Welding Seismic Connections

WELDING SEISMICALLY
RESISTANT CONNECTIONS
Welding Seismically Resistant Connections
• Introduction
• Review of Northridge
• Ductility
• Prequalified Moment Connections
• AWS D1.8 Seismic Welding Supplement
• Introduction
• Ductility

WELDING SEISMICALLY
ANSI/AISC 341-10
An American National Standard
SEISMIC PROVISIONS
For Structural
Steel Buildings
ANSI/AISC 358-10
ANSI/AISC 358s1-11
Prequalified Connections for

Special and Intermediate
Steel Moment Frames for
Seismic Applications
Note: AISC documents are

available as free downloads
from www.aisc.org
AWS D1.8/D1.8M:2009
An American National
Standard
Seismic
AWS D1.8:2009 Welding
Supplement
Structural Welding Code-

Seismic Welding Supplement
WELDING SEISMICALLY
• Introduction
• Ductility
The Northridge Earthquake

January 17, 1994
9
WELDING SEISMICALLY
10
Beam Web
Shear Tab
Bolted Web
Column Flange
Weld Access Hole
Beam Bottom Flange
Backing Groove Weld

11
FEMA 267: Interim Guidelines:

Evaluation , Repair, Modification and Design of Welded Steel Moment Frame Structures
Figure 3-2 Types of Girder Damage

12
WELDING SEISMICALLY
Type G3
13
Type G3
14
Type C2
15
WELDING SEISMICALLY
Type C2
16
Type C2 17
Type C5
18
WELDING SEISMICALLY
Type C519
Type W2
20
Type W2, W3 21
WELDING SEISMICALLY
Type W3
22
Type W3
23
Type W3
24
WELDING SEISMICALLY
Type W3 25
Likely a W4
Type P9
27
WELDING SEISMICALLY
Type P9
28
90% of fractures occurred in

bottom beam to column
flange connection
29
94-01 SAC Invitational Workshop on Steel Seismic Issues

Figure 2c. Form Section V damage types, continued.
W1
BY TESTING 30
WELDING SEISMICALLY
94-01 SAC Invitational Workshop on Steel Seismic Issues

Figure 2a. Survey form Section V damage description page.
Flange W1 Incipient weld crack

Weld W2 Full or partial crack through weld metal
Damage W3 Fracture at girder interface
W4 Fracture at column interface
31
W1 Incipient weld crack
33
WELDING SEISMICALLY
34
WELDING SEISMICALLY
Difficult to distinguish
with UT between an
acceptable weld with
backing left in place and
a weld with a root crack
Acceptable
37
Crack in root
Impossible to distinguish
with UT whether a crack
is pre-existing, or due to
earthquake
Pre-existing crack
38
Earthquake crack
Good weld
WELDING SEISMICALLY
Crack in weld
Crack in fusion zone
Crack in HAZ
WELDING SEISMICALLY
Incomplete fusion
Lamellar tear
Crack in Crack in Crack in

weld fusion zone HAZ
All could be identified as W1 in inspection reports
Incomplete Lamellar Good

fusion tear weld
45
WELDING SEISMICALLY
Crack in Crack in Crack in

weld fusion zone HAZ
The solutions to these problems are very different
Incomplete Lamellar Good

fusion tear weld
46
Report No. SAC/BD-99/10 Paret
Clarifying the Extent of Northridge-Induced

Weld Fracturing; Examining the Related Issue
of UT Reliability
CONCLUSIONS
47

of UT Reliability
CONCLUSIONS
1. W1’s are a result of poor welding and inspection

practices during construction, not a result of earthquake
ground motions.
48
WELDING SEISMICALLY

of UT Reliability
CONCLUSIONS
2. Ultrasonic inspection as normally employed by testing

laboratory personnel is not a reliable inspection technique
for identifying defects in the roots of welded full penetration
“T” joints with backing.
49
Difficult to distinguish
with UT between an
acceptable weld with
backing left in place and
a weld with a root crack
Acceptable
50
Crack in root
“Ultrasonic Inspection…is
not a reliable inspection
technique for identifying
defects in the roots of
welded full penetration “T”
joints with backing.”
Acceptable
51
Crack in root
WELDING SEISMICALLY

