Performance of Jumbo Beam-to-Column Connections

with High Strength Steel

Sheng-Jin Chen, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology,

P.O. Box 90-130, Taipei, TAIWAN

ABSTRACT

This paper describes the experimental studies of the seismic moment

connections with jumbo sections and high strength steel. The steel selected is
the ASTM A572 Gr. 60 steel and the flange thickness of steel beams is 50 mm.
The flange plate of beam in the pre-selected zone is tapered to let the provided
moment strength equal to the seismic moment demand. The plastic rotational
angle can be more than 0.03 radians. It is also suggested that the end tabs
should be removed.

INTRODUCTION

The fractures of beam-to-column connections of steel buildings in the Northridge and Kobe
earthquake generated concern about the reliability of conventional steel moment connections.
Due to the nature of seismic force, the strain is concentrated toward the complete joint
penetration (CJP) weld between beam flange and column flange of beam-to-column
connections, leading to the inadequate ductility of the traditional connection. Prior to the
Northridge and Kobe events, the author has suggested to trim part of the beam flanges to
significantly enhance the ductility of the connection by still meeting the moment demand. By this
simple arrangement, an enlarged plastic zone can be obtained in the area away from the weld,
thereby fully utilizing large deformation capacity of the steel plate. Series of studies have been
conducted on this type connection. These experimental studies cover the beam sizes and steel
grades that are commonly used in practice. However, occasionally it is necessary to design
steel frames adopt jumbo sections and/or high strength steel, especially in the high-rise
buildings. Although the weldability of high strength steel and thick plate is questionable in the
seismic design of beam-to-column connection, however, the ductile connection method
proposed by the author is aimed at depending the energy dissipation capacity on the steel plate
itself and rely on the higher strength of the weld. Since the proposed connection method is able
to provides an enlarged plastic zone on the steel plate that is away from the field weld, the
energy dissipation capacity can be assured even with high strength steel and thick plate
welding. This paper described the experimental studies of the seismic moment connections with
jumbo sections and high strength steel. A series of experimental studies of using high strength
steel and jumbo section are performed. The steel selected is the ASTM A572 Gr. 60 steel and
the flange thickness of steel beams is 50 mm (2 inches). The deformation capacities of the
beam-column assemblages were examined. The effects of end tabs and backing bars on the
ductility of the connection were also discussed. The following is a brief description of this

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connection method.

DUCTILE BEAM-TO-COLUMN CONNECTION

Although the reliability of field welding has always been questionable and is generally blamed for
the fracturing of the connection, a lack of deformation capacity has also been reported from
large-size experimental studies in the laboratory (1). Brittle fractures of moment connection also
indicate that ductile materials do not ensure ductile structure, but the geometry, type of loading
and material properties may affect the structural behavior. The stress (strain) concentration from
the seismic moment gradient may severely interfere with the spread of the plastic area around
the connection and this may account for the brittle fracture of the connection (2). This can be
explained by Fig. 1 in which the moment diagram along the beam of a moment frame under
seismic lateral force is shown in Fig. 1a, and this can be modeled by the equivalent cantilever
beam shown in Fig. 1b. For a typical wide flange steel beam, the flexural strength comes
primarily from the flange plates; the bending moment of Fig. 1b would result in the normal stress
of the flange plate along the beam length as shown in Fig. 1c. The stress state of Fig. 1c can be
represented by the equivalent steel plate shown in Fig. 1d that has a varying width and is
subjected to a uniform tensile load at its far end. However, based on the theory of strength of
material, a high stress (strain) concentration will result on the fixed end of the equivalent plate
and very limited deformation capacity is obtained. This phenomenon can be further explored by
examining the tension coupons in Fig. 2. Fig. 2a shows tension coupons under uniform forces
at their ends. When the loads are gradually increased, the reduced sectional area of Fig. 2a
yields uniformly; however, the tension coupon of Fig. 2b with a varying width along its length
yields about the section of minimum width only. As the plastic deformation concentrate on a
limited area as shown in Fig. 2b, only limited capacity for energy dissipation is expected and its
deformation characteristics are classified as brittle. Although the tension coupon shown in Fig.
2c has the same sectional properties as Fig. 2a except greater length of constant stress area,
Fig. 2c possesses a larger plastic volume and dissipates more energy than Fig. 2a. Comparing
Fig. 1d and Fig. 2b, one can easily found that brittle fracture will occurred. The stress gradient
markedly affects the capacity of the spread of the plasticity around the connection. Moreover,
with the effect of large thermal input during welding and stress concentration due to abrupt
geometry variation, the capacity of steel beam to deform is severely inhibited. This
phenomenon provides another explanation why steel beam-to-column connection may possess
only limited ductility. For the same reasons ductile materials fail to ensure a structure to be
invariably ductile unless a proper design is made.

