDUCED B E A M S E C T I O N (RBS) MOMENT FRAME CONNECTIONS

B e a m lateral br a c i ng details h a v e also varied a m o n g t he r a d i u s c u t RBS s p e c i m e n s . Of the 27 s p e c i m e n s , seven are r e p o r t e d to have provided a b r a c e at the RBS. For th e r e m a i n i n g 20 s p e c i m e n s , t he lateral br ace w as typically f u r t h e r a w a y from t he RBS placed n e a r the point of load application. Finally, of t h e 27 r a d i u s c u t s p e c i m e n s listed in Appendix A, six were tested with a composite c o n c r e t e floor slab. For S p e c i m e n s "SC-1" a n d "SC-2," a o n e - i n c h gap w a s intentionally left b e t w e e n the face of t h e c o l u m n a n d the slab, in a n a t t e m p t to minimize comp o s i t e a c t i on. For S p e c i m e n s "DBBW-C B e a m s 1 & 2" a n d "DBWW-C B e a m s 1 & 2," no s u c h gap wa s provided. No d e t r i m e n t a l effects of the slab were observed in a n y of t h e s e tests. In s o m e tests, the investigators n o t e d t h a t t he slab e n h a n c e d overall energy dissipation by delaying b e a m instability. Note t h a t for all composite s p e c i m e n s , no s h e a r s t u d s were placed in the region of t he RBS or b e t w e e n t he face of the c o l u m n a n d t he start of the RBS. As d e s c r i b e d above, a r a t h e r wide r a n g e of conditions h a s b e e n investigated in RBS testing compl e t e d to-date. Testing of RBS conn e c t i o n s is c o n t i n u i n g u n d e r t he SAC prog r a m a n d for specific building c o n s t r u c t i o n projects. The r e a d e r is e n c o u r a g e d to r e m a i n a b r e a s t of this data, as it b e c o m e s available. Even t h o u g h m a n y variables have a l r e a d y b e e n investigated in RBS testing, t h e r e are a n u m b e r of conditions t h a t have received less attention. These conditions, w h e n t h e y arise in design, s h o u l d be a p p r o a c h e d with c a u tion since d a t a is lacking in t h e s e areas. In s u c h cases, additional testing m a y be warr a n t e d . For example, no r a d i u s c u t RBS conn e c t i o n s to t he w e a k axis of a wide flange colu m n have b e e n tested, a l t h o u g h d a t a for some ot he r RBS c o n n e c t i o n s to t he c o l u m n w e a k axis a re available (see S p e c i m e n s "COH-3" a n d "COH-4" in Appendix A). No s p e c i m e n s with deep c o l u m n s have yet b e e n considered. F u r t h e r , no tests on s p e c i m e n s with very w e a k p a n e l zones have b e e n cond u c t e d . F u t u r e r e s e a r c h is u n d e r w a y to a d d r e s s t h e s e a n d other issues.

4.

RBS D e s i g n SMFs

Procedure

for

The following sections co n tain r e c o m m e n d a tions for th e design of n e w r a d i u s c u t RBS m o m e n t connections. Bas ed on the successes outlined above, a n d the preference of e n g i n e e r s designing n e w SMF s t r u c t u r e s , t h e design meth o d o lo g y p r e s e n t e d h e r e i n focuses on t h e r a d i u s c u t RBS shape. Globally i m p o r t a n t design p a r a m e t e r s s u c h as p a n e l zone participation, b e a m s h e a r a n d overall frame drift are a d d r e s s e d as p a r t of th e reco m m e n d e d procedure. Many important a s p e c t s of m o m e n t c o n n e c t i o n design are applicable a n d m u s t be c o n s i d e r e d w h e n designing SMF RBS connections. The RBS design meth o d o lo g y s h o u l d be p e r f o r m e d in c o n j u n c t i o n with available test r e s u l t s as p a r t of th e justification of th e design procedure. The initial p a r t of th e S M F / R B S design is to d e t e r m i n e the configuration of th e m o m e n t frames, th e typical b ay sizes, p l a n d i m e n sions a n d frame locations. Many of t h e s e r e q u i r e m e n t s are d e t e r m i n e d by o t h e r s , (architects, o w n e r s , developers), b u t t h e engineer s h o u l d influence t h e s e d ecis i o n s b a s e d on s o u n d design practices. One ex ample w o u l d be to c o n s i d e r th e b ay size if a SMF/RBS s y s t e m is to be utilized. B e c a u s e of the high m o m e n t g r a d i e n t ratio a s s o c i a t e d with sh o rt bays, m o r e b e a m flange removal in RBS c o n n e c t i o n s will be r e q u i r e d for s h o r t bay f r a m e s t h a n long b ay frames. In addition, b e a m sizes m a y be affected. With proper g u id an ce, th e e n g i n e e r c a n s u p p l y information t h a t will help th e a r c h i t e c t develop a r a t i o n a l , efficient b u i l d i n g d esig n . U p o n d e t e r m i n a t i o n of the basic s t r u c t u r a l p a r a m eters, the e n g i n e e r c a n begin th e m e m b e r a n d c o n n e c t i o n design process.

4.1

RBS Design

The e n g i n e e r will begin th e design of t h e s t r u c t u r e by d e t e r m i n i n g th e force level a n d drift limits to be i n c o r p o r a t e d as p a r t of t h e design. These p a r a m e t e r s are typically set by a model building code s u c h as th e Uniform Building Code (1997) or, in the f u t u r e , the 6

DESIGN OF REDUCED BEAM SECTION (RBS) MOMENT FRAME CONNECTIONS International Building Code. O n c e t h e force
level is d e t e r m i n e d b a s e d o n site c o n d t i o n s , s t r u c t u r a l s y s t e m , s e i s m i c i t y of t h e region a n d t a r g e t drift limits, t h e e n g i n e e r c a n begin t h e d e s i g n of t h e s e i s m i c s y s t e m u s i n g t h e AISC Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings {1997). B a s e d on t h e r e q u i r e d d e s i g n p a r a m e t e r s , t h e e n g i n e e r will d e t e r m i n e t h e b e a m a n d c o l u m n sizes r e q u i r e d to m e e t drift limits, etc. It is i m p o r t a n t t h a t t h e e n g i n e e r r e m e m b e r t h a t t h e f r a m e is l e s s stiff d u e to t h e RBS d e s i g n , t h a n a "typical" n o n - R B S SMF. After p r o p e r b e a m - c o l u m n sizes h a v e b e e n d e t e r m i n e d for t h e f r a m e , t h e RBS d e s i g n p r o c e d u r e s h o u l d b e f o l l o w e d to develop t h e p r o p e r flange r e d u c t i o n to prod u c e t h e d e s i r e d p e r f o r m a n c e . M a n y of t h e design steps a n d r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s parallel i n f o r m a t i o n p r o v i d e d in r e p o r t s r e f e r e n c e d at t h e e n d of t h i s d o c u m e n t . T h e s t r e n g t h of t h e b e a m at t h e m i n i m u m s e c t i o n of t h e RBS m u s t satisfy c o d e r e q u i r e m e n t s u n d e r all a p p l i c a b l e l o a d c o m b i n a t i o n s i n c l u d i n g gravity, w i n d , a n d o t h e r l o a d s a p p r o p r i a t e for t h e s t r u c t u r e u n d e r c o n s i d e r ation. B e a m sizes in typical S M F s a r e n o r m a l l y g o v e r n e d by c o d e specified drift limits. Consequently, even with a reduction in b e a m m o m e n t d u e to t h e a d d i t i o n of t h e RBS, t h e s t r e n g t h of t h e m o d i f i e d f r a m e will often be s a t i s f a c t o r y for all l o a d c o m b i n a t i o n s . In s o m e c a s e s , a m i n o r i n c r e a s e in b e a m size may be needed. T h e a d d i t i o n of RBS c u t o u t s will r e d u c e t h e stiffness of a steel m o m e n t f r a m e . This r e d u c t i o n in stiffness, a l t h o u g h g e n e r a l l y q u i t e small, m a y affect t h e ability of t h e f r a m e to satisfy c o d e specified drift limits. A r e c e n t s t u d y b y G r u b b s (1997) e v a l u a t e d t h e r e d u c t i o n in elastic l a t e r a l stiffness of steel m o m e n t f r a m e s d u e to t h e a d d i t i o n of r a d i u s c u t RBS c o n n e c t i o n s . T h i s s t u d y s h o w e d t h a t over a w i d e r a n g e of f r a m e h e i g h t s a n d c o n f i g u r a t i o n s , t h e a v e r a g e r e d u c t i o n in stiffn e s s for a 50 p e r c e n t flange r e d u c t i o n w a s on t h e o r d e r of 6 to 7 p e r c e n t . For a 40 p e r c e n t flange r e d u c t i o n , t h e r e d u c t i o n in elastic f r a m e stiffness w a s o n t h e o r d e r of 4 to 5 percent. If t h i s r e d u c t i o n in stiffness is a conc e r n , drift c a n be c o m p u t e d in t h e u s u a l m a n n e r u s i n g a m o d e l t h a t d o e s n o t explicitly a c c o u n t for t h e RBS, a n d t h e n i n c r e a s e d b y t h e a m o u n t s n o t e d a b o v e to a c c o u n t for t h e RBS c o n n e c t i o n s . Alternatively, a r e f i n e d s t r u c t u r a l m o d e l , i n c l u d i n g t h e r e d u c e d stiffn e s s at e a c h c o n n e c t i o n d u e to t h e RBS, c a n be d e v e l o p e d to c h e c k t h e stiffness of t h e frame.

4.2

RBS Sizing

T h e l o c a t i o n a n d size of t h e RBS will d i c t a t e t h e level of s t r e s s at t h e b e a m f l a n g e - c o l u m n flange c o n n e c t i o n . T h e RBS s e i s m i c m o m e n t d i a g r a m is p r e s e n t e d in F i g u r e 4.1 a n d indicates the Nominal Capacity, the Probable D e m a n d , a n d t h e N o m i n a l D e m a n d for t h e RBS b e a m . Note t h a t M ' p RBS is t h e m a x i m u m m o m e n t e x p e c t e d at l~he face of t h e colu m n flange w h e n t h e RBS h a s y i e l d e d a n d strain hardened under combined earthquake a n d gravity loads. M' p RBS is d i r e c t l y influe n c e d b y t h e P r o b a b l e i J e m a n d , a n d t h e location of t h e RBS. M' P,RBS is l a t e r r e f e r r e d to a s Mf in t h i s d o c u m e n t .
r--~
,

r ......
\

,~;~,~-~,

..............................

i
,

~,~as

~--~,-,,~o~

Moment

Diegrem

L~ ~am , ~ y

F i g u r e 4. I M o m e n t D i a g r a m a n d B e a m G e o m e t r y for R B S
T h e overall goal i n sizing t h e RBS c u t is to limit t h e m a x i m u m b e a m m o m e n t t h a t c a n develop at t h e face of t h e c o l u m n to v a l u e s i n t h e r a n g e of a b o u t 85 to 100 p e r c e n t of t h e beam's actual plastic moment. This a p p r o a c h , in effect, l i m i t s t h e a v e r a g e m a x i m u m s t r e s s at t h e b e a m flange groove w e l d s to v a l u e s o n t h e o r d e r of t h e a c t u a l yield s t r e s s of t h e b e a m . E x p e r i m e n t s h a v e s h o w n t h a t c o n n e c t i o n s d e t a i l e d in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h

D E S I G N OF REDUCED B E A M S E C T I O N (RBS} MOMENT FRAME CONNECTIONS

the recommendations provided below are c a p a b l e of s a f e l y r e s i s t i n g t h i s level of m o m e n t . As a p o i n t of c o m p a r i s o n , t e s t s o n pre-Northridge moment connections without RBS cutouts often show maximum moments at t h e face of t h e c o l u m n of a b o u t 125 p e r c e n t of M~ or g r e a t e r (Popov, S t e p h e n 1972; Tsai, PopoPv 1988; E n g e l h a r d t , H u s a i n 1993). C o n s e q u e n t l y , t h e a d d i t i o n of t h e R B S c u t o u t s in t h e b e a m r e s u l t s in a s u b s t a n t i a l r e d u c t i o n in m o m e n t a t t h e face of t h e column. M u c h of t h e d e s i g n p r o c e d u r e p r e s e n t e d below follows recommendations of t h e The procedure also assumes the minimum s p e c i f i e d yield s t r e s s of t h e b e a m is 50 k s i or l e s s (Gr. 50 b e a m s ) , a n d t h a t t h e m i n i m u m s p e c i f i e d yield s t r e s s of t h e c o l u m n is 50 k s i or g r e a t e r (Gr. 50 or Gr. 65 c o l u m n s ) . F i g u r e 4 . 2 s h o w s t h e g e o m e t r y of a r a d i u s c u t RBS, a n d F i g u r e 4 . 3 s h o w s t h e e n t i r e moment frame beam. The key dimensions
R = radius of cut
4c~+ d

8c

Interim Guidelines: Evaluation, Repair, Modification and Design of Welded Steel Moment Frame Structures (FEMA 267) (1995) a n d t h e Interim Guidelines Advisory No. 1, Supplement to FEMA 2 6 7 (FEMA 267A) (1997), w i t h
s e v e r a l e x c e p t i o n s . M o s t s i g n i f i c a n t of t h e s e e x c e p t i o n s is t h a t FEMA 2 6 7 A p l a c e s a limit o n t h e m a x i m u m s t r e s s p e r m i t t e d a t t h e face of t h e c o l u m n e q u a l to n i n e t y p e r c e n t of t h e m i n i m u m s p e c i f i e d yield s t r e s s of t h e colu m n . F o r t h e c a s e of a n A 9 9 2 (A572 Gr. 50) c o l u m n , t h i s r e s u l t s in a l i m i t of 4 5 ksi. T h i s l i m i t w a s e s t a b l i s h e d to a d d r e s s c o n c e r n s r e g a r d i n g t h e p o t e n t i a l for t h r o u g h - t h i c k n e s s f a i l u r e s in c o l u m n f l a n g e s . T h e d e s i g n p r o c e d u r e l i m i t s t h e m a x i m u m s t r e s s at t h e face of t h e c o l u m n to a v a l u e o n t h e o r d e r of t h e a c t u a l yield s t r e s s of t h e b e a m . T h i s e x c e p t i o n to t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s of F E M A 2 6 7 A h a s b e e n a d o p t e d for s e v e r a l r e a s o n s . First, s p e c i m e n s d e s i g n e d a c c o r d i n g to t h e p r o c e d u r e s d e s c r i b e d h e r e i n h a v e p e r f o r m e d well in labo r a t o r y t e s t s . S e c o n d , s a t i s f y i n g t h e 45 k s i s t r e s s limit, w o u l d r e s u l t in l a r g e f l a n g e c u t o u t s in m a n y c a s e s , or w o u l d r e q u i r e s u p p l e m e n t a l f l a n g e r e i n f o r c e m e n t s u c h a s cover p l a t e s or ribs. F u r t h e r , r e c e n t l y c o m p l e t e d r e s e a r c h c o n d u c t e d u n d e r t h e SAC P h a s e 2 p r o g r a m s u g g e s t s t h a t t h e p o t e n t i a l for t h r o u g h - t h i c k n e s s f a i l u r e s is c o n s i d e r a b l y less than previously thought, and that the c u r r e n t limit of 4 5 k s i c a n m o s t likely be i n c r e a s e d w i t h o u t p o s i n g a n i n c r e a s e in r i s k of f r a c t u r e i n i t i a t i o n . The design procedure assumes that a r a d i u s c u t R B S is p r o v i d e d in b o t h t h e t o p a n d b o t t o m f l a n g e s at t h e m o m e n t c o n n e c t i o n at e a c h e n d of a m o m e n t f r a m e b e a m .