of UT Reliability
CONCLUSIONS
3. The extent of earthquake damage to WSMF buildings is

substantially less than has previously been reported.
52

of UT Reliability
However, assorted anecdotal evidence suggested that

W1’s might not be earthquake related at all. For example,
a number of samples of W1b’s trepanned from welded
connections and examined in the laboratory were
determined to contain only areas of nonfusion and slag,
without any crack extension or other potentially
earthquake-related conditions.
53

of UT Reliability
Figure 6 Distribution of W1’s and non-W1’s in City of Los Angeles Inventory
24 buildings
Non-W1
66 buildings >10%
No W1 or 11%
non-W1 1
Non-W1
32% <10% 48 buildings 2
23% 3
4
W1 only
34%
71 buildings 54
WELDING SEISMICALLY

of UT Reliability
24 buildings
Non-W1
66 buildings >10%
No W1 or 11%
non-W1 1
Non-W1
32% <10% 48 buildings 2
23% 3
4
W1 only
34% > 100 damaged buildings
2/3rds of building = damaged

71 buildings 55

of UT Reliability
24 buildings
Non-W1
66 buildings >10%
No W1 or 11%
non-W1 1
Non-W1
32% <10% 48 buildings 2
23% 3
4
W1 only
34% < 100 damaged buildings
1/3rds of building = damaged

56
71 buildings

of UT Reliability
Figure 2. Location most often defined for W1’s by ultrasonics
“…only areas of
nonfusion and slag,
without any crack
extension…” 57
WELDING SEISMICALLY

of UT Reliability
Figure 7. Cumulative Occurrence of Non-W1’s in City of Los Angeles Inventory
58
100%
% of all connections with non-W1s
Cumulative Damage
90% of all non-W1 damage in 27 buildings
10%
0%
109
121
133
145
157
169
181
193
205
13
25
37
49
73
85
97
1
Building, ranked in increasing # of non-W1s 59
100%
Cumulative Damage
80% of all non-W1 damage in 16 ( + ) buildings
20%
0%
13
25
37
49
73
85
97
1
109
121
133
145
157
169
181
193
205

WELDING SEISMICALLY
100%
Cumulative Damage
60% of all non-W1 damage in 4 ( + ) buildings
40%
0%
13
25
37
49
73
85
97
1
109
121
133
145
157
169
181
193
205
100%
Cumulative Damage
CAVEAT:
These data are based on LA
inventory of inspected buildings.
0%
109
121
133
145
157
169
181
193
205
13
25
37
49
73
85
97
1
FEMA 353: Recommended Specifications and Quality Assurance Guidelines for

Steel Moment-Frame Construction for Seismic Applications
Federal
Emergency
Management
Agency (FEMA)
FEMA 353
July 2000
63
WELDING SEISMICALLY

“As a result of these studies, and independent

research conducted by others, it is now known that
the typical moment-resisting connection detail
employed in steel moment-frame construction prior
to the 1994 Northridge earthquake…had a number
of features that rendered it inherently susceptible to
brittle fracture. These included the following:”
(seven items are then listed)
64
From FEMA 353, page 1-9

• “The most severe stresses in the connection

assembly occur where the beam joins to the
column.”
• “…the weld…must be interrupted at the beam

web, with either a start or stop of the weld at this
location. This welding technique often results in
poor quality welding at this critical location….”
• “The basic configuration of the connection makes

it difficult to detect hidden defects at the root of
the welded beam-flange-to-column-flange joints.”
65

• “… the beam flanges at the connection carry a

significant amount of the beam shear. This results
in significant flexural stresses on the beam flange
at the face of the column….”
• “… severe strain concentrations can occur in the

beam flange at the toe of these weld access
holes. These strain concentrations can result in
low-cycle fatigue and the initiation of ductile
tearing of the beam flanges….”
66
WELDING SEISMICALLY

• “Steel material at the center of the beam-flange-

to-column-flange joint is restrained from
movement, particularly in connections of heavy
sections with thick column flanges. This condition
of restraint inhibits the development of yielding at
this location, resulting in locally high stresses on
the welded joint, which exacerbates the tendency
to initiate fractures at defects in the welded joints.”
67