Figure 1 indicates that the stress state around the connection markedly interferes with the
formation of a plastic hinge. Increasing the deformation capacity of the connection must be
solved according to the fundamental mechanism of deformation about the connections. It is of
interest to examine Fig. 2c in which a large area of constant stresses is produced; if the load is
increased, the yielding stress is attained simultaneously in the middle part of the coupon. On the
basis of this concept, the author proposed a beam-to-column moment connection method that
can create a finite area of plastic zone by means of the concept of constant stresses. This
objective is attained by shaving the beam flanges near the connection according to the
moment demand so as to produce an enlarged area of a plastic hinge (2). Using this
arrangement, the beam in the pre-selected area can be plastified simultaneously and an
enlarged plastic zone can be obtained as shown in Fig. 3. Series of experimental and analytical
studies showed that the proposed connection method can achieve an enlarged plastic zone
and the deformation capacity can be improved. These included experimental studies of large
size beam-to-column subassemblage with and without floor slabs, and reduced scale shaking
table test of steel frames (2~5). The following described the study of jumbo size beam-to-

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column connection that applying this connection method.

EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES

The beam selected for experimental studies is H700X300X25X50. The length of beam from
loading point to the column surface is 3725mm. The column is H600X600X25X50 with the
length of 2945 mm. ASTM A572 Gr. 60 steel is used for both beam and column. Both beam and
column are of built-up sections. The design of the specimen is shown in Fig. 4. The CJP weld
between column flange and beam flange is done by SMAW with electrode of E8016- I 5mm. In
order to create the most severe condition around the CJP weld, the thickness of beam flange,
column flange, and continuity plates are all of 50 mm.

All the design follows the current AISC-LFRD and the Taiwanese seismic code. The backing
bars of Specimen No. 1 and No. 2 were removed and back gouged to sound weld, then an
supplemental weld in over-head position was added. The backing bars of Specimen No. 3 and
No. 4 were left in place in order to compare with Specimen No. 1 and No. 2.

The specimen were loaded with two elastic cycles of 0.3įy and 0.6įy. Then the specimen were
loaded to įyand follows with the increment of 1įy in the inelastic ranges. However, due to the
limitation of the stroke of the actuator, in larger displacement amplitudes, it was necessary to
unload and re-center the position of the actuator. Depend on the required amplitude, it might
need to unload and reload couple times before the designated displacement amplitude is
reached.

DISCUSSION OF EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS

Failure Modes
All the specimen tested exhibited yielding at the pre-selected zone. Before final fracture
occurred, cracks were found at both edges of the beam flange plate and center of flange plate
that was near the weld access hole. The cracks were first observed at 2 y. Fracture e
occurred at 3 y for Specimen 1 due to the propagation of cracks at the junction between end
tabs and flange plates (Fig. 5). The end tabs of Specimen 2~4 were then removed and after
the tiny initial crack at 2 y, yielding in the pre-selected zone caused the joint continues
deformed and the crack gradually propagated in the subsequent loading cycles (Fig. 6, Fig.7).
Finally, the fracture occurred at 6 y. Different form the failure modes of most connecting tests
done before, no local buckling was observed in these jumbo specimen. This was because
these tests use thick plate that preventing local buckling. The final failure mode was the
fracture of the connection (Fig. 8). Since the average strength of the specimens is 1.08 Mp
which is larger than the required strength 0.8 Mp (6), it seems that the strength in the object
zone can be further reduced. For example, if the strength in the object zone is 20% less than
the nominal required value (10% reduction is adopted for these specimen), the stress at the
joint can be reduced and it is believed that the deformation capacity can be further increased.

