Evaluation of Reduced Web Section (RWS) Connections Subjected to Cyclic Loading

Abstract This study investigates the performance of Reduced Web Section (RWS) connections subjected to cyclic loading, using finite element analysis (FEA) to assess their potential as a retrofit strategy for steel structures. RWS connections, which involve perforations in the beam web while preserving flange integrity, aim to enhance moment capacity and reduce out‐of‐plane instability. They also offer practical benefits such as retrofitting from below without floor demolition. Detailed FEA models were developed and validated against experimental data. A parametric study of 300 models (IPE270, IPE330, and IPE400 beams) evaluated key geometric parameters, including perforation diameter and its distance from the column face. Performance metrics such as yield moment ( M y ), peak moment ( M m ), yield ( θ y ) and Ultimate ( θ u ) rotations, and strength degradation were assessed. Results show that RWS connections can achieve drifts above 4% with less than 20% strength degradation, effectively mobilising plastic deformation away from joints into protected zones, improving seismic performance.