• “In connections with excessively weak panel

zones, inelastic behavior of the assembly is
dominated by shear deformation of the panel
zone. This panel zone shear deformation results
in a local kinking of the column flanges adjacent
to the beam-flange-to-column-flange joint….”
68

“In addition to the above, additional conditions

contributed significantly to the vulnerability of
connections constructed prior to 1994.”
(three items are then listed)
69
WELDING SEISMICALLY

• “The welding consumables that building erectors

most commonly used inherently produced welds
with very low toughness.”
• “… as member sizes increased, strain demands

on the welded connections also increased,
making the connections more susceptible to brittle
behavior.”
• “… many beams actually had yield strengths that

approximated or exceeded that required for grade
50 material. As a result of this increase in base
metal yield strength, the weld metal in the beam-
flange-to-column-flange joints became under-
70
matched….”

“At this time, it is clear that in order to obtain reliable

ductile behavior of steel moment-frame construction
a number of changes to past practices in design,
materials, fabrication, erection and quality assurance
are necessary.”
71
Details Design
Materials Inspection
Workmanship
72
WELDING SEISMICALLY
• Introduction
• Ductility

• “Steel material at the center of the beam-flange-

to-column-flange joint is restrained from
movement, particularly in connections of heavy
sections with thick column flanges. This condition
of restraint inhibits the development of yielding at
this location, resulting in locally high stresses on
the welded joint, which exacerbates the tendency
to initiate fractures at defects in the welded joints.”
74
HOW TO OBTAIN
DUCTILE BEHAVIOR
WELDING SEISMICALLY
WELDING SEISMICALLY
Stress
Strain
WELDING SEISMICALLY
STRENGTH OF MATERIALS UNDER COMBINED STRESS

Maxwell Gensamer, 1941
This is an important concept and needs to be

emphasized: no shear stress, no plastic deformation
or flow.
SHEAR
TENSILE
s3 s2 s1
SHEAR
t1-2
TENSILE
s2 s1
s1-s2
WELDING SEISMICALLY
SHEAR
t1-3
TENSILE
s3 s1
s1-s3
SHEAR
t2-3
TENSILE
s3 s2 s2-s3
SHEAR
t1-2, t1-3
s2 - s3
t2-3
TENSILE
s3 s2 s1
s1 - s2 , s1 - s3
WELDING SEISMICALLY
SHEAR
t1-2, t1-3
t2-3
TENSILE
s3 s2 s1
SHEAR
t1-2, t1-3
Critical Shear
Strength t2-3
TENSILE
s3 s2 s1
syield
t1-2
SHEAR
t1-2, t1-3
Critical Shear
Strength t2-3
TENSILE
s3 s2 s1
syield
t1-2
WELDING SEISMICALLY
SHEAR
t1-2, t1-3
Critical Shear
Strength t2-3
TENSILE
s3 s2 s1
syield
t1-3
SHEAR
t1-2, t1-3
Critical Shear
Strength t2-3
TENSILE
s3 s2 s1
syield
t1-3
SHEAR
t1-2, t1-3
t2-3
TENSILE
s3 s2 s1
Ductility syield
WELDING SEISMICALLY
SHEAR
t1-2, t1-3
t2-3
s3 s2 s1
Fracture syield stensile
SHEAR
t1-2
t1-3, t2-3
s2
TENSILE
s3 s1
syield stensile
SHEAR
t1-2
t1-3, t2-3
s2
TENSILE
s3 s1
syield stensile
WELDING SEISMICALLY
SHEAR t1-2
t1-3, t2-3
s2
s3 s1
syield stensile
SHEAR
t1-2, t1-3, t2-3

TENSILE
s1, s2, s3,
syield stensile
SHEAR
t1-2, t1-3, t2-3

TENSILE
s1, s2, s3,
syield stensile
WELDING SEISMICALLY
SHEAR
t1-2, t1-3, t2-3
s1, s2, s3
syield stensile