Effect of End Tabs and Backing Bars

The role of end tab is to facilitate sound weld for the full length of the joint. Cracking and
porosity are easily developed at the start and termination point of the weld. By using end tabs,
these defects can be kept out of the length of the joint. However, if these end tabs are left in
place, the possible defect are still exist in the weld and the stress will be transmitted to the real
full length of the weld (including the end tabs). As the applied load gradually increased, crack
may initiated from this area. Specimen 1 was the only specimen that the end tabs were left in

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place and the crack was initiated from the junction of the end tabs and the flange plate as
shown in Fig. 5. This also reflected on the plastic rotational angle of the connection. The
average plastic rotational angle of Specimen No. 1 was only 0.016 radians, while the average
plastic rotational angle of Specimen 2~4 was 0.039 radians. It is suggested to remove the end
tabs to ensure good welding quality in the whole length of the weld.

Steel backing bars were used at the CJP weld between beam flange and column flange plate.
Although backing bars are used to support the weld during welding process and is not
considered to the strength of the joint. However, after the welding, the backing bars become
part of the permanent structure and do participate in the stress transfer between the joint
members. The gape between the backing bar and the beam flange and/or column flange
become a natural crack and may lead to the premature fracture of the joint. After Northridge
earthquake, some specifications suggest to remove the backing bars, at least the backing bar
of bottom flange connection (7). However, to remove the backing bar and add supplemental
weld in overhead position in the field is very difficult. In this study, the backing bars of
Specimen 1 and 2 were removed while the backing bars of Specimen 3 and 4 were left in
place. The end tabs of Specimen 1 were left in place while the end tabs of all other specimens
were removed. The welding details of Specimen 2~4 were the same except the backing bars
of specimen 2 were removed. From the experimental results of specimen 2~4, there was no
clear evidence of the benefit of removing backing bars. The strengths and plastic rotational
angle of these specimens were about the same.

Ultimate Strength
The ultimate strengths of the specimen are listed in Table 1. In current design practice, the
required strength of reduced beam section method is 0.8 Mp (6). Although the specimens
tested were designed to achieve the strength 10 % less than the nominal value, the average
true strength to that of nominal strength is 1.08, which is considered adequate for the strength
requirement.

Ductility
Fig. 9 shows the hysteresis behavior of the connections tested. The plastic hysteresis behavior
of the connections shown in Fig. 9 were obtained by deducting the elastic deformation from the
total deformation. The maximum plastic rotational angle attained was listed in Table 1.
Compared to previous test results (3), tests in this series also demonstrate the stable and
reliable features of the hysteresis behavior that is not difficult to understand as the plasticity is
mainly from the yield of a steel plate and the effect of welding has been minimized. Although
jumbo section and high strength steel is used in this study, it seems that by designing a pre-
selected zone to let uniform yielding can occurred in this region, the sensitivity of welding due to
thick plate can be relaxed and good energy dissipation behavior can be obtained.

SUMMARY AND SUGGESTIONS

The brittle fractures of the welded moment connections from recent earthquakes indicated that
the conventional method is not able to ensure ductile behavior of steel frames under seismic
load. By trimming the flanges of the beam around the connection to let the provided moment
capacity be equal to that of the demand value, an enlarged plastic zone can be achieved and
the deformation capacity can be improved. By forcing yielding to occur in the pre-selected area
which is away from the CJP weld of the connection, the sensitivity of welding is relaxed and the
energy dissipation becomes much more reliable. Experimental studies of jumbo section which
was made from high strength steel also demonstrated good energy dissipation capacity. From
experimental studies, it was found that in or around the end tabs, there might be some welding

260
defects and the end tabs was suggested to be removed. However, no clear evidence on the
benefit of removing the backing bars and re-weld at the overhead position. It was also found
that the amount of the tapering could be increased to reduce the stress level at the junction of
beam and column so that the crack initiation could be deferred.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The work presented in this paper was sponsored by China Steel Company. Specimens were
fabricated by China Steel Structure Company.