~1
I~ a ~1 ~

--1

Figure 4.2 Geometry of Radius Cut RBS

t h a t m u s t b e c h o s e n b y t h e d e s i g n e r a r e a, t h e d i s t a n c e f r o m t h e face of t h e c o l u m n to t h e s t a r t of t h e R B S c u t , b, t h e l e n g t h of t h e RBS c u t , a n d c, t h e d e p t h of t h e R B S c u t a t its m i n i m u m s e c t i o n . T h e r a d i u s of t h e c u t R c a n be r e l a t e d to d i m e n s i o n s b a n d c b a s e d o n t h e g e o m e t r y of a c i r c u l a r arc, u s i n g t h e e q u a t i o n in Fig. 4.2. T h e a m o u n t of f l a n g e m a t e r i a l t h a t is r e m o v e d a t t h e m i n i m u m s e c t i o n of t h e R B S is s o m e t i m e s r e f e r r e d to the percent flange removal w h i c h is c o m p u t e d a s (2c/bf.) x 100, w h e r e bfis the u n r e d u c e d f l a n g e v~idth of t h e beam~ In p a s t r e s e a r c h t e s t s , t h e d i m e n s i o n s a and b have generally been chosen based on t h e j u d g m e n t of t h e r e s e a r c h e r s . In g e n e r a l , these dimensions should be kept as small as

__

w = uniform beam gravity load ~ ~.~_.1l.~r.! ~ ~ 1 I } I I t ~ ~ 1 t I } ~ l ~ l ~

RBS

~ RBS II ~.!?..t.~.!.|~[~]

,- ,n -~ ,n - ~

i
'

&4
i
~a+ ~ ~

II

,, lla +~ "

L' = distancebe~een ~nters of RBS ~ts L : distance between column entedines

Figure 4.3 Typical Moment Frame Beam with RBS Connections

8

D E S I G N O F R E D U C E D B E A M S E C T I O N (RBS) MOMENT FRAME CONNECTIONS

possible in order to m i n i m i z e the i n c r e a s e of m o m e n t b e t w e e n the plastic hi nge located in the RBS a n d the face of t_he c o l u m n . The d i m e n s i o n a s h o u l d be large e n o u g h , however, to p e r m i t stress in t he r e d u c e d section of the b e a m to s p r e a d uni f or m l y across th e flange wi dt h at t he face of t he c o l u m n . Similarly, the d i m e n s i o n b s h o u l d be large e n o u g h to avoid excessive inelastic s t r a i n s w i t h i n t h e RBS. B a s e d on a n e v a l u a t i o n of s u c c e s s f u l p a s t tests, t he following suggestions are m a d e for selecting t h e s e d i m e n sions: location. It is possible t h a t b e a m size m a y n e e d to be a d j u s t e d , a n d different RBS sizing a n d location m u s t be d e t e r m i n e d , to m e e t all design criteria. This RBS sizing d e t e r m i n a t i o n is also applicable w h e n retrofitting existing SMF s t r u c t u r e s . Access is limited or impossible at th e u p p e r flange of t h e b e a m , d u e to t h e p r e s e n c e of a floor slab, so RBS modifications typically o c c u r at t h e b o t t o m flange of t h e m o m e n t b e a m only. If a c c e s s is available to t h e top flange of t h e b e a m , it is r e c o m m e n d e d to apply t h e RBS design m e t h o d o l o g y to both flanges. There h a s b e e n a great deal of effort a n d r e s e a r c h s p e n t on t h e u s e of RBS modifications to existing SMFs. The AISC Design Guide Series Twelve (1999) t h a t s u m m a r i z e s this work, c o n t a i n s a significant a m o u n t of i n f o r m a t i o n r e g a r d i n g retrofit of SMFs utilizing RBS c o n n e c t i o n modifications. It is reco m m e n d e d t h a t d e s i g n e r s u s i n g a n RBS a p p r o a c h to retrofit a n existing SMF refer to th e AISC d o c u m e n t prior to utilizing t h e design m e t h o d o l o g y c o n t a i n e d h erein . Upon selection of t h e b e a m - c o l u m n comb i n a t i o n to be utilized in th e SMF design a n d t h e location, s h a p e a n d size of t h e RBS, furt h e r c o n n e c t i o n design c h e c k s are r e q u i r e d to e n s u r e t h e design will p erfo rm in a ductile manner. The first c h e c k s h o u l d be th e "Strong Colu m n - W e a k Beam" confirmation. This c h e c k is i n t e n d e d to limit inelastic d e f o r m a t i o n s of c o l u m n s o u tsid e of t h e i r p a n e l zone regions. It is generally recognized t h a t c o l u m n yielding is a n u n d e s i r a b l e m o d e b e c a u s e of t h e possible effect on t h e c o l u m n , a n d in t u r n , th e global stability of t h e s t r u c t u r a l frame. The AISC Seismic Design Provisions (1997) outline a n a c c e p t a b l e d e s i g n level for t h e b e a m / c o l u m n relatio n s h ip . As a m i n i m u m , this AISC proviso s h o u l d be met. RBS c o n n e c t i o n d e s i g n m u s t also a d d r e s s t h e p a n e l zone. The p a n e l zone is s u b j e c t e d to large s h e a r forces as t h e b e a m s r e a c h their full capacity. B a s e d on FEMA 267A (1997), t h e p a n e l zone m u s t be s t r o n g e n o u g h to develop at least 80% of t h e s h e a r s a s s o c i a t e d with Mfl The p a n e l zone r e q u i r e m e n t s c a n be m e t in one of two ways. O n e w a y is to provide a c o l u m n w i t h a t h i c k e n o u g h web to resist t h e r e q u i r e d s h e a r in a c c o r d a n c e with t h e

(o.s to o.Ts) bf
b ~ (65 to 0 . 8 5 ) d

tl)
(2)

w h e r e by a n d d a r e t he b e a m flange w id th a n d delSth. E x a m i n a t i o n of RBS test d a t a i n d i c a t e s t h a t s u c c e s s f u l c o n n e c t i o n perf o r m a n c e h a s b e e n o b t a i n e d for a wide r a n g e of v a l u e s for a a n d b. C o n s e q u e n t l y , a great deal of precision in c h o o s i n g t h e s e values does n o t a p p e a r justified a n d E q u a t i o n s 1 a n d 2 s h o u l d be c o n s i d e r e d a n a p p r o x i m a t e guide. The r e m a i n i n g d i m e n s i o n t h a t m u s t be c h o s e n w h e n sizing t h e RBS is c, t h e d e p t h of the cut. The value of c will control t he maxim u m m o m e n t developed w i t h i n t h e RBS, a n d therefore will control t h e m a x i m u m m o m e n t g e n e r a t e d at t h e face of t h e c o l u m n . As n o t e d above, t he final d i m e n s i o n s s h o u l d be c h o s e n so t h a t t he m a x i m u m m o m e n t at t he face of th e c o l u m n is in t h e r a n g e of a b o u t 85 to 100 p e r c e n t of t he b e a m ' s a c t u a l plastic m o m e n t . At p r e s e n t , it is s u g g e s t e d to avoid utilizing flange r e d u c t i o n s gr e a t e r t h a n a b o u t 50 percent. Thus, t he va l ue of c s h o u l d be c h o s e n to be less t h a n or e qua l to 0.25bf. The basic a p p r o a c h t a k e n in "this proced u r e is to c h o o s e p r e l i m i n a r y v a l u e s for a, b, a n d c, t h e n c o m p u t e t h e m o m e n t at the face of t h e c o l u m n , a n d c h e c k this m o m e n t a g a i n s t t he limit n o t e d above. Some iteration in the RBS d i m e n s i o n s m a y be n e e d e d to arrive u p o n a satisfactory design. F u r t h e r design c h e c k s are c o m p l e t e d u p o n satisfactory sizing of the RBS. The b e a m size will typically be c h o s e n for drift r e q u i r e m e n t s , followed by some a m o u n t of flange r e d u c t i o n . The designer m u s t examine the effect of all applied loads at t he RBS 9

DESIGN OF REDUCED BEAM SECTION (RBS) MOMENT FRAME CONNECTIONS

d e s i g n r e q u i r e m e n t s . T h e o t h e r w a y to s u p ply s u f f i c i e n t p a n e l z o n e s h e a r r e s i s t a n c e is to a d d d o u b l e r p l a t e s to t h e s e l e c t e d s e c t i o n . D o u b l e r p l a t e s s h o u l d c o n s i s t of t h e r e q u i r e d a d d i t i o n a l t h i c k n e s s of steel, a d d e d to o n e or b o t h s i d e s of t h e c o l u m n web. F a b r i c a t o r s i n d i c a t e t h a t t h e u s e of a h e a v i e r c o l u m n section, i n s t e a d of d o u b l e r p l a t e s a n d o t h e r labor intensive reinforcing details, may result in a m o r e e c o n o m i c a l s t r u c t u r a l f r a m e . T h e final d e s i g n c h e c k to be p e r f o r m e d o n t h e s e l e c t e d b e a m - c o l u m n c o m b i n a t i o n is t h e b e a m s h e a r . T h e m a x i m u m b e a m s h e a r is d e v e l o p e d in t h e s e c t i o n of t h e b e a m b e t w e e n t h e R B S a n d t h e c o l u m n f l a n g e face, w h e r e g r a v i t y s h e a r a n d s e i s m i c s h e a r c o i n c i d e . At t h i s l o c a t i o n , s h e a r c a p a c i t y of t h e b e a m sect i o n n e e d s to b e c h e c k e d to e n s u r e t h a t t h e b e a m will h a v e a d e q u a t e s h e a r c a p a c i t y after t h e p l a s t i c h i n g e in t h e b e a m d e v e l o p s d u e to applied lateral loads. T h e following s t e p - b y - s t e p p r e s e n t a t i o n o u t l i n e s t h e R B S d e s i g n p r o c e d u r e r e l a t i n g to t h e r e m o v a l of t h e b e a m f l a n g e a n d t h e c h e c k s r e q u i r e d to e n s u r e p r o p e r b e h a v i o r and correlation with test and research results.

STEP 2

Compute the plastic section modul u s a t t h e m i n i m u m s e c t i o n of t h e RBS.

F i g u r e 4 . 4 s h o w s a c r o s s - s e c t i o n of t h e b e a m at t h e m i n i m u m s e c t i o n of t h e RBS.

b~

d/2

"~'~"""''~P~ions cut from flange ~ tw

PlasticNeutralAxis

d/2 /./.~Portions cut from flange

/
_ __

~.~

,~,'~t

Figure 4.4 Beam at Minimum Section

of RBS

4.3

Step-by-step Procedure

B a s e d o n t h e d i m e n s i o n s s h o w n in t h i s figu r e , Z R B S c a n b e c o m p u t e d a s follows:

Z ~ s = Z b - 2 c t.f (d - t.f )

(3)

STEP 1

C h o o s e trial v a l u e s for R B S d i m e n s i o n s a, b, a n d c. Where: ZRB S = plastic section modulus at mini m u m s e c t i o n of R B S p l a s t i c s e c t i o n m o d u l u s for full beam cross-section (i.e. w i t h o u t f l a n g e c u t o u t s ) o t h e r v a r i a b l e s a s s h o w n in F i g u r e 4.4.

T h e trial v a l u e s for a a n d b s h o u l d b e c h o s e n w i t h i n t h e l i m i t s of E q u a t i o n s 1 a n d 2. To e s t a b l i s h a trial v a l u e of c, a f l a n g e r e d u c t i o n of a b o u t 4 0 p e r c e n t is s u g g e s t e d for t h e initial d e s i g n i t e r a t i o n . T h u s , c h o o s e c ~ 0 . 2 0 b f As n o t e d earlier, v a l u e s for c in e x c e s s o f a p p r o x i m a t e l y 0 . 2 5 b f a r e n o t recommended.

(O.Sto 0.75) bf

(1)

b ~ (0. 6 5 to O. 85) d

10

D E S I G N OF R E D U C E D B E A M S E C T I O N (RBS} MOMENT FRAME CONNECTIONS

STEP 3 E s t a b l i s h t h e e x p e c t e d yield s t r e s s of t h e b e a m . T h e f a c t o r of 1.15 in E q u a t i o n 5 a c c o u n t s for s t r a i n h a r d e n i n g , a n d is b a s e d o n s t r a i n h a r d e n i n g v a i a e s m e a s u r e d in R B S t e s t s .

T h e e x p e c t e d yield s t r e s s for t h e b e a m c a n b e d e t e r m i n e d f r o m S e c t i o n 6 . 2 of t h e AISC Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings (1997). A c c o r d i n g to t h e s e provisions:

STEP 5

C o m p u t e t h e s h e a r force a t t h e c e n t e r of t h e R B S c u t s a t e a c h e n d of t h e b e a m .