So, if smax. (the normal stress) first reaches the

critical value for cohesive failure, the metal will be
brittle (behave in a brittle fashion); whereas if tmax.
(the shear stress ) first reaches the critical value for
plastic deformation, the metal will deform, that is,
behave in a ductile fashion.
MANUAL OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION LRFD 2ND EDITION
It has been established that plastic deformation can occur only

in the presence of shear stresses. Shear stresses are always
present in a uniaxial or biaxial state-of-stress. However, in a triaxial
state-of-stress, the maximum shear stress approaches zero as the
principal stresses approach a common value, and thus, under
equal triaxial tensile stresses, failure occurs by cleavage rather
than by shear.
WELDING SEISMICALLY
STEEL CONSTRUCTION MANUAL 14TH EDITION
Triaxial state-of-stress: While shear stresses are always

present in uniaxial or biaxial state-of-stress, the maximum
shear stress approaches zero as the principal stresses approach
a common value in a triaxial state-of stress. A triaxial state-of-
stress can also result from uniaxial loading when notches or
geometric discontinuities are present. A triaxial state-of-stress will
cause the yield stress of the material to increase above it nominal
value, resulting in brittle fracture by cleavage, rather than ductile
shear deformations.

This is an important concept and needs to be

emphasized: no shear stress, no plastic deformation
or flow.
• Introduction
• Ductility

WELDING SEISMICALLY
ANSI/AISC 358-10
ANSI/AISC 358s1-11
Prequalified Connections for

Special and Intermediate
Steel Moment Frames for
Seismic Applications
AISC 358s1-11 Prequalified Connections
CHAPTER 1
GENERAL
1.1. SCOPE
This Standard specifies design, detailing, fabrication
and quality criteria for connections that are
prequalified in accordance with the AISC Seismic
Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings (herein
referred to as the AISC Seismic Provisions) for use
with special moment frames (SMF) and intermediate
moment frames (IMF). The connections contained in
this Standard are prequalified to meet the
requirements in the AISC Seismic Provisions only
when designed and constructed in accordance with
the requirements of this Standard.
The Pre-Northridge Moment Connection
Not prequalified in ASIC 358

108
WELDING SEISMICALLY
Reduced Beam Section (RBS) Moment Connection
Bolted Unstiffened and Stiffened Extended End-

Plate moment connections (BUUEP, BSEEP)
Bolted Flange Plate (BFP) Moment Connection

WELDING SEISMICALLY
Welded Unreinforced Flange-Welded Web (WUF-W)

Moment Connection
Kaiser Bolted Bracket (KBB) Moment Connection

WELDING SEISMICALLY
CONXTECH CONXL Moment Connection
115
RBS End Plate
116
BFP WUF-W KBF
COMMENTARY CHAPTER 1
GENERAL
1.3 General
Connections prequalified under this Standard are
intended to withstand inelastic deformation primarily
through controlled yielding in specific behavioral
modes. To obtain connections that will behave in the
indicated manner, proper determination of the
strength of the connection in various limit states is
necessary. The strength formulations contained in
the LRFD method are consistent with this approach.
WELDING SEISMICALLY
CHAPTER 1
GENERAL
1.1. SCOPE
This Standard specifies design, detailing, fabrication
and quality criteria for connections that are
prequalified in accordance with the AISC Seismic
Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings (herein
referred to as the AISC Seismic Provisions) for use
with special moment frames (SMF) and intermediate
moment frames (IMF). The connections contained in
this Standard are prequalified to meet the
requirements in the AISC Seismic Provisions only
when designed and constructed in accordance with
the requirements of this Standard.
CHAPTER 3
WELDING REQUIREMENTS
3.1. FILLER METALS

Filler metals shall conform to the requirements of the
AISC Seismic Provisions.
3.2. WELDING PROCEDURES
Welding procedures shall be in accordance with the
AISC Seismic Provisions.
AISC 341-10 SEISMIC PROVISIONS
CHAPTER A
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
A2. REFERENCED SPECIFICATIONS, CODES AND

STANDARDS
American Welding Society (AWS)

AWS D1.8/D1.8M:2009 Structural Welding Code–
Seismic Supplement
WELDING SEISMICALLY
AWS D1.8/D1.8M:2009
An American National
Standard
AWS D1.8:2009
Seismic
Structural Welding Code— Welding
Supplement
Seismic Welding Supplement
• Introduction
• Ductility
OUTLINE: D1.8 Seismic Welding Supplement

