NEHRP Clearinghouse
- Title
- Studies in Steel Moment Resisting Beam-to-Column Connections for Seismic-Resistant Design.
- File
- PB96143243.pdf
- Author(s)
- Blackman, B.; Popov, E. P.
- Source
- National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA.; American Inst. of Steel Construction, Chicago, IL., October 1995, 158 p.
- Identifying Number(s)
- UCB/EERC-95/11
- Abstract
- Prior to the January 17, 1994 Northridge Earthquake, special moment resisting framed buildings constructed of steel were considered the best in seismic-resistant design. After the earthquake, however, brittle failures were discused in over 150 buildings, many which were designed and constructed according to contemporary standards. As a result, the report explores the primary reasons for such unexpected failures and attempts to provide methods of economically improving the performance of new connections. First, a historical chapter presents background information regardign the development of earthquake-resistant design standards in building codes as well as the evolution of moment resisting beam-to-column connections used in areas of high seismicity in the United States. Three contemporary, full-scale subassemblages are examined to determine the underlying causes of poor performance during the Northridge Earthquake.
- Keywords
- ; Seismic design; Columns (Supports); Welds; Loads (Forces); Structural members; Failure analysis; Failure (Mechanics); Beams (Structural); Load distribution; Structural steels; Building codes; Seismic effects; Earthquake resistance; Brittleness; Joints (Junctions); Earthquake engineering; Structural response; Dynamic structural analysis