Fy e = Ry Fy
where:

(4)

T h e s h e a r a t t h e c e n t e r of t h e R B S c a n be c o m p u t e d f r o m a free b o d y d i a g r a m of t h e moment frame beam taken between RBS c e n t e r s . S u c h a free b o d y d i a g r a m is illust r a t e d i n F i g u r e 4 . 5 for t h e c a s e of a u n i f o r m l y d i s t r i b u t e d g r a v i t y l o a d w. f
R~BS I RBS w = uniform b e a m gravity ~oad

Fy e

= =
=

expected yield stress m i n i m u m s p e c i f i e d yield s t r e s s r a t i o of e x p e c t e d to m i n i m u m s p e c i f i e d yield s t r e s s 1.5 for A 3 6 steel 1.1 for A 5 7 2 Gr. 50 a n d A 9 9 2 steel

l!.~.,~ ~ ~ t ~ I t t t t I t t I t ~ ~ I t I I I t t ~ t.!..!,{

. . . . . .

RBSRBS!
i L' = distance between centers of RBS

i RBS RBS
' -I

= =

Figure 4 . 5 Free B o d y D i a g r a m B e t w e e n Centers of RBS

S u m m i n g m o m e n t s a b o u t e a c h e n d of t h i s free b o d y d i a g r a m r e s u l t s i n t h e following:

T h e v a l u e of F v e r e c o g n i z e s t h a t t h e a c t u a l y i e l d s t r e n g t l ~ o f s t r u c t u r a l steel c a n significantly exceed the minimum specified value. STEP 4 Compute the maximum moment e x p e c t e d at t h e c e n t e r of t h e RBS.

V~S -

2MRBs wL' L' + -~-

(6a)

MRB S = 1.15 ZRB S Fy e

where:

(5)

V~O~S where:

2 MRB s L'

wL' 2

(6b)

MRB S = m a x i m u m m o m e n t e x p e c t e d a t t h e c e n t e r of t h e R B S ZRB S = p l a s t i c s e c t i o n m o d u l u s a t m i n i m u m s e c t i o n of t h e R B S
e x p e c t e d yield s t r e s s of b e a m

V R B S V'

BS = s h e a r f o r c e a t t h e c e n t e r of t h e R B S a t e a c h e n d of b e a m
distance RBS between centers of

L'

uniformly distributed load on beam

gravity

11

D E S I G N OF R E D U C E D B E A M S E C T I O N (RBS} M O M E N T F R A M E C O N N E C T I O N S
For gravity load conditions other than a u n i f o r m load, t h e a p p r o p r i a t e a d j u s t m e n t c a n e a s i l y be m a d e to t h e free b o d y d i a g r a m a n d to E q u a t i o n s 6 a a n d 6b. Equations 6a and 6b assume that plastic h i n g e s will f o r m a t t h e R B S at e a c h e n d of t h e b e a m . If t h e gravity l o a d o n t h e b e a m is v e r y large, t h e p l a s t i c h i n g e a t o n e e n d of t h e beam may move toward the interior portion of t h e b e a m s p a n . If t h i s is t h e c a s e , t h e free b o d y d i a g r a m in F i g u r e 4 . 5 s h o u l d be m o d i fied to e x t e n d b e t w e e n t h e a c t u a l p l a s t i c h i n g e l o c a t i o n s . To c h e c k if E q u a t i o n s 6 a a n d 6 b a r e valid, d r a w t h e m o m e n t d i a g r a m for t h e s e g m e n t of t h e b e a m s h o w n in F i g u r e 4.5, i.e., for t h e s e g m e n t of t h e b e a m b e t w e e n t h e c e n t e r s of t h e RBS c u t s . If t h e m a x i m u m m o m e n t o c c u r s at t h e e n d s of t h e s p a n s , t h e n E q u a t i o n s 6 a a n d 6 b a r e valid. If t h e maximum moment occurs within the span, a n d e x c e e d s Mp.e of t h e b e a m (see E q u a t i o n 8), t h e n t h e m o d i f i c a t i o n d e s c r i b e d a b o v e will be needed.

M f = Mp,Bs + VRBs a +
where: =

(7)

m a x i m u m m o m e n t e x p e c t e d at t h e face of t h e c o l u m n allother variables as previous~ defined

Equation 7 neglects the gravity load on t h e p o r t i o n of t h e b e a m b e t w e e n t h e c e n t e r of t h e R B S a n d t h e face of t h e c o l u m n . T h i s s i m p l i f i e s t h e e q u a t i o n a n d i n t r o d u c e s little error. If d e s i r e d , t h e g r a v i t y l o a d o n t h i s s m a l l p o r t i o n of t h e b e a m c a n be i n c l u d e d in t h e free b o d y d i a g r a m a n d in E q u a t i o n 7.

STEP 7

C o m p u t e t h e p l a s t i c m o m e n t of t h e b e a m b a s e d o n t h e e x p e c t e d yield stress. (8)

STEP 6

Compute the maximum moment e x p e c t e d at t h e face of t h e c o l u m n .

Mpe = Z b Fy e
where:

T h e m o m e n t at t h e face of t h e c o l u m n c a n b e c o m p u t e d f r o m a free b o d y d i a g r a m of t h e s e g m e n t of t h e b e a m b e t w e e n t h e c e n t e r of t h e R B S a n d t h e face of t h e c o l u m n flange. S u c h a free b o d y d i a g r a m is i l l u s t r a t e d in F i g u r e 4.6.

Mpe

p l a s t i c m o m e n t of b e a m b a s e d on expected yield stress.

STEP 8

RBS

C h e c k t h a t M f i s in t h e r a n g e of 85 to 100 p e r c e n t of Mpe.

M.f ~ 0 . 8 5
m pe

to

1.0

(9)

Mf
~

....."~". VRBs MRBs

,

I---N

a +.-Z-

Figure 4.6 Free Body Diagram Between Center of RBS and Face of Column Flange
S u m m i n g m o m e n t s a b o u t t h e left e n d of t h i s free b o d y d i a g r a m r e s u l t s in t h e following: 12

If E q u a t i o n 9 is n o t s a t i s f i e d , m o d i f y t h e v a l u e s of c a n d / o r a a n d b a s n e e d e d , a n d r e p e a t S t e p s 2 t h r o u g h 8. Note t h a t t h i s c h e c k o n m o m e n t at t h e face of t h e c o l u m n is s i m p l i f i e d for d e s i g n p u r p o s e s , b a s e d o n more detailed analyses and past test results. T h e a c t u a l force t r a n s f e r m e c h a n i s m a n d s t a t e of s t r e s s a n d s t r a i n at t h i s l o c a t i o n is q u i t e c o m p l e x d u e to t h e c o n s t r a i n t g e n e r a t e d by t h e c o n n e c t i o n to t h e c o l u m n flange. For more detailed information on the issue, t h e r e a d e r is r e f e r r e d to (Lee, et.al. 1997).

D E S I G N OF REDUCED BEAM SECTION (RBS) MOMENT FRAME CONNECTIONS

STEP 9
Strong C o l u m n - W e a k B e a m C h e c k Z Mc = M c t +
Me b

To c h e c k s t r o n g c o l u m n - w e a k b e a m r e q u i r e m e n t s , t he p r o c e d u r e p r e s e n t e d in FEMA 267A (1997) will be u s e d , with m i n o r modifications. The e q u a t i o n to be u s e d to c h e c k t h i s r e q u i r e m e n t (from E q u a t i o n 7.5.2.5-1 of FEMA 267A (1997)) is as follows:

(14)

Where:
Vc =

s h e a r force in t h e c o l u m n s above a n d below th e c o n n e c t i o n column moment above c o n n e c t i o n column moment below c o n n e c t i o n immediately

~ Z(F~c - J~) > 1.0

(10)

Mct

ZMc
where: plastic section m o d u l u s of th e c o l u m n s e c t i o n a bove a n d below t he c o n n e c t i o n
Mcb

immediately

ht

d i s t a n c e from top of b e a m to p o in t of inflection in th e colu m n above t h e c o n n e c t i o n = d e p t h of c o l u m n d i s t a n c e from b o t t o m of b e a m to p o in t of inflection in th e colu m n below t h e c o n n e c t i o n = d e p t h of b e a m

YMc

m i n i m u m specified yield stress of t he c o l u m n axial s t r e s s in t h e c o l u m n above a n d below t he c o n n e c t i o n

dc hb

db ~VM c

s u m of t h e c o l u m n m o m e n t s at t he top a n d b o t t o m of t he p a n e l z o n e c o r r e s p o n d i n g to t h e d e v e l o p m e n t of M R B S at th e c e n t e r of t h e RBS in t h e attached beams

All o t h e r variables as previously defined.

~~i -,,~-.-.~ C V

Figure 4.7 s h o w s a free body d i a g r a m t h a t c a n be u s e d to e s t i m a t e c o l u m n m o m e n t s w h e n c h e c k i n g E q u a t i o n 10. This free body c u t s t he b e a m s at t he RBS c e n t e r s a n d c u t s th e c o l u m n s at a s s u m e d points of inflection (often t a k e n as m i d - h e i g h t of t he a d j a c e n t stories for design purposes). B a s e d on Figure 4.7, 'Mc c a n be estim a t e d from t he following equations:

ht

Mct MRBS
db

~
V

RBS

i
I

Mcb

hb

V~ :

, ,(de _,~ Z M R~s + (VR~s + V ~ s ) ~ - + a + 2J

ht + d b + hb

(11)

I
Mct Mcb = = Vch t Vch b
(12) (13)

a+(b/2) d c a+(b/2)

Figure 4.7 F r e e B o d y D i a g r a m for Calculation of Column Moments

13

D E S I G N O F R E D U C E D B E A M S E C T I O N (RBS) M O M E N T FRAME C O N N E C T I O N S
T h e a p p r o a c h p r e s e n t e d in FEMA 2 6 7 A (1997) a c c o u n t s for t h e d i f f e r e n c e in c o l u m n s h e a r forces above a n d below the connection, whereas the simplified approach above a s s u m e s t h e s a m e s h e a r force is p r e s e n t in the columns above and below the connection. A l t h o u g h t h e a p p r o a c h in FEMA 2 6 7 A (1997) m a y b e s o m e w h a t m o r e a c c u r a t e , t h e c o m p u t a t i o n of Vc p r e s e n t e d in E q u a t i o n 11 a b o v e is s i m p l e r to i m p l e m e n t , a n d is still r e a s o n a b l y a c c u r a t e for initial d e s i g n p u r poses considering the numerous uncertaint i e s i n v o l v e d in t h e s t r o n g c o l u m n - w e a k b e a m d e s i g n p h i l o s o p h y . T h e r e a d e r is r e f e r r e d to S e c t i o n 7 . 5 . 2 . 5 of F E M A 2 6 7 A (1997) to i m p l e m e n t a m o r e a c c u r a t e c a l c u l a t i o n for Vc to b e u s e d i n t h e final d e s i g n check. S T E P 10 C h e c k P a n e l Z o n e To c h e c k t h e c o l u m n p a n e l z o n e , t h e p r o c e d u r e u s e d in S e c t i o n 6 . 6 . 6 . 3 . 7 of FEMA 2 6 7 A (1997) will b e u s e d . T h i s s e c t i o n requires that the panel zone have sufficient s t r e n g t h to d e v e l o p t h e s h e a r force d e v e l o p e d b y 0 . 8 'M/: B a s e d o n t h i s a p p r o a c h , t h e p a n e l z o n e ' s h e a r force c a n b e c o m p u t e d a s follows:

M?

m a x i m u m m o m e n t e x p e c t e d at o p p o s i t e c o l u m n face

All o t h e r v a r i a b l e s a s p r e v i o u s l y d e f i n e d . T h e v a l u e of My c o m p u t e d a c c o r d i n g to Equation 7 combines the, seismic moment d u e to (2XMRBs)/L' w i t h t h e m o m e n t d u e to g r a v i t y load. O n t h e s i d e of t h e c o l u m n o p p o site to t h a t w h e r e My is d e v e l o p e d , t h e m o m e n t a t t h e face of" t h e c o l u m n will be somewhat smaller since the gravity load m o m e n t will o p p o s e t h e s e i s m i c m o m e n t . T h i s s o m e w h a t s m a l l e r m o m e n t is c a l c u l a t e d u s i n g E q u a t i o n 17. T h e s t r e n g t h of t h e p a n e l z o n e c a n b e calc u l a t e d a s follows:

3bc t~ V = 0.55Fycdct 1 + dbdc--~ ~

(18)

where: V = = = = panel zone shear strength w i d t h of c o l u m n f l a n g e t h i c k n e s s of c o l u m n f l a n g e t o t a l t h i c k n e s s of p a n e l z o n e including doubler plates

bc M'f = M ~ S + V ~ S a + Mf= Mf+ M~r

(15)

tcf
(16)

Vpz Where:

o.8Z
0.95 d b

0.8Vc

(17) All o t h e r v a r i a b l e s a s p r e v i o u s l y d e f i n e d . S T E P 11 C h e c k B e a m S h e a r

Vpz

p a n e l z o n e s h e a r force corres p o n d i n g to t h e d e v e l o p m e n t of 80 p e r c e n t of t h e m a x i m u m e x p e c t e d c o l u m n face m o m e n t s m a x i m u m m o m e n t e x p e c t e d at t h e face of t h e c o l u m n , c a l c u l a t e d a c c o r d i n g to E q u a t i o n 7

T h e final d e s i g n c h e c k s h o u l d b e m a d e to ensure that the beam has adequate capacity for s h e a r a s s s o c i a t e d w i t h l a t e r a l a n d g r a v i t y loads. This check combines the beam shear associated with the plastic moment within t h e R B S u s i n g E q u a t i o n 6a, c o m b i n e d w i t h t h e p o r t i o n of gravity l o a d a d d i n g s h e a r to the beam within the section between the RBS

