Seismic Tests of Steel Beam-to-column Moment Connections with Inclined End-plate Beam Splice

Abstract

-A beam splice method using inclined end-plates and high-strength tension bolts was developed. The end-plates welded to a bracket and a spliced beam are connected each other by using the tension bolts. In the present study, six exterior beam-to-column moment connections were tested under cyclic loading. Test parameters were the end-plate details and bolt arrangements. All specimens were designed so that moment resistances of the end-plates and bolts were greater than the required moment at the beam splice, in accordance with the design methods of AISC Design Guide 4. Test results showed that in the beam splices with the extended end-plates, the beam moment successfully transferred to the bracket, without any defeats such as excessive prying action of the end plates and brittle failure at the end plate-to-beam flange weld joints. However, the deformation capacities of the overall beam-to-column connections were limited due to the brittle failure of the beam-to-column flange weld joints. From the test results, recommendations for seismic design and detailing of the beam-to-column moment connection with inclined end-plate beam splice were given.