Moment Connection of Steel Double-I Built-Up Column Using Side Plates

This paper proposes a new geometry for the moment connection between I-beams and double-I built-up columns. The beam flanges are usually connected directly to the column cover plate by T-joint full penetration groove weld. The column cover plate will be quite flexible. The groove weld will also become a weak point and lead the connection to premature failure. We have studied the possibility of using full-depth side plates to modify the connection geometry. This new geometry eliminates brittle behavior and all other uncertainties that are intrinsic with the use of complete penetration groove weld. Using the side plates also eliminates all uncertainties about the deformation and buckling of double-I column cover plate. A series of five non-linear, three dimensional finite element models were developed to study the behavior of moment connection of I-beams to double-I built-up column under cyclic loadings. The results obtained from our numerical analysis indicate that this new connection geometry has sufficient strength and ductility to be classified as a SMF connection