14

D E S I G N OF REDUCED BEAM S E C T I O N (RBS) MOMENT FRAME CONNECTIONS

c e n t e r a n d the c o l u m n flange. This c a n be c a l c u l a t e d u s i n g E q u a t i o n 19: c o n d u c t e d since th e Northridge e a r t h q u a k e h a s d e m o n s t r a t e d th e i m p o r t a n c e of weld m e t a l t o u g h n e s s in th e groove welds of seismic r e s i s t a n t m o m e n t c o n n e c t i o n s (Kaufm a n n , et.al. 1996; Tide 1998 I. The AISC Seismic Provisions (1997) r e c o m m e n d s th e u s e of a filler m e t a l with a m i n i m u m specified tensile s t r e n g t h of 70 ksi, ( a s s u m i n g a 50 ksi base m a t e r i a l specified yield) a n d a m i n i m u m specified CVN v a l u e of 20 ft.-lb, at -20 F. Previous r e s e a r c h tests on RBS c o n n e c t i o n s h a v e generally e m p l o y e d th e self-shielded flux cored arc weld in g p r o c e s s (FCAW), u s i n g E70TG-K2, E71T-8 or E70T-6 electrodes. All of t h e s e electrodes provide a m i n i m u m specified CVN of 20 ft.-lb, at -20 F. A n u m b e r of o th er FCAW electrodes are available t h a t provide this m i n i m u m CVN value. In addition, s u c c e s s f u l tes ts on o t h e r types of c o n n e c tions h a v e e m p l o y e d t h e shielded m e t a l arc welding {SMAW) p r o c e s s u s i n g a n E7018 electrode. The final choice of welding p r o ces s a n d electrode is b e s t left to t h e fabricator. Other factors, s u c h as t h e mixing of different filler m e t a l s in t h e s a m e weld j o i n t m a y r e s u l t in lower CVN v a l u e s for the c o m b i n a t i o n , t h a n for one of t h e filler m e t a l s alone. A p a p e r w ritten on this subject, "The Effects of I n t e r m i x e d Weld Metal on M e c h a n i c a l Properties" ( J o h n s o n , Q u i n t a n a 1998), m a y be u s e f u l to th e e n g i n e e r w h e n c o n s i d e r i n g t h e inter-mixing of weld filler metals . At th e b e a m flange c o m p l e t e jo in t penetration welds, it is r e c o m m e n d e d t h a t t h e weld run-off t a b s be r e m o v e d at b o t h the top a n d b o t t o m flanges, a n d t h a t th e edges of t h e groove welds be g r o u n d smooth. The preferred final profile of t h e weld tab g r o u n d s u rface is r a d i u s e d , to f u r t h e r r e d u c e t h e possibility of f r a c t u r e at t h e s e locations. This will minimize a n y p o ten tial n o t c h e s introd u c e d by th e p r e s e n c e of t h e weld tabs, or by d i s c o n t i n u i t i e s c o n t a i n e d in t h e weld m e t a l within th e r u n - o f f regions. In addition, it is r e c o m m e n d e d t h a t th e b o t t o m flange steel b a c k i n g be r e m o v e d a n d a reinforcing fillet be p l a c e d at th e b a s e of th e weld after the j o i n t is b a c k g o u g e d to s o u n d metal. This requirem e n t is i n t e n d e d b o t h to elimin ate th e n o t c h effect p r o d u c e d by t h e steel backing, a n d to p e r m i t better i n s p e c t i o n a n d u l t r a s o n i c testing of th e weld. At t h e top flange groove weld,

(/-/,)
W -

2
2

(19)

VRB q s

4.4

Additional tions

Design

Considera-

In addition to e s t a b l i s h i n g t h e d i m e n s i o n s of the RBS cut, t h e r e are a n u m b e r of additional design a n d detailing f e a t u r e s t h a t m a y significantly affect c o n n e c t i o n p e r f o r m a n c e a n d e c o n o m y of this system. These items are d i s c u s s e d below. The p r o c e d u r e p r e s e n t e d above for sizing the RBS c u t p e r m i t s a r a n g e of a c c e p t a b l e v a l u e s for t he d i m e n s i o n s a, b a n d c. Fabrication can likely be simplified by s t a n d a r d i z ing t h e s e d i m e n s i o n s over a large n u m b e r of b e a m s on a project. Making small c h a n g e s on the RBS d i m e n s i o n s from b e a m to b e a m is n ot likely to improve c o n n e c t i o n performa n c e a n d m a y u n n e c e s s a r i l y i n c r e a s e fabrication costs. The d e s i g n e r m a y wish to consult with a fabricator before finalizing the RBS d i m e n s i o n s to identify w a y s of r e d u c i n g fabrication costs. For example, if the fabricator is m a k i n g RBS c u t s u s i n g a t o r c h m o u n t e d on a guide with a fixed r a d i u s , th e e c o n o m y of t he c o n n e c t i o n m a y be i m p r o v e d by m a i n t a i n i n g a c o n s t a n t r a d i u s of c u t R over a large n u m b e r of c o n n e c t i o n s . The RBS c u t is n o r m a l l y m a d e by t h e r m a l c u t t i n g in t he fabrication shop. The c u t s h o u l d be m a d e to avoid nicks, gouges, a n d other discontinuities. After t he c u t is m a d e , t h e surfa c e s h o u l d be g r o u n d , to aid in r e d u c i n g t h e potential for f r a c t u r e s o c c u r r i n g in the RBS at h i g h plastic rotations a n d low cycle fatigue. The grinding s h o u l d be d o n e to avoid p r o d u c i n g grind m a r k s p e r p e n d i c u l a r to the b e a m flange, since they are p e r p e n d i cu lar to t he direction of principal stress. These m a r k s c a n act as s t r e s s risers. Variations on grinding m e t h o d s m a y be possible to r e d u c e fabrication effort. Another c o n s i d e r a t i o n for design of RBS m o m e n t c o n n e c t i o n s is welding. R e s e a r c h

15

D E S I G N OF REDUCED B E A M S E C T I O N (RBS) MOMENT FRAME CONNECTIONS

it is r e c o m m e n d e d t h a t t h e steel b a c k i n g be s e a l w e l d e d to t h e face of t h e c o l u m n u s i n g a m i n i m u m size fillet weld, t y p i c a l l y a 5 / 1 6 " fillet. A n a l y s i s h a s i n d i c a t e d t h a t t h e n o t c h effect of t h e s t e e l b a c k i n g is n o t a s s e v e r e at t h e t o p flange, a n d t h a t w e l d i n g t h e steel b a c k i n g to t h e c o l u m n f u r t h e r r e d u c e s t h e n o t c h effect. F u r t h e r , d e f e c t s a r e l e s s likely at t h e t o p f l a n g e w e l d s i n c e t h e g r o o v e w e l d is n o t i n t e r r u p t e d by t h e b e a m w e b , a s it is a t t h e b o t t o m flange. M a n y r e s e a r c h e r s a n d d e s i g n e r s believe that the weld access hole has an important effect o n c o n n e c t i o n p e r f o r m a n c e . A l t h o u g h c u r r e n t r e s e a r c h is a d d r e s s i n g i s s u e s r e l a t e d to t h e w e l d a c c e s s hole, t h e r e a p p e a r s to b e n o c o n s e n s u s a s of y e t o n t h e o p t i m u m size and shape. Consequently, pending further research, access hole geometry should conf o r m to t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s s h o w n in F i g u r e 5.2 of AWS D 1 . 1 - 9 8 (AWS 1998). T h e r e is n o i n d i c a t i o n t h a t w e l d a c c e s s h o l e size, w i t h i n t h e AWS limits, will a d v e r s e l y affect t h e p e r f o r m a n c e of R B S m o m e n t connections. T h e r e f o r e , size a n d s h a p e of t h e a c c e s s h o l e s h o u l d be left to t h e f a b r i c a t o r to c o n f o r m to AWS r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s . A n o t h e r i m p o r t a n t a s p e c t of w e l l - b e h a v e d moment connections are the continuity p l a t e s b e t w e e n t h e c o l u m n f l a n g e s . All of t h e s u c c e s s f u l t e s t s o n R B S c o n n e c t i o n s for n e w c o n s t r u c t i o n ( A p p e n d i x A) h a v e e m p l o y e d c o n t i n u i t y p l a t e s . H o w e v e r , n o R B S t e s t s to d a t e h a v e o m i t t e d c o n t i n u i t y p l a t e s , so it is unclear under what conditions continuity plates are actually required. Pending the outc o m e of f u r t h e r r e s e a r c h , it is r e c o m m e n d e d t h a t c o n t i n u i t y p l a t e s be p r o v i d e d for all R B S connections, with a continuity plate thickn e s s s i m i l a r to t h e b e a m f l a n g e t h i c k n e s s . W e l d s t h a t a t t a c h a c o n t i n u i t y p l a t e to t h e c o l u m n f l a n g e or web, s h o u l d be m a d e w i t h a n e l e c t r o d e w i t h a r a t e d CVN of at l e a s t 20 ft.-lb, at -20 F. B a s e d o n e x p e r i m e n t a l r e s u l t s , r e m o v a l of b a c k i n g b a r s f r o m c o n t i nuity plate welds, however, does not appear to be n e c e s s a r y . W h e n w e l d i n g t h e c o n t i n u i t y p l a t e s to t h e c o l u m n , w e l d i n g in t h e " k - a r e a " of t h e c o l u m n s h o u l d be a v o i d e d (AISC 1997}. All w e l d i n g s h o u l d be s p e c i f i e d to be in c o n f o r m a n c e w i t h t h e l a t e s t e d i t i o n of AWS D 1.1. A c c e p t a n c e c r i t e r i a for u l t r a s o n i c t e s t i n g of g r o o v e w e l d s is r e c o m m e n d e d to be in c o n f o r m a n c e w i t h T a b l e 5.2 of AWS D 1.1-98. Additional useful information on welding m o m e n t c o n n e c t i o n s c a n be f o u n d in a n u m b e r of r e f e r e n c e s l i s t e d at t h e e n d of t h i s document. R e c e n t t e s t s h a v e s h o w n t h a t RBS c o n nections with bolted web details can meet the r e c o m m e n d e d p l a s t i c r o t a t i o n d e m a n d s of FEMA 2 6 7 (1995). H o w e v e r , it s h o u l d be n o t e d t h a t at large r o t a t i o n d e m a n d s , t h e b o l t e d d e t a i l a p p e a r s to be m o r e s u s c e p t i b l e to f r a c t u r e i n i t i a t i n g n e a r t h e w e l d a c c e s s hole. T h i s i s s u e is t h e s u b j e c t of f u r t h e r SAC s p o n s o r e d r e s e a r c h . U n t i l m o r e definitive g u i d a n c e is p r o v i d e d in t h e u p c o m i n g SAC Guidelines, t h e e n g i n e e r s h o u l d c a r e f u l l y consider required connection and SMF performance when choosing a beam web connection. T h e m a j o r i t y of t h e w e l d e d w e b c o n n e c tion tests have utilized a complete joint pene t r a t i o n (CJP) g r o o v e w e l d b e t w e e n t h e b e a m w e b a n d c o l u m n f l a n g e over t h e full d e p t h of t h e web. T h e s h e a r tab, w h i c h is w e l d e d to t h e c o l u m n a n d b o l t e d to t h e b e a m w e b , is still p r o v i d e d . T h i s s h e a r t a b s e r v e s s e v e r a l p u r p o s e s . First, it a c t s a s b a c k i n g for t h e C J P g r o o v e weld. S e c o n d , it c a r r i e s e r e c t i o n l o a d s a n d h e l p s m a i n t a i n t h e f r a m e in a p l u m b p o s i t i o n u n t i l w e l d i n g at t h e c o n n e c t i o n is c o m p l e t e d . S i n c e t h e s h e a r t a b is p r o v i d e d for e r e c t i o n p u r p o s e s only, it is r e c o m m e n d e d t h a t t h e d e s i g n of t h e s h e a r t a b b e left to t h e f a b r i c a t o r . H o w e v e r , to e n s u r e t h a t t h e s h e a r t a b d o e s n o t r e s i s t l o a d s in t h e event that excessive plastic rotations cause t h e w e b c o n n e c t i o n to f r a c t u r e , t h e d e s i g n e r could consider indicating that the shear tab be fabricated with short horizontal slotted holes. Traditionally the shear tab would be w e l d e d o n b o t h s i d e s . H o w e v e r , w h e n utilizi n g a w e b C J P weld, t h e "~backside" fillet w e l d m a y p o s e p o t e n t i a l filler m e t a l m i x i n g a n d fit up problems. The engineer should work with t h e f a b r i c a t o r to g e n e r a t e a n a c c e p t a b l e w e l d i n g s e q u e n c e . As a n a l t e r n a t i v e to a C J P g r o o v e weld, t h e b e a m w e b c o n n e c t i o n c a n also be m a d e u s i n g a h e a v y fillet w e l d e d s h e a r tab. T h e s h e a r t a b is t y p i c a l l y w e l d e d

16

D E S I G N OF REDUCED B E A M S E C T I O N (RBS) MOMENT FRAME CONNECTIONS

to the c o l u m n u s i n g either fillet welds or a CJP groove weld. The s h e a r tab, in turn, is t h e n welded to the b e a m web with fillet welds. An example of s u c h a connection can be found in "Moment Frame Connection Development a n d Testing for the City of Hope National Medical Center" (Zekioglu, et.al. 1997). If the engineer chooses to u s e a bolted web connection, all aspects of the c o n n e c t i o n s h o u l d be d e s i g n e d to resist the full s h e a r applied to the b e a m d u e to gravity a n d earthq u a k e loads. Short slotted holes m a y be utilized to futher protect the s h e a r tab a n d b e a m web from possz'bie excesive deflections w h e n the c o n n e c t i o n in subjected to large rotations as t h e s y s t e m u n d e r g o e s inelastic action d u r i n g a n e a r t h q u a k e . It s h o u l d be n o t e d t h a t s t r u c t u r a l steel erectors prefer s t a n d a r d holes to slotted holes to aid in erection. One of t h e m o s t d i s c u s s e d aspects of RBS design, a n d one of the m o s t important, is the s u p p l e m e n t a l lateral bracing required for this system. FEMA 267A (1997) r e c o m m e n d s t h a t a lateral brace be provided n e a r the RBS. The following discussion p r e s e n t s an analysis of test r e s u l t s t h a t did not have lateral bracing provided n e a r the RBS. Virtually all m o m e n t c o n n e c t i o n s t h a t dissipate energy by yielding of the b e a m are subject to varying degrees of b e a m instability at large levels of inelastic rotation. This is true both for reinforced c o n n e c t i o n s (cover plates, ribs, h a u n c h e s , etc.) a n d for RBS connections. This instability generally involves a c o m b i n a t i o n of flange buckling, web buckling a n d lateral torsional buckling a n d typically results in deterioration of the b e a m flexural strength, with i n c r e a s i n g inelastic rotations. In the experience of some researchers, the degree of instability a n d associated s t r e n g t h deterioration for RBS c o n n e c t i o n s tested in the laboratory have been no more severe, a n d p e r h a p s s o m e w h a t less severe t h a n for m a n y types of reinforced c o n n e c t i o n s . This is d e m o n s t r a t e d by the connection test results s h o w n in Figure 4.8. This figure shows a plot of b e a m tip load v e r s u s b e a m tip d i s p l a c e m e n t for two differe n t test specimens. These two s p e c i m e n s were virtually identical, except for the connection detail. Both s p e c i m e n s were cons t r u c t e d w i t h t h e s a m e m e m b e r sizes (W36xlS0 b e a m a n d W14x426 column) a n d h e a t s of steel, a n d tested in the s a m e test setup with identical m e m b e r lengths, identical m e m b e r e n d s u p p o r t conditions, a n d identical lateral bracing. Both s p e c i m e n s were s u b j e c t e d to the s a m e loading history. The only difference was t h a t one s p e c i m e n was c o n s t r u c t e d with a cover plated connection a n d the other with a n RBS connection. Both s p e c i m e n s were provided with a single b e a m lateral s u p p o r t n e a r the point of load application.
250 Cover'Pla~ed Connectlon ~.______,~_ 200 150 100 . ~ ~ 50. o.
_ _ _

-~--~--,~ ~.