• Overview
• Engineer’s Responsibilities
• Terms and Definitions
• Heat Input Testing
• Restricted Access Welder Qualification
• Workmanship Details
123
WELDING SEISMICALLY
AWS D1.8:2009 Seismic Welding Supplement
1. General Provisions
2. Reference Documents
3. Definitions
4. Welded Connection Details
5. Welder Qualification
6. Fabrication
7. Inspection
124
COMMENTARY
C-1.1 Applicability (cont’d)
The provisions contained in this standard
complement the AISC Seismic Provisions and are
intended to ensure that welded joints that are
designed to undergo significant repetitive inelastic
strains as a result of earthquakes or that are used to
connect members designed to resist such inelastic
strains have adequate strength, notch toughness,
and integrity to perform as intended.
STRENGTH TOUGHNESS INTEGRITY
COMMENTARY
In general, the AISC Seismic Provisions specifies the
requirements for design of members, connections
and welded joints in the SFRS (seismic force
resisting system).
i.e., “WHAT” is required

WELDING SEISMICALLY
COMMENTARY
This code, together with AWS D1.1/D1.1M, specifies
the acceptable materials, procedures and
workmanship for constructing welded joints in the
SFRS as well as the procedures, and acceptance
criteria for quality control and quality assurance
inspection of welded joints in the SFRS.
i.e., “HOW” to achieve

required results
The essence of AWS D1.8:

AWS D1.8 specifies HOW structural steel must be
fabricated in order to achieve the necessary
STRENGTH, TOUGHNESS and INTEGRITY so that
a structure designed in accordance with AISC
Seismic Provisions is able to undergo significant
repetitive inelastic strains as a result of an
earthquake.
COMMENTARY
The provisions contained in this standard
complement the AISC Seismic Provisions and are
intended to ensure that welded joints that are
designed to undergo significant repetitive inelastic
strains as a result of earthquakes or that are used to
connect members designed to resist such inelastic
strains have adequate strength, notch toughness,
and integrity to perform as intended.
STRENGTH TOUGHNESS INTEGRITY
CONTROL NOTCHES
WELDING SEISMICALLY
STRENGTH
• No new requirements: D1.1 applies
TOUGHNESS
• For members of SFRS: 20 ft-lbs @ 0oF [27J @ -18oC]

by AWS A5 classification (Table 6.1)
• For Demand Critical welds: 40 ft-lbs @ +70oF
[54J @ +20oC] by special high and low heat input
tests (Table 6.2, Annex A)
• Intermix testing for combinations that include FCAW-S
(Annex B)
• Controls on wind speed for gas-shielded processes
(clause 6.2.2.1)
• Filler metal lot control, or alternatives (clause 6.3.8)
• Maximum interpass temperature control (clause 6.5)
INTEGRITY
• Restricted access welder qualification test (Annex D)

• Bottom flange welding sequence (clause 6.14)
• Welder identification system (clause 6.13)
• Moisture-resistant FCAW packaging (clause 6.4.1)
• Exposure limits for FCAW electrode (clause 6.4.3),
including extended exposure tests (Annex E)
• Controls on wind speed for gas-shielded processes
(clause 6.2.2.1)
• Inspection criteria for specific conditions (clauses 7.4-
7.10)
WELDING SEISMICALLY
CONTROL NOTCHES
• Protected Zone restrictions (clauses 6.6, 6.15)

• Backing removal (clause 6.7)
• Left-in-place backing treatment (clause 6.9)
• Weld access hole profiles (clause 6.10)
• Weld tab removal (clause 6.11)
• Restrictions on end dams (clause 6.12)
• Corner clips and continuity plates and stiffener
detailing (clause 4.1)
• Width and thickness transition details (clause 4.2)
1.1 Applicability
The provisions of this code supplement the
provisions of AWS D1.1/D1.1M, Structural Welding
Code—Steel, and shall apply to the design,
fabrication, quality control, and quality assurance of
welded joints designed in accordance with the AISC
Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings.
134
135
WELDING SEISMICALLY
1.1 Applicability
The provisions of this code supplement the
provisions of AWS D1.1/D1.1M, Structural Welding
Code—Steel, and shall apply to the design,
fabrication, quality control, and quality assurance of
welded joints designed in accordance with the AISC
Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings.
136
137
1.1 Applicability (continued)

