Seismic performance of steel moment connections with various reduced beam sections

Abstract The main objectives of this research are to study the effects of cyclic loading on the behavior of steel moment connections with various reduced beam sections, and to determine the beam section that provides the best seismic performance. To accomplish these objectives, three different types of specimens were analyzed. These specimens were designed to combine a reduced beam section with a high-quality welded beam-to-column connection at the column face. The main distinction between these specimens lies in the reduced beam’s cross-section: C (channel), I (I-beam), and Box (hollow rectangular section). The reduction in the beam section weakens the beam section before the connection and moves plastic hinge formation at an appropriate distance from the column face to avoid brittle failure at the beam-to-column connection of steel frames, which was observed because of the Northridge and Kobe earthquakes. The restricted number of studies utilizing European profiles leads to the investigation of RBS connections using European profiles and steel grades. A finite element model of the connection was created using the ABAQUS FEA software. The AISC seismic design guidelines were followed in the cyclic loading technique. The study’s findings show that the difference in maximum load and moment between the full beam section and RBS was less than 10%. However, the RBS improved the hysteretic behaviour of the connection and increased the energy dissipation of the system. The I-section offers the best seismic performance by dissipating the most energy, followed by the Box and C-sections.