RBS Connection
\'~

]
~

*~ -

:~* ' ~~ ~" ~

~.~

:~-~

.~ -~0.
-

-100, -150. -200, -250 -6 .~

~ '~"'~'~'({~:;e

I
I
-2

Displacement (inches)

Figure 4 . 8 C o m p a r i s o n o f T e s t R e s u l t s for Cover P l a t e d a n d RBS C o n n e c t i o n s

As can be seen from Figure 4.8, t h e p e a k s t r e n g t h of the RBS c o n n e c t i o n is less t h a n t h a t of t h e cover-plated connection. This, of course, is expected a n d is in fact a potential advantage of the RBS in t h a t it r e d u c e s t h e m o m e n t g e n e r a t e d at t h e c o n n e c t i o n a n d t h e m o m e n t delivered to the column. After reaching their p e a k strength, both c o n n e c t i o n s exhibited s o m e s t r e n g t h deterioration d u e to c o m b i n e d flange, web a n d lateral torsional b u c k l i n g in t h e beam. Note however t h a t t h e rate of deterioration is less for t h e RBS specimen. In fact, at large inelastic deformations, t h e RBS exhibits t h e s a m e s t r e n g t h as t h e cover-plated connection. This c o m p a r i s o n d e m o n s t r a t e s t h e observation m a d e above, i.e., RBS c o n n e c t i o n s e x h i b i t n o m o r e s t r e n g t h deterioration, a n d p e r h a p s somew h a t less deterioration t h a n reinforced connections.

17

D E S I G N OF R E D U C E D B E A M S E C T I O N (RBS) MOMENT FRAME CONNECTIONS

T h e t e s t d a t a s u m m a r i z e d in A p p e n d i x A i n d i c a t e s t h a t m a n y RBS c o n n e c t i o n t e s t s have been conducted without an additional l a t e r a l b r a c e at t h e RBS. T h e r e is n o i n s t a n c e where an investigator reported unusually s e v e r e or u n a c c e p t a b l e s t r e n g t h d e t e r i o r a t i o n d u e to t h e a b s e n c e of a l a t e r a l s u p p o r t n e a r the RBS. Futher, as discussed above, s t r e n g t h d e g r a d a t i o n in t h e R B S is c o m p a r a ble to t h a t s e e n in m a n y o t h e r c o n n e c t i o n t y p e s for w h i c h n o a d d i t i o n a l l a t e r a l b r a c i n g is p r e s e s n t l y r e q u i r e d . C o n s e q u e n t l y , b a s e d o n c u r r e n t l y a v a i l a b l e d a t a , a n a d d i t i o n a l lateral b r a c e at t h e R B S d o e s n o t a p p e a r n e c e s s a r y in o r d e r to a c h i e v e a c c e p t a b l e p e r f o r m a n c e . H o w e v e r , t h e d e s i g n e r s h o u l d still a d h e r e to t h e n o r m a l c o d e p r o v i s i o n s for b e a m l a t e r a l s u p p o r t a n d for b e a m f l a n g e a n d w e b s l e n d e r n e s s limits. L a t e r a l b r a c i n g for b e a m s in S p e c i a l M o m e n t F r a m e s s h o u l d b e p r o v i d e d at a m a x i m u m s p a c i n g of 2 5 0 0 /FY, a s r e q u i r e d b y S e c t i o n 9 . 8 of t h e AISC is~nic Provisions ( 1997}. As d e s c r i b e d earlier, m o s t m o m e n t c o n nections show gradual strength degradation at large levels of p l a s t i c r o a t a t i o n d u e to c o m b i n e d local a n d l a t e r a l t o r s i o n a l b u c k l i n g of t h e b e a m . T h i s o c c u r s for t h e R B S a s well a s for m o s t o t h e r c o n n e c t i o n t y p e s , a s illust r a t e d in F i g u r e 4.9. R e d u c i n g t h e l a t e r a l s u p p o r t s p a c i n g in t h e r e g i o n of t h e p l a s t i c h i n g e f r o m t h a t r e q u i r e d in S e c t i o n 9.8 of t h e A I S C Seismic Provisions m a y t h e r e f o r e r e d u c e t h e r a t e of s t r e n g t h d e g r a d a t i o n for m o s t t y p e s of m o m e n t c o n n e c t i o n s . F u r t h e r definitive recommendations and research r e s u l t s will be p r o v i d e d in t h e u p c o m i n g SAC Guidelines. If a d e s i g n e r s h o u l d c h o o s e to p r o v i d e a l a t e r a l b r a c e at t h e RBS, t h e b r a c e s h o u l d n o t b e l o c a t e d w i t h i n t h e r e d u c e d s e c t i o n of t h e b e a m . W e l d e d or b o l t e d b r a c e a t t a c h e m e n t s in t h i s h i g h l y s t r a i n e d r e g i o n of t h e b e a m m a y s e r v e a s f r a c t u r e i n i t i a t i o n sites. C o n s e q u e n t l y , if a l a t e r a l b r a c e is p r o v i d e d , it s h o u l d b e l o c a t e d at or b e y o n d t h e e n d of t h e R B S t h a t is f a r t h e s t f r o m t h e face of t h e colu m n . If b r a c i n g is to be p r o v i d e d a s p a r t of the design, requirements and recommendat i o n s c a n be g a t h e r e d f r o m d o c u m e n t s s u c h a s FEMA 2 6 7 A (1997) a n d " F u n d a m e n t a l s of B e a m B r a c i n g " (Yura 1993).

RBS Design Example

Description of Design Example Project

C o m m e r c i a l Office B u i l d i n g / M e d i c a l Office B u i l d i n g L o c a t e d in S a n F r a n c i s c o , C a l i f o r n i a Distance from Nearest Earthquake F a u l t : ~ 9 k i l o m e t e r s (San A n d r e a s ) H i g h S e i s m i c i t y Z o n e w i t h Near F a u l t Characteristics

Description of Design Example Frame

Perimeter Moment Frames Frame centerline dimensions: story height = 13' - 0" bay width = 2 2 ' - 8" Beam: W24x117 A 5 7 2 Gr. 50 (A992) Fy b = 50 k s i W14x311 A 5 7 2 Gr. 50 (A992) Fy c = 50 k s i

Column:

Gravity load on beam: (1.2D + .5L p e r Sect. 9 . 2 c of AISC Seismic Provisions): 2 kips/ft (0.17 k i p s / i n )

G r a v i t y l o a d s a r e d u e to floor t r i b u t a r y l o a d s a s well a s e x t e r i o r wall l o a d s . Design typical interior moment c o n n e c t i o n of p e r i m e t e r f r a m e .

R = radius of cut = 4c~+ b~ 8c

I~

V l ~

_1I --

Figure 5.1 RBS D i m e n s i o n s

18

D E S I G N OF R E D U C E D B E A M S E C T I O N (RBS) MOMENT FRAME CONNECTIONS

Section Properties:
W24x117:

From E q u a t i o n 5: MRB S
= 1.15 ZRBS_Fy e 1 15x218x55 13789 in-kip

db bf
fw

= = = = = = = = = =

2 4 . 2 6 in. 1 2 . 8 0 in. 0 . 8 5 in. 0 . 5 5 in. 3 2 7 in. 3 1 7 . 1 2 in. 1 6 . 2 3 in. 2 . 2 6 in. 1.41 in. 6 0 3 in. 3

=
=

STEP 5

Zxb
W14x311:

Compute the shear force at the c e n t e r s of the RBS at e a c h e n d of the beam

dc bcf tcf
tcw

L'=L-dc-2

a+

= 2 7 2 - 1 7 . 1 2 - 2 7+

=222in.

Zxc STEP 1

F r o m E q u a t i o n s 6 a a n d 6b:

C h o o s e t r i a l v a l u e s for R B S d i m e n s i o n s a, b a n d c

2Me~s wL' 213789 0.17x222 Vm~ - - s + ~ =143kips

L' 2 222 2

to 0.75) b f ~ 6 in. t o 10 in. Try: a = 7 in. ~ ( 0 . 6 5 to 0.85) d b ~ 16 in. to 21 in. Try: b = 19 in. ~0.2 bf ~ 2 . 6 in. Try: c

-~'(0.5

V~s _ 2M~s
L'

wL'_ 213789
2 222

0.17222 =105kips 2

2 . 7 5 in.

STEP 2

Compute the plastic section modulus at t h e m i n i m u m section of t h e RBS

Figure 5.2 s h o w s t h e s h e a r force d i a g r a m , t h e b e n d i n g m o m e n t d i a g r a m , a n d t h e free b o d y d i a g r a m t h e for t h e p o r t i o n o f t h e b e a m between RBS centers. Observe that the maxi m u m m o m e n t o c c u r s a t t h e e n d s , i.e., a t t h e c e n t e r s o f t h e R B S . If t h e g r a v i t y l o a d w e r e e x t r e m e l y large, c o m p a r e d to t h e m o m e n t

143

105

F r o m E q u a t i o n 3:

ZRB S = Z x b - 2 c t f ( d b - t ~
= 327 - 2 x 2.75 x 0.85 x (24.26 - 0.85) = 218 in.3

V (kip)

13789

STEP 3

Establish the expected yield stress of t h e b e a m

M (kip-in)

F o r A 5 7 2 Gr. 5 0 s t e e l , R y = 1.1. F r o m E q u a t i o n 4:
-13789

Fy e = R y F y b = 1 . 1 x 5 0 STEP 4

= 55ksi
143

~ REDS

w= 0.17 kips/in.

~ RIBS

Ii .,.l..i

~ I i ~ I i I I I I ~ t I t i i I I I t I ~ I i i.l..!j

Compute the maximum moment expected at the center of the RBS

. . . . . . . .
L' ~ 222 in.

t' "~05k ~ J
,

Figure 5.2 Portion of Example Beam between RBS Centers

19

DESIGN

OF

R E D U C E D B E A M S E C T I O N (RBS) M O M E N T F R A M E C O N N E C T I O N S
,

d e v e l o p e d d u e to a p p l i e d l a t e r a l l o a d s , t h e c u r v e d p o r t i o n of t h e m o m e n t d i a g r a m c o u l d drive t h e p l a s t i c h i n g e t o w a r d t h e c o l u m n , a w a y f r o m t h e RBS. T h i s e x a m p l e i n d i c a t e s t h a t t h e gravity l o a d is n o t l a r g e e n o u g h to form a plastic hinge within the span, away f r o m t h e RBS. C o n s e q u e n t l y , t h e c a l c u l a t i o n s a b o v e for t h e m o m e n t a n d s h e a r forces, at t h e R B S c u t s , a r e valid.
STEP 6

ZMc

> 1.0

( E q u a t i o n 10)

Compute the maximum moment e x p e c t e d a t t h e face of t h e c o l u m n

R e t u r n i n g to t h e e x a m p l e , a s s u m i n g t h a t p o i n t s of i n f l e c t i o n in t h e c o l u m n s o c c u r at t h e i r m i d - h e i g h t s , a n d a s s u m i n g a n axial s t r e s s (fa) of 15 k s i in t h e c o l u m n s u n d e r combined earthquake and gravity loading, t h e following c a l c u l a t i o n s r e s u l t . F r o m E q u a t i o n s 11, 12, 13 a n d 14:

F r o m E q u a t i o n 7: Ms =Mees + Veas(a+ 2b-/=13789+ 143(7 + ~ ) = 16149in - kip

STEP 7

h~ + d b + hb 2 x 13789+ (143 + 105(17;12 + 7 + ~ ) 156 = 217kips

C o m p u t e t h e p l a s t i c m o m e n t of the beam based on the expected yield s t r e s s

F r o m E q u a t i o n 8:

Met

Mpe = Zxb Fy e = 3 2 7 x 55 = 1 7 9 8 5 i n - k i p
STEP

= = =

Vc h t
2 1 7 x (156 - 2 4 . 2 6 ) / 2 14294 in-kip 14294 in-kip

C h e c k t h a t Mfis in t h e r a n g e of 85 to 100 p e r c e n t of Mpe

Mcb

= 2 x 1 4 2 9 4 = 28588 in - k i p F r o m E q u a t i o n 9:

Mf

- -

Mpe

16149 - - 0.90 OK 17985

~Zc(Fyc-.f~)
~M~
STEP

2603(50-15) 28588

= 1.5 > 1

OK

T h u s , t h e p r e l i m i n a r y d i m e n s i o n s a r e OK. Use: a = 7in. b = 19in. c = 2 . 7 5 in. Strong Column-Weak Beam Check

10 C h e c k C o l u m n P a n e l Z o n e

To c h e c k t h e c o l u m n p a n e l z o n e , t h e p r o c e d u r e d i s c u s s e d in S e c t i o n 4 will b e u s e d . Based on the example, the column panel z o n e s h e a r is c o m p u t e d a s follows:

