Performance Evaluation of Welded Moment Frame with Reduced Beam Section and Stiffener

In this research, the effect of the elliptical web reduction, the effect of the radial flange reduction and also the effect of the use of stiffener, on the behavior of beam, on the behavior of connection and on the performance of steel moment frame is studied. By using Finite-Elements Method and 3D elements in ABAQUS, the nonlinear-static analyses of the frame under cyclic loading are carried out and the Von-Mises criterion is checked. The results show that in the beam with no reductions, maximum stresses and strains occur in the web. By reducing the web section of the beam, maximum stresses and strains are transferred to the location of the reduced section. The ratio of maximum strength to the strength at the final step of loading, and also, the value of dissipated energy, show that, in comparison with the connections with radial-shaped reductions, the connections with elliptical-shaped reductions have less strength degradation and more ductility.