REFERENCES

1. Chen, S.J. and Chen, G.K. (1990). Fracture of steel beam to box column Connections,
Chinese Inst. Engrg., 16( 3), 381-394
2. Chen, S.J. (1993). Failure modes of beam-to-column connections in steel high-rise
buildings and development of ductile beam-to-column connections”, The 14th ROC-
Japan Engineering workshop (in Chinese)
3. Chen, S. J. and Yeh, C.H. (1994). Enhancement of ductility of steel beam-to-column
connections for seismic resistance. SSRC 1994 Tech. Session, Lehigh University,
Pa.
4. Chen, S.J., Yeh, C.H. and Chu, J.M. (1996). Ductile steel beam-to-column connections for
seismic resistance. J. Struct. Engrg., ASCE, 122 (11)1292-1299.
5. Chen, S.J., Chu, J.M. and Chou, Z.L. (1997). Dynamic behavior of steel frames with beam
flanges shaved around connection. J. Constructional Steel Research, 42 (1) 49-69.
6. SAC Joint Venture (SAC). (1999). Interim Guidelines Advisory No. 2, Supplement to FEMA-
267, FEMA-267B, Sacramental, Ca.
7. AISC, (1997), Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings.

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 Table 1 Test Results of Large Scale Specimens

Specimen M u / M p, n M u / M p, m T p (radian)
No. 1 +0.993 0.88 +0.0116
-1.069 -1.009 -0.0204
No. 2 +1.063 +1.003 +0.0333
-1.081 -1.019 -0.0285
No. 3 +1.115 +1.052 +0.0425
-1.085 -1.023 -0.0276
No. 4 +1.145 +1.080 +0.0355
-1.115 -1.052 -0.0361
Average +1.083 +1.015 +0.0294
Note: 1. Positive loading: top flange of beam is under compression.
Negative loading: top flange of beam is under tension.
2. M p , n : nominal maximum strength of steel beam
3. M p , m : maximum strength of steel beam based on true material strength

bf
P
MP
tf

MP L

(a) (b)

L1 L1 tf

V
bf

(c) (d)

Fig. 1 Stress states of a frame under earthquake loading

262
 L
C

(a)

W L
C

(b)

W Mp Provided Moment Capacity

Mu Requir
ed Mo
ment C
(c) apacit
y

Fig. 2 Tension coupons under uniform forces Fig. 3 Enlarged plastic zone of proposed
connection method

H600x600x25x50
PL25
30° 45°
7@65 72.5

double plate
50

PL20
H700x350x25x50
~
72.5

PL10x30x450

38 10
20
8-M24 F10T H.S.B.

150 400 50 200

33.5
54

End Tab

Fig. 4 Design of specimens

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 Fig. 5 Fracture of Specimen No. 1 Fig. 6 Typical yielding zone on web

Fig. 7 Typical yielding zone on flange Fig. 8 Fracture of Specimen No. 2

264
 2.0
No. 1 2.0
No. 2

1.0 1.0
M/My

M/My
0.0 0.0

-1.0 -1.0

-2.0 -2.0
-6.0 -4.0 -2.0 0.0 2.0 4.0 6.0 -6.0 -4.0 -2.0 0.0 2.0 4.0 6.0
Plastic rotation (%, radians) Plastic rotation (%, radians)

2.0
No. 3 No. 4
2.0

1.0 1.0
M/My

M/My

0.0 0.0

-1.0 -1.0

-2.0 -2.0
-6.0 -4.0 -2.0 0.0 2.0 4.0 6.0 -6.0 -4.0 -2.0 0.0 2.0 4.0 6.0
Plastic rotation (%, radians) Plastic rotation (%, radians)

Fig. 9 Hysteresis behavior of specimens

265