STEP 9

To c h e c k s t r o n g c o l u m n - w e a k beam r e q u i r e m e n t s , t h e p r o c e d u r e p r e s e n t e d in FEMA 2 6 7 A (1997) will be u s e d , w i t h t h e m i n o r m o d i f i c a t i o n s n o t e d in S e c t i o n 4. T h e final e q u a t i o n to b e u s e d to c h e c k t h i s r e q u i r e m e n t (from E q u a t i o n 7 . 5 . 2 . 5 - 1 of F E M A 267A) is a s follows:

,

Mf

16149 in-kip

( E q u a t i o n 7)

F r o m E q u a t i o n s 15, 16 a n d 17:

27Mf = Mf+ M:f

= 16149 + 15522 = 31674 in-kip =15522in - kip

Mf=M~Bs+V~Bsa+ =13789+105 7+
i|1

20

D E S I G N OF R E D U C E D B E A M S E C T I O N (RBS} M O M E N T FRAME CONNECTIONS

Vez- 0.8z..,~'Mr 0.8Vc

0.95dt)

Vc - 0.8x31671 0.8x217= 926kips

0.9524.26

Panel zone strength is c o m p u t e d as follows: From Equation 18:

RBS flange r e d u c t i o n is approximately 43 percent. Consequently, it is expected t h a t t h e inclusion of tlae RBS the b e a m s will i n c r e a s e interstory drift by a b o u t 5 percent.
S~e~c

Abut

,~
I / IE 718"x 6" ~,.~,,.T-~-~'~"r-.~/ ~ {B.S.) ~ I ! [ I / ~ ~

- - N~l~.l

I~

. ~ _ 5 ....
l /

. B.U. bar to remain ~ Remove weld tabs IP _1 16 ~ Weld B.U. bar Io coiutnn

= 0.55F~,~d~tIlL+ 3b~ft~d+d~t 1
I 3 x 16"23x (2"26)~] = 0.55xSOx17.12x1.41 1+ 24.26xlT.12xl.41J = 946 kips 946 > 926 .'.No doubler plates r e q u i r e d ~i
,.]~,~

I.I I'\i I g;-~'~-------------~,~,:,,d~,,,~,,~,,oo,~d, ~, tose~v a s b a c i~g C~,~ -~

,_~ ~

I.t' i

I w2,.,,7

*~

IZ ~
II

\,~,~.~
5/16

columnand beam byfabdcato~.

. . . .ooo,0,.to

\ cleaned and inspected

of column

=.o,o0,
~ ~

Configure plate comes to \ ~

......

/ .17 75" Radius Grind

Smooth

STEP 11 C h e c k B e a m Shear
From E q u a t i o n 19:

7.3" 2.75" 2.75"

5/'I'~ '

NI welds: ET0 ~lI groove welds: electrodes must be rat~;I for CVN of at teast 20 It-fos at -20 deg. F. All weldingshall conformto AWS D1.1

w (l-l')
V~ 4 2 0.17

/272~222/ 2 = 145kips

'

143

Figure 5 . 3 C o n n e c t i o n D e t a i l for Design E~mple

V, = A,,,Fy = (0.55)(24.26)(5 O) = 667 kips > 145 kips

Procedures of Design Authorities

for Acceptance by Building

Continuity Plates
Use c o n t i n u i t y plates with a t h i c k n e s s a p p r o x i m a t e l y e q u a l to t h e b e a m flange t h i c k n e s s . The b e a m flange t h i c k n e s s is 0.85 inches. Therefore, u s e 7 / 8 " thick continuity plates (0.875"). C o n n e c t continuity plates to c o l u m n flanges u s i n g CJP groove welds, a n d the web u s i n g double fillet welds. The corn e r s of c o n t i n u i t y plates s h o u l d be configu r e d to avoid welding into the k - a r e a of the column.

The design of SMF building s y s t e m s require t h a t the d e s i g n a c c o u n t for inelastic deform a t i o n d e m a n d s on t h e connection. The AISC Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings (1997), Section 9.2, p r e s e n t s t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s for SMF structures. The RBS c o n n e c t i o n is a n o p t i o n t h a t c a n m e e t r e q u i r e m e n t s set by building codes a n d cons e n s u s d o c u m e n t s . The following c o m m e n t s are i n t e n d e d to describe actions t h a t can be followed to help facilitate the p e r m i t t i n g process for a SMF building system.

Beam Web Connection

C o n n e c t b e a m web to c o l u m n flange u s i n g CJP groove weld over full d e p t h of web (between weld access holes). A drawing of a generic final c o n n e c t i o n detail is s h o w n in Figure 5.3. The resulting frame s h o u l d be c h e c k e d for all code specified s t r e n g t h a n d drift limits. Note t h a t the

6.1

Communication

It is r e c o m m e n d e d t h a t early in the process, the S t r u c t u r a l E n g i n e e r of Record c o m m u n i cate with t h e building official regarding t h e proposed u s e a n d p e r t i n e n t a s p e c t s of t h e RBS m o m e n t connection. The e n g i n e e r m a y n e e d to provide b a c k g r o u n d d o c u m e n t a t i o n to the building official if h e or she is unfamiliar with the design a n d terminology relating

21

DESIGN OF REDUCED BEAM S E C T I O N (RBS} MOMENT FRAME CONNECTIONS

to the design. The u s e of this d o c u m e n t m a y aid the building official in u n d e r s t a n d i n g the design intent. The d o c u m e n t a t i o n related to the RBS c o n n e c t i o n s h o u l d be clear a n d concise, yet provide e n o u g h detail for the fabricator to properly i n c o r p o r a t e all the difficult a n d i m p o r t a n t a s p e c t s of th e connection. The information s h o u l d be s u c h t h a t a n y fabricator or erector c a n utilize the information provided, a n d c o n s t r u c t the final c o n n e c t i o n in s u c h a m a n n e r t h a t the p e r f o r m a n c e will directly correlate with the design intent. I m p o r t a n t a s p e c t s of the design to be i n c l u d e d in the d raw in g details are welding details, RBS s h a p e a n d location, n o t e s r e g a r d i n g grinding of the RBS after cutting, s h e a r tab detail information a n d b e a m web to c o l u m n flange c o n n e c t i o n details. It is reco m m e n d e d to provide a set of n o tes specific to th e RBS c o n n e c t i o n s , relating to welding practices a n d c o n n e c t i o n c o n s t r u c t i o n proced u r e s to help th e c o n t r a c t o r u n d e r s t a n d t h e c o n n e c t i o n a n d th e i m p o r t a n c e it h a s on t h e building s y s t e m p e r f o r m a n c e . Reference to applicable portions of AWS D I.1 a n d other AWS or AISC d o c u m e n t s s h o u l d be i n c l u d e d in th es e n o tes to clearly state a level of expected quality. This level of i n f o r m a t i o n will also facilitate obtaining th e a p p r o p r i a t e level of i n s p e c t i o n r e q u i r e d for this type of connection.

6.2

Methodology

Once t he building official u n d e r s t a n d s th e design i n t e n t a n d s y s t e m behavior, it is i m p o r t a n t to clearly state t he design m e t h o d ology to be u s e d early so t h a t a n y m i s u n d e r s t a n d i n g s c a n be avoided. This d o c u m e n t p r e s e n t s a general design methodology, utilizing s o m e simplifying a s s u m p t i o n s a n d some of t he better a s p e c t s of m a n y different design m e t h o d s . There are ot he r w a y s to design a n RBS m o m e n t c o n n e c t i o n a n d SMF s y s t e m t h a n t h a t r e p r e s e n t e d in this document. If ot he r m e t h o d s are utilized, t h e engin e e r s h o u l d be s u r e to clearly indicate the m e t h o d u s e d a n d t he i m p o r t a n t a s p e c t s t h a t s h o w design c o m p l i a n c e with the governing building code. Any design m e t h o d o l o g y utilized s h o u l d correlate well with other p u b l i s h e d m e t h o d s , test r e s u l t s a n d r e s e a r c h papers. Section 9.2 of the AISC Seismic Provisions require t h a t the design be b a s e d on qualifying cyclic tests. The table in Appendix A will help to satisfy this r e q u i r e m e n t for t he RBS connection. Any significant deviation from e s t a b l i s h e d methodologies or tests s h o u l d be justified. It is i m p o r t a n t to u n d e r s t a n d t h a t m a n y reco m m e n d a t i o n s c o n t a i n e d in this d o c u m e n t are b a s e d on e x p e r i m e n t a l r e s e a r c h. Design e q u a t i o n s a n d RBS sizing v a l u e s are b a s e d on s u c c e s s f u l r e s e a r c h , b o t h analytically a n d experimentally. Therefore, a n y n e w design e q u a t i o n s s h o u l d be c o m p a r a b l e to established equations.

Fabrication and I n s p e c t i o n Issues

6.3

Construction Documents

After a design is complete, it is imperative to convey t he information a c c u r a t e l y on construc t i on d o c u m e n t s . While calculations are i m p o r t a n t a n d describe t he final c o n s t r u c t e d connection, c o n s t r u c t i o n d o c u m e n t s provide direction to t he fabricator a n d erector. The e l e m e n t s e x p r e s s e d on t he drawings will be m o r e i m p o r t a n t to the final quality of the design t h a n a n y calculation. 22

A n u m b e r of fab ricatio n a n d i n s p e c t i o n i s s u e s are i m p o r t a n t to e n s u r e a well-cons t r u c t e d RBS connection. As d i s c u s s e d earlier proper fabrication a n d erection of this c o n n e c t i o n is a critical portion of th e syst e m ' s p e r f o r m a n c e . If w e l d s are poorly placed, the stress at w h i c h f r a c t u r e initiates a n d p r o p a g a t e s is m u c h lower t h a n the stress a t o u g h weld metal, placed with care, c a n resist. Cu ttin g a n d grinding are critical a s p e c t s of fabrication w h i c h m u s t be well e x e c u t e d to p r o d u c e a high quality final connection.

7.1

Cutting and Grinding

The c u t portion of both the c u r v e d RBS section, as well as the p r e p a r a t i o n of th e e n d of

DESIGN O F REDUCED BEAM SECTION (RBS} MOMENT FRAME CONNECTIONS

th e b e a m , n e e d s to be s m o o t h a n d free of n o t c h e s . This s m o o t h n e s s is i m p o r t a n t for r e a s o n s d i s c u s s e d earlier. Many fabrication s h o p s have t he ability to m a k e virtually n o t c h free t h e r m a l cuts. While this is a benefit to r e d u c e t he n u m b e r of p e r p e n d i c u l a r n o t c h e s , w h i c h m a y p r e s e n t stress risers, small imperfections exist t h a t m a y affect connection performance. Therefore, it is i m p o r t a n t to clearly identify w h a t is the a d e q u a t e a m o u n t of m a t e r i a l to remove (by grinding) from t he c u t surface. FEMA 267A (1997) d i s c u s s e s a level of a c c e p t a b l e surfa c e r o u g h n e s s value less t h a n or equal to 1000 as defined in ANSI/ASME B46.1. This level is difficult to d e t e r m i n e w i t h o u t a significant a m o u n t of e q u i p m e n t a n d expertise. Therefore, this d o c u m e n t reco m m e n d s t h a t the t h e r m a l c u t s be g r o u n d s m o o t h in the following m a n n e r : "It is import a n t t h a t t he p a t t e r n of a n y c u t s m a d e in the flange be p r o p o r t i o n e d so as to avoid s h a r p c u t corners. All c o m e r s s h o u l d be r o u n d e d to minimize n o t c h effects a n d in addition, c u t edges s h o u l d be c u t or g r o u n d to have a surface r o u g h n e s s m e e t i n g t he r e q u i r e m e n t s of AWS C4.1-77 class 4, or smoother." The d e s i g n e r s h o u l d d i s c u s s the i n t e n t with the fabricator a n d develop criteria for a n a c c e p t a b l e m o c k - u p to be m a d e for r e f e r en ce d u r i n g f a b r i c a t i o n i n s p e c t i o n s . The final grinding t h a t t h e e n g i n e e r a n d fabricator have agreed u p o n , s h o u l d be i n s p e c t e d by the fabricator's r e p r e s e n t a t i v e as well as th e owner's testing agency, to e n s u r e c o m p l i a n c e with t he a c c e p t e d m o c k - u p . M a n y b e a m s u s e d for SMF s y s t e m s are large with t h i c k flanges a n d webs. S h e a r p u n c h i n g holes in t h e s e t h i c k portions of th e m e m b e r c oul d lead to localized d e l a m i n a t i o n or tearing. In s i t u a t i o n s w h e r e hole diameters are sma l l er t h a n t h e b a s e m a t e r i a l t h i c k n e s s , t he d e s i g n e r m a y c o n s i d e r t h a t holes r e q u i r e d for fabrication of e l e m e n t s a n d portions of t he RBS b e a m be drilled r a t h e r t h a n p u n c h e d . No r e s e a r c h r e s u l t s indicate t h a t a r e d u c t i o n in c o n n e c t i o n p e r f o r m a n c e is a t t r i b u t a b l e to p u n c h i n g holes in RBS beams.

7.2

Welding

Welding is a very critical p a r t of th e proper fabrication of this c o n n e c t i o n . A significant a m o u n t of effort h a s b e e n m a d e to p r o d u c e a beam with a r e d u c e d section modulus, d e s i g n e d to y ield p r i o r to d e v e l o p i n g m o m e n t s w h i c h deliver very high s t r e s s e s to b e a m flange - c o l u m n flange welds. However, if th e welding r e q u i r e d for this c o n n e c t i o n is d o n e poorly, t h e s t r e s s at w h i c h brittle behavior m a y o c c u r is m u c h lower t h a n t h e e n g i n e e r expects. Good welds, u s i n g t o u g h filler metal, will resist h i g h e r loads t h a n surr o u n d i n g b a s e metal. Therefore, it is im p er ative t h a t t h e w eld in g for this type of c o n n e c tion be of h i g h q u a l i t y , to p r o d u c e a c o n n e c t i o n t h a t will p erfo rm as designed. Any specific i s s u e s related to welds, s u c h as weld profiles, s e q u e n c e , s u b m i t t a l of m a t e r i a l s or certifications t h a t are considered i m p o r t a n t for c o m p l i a n c e of t h e fabricator's w o r k to m e e t t h e design intent, s h o u l d be clearly s t a t e d in t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n docum e n t s . I t e m s s u c h as p r e h e a t s h o u l d be a d d r e s s e d in t h e project specifications a n d c o n s t r u c t i o n d rawin g s . Typically, AWS will a d e q u a t e l y a d d r e s s m o s t i s s u e s , a n d for n e w d e s i g n will provide t h e f a b r i c a t o r a m p l e direction to c o m p l e t e t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n in a safe a n d h i g h quality m a n n e r . The e n g i n e e r s h o u l d be clear in th e project specifications a n d c o n s t r u c t i o n d r a w i n g s t h a t filler m e t a l s sh all n o t be m i x e d in s u c h a w a y as to p r o d u c e a CVN v alu e below t h a t specified a n d r e q u i r e d for a single filler metal. Most fabrication s h o p s p r e s e n t l y u s e gas s h i e l d e d FCAW m e t h o d s for welds to c o l u m n s a n d b e a m s . The erection crews, especially w h e n w e l d i n g c o m p l e t e jo in t p en et r a t i o n groove w e l d s , t y p i c a l l y u s e self shielded FCAW. Also, t h e r e are different filler m e t a l s u s e d for t h e flat position as well as other positions. S o m e c o m b i n a t i o n s of filler m e t a l s in th e s a m e j o i n t m a y p r o d u c e a comb in ed CVN value, w h i c h co u ld p r e s e n t "britfie behavior". The e n g i n e e r s h o u l d carefully review t h e i n f o r m a t i o n p r o v i d e d in "The Effects of I n t e r m i x e d Weld Metal on M e c h a n ical Properties" (1998) a n d th e s u b m i t t e d WPS prior to f a b r i c a t i o n to e n s u r e t h a t t h e fabricator a n d erecto r are n o t c r e a t i n g a 23

D E S I G N O F REDUCED B E A M S E C T I O N (RBS} MOMENT FRAME CONNECTIONS

potential problem by inappropriately mixing filler metals. P a r a m e t e r s should be set for quality control of shop welding a n d fabrication. The fabricator m u s t have a n acceptable Quality Control (QC) procedure in place t h r o u g h o u t the fabrication of the project. In addition, Quality A s s u r a n c e m e a s u r e s s h o u l d be t a k e n to help e n s u r e t h a t the QC procedure is being implem e n t e d a n d followed. Typically QA or Verification Inspection is provided by special inspectors, hired by the owner. It is the responsibility of the engineer to establish inspection protocol, request a pre-fabrication a n d pre-erection meeting, a n d i m p r e s s u p o n the fabricator a n d erector the i m p o r t a n t i s s u e s s u r r o u n d i n g the RBS c o n n e c t i o n details a n d construction. Complete joint penetration groove welds should be inspected by a Level II qualified NDT inspector as defined in the AWS D 1.1. Each joint should be ultrasonically tested a n d all welds associated with the connection should receive c o n t i n u o u s special inspection. Field inspection should be sensitive to s u c h i s s u e s as weld preparation a n d fit-up, weld profile a n d weld p a s s sequence, b a c k - u p bar removal a n d grinding of r u n - o f f tabs. The i n s p e c t o r s s h o u l d develop a n acceptable protocol for inspection a n d reports in regards to welding a n d connection completion.

24

D E S I G N OF REDUCED B E A M S E C T I O N (RBS) MOMENT FRAME CONNECTIONS

References
"AISC Initiates Research Into k Area Cracking," Modern Steel Construction, Vol. 37, No. 9, September 1997, pp.23-24. Blodgett, O., Funderburk, S., and Miller, D., "Fabricators' a n d Erectors' Guide to Welded Steel Construction," The Lincoln Electric Company, Cleveland, 1997. Chen, S.J., Yeh, C.H. and Chu, J.M, "Ductile Steel Beam-to-Column Connections for Seismic Resistance," Journal of Structural Engineering, Vol. 122, No. 11, November 1996, pp. 1292-1299. Engelhardt, M.D. and Husain, A.S., "Cyclic Loading Performance Of Welded Flange Bolted Web Connections," Journal o f Structural Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 119, No. 12, December 1993. Engelhardt, M.D., Winneberger, T., Z e k a n y , A.J. ,and Potyraj, T., ~The Dogbone Connection: Part II." Modern Steel Construction, August 1996. Engelhardt, M.D., Winneberger, T., Zekany, A.J. ,and Potyraj, T., "Experimental Investigation of Dogbone Moment Connections," Proceedings: 1997 National Steel Construction Conference, American Institute of Steel Construction, Chicago, May 1997. Engelhardt, M.D. and Sabol, T.A., "Reinforcing of Steel Moment Connections with Cover Plates: Benefits and Limitations," Engineering Structures, Vol. 20, No. 6, pp. 510-520, 1998. Gross, J., Engelhardt, M., Uang, C., Kasai, K., and Iwankiw, N., "Modification of Existing Steel Welded Moment Frame Connections for Seismic Resistance," Steel Design Guide Series Twelve, American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc., Chicago, 1999. 25

Grubbs, K.V., "The Effect of the Dogbone Connection on the Elastic Stiffness of Steel Moment Frames," M.S. Thesis, Department of Civil Engineering, the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, August 1997. International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO), The Uniform Building Code (UBSC), April 1997. Iwankiw, N., "Ultimate Strength Considerations of Seismic Design of the Reduced Beam Section (Internal Plastic Hinge)," Engineering Journal, American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc., Vol. 34, No. 1, First Quarter 1997. J o h n s o n , M., Quintana, M., '~The Effects of Intermixed Weld Metal on Mechanical Properties, Part III," Proceedings, International Conference on Welded Constructions in Seismic Areas, AWS, October 1998. Kaufmann, E., Xue, M., Lu, L., and Fisher, J., "Achieving Ductile Behavior of Moment Connections," Modern Steel Construction, Vol. 36, No. 1, American Institute of Steel Construction, J a n u a r y 1996. Lee, K., Goel, S.C., Stojadinovic, B., "Boundary Effects in Welded Steel Moment Connections," Research Report No. UMCEE 97-20, December 1997. Noel, S. N., "Reduced Beam Section Design for Seismic Retrofit of Steel Moment Frame Connections," M.S. Thesis, Division of Structural Engineering, University of California, San Diego, 1997. Plumier, A., "The Dogbone: Back to the Future," Engineering Journal, American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc. 2nd Quarter 1997.

D E S I G N O F REDUCED B E A M S E C T I O N (RBS} MOMENT FRAME CONNECTIONS

Popov, E. and Stephen, R., "Cyclic Loading of Full Size Steel Connections," Bulletin No. 21, American Iron and Steel Institute, 1972. SAC Joint Venture, Background Reports on Metallurgy, Fracture Mechanics, Welding, Moment Connections and Frame Systems Behavior, Published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Report FEMA 288, 1996. SAC Joint Venture, Interim Guidelines: Evaluation, Repair, Modification and Design of Welded Steel Moment Frame Structures, Published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Report FEMA 267, August 1995. SAC Joint Venture, Interim Guidelines Advisory No. 1 - Supplement to FEMA 267, Published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Report FEMA 267A, March 1997. Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings, American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc., Chicago, April 15, 1997.

"Structural Welding Code - Steel," AWS D 1.198, American Welding Society, Miami, 1998. Tide, R., "Stability of Weld Metal Subjected to Cyclic Static and Seismic Loading," Engineering Structures, Vol. 20, Nos. 4-6, April-June 1998. Tsal, K.C. and Popov, E.P., "Steel Beam-Colu m n Joints In Seismic Moment Resisting Frames", Report No. UCB/EERC - 88/19, Earthquake Engineering Research Center, University of California at Berkeley, 1988. Yura, J.A., "Fundamentals of Beam Bracing," Proceedings, Structural Stability Research Council Conference, "Is Your Structure Suitably Braced?," 1993. Zekioglu, A., Mozaffarian, H. and Uang, C., "Moment Frame Connection Development and Testing for the City of Hope National Medical Center," Proceedings; Structures Congress XV, Portland, April 13-16, 1997, American Society of Civil Engineers, 1997.

26

APPENDIX A

Summary of Experiments on Reduced Beam Section Moment Connections for New Construction

Ref

Spec.

Beam

Column

Flange Welds

Web Connection

[1]

YC-1

Built-up W shape d=23.6", b~=l 1.8", tf=0.79", tw=0.47" Lb=73" A36 steel Fy_f=40 ksi Fo.~=66 ksi Fy.w=40 ksi Fu.w=65 ksi

Built-up Box: 19.7"xl 9.7"x.79" Lc = 87" A572 Gr. 50 Fy =56 ksi Fu =82 ksi

SS-FCAW E70T-7 No weld tabs used

Bolted: 7-7/8" A325

RBS Details and Other Flange Modifications Tapered cut L1=2" LRBS=I3.8" FR=20%

Op

(%)
2.4

Comments

Fracture of beam flange initiating at weld access hole

[1]

YC-2

[1]

PC-1

[1]

PC-2

[1]

PC-3

Tapered cut L~=2" LRBS=17.7" FR=25% Tapered cut L1=4.7" LRBS=I5.7" FR=34% Tapered cut L1=4.7" LRSS= 17.7" FR=42% Tapered cut L1=4.7" LRss=I 7.7" FR=42%

2.9

Fracture of beam flange initiating at weld access hole Fracture of beam flange initiating at weld access hole Fracture of beam flange initiating at weld access hole Fracture of beam flange initiating at weld access hole

4.1

4.8

3.8

I m~

Ref

Spec.

Beam

Column

Flange Welds

Web Connection

[2]

DBT1A-99176

[2]

DBT1B-99176

[2]

DBT2A-150257

[2]

DBT2B-150257

[3,4]

ARUP1

W30x99 A572 Gr. 50 L~= 138" Fy.w = 61.6 ksi Fu.w = 82.8 ksi W30x99 A572 Gr. 50 Lb=138" Fy.w = 51.5 ksi Fu.w = 72.1 ksi W36x150 A572 Gr. 50 Lb=138" F~.w = 60.2 ksi Fu.w = 72.3 ksi W36x150 A572 Gr. 50 Lb=138" Fy.w = 62.9 ksi Fu.w = 83.1 ksi W36x150 A572 Gr. 50 Lb=132" Fy.f =55.5 ksi Fu4 =73 ksi Fy.w=62.5 ksi Fu-w=77 ksi W27x178 A572 Gr. 50 Lb= 132" Fy.f =44 ksi Fu.f =62 ksi Fy.w=46 ksi Fu-w=62 ksi

W14x176 A572 Gr. 50 Lc=168" Fy.w =55.6 ksi Fu.w =70.7 ksi W14x176 A572 Gr. 50 Lc=168" Fy.w =55.5 ksi Fu.w =71.8 ksi W14x257 A572 Gr. 50 Lc=168" Fy.w =59.6 ksi Fu.w =75.2 ksi W 14x257 A572 Gr. 50 Lc=168" Fy.w =64.5 ksi Fu.w =83.2 ksi W 14x426 A572 Gr. 50 Lc=136"

SS-FCAW E70TG-K2; backing bar removed at bottom flange

Bolted: 7-1" A325

RBS Details and Other Flange Modifications Tapered cut L1=7.5" LRBS=20.25'' FR=45% Tapered cut L1=7.5" LRBS=20.25" FR=45%

0p

(%)
2.8

Comments

no failure; test stopped due to limitations in test setup

4.0

no failure; test stopped due to limitations in test setup

Bolted: 9-1" A325

Tapered cut L1=9" LaBs=24" FR=45% Tapered cut L1=9" LRBS=24'' FR=45%

3.5 ' Fracture of beam top flange near groove we d

1.7

SS-FCAW welded E70TG-K2 (heavy shear backing bar left in tab groove place w/seal weld at welded to top flange; column and backing bar removed fillet welded at bottom flange to beam web)

[3,4]

COH-1

W 14x455 A572 Gr. 50 Lc=136" Fy.f =55 ksi Fu4=84 ksi Fy.w=54 ksi Fu-w=86 ksi

Tapered cut L1=9" LABS=24" FR=44% top & bottom flanges reinforced with vertical ribs Tapered cut L~=7" LABS=20" FR=38% top & bottom flanges reinforced with vertical ribs

3.5

Fracture of beam top flange we d; propagated to divottype fracture of column flange Flange fracture at minimum section of RBS

3.5

A-2

Ref

Spec.

Beam

Column

Flange Welds

Web Connection

RBS Details and Other Flange Modifications

~

(O/o)
3.8 3.2

Gp

Comments

[3,4] [3,4]

COH-2
(~ =

COH-3

W33x152 A572 Gr. 50 Lb=132" Fy.f=57.6 ksi Fu.f=78.5 ksi Fy.w=62 ksi Fu-w=84.5 ksi

Wl 4x455 A572 Gr. 50 Lc=136" Fy.f=55 ksi Fu.f=84 ksi Fyow=54 ksi Fu-w=86 ks i Beam connected to column web
=~

Tapered cut L1=9" LRBS=26" FR=43% top & bottom flanges reinforced with vertical side plates

[3,4] [3,4]

COH-4
~

4.0 1.8

COH-5

DB1 [5,6]

W33x152 A572 Gr. 50 Lb=132" F~4=62.8 ksi Fu.f=86 ksi F~.w=69.1 ksi Fu.w=93.7 ksi W36x160 L~=134" Fy.f=54.7 ksi Fu4=75.6 ksi Fy.w=53.5 ksi Fu-w=79.2 ksi W36x150 Lb=134" Fy.f=41.4 ksi Fu4=58.7 ksi Fy.w=47.1 ksi Fu-w=61.8 ksi

|~

Wl 4x426 A572 Gr. 50 Lc=136"

SS-FCAW E71T-8 backing bar left in place w/seal weld at top flange; backing bar removed at bottom flange

welded (beam web groove welded to column)

Constant cut L1=9" LRBS=I9.5" FR=40%

2.0

Flange fracture at RBS

[5,6]

DB2

W 14x426 A572 Gr. 50 Lc=136" Fy.f=50 ksi Fu4=74.5 ksi Fy.w=50 ksi Fu.w=75 ksi

Radius cut L1=9" L~Bs=27" FR=40%

3.0

Testing stopped due" to limitations of test setup

A-3

Ref

Spec.

Beam

Column

Flange Welds

Web Connection

[5,6]

DB3

[5,6]

DB4

W36x170 L~=134" Fy.f =58 ksi Fu.f=73 ksi Fy,w=58.5 ksi Fu.w=76.7 ksi W36x194 Lb=134" Fy.f =38.5 ksi Fu4 =58.6 ksi Fy,w=43.6 ksi Fu.w=59.8 ksi W30x148 Lb=134" Fy.f =46.6 ksi Fu.f =64.5 ksi Fy.w=48.5 ksi Fu.w=65.4 ksi W36x135 A36 Steel Lb=134.5"

W 14x426 A572 Gr. 50 Lc=136"

RBS Details and Other Flange Modifications Radius cut L1=9" LRBS=27'' FR=40%

~p

Comments

(%)
3.8

[5,6]

DB5

[7]

DB1

W 14x426 A572 Gr. 50 Lc=136" Fy4=50 ksi Fu4 =74.5 ksi Fy,w=50 ksi Fu.w=75 ksi W 14x257 A572 Gr. 50 Lc=136" Fy.f =48.7 ksi Fu.f=69 ksi Fy.w=49.4 ksi Fu.w=66.2 ksi W 14x257 with 1-5/16" thk. cover plates (cover plates welded across flanges of W14x257 to form

Radius cut L1=9" LRBS=27" FR=38%

3.7

Radius cut L1=5" LRas=25" FR=38%

4.0

Testing stopped due to limitations of test setup; significant column panel zone yielding

SS-FCAW E71T-8 (details of backing and weld tabs not available)

Not Available

Radius cut L1=8" LRBS=28'' FR=40%

3.0

Testing stopped due to limitations of test setup

box)
A572 Gr, 50 L~=132"

A-4

Ref

Spec.

Beam

Column

Flange Welds

Web Connection

[8]

S-1

W530x82 (Canadian Designation) d=20.8", bf=8.2", tf=0.52", tw=0.37" wt.=54 Ib/ft. Lb=142" CSA G40.41-350W steel Fy.f =52.4 ksi Fo.f=76.6 ksi Fy.w=57.5 ksi Fu.w=81 ksi
(~

W 14x 120 A572 Gr. 50 Lc=120"

SS-FCAW E71T-8 backing bar left in place w/seal weld at top flange; backing bar removed at bottom flange

Bolted: 5-1" A325

RBS Details and Other Flange Modifications Radius cut L1=4.7" LRss=l 5.7" FR=55%

(%)

0p

Comments

9.0

Specimen loaded monotonically; testing stopped due to limitations of test setup

[8] [8]

S-2A SC-1

[8]

S-3

[8]

S-4

Testing stopped due to limitations of test setup 3.4 Composite slab included (6); testing stopped due to limitations of test setup note statically applied (8) simulated earthquake loading (7); testing stopped due to reaching end of simulated earthquake loading; no connection failure note dynamically applied (9) simulated earthquake loading (7); testing stopped due to reaching end of simulated earthquake loading; no connection failure

3.6

A-5

Ref

Spec.

Beam

Column

Flange Welds

Web Connection

[8]

RBS Details and Other Flange Modifications

0p

(%)

Comments

SC-2

[11]

LS-1

W30x99 A572 Gr. 50 Lb = 141" Fy.f = 54.0 ksi Fu4= 71.9 ksi Fy.w= 58.0 ksi Fu.w= 74.8 ksi

W14x176 A572 Gr. 50 Lc = 150"

Fy.f= 55.5 ksi

Fu4 = 74.0 ksi Fy.w= 54.0 ksi Fu.w= 73.1 ksi

(~

SS-FCAW E70T-6 backing bar left in place w/seal weld at top flange; backing bar removed at bottom flange
~

welded (Beam web groove welded to column)

Radius cut L1 = 7" LaBs = 20" FR = 50%

Note Composite slab (9) included (6); dynamically applied simulated earthquake loading (6); testing stopped due to reaching end of simulated earthquake loading; no connection failure 4.0 No connection failure

[11] [11]

LS-2 LS-3

+1.0 note (12) /-5.0 -1.0/ note (12) +5.0 4.0 No connection failure; testing stopped due to limitations of test setup No connection failure; test stopped due to limitations of test setup; see note (13) 4.0

[11]

LS-4

[12]

DBBW Beam 1

W36x150 A572 Gr. 50 Lb = 141" Fy.f = 54.3 ksi Fo.f = 68.8 ksi Fy.w= 59.4 ksi Fu.w= 72.0 ksi

W 14x398 A572 Gr. 50 Lc = 146" Fy = 53.0 ksi Fu = 73.0 ksi (based on CMTR)

SS-FCAW E70T-6 backing bar left in place w/seal weld at top flange; backing bar removed at bottom flange
.

Bolted: 10 - 1" A490

Radius cut L1 = 9" LaBS = 27" FR = 50%

4.0

[12]
m

DBBW Beam 2

A-6

Ref

Spec.

Beam

Column

Flange Welds

Web Connection

RBS Details and Other Flange Modifications

(%)
5.0

Op

Comments

[12]

DBBWC
Beam 1 DBBWC Beam 2

Low cycle fatigue fracture in RBS; see note (14) Fracture of bottom beam flange adjacent to groove weld; fracture initiated at weld access hole; see note (14) No connection failure; test stopped due to limitations of test setup see note (13)

[12]

3.8

[13]

DBWW Beam 1

W36x150 A572 Gr. 50 Lb= 141" Fy.f= 54.3 ksi Fu.f = 68.8 ksi Fy.w= 59.4 ksi Fu.w= 72.0 ksi

W 14x398 A572 Gr. 50 Lc = 144" Fv = 53.0 ksi Fu = 73.0 ksi (based on CMTR)

SS-FCAW E70T-6 backing bar left in place w/seal weld at top flange; backing bar removed at bottom flange
((

welded (Beam web groove welded to column)

3.5

[13]

DBWW Beam 2 DBWW -C Beam 1 DBWW -C Beam 2

3.5

[13]

5.0

Low cycle fatigue fracture in RBS see note (14) Low cycle fatigue fracture in RBS

[13]

5.0

A-7

Ref

Spec.

Beam

Column

Flange Welds

Web Connection

[14]

WG-1

W33x201 A572 Gr. 50 Lb = 160.5" F~.f= 52.0 ksi Fu-f = 72.8 ksi Fy.w= 51.5 ksi Fu-w= 68.0 ksi

W14x311 A913 Gr. 65 Lc = 152" Fy.f = 69.0 ksi Fu4 = 88.3 ksi Fy-w= 68.0 ksi F..w= 86.5 ksi 5/8" doubler plates (A572 Gr. 50) provided on each side of column web

SS-FCAW E70TG-K2; backing bar removed at bottom flange

Bolted: 13-1" A490

RBS Details and Other Flange Modifications Radius cut L1 = 9.3" LRBS = 25" FR = 54%

~p

Comments

(%)
2.9 fracture of RBS at local buckle in RBS see note (15)

[14]

WG-2

2.9

No connection failure; test stopped due to limitations of test setup

1~

[14]

WG-3

[14j

WG-4

W36x300 A572 Gr. 50 Lb = 159" F~.f = 56.0 ksi Fu4 = 72.9 ksi Fy.w= 56.7 ksi Fu.w= 74.5 ksi "

W14x550 A913 Gr. 65 Lc = 152" Fy.f = 67.0 ksi Fu4= 86.8 ksi Fy.w= 68.1 ksi Fu.w= 87.6 ksi

Bolted: 20 - 1" A490 (2 rows of 10 bolts each)

Radius cut L1 = 10" Lass = 27" FR = 51%

3.5

"

4.5

"

Notes: 1. All specimens are single cantilever type, except DBBW, DBBW-C, DBWW, and DBWW-C 2. All specimens are bare steel, except SC-1, SC-2, DBBW-C and DBWW-C 3. All specimens subject to quasi static cyclic loading, with ATC-24, SAC or similar loading protocol, except S-1, S-3, So4, SC-2, LS-2 and LS-3 4. All specimens provided with continuity plates at beam-to-column connection, except Popov Specimen DB1 (Popov Specimen DB1 was provided with external flange plates welded to column). 5. Specimens ARUP-1, COH-1 to COH-5, S-1, S-2A, S-3, S-4, SC-1, SC-2 and LS-4 provided with lateral brace near loading point and an additional lateral brace near RBS; all other specimens provided with lateral brace at loading point only. 6. Composite slab details for Specimens SC-2 and SC-2:118" wide floor slab; 3" ribbed deck (ribs perpendicular to beam) with 2.5" ~oncrete cover; normal wt. concrete; welded wire mesh reinforcement; 3.4"dia. shear studs spaced at 24" (one stud in every other rib); first stud located at 29" from face of column; 1" gap left between face of column and slab to minimize composite action.

A-8

7. SpecimensS-3, S-4 and SC-2 were subjectedto simulatedearthquakeloadingbased on N10E horizontalcomponentof the Llolleo recordfrom the 1985 Chile Earthquake. For SpecimenS-3, simulatedloadingwas appliedstatically.For SpecimenS-4 and SC-2; simulatedloadingwas applied dynamically,and repeatedthree times. 8. SpecimenS-3: Connection sustainedstatic simulatedearthquakeloadingwithoutfailure. Maximumplastic rotationdemandon specimenwas approximately 2%. 9. SpecimensS-4 and SC-2: Connection sustaineddynamicsimulatedearthquakeloadingwithoutfailure. Maximumplastic rotationdemandon specimenwas approximately 2%. 10. Tests conductedby Plumiernot includedin Table. Specimensconsistedof HE 260A beams (equivalent W10x49)and HE 300B columns to (equivalent W12x79).All specimenswere providedwith constantcut RBS. Beams attachedto columnsusing fillet welds on beam flanges and web, to or using a bolted end plate. Detailsavailablein Refs. 9 and 10. 11. Shakingtable tests were conductedby Chen, Yeh and Chu [1] on a 0.4 scale single story momentframe with RBS connections.Frame sustained numerousearthquakerecordswithoutfractureat beam-to-column connections. 12. SpecimensLS-2 and LS-3 were tested using near field loadingprotocol.The specimenwas subjectedto peak pulsescorresponding 6% story drift to ratio. Loadingwas repeatedsix times for LS-2 and four times for LS-3. The specimenseventuallyfailed due to low cycle fatiguefractureat the narrowest sectionin the RBS. 13. SpecimensDBBW and DBWW were cruciformt~,pespecimenswith beams attachedto each columnflange. 14. SpecimensDBBW-Cand DBWW-Cwere cruciformtype specimenswith compositefloor slab. Compositeslab details: 96" wide slab; 2" ribbed metal deck (ribs parallelto beam) with 3.5" toppingof normalweightconcrete;concretecompressive strengthat time of testing = 3600 psi for DBBW-Cand 6800 psi for DBWW-C;slab reinforcedwith #4 Gr. 60 bars in each direction;3.4"dia. shearstuds spacedat 12"; first stud locatedat 36" from face of column (at end of RBS). 15. Specimens WG-1 to WG-4: Test report providedslightlyconflictingdata on locationalong length of beam wheredisplacement was measured.Values of plastic rotationreportedabove are basedon an estimatedlocationfor displacement measurements.

A-9

Notation: Fy.f = flangeyield stress from coupontests Fu_f = flange ultimate stress from coupontests Fy_w = web yield stress from coupontests Fu-w = web ultimate stress from coupontests Lb = Lengthof beam, measuredfrom load application point to face of column Lo = Lengthof column L~ = distancefrom face of columnto start of RBS cut EBBS = length of RBS cut FR = Flange Reduction= (area of flange removed/originalflange area) xl00 (FlangeReductionreportedat narrowest sectionof RBS) ep = Maximumplastic rotation developedfor at least one full cycle of loading, measuredwith respectto the face of the column (basedon occurrence of fractureor based on end of loading) References: [1] Chen, S.J., Yeh, C.H. and Chu, J.M, "DuctileSteel Beam-to-Column Connections SeismicResistance," for Journalof Structural Engineering, Vol. 122, No. 11, November 1996, pp. 1292-1299. [2] Iwankiw, N.R., and Carter, C., "The Dogbone: A New Idea to Chew On," Modern Steel Construction, April 1996. [3] Zekioglu, A., Mozaffarian, H., and Uang, C.M., "Moment Frame Connection Development and Testing for the City of Hope National Medical Center," Building to Last- Proceedings of Structures Congress XV, ASCE, Portland, April 1997. [4] Zekioglu, A., Mozaffarian, H., Chang, K.L., Uang, C.M. and Noel, S., "Designing After Northridge," Modem Steel Construction, March 1997. [5] Engelhardt, M.D., Winneberger, T., Zekany, A.J. and Potyraj, T.J., "Experimental Investigation of Dogbone Moment Connections," Proceedings; 1997 National Steel Construction Conference, American Institute of Steel Construction, May 7-9, 1997, Chicago. [6] Engelhardt, M.D., Winneberger, T., Zekany, A.J. and Potyraj, T.J., "The Dogbone Connection, Part II, Modem Steel Construction, August 1996. [7] Popov, E.P., Yang, T.S. and Chang, S.P., "Design of Steel MRF Connections Before and After 1994 Northridge Earthquake," International Conference on Advances in Steel Structures, Hong Kong, December 11-14, 1996. Also in: Engineering Structures, 20(12), 1030-1038, 1998. [8] Tremblay, R., Tchebotarev, N. and Filiatrault, A., "Seismic Performance of RBS Connections for Steel Moment Resisting Frames: Influence of Loading Rate and Floor Slab," Proceedings, Stessa '97, August 4-7, 1997, Kyoto, Japan. [9] Plumier, A., "New Idea for Safe Structures in Seismic Zones," IABSE Symposium - Mixed Structures Including New Materials, Brussels, 1990. [10] Plumier, A., "The Dogbone: Back to the Future," Engineering Journal, American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc. 2nd Quarter 1997. [11] Uang, C.M., Unpublished preliminary test reports for SAC Phase 2 RBS tests, University of California at San Diego, December 1998 and February 1999. [12] Engelhardt, M.D. and Venti, M., Unpublished preliminary test reports for SAC Phase 2 tests, University of Texas at Austin, 1999. " [13] Fry, G., Unpublished preliminary test reports for SAC Phase 2 tests, Texas A & M University, 1999. [14] Unpublished report of connection proof tests for building construction project in southern California; project title withheld at request of building owner, January, 1999.

A-10

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