All provisions of AWS D1.1/D1.1M for statically
loaded structures shall apply to the designated
welds, except as specifically modified herein.
138
WELDING SEISMICALLY

• Overview
139
1.2 Responsibilities
1.2.1 Engineer’s Responsibilities.
In addition to the items listed in AWS D1.1/D1.1M,
the Engineer shall provide the following information
in the Contract Documents:
140

(1) Connection configuration, material
specifications, and part sizes required to provide the
needed seismic performance (see 1.3)
141
WELDING SEISMICALLY
RBS WFP
142
Reduced Beam Section Welded Flange Plate

(2) Identification of members that comprise the
Seismic Force Resisting System (SFRS) and that
are subject to the provisions of this code (see 3.1)
143
3.1 Seismic Force Resisting System (SFRS).

The assembly of structural elements in the building
that resists seismic loads…. Included in the SFRS
are the columns, beams, girders and braces, and
the connections between these elements,
specifically designed to resist seismic loads, either
alone or in combination with other loads.
144
WELDING SEISMICALLY
145
146
147
WELDING SEISMICALLY
148
SFRS
149
not SFRS
150
WELDING SEISMICALLY

(3) The location of the Protected Zone for members
of the SFRS (see 3.3)
151
3.3 Protected Zone

That portion of a member of the SFRS, designated
by the Engineer in Contract Documents in which
inelastic straining is anticipated to occur and to
which special limitations in these provisions apply
with regard to attachments and fabrication.
152
153
WELDING SEISMICALLY
154
155

(4) Welds designated as “Demand Critical” and
subject to specific provisions of this code (see 3.2) )
156
WELDING SEISMICALLY
3.2 Demand Critical Welds

Welds designated by the Engineer in the Contract
Documents, and required to meet specific
requirements of this code.
157
Demand
L M H
Consequence
H
158
Three kinds of welds:
Type of Weld D1.1 D1.8 D1.8 DC
Not part of SFRS
Part of SFRS
Demand Critical
159
WELDING SEISMICALLY
Welds: part of the SFRS
20 ft-lbs @ 0oF
160
Demand Critical Welds
40 ft-lbs @ 70oF in hi/lo tests for LAST of +50oF
DEMAND CRITICAL 161
162
WELDING SEISMICALLY

(5) Locations where the removal of backing is
required
163
Benefits of
Backing Removal
Benefits of
Backing Removal
• Eliminates notch
created by backing
WELDING SEISMICALLY
Benefits of
Backing Removal
created by backing
• Eliminates root
discontinuities
(cracks, incomplete
fusion, slag)
Benefits of
Backing Removal
created by backing
• Eliminates root
discontinuities
(cracks, incomplete
fusion, slag)
• Contouring fillet
“softens” the 90o
intersection
Benefits of
Backing Removal
created by backing
• Eliminates root
discontinuities
(cracks, incomplete
fusion, slag)
• Contouring fillet
“softens” the 90o
intersection
• UT inspection
results are easier to
interpret
WELDING SEISMICALLY
169

(6) Locations where fillet welds are required when
backing is permitted to remain (see 6.9) .
170
171
WELDING SEISMICALLY
172
173
174
WELDING SEISMICALLY
Through thickness crack in Single edge crack in

infinite plate infinite plate
KI = s p a KI = 1.12s p a
2a a
KI = s p a
176
KI = 1.12s p a
177
WELDING SEISMICALLY

(7) Locations where the removal of weld tabs is
required
178
Weld Tabs
179
Weld Tabs
180
WELDING SEISMICALLY
181

(8) Locations where fillet welds are required to
reinforce groove welds, or to improve connection
geometry
182
Optional “contouring”
fillet weld
WELDING SEISMICALLY

(9) Locations of access holes and the required
shape, whether standard AWS D1.1/D1.1M
geometry, standard alternate geometry or a special
geometry designated by the Engineer
184
185
3 tbf
3/8” min.
25o min.
a
3tbf/4
or 3/4” tbf or ½”, whichever is larger
min. t186
bf
WELDING SEISMICALLY

(10) The Lowest Anticipated Service Temperature
(LAST) of the steel structure for structures that are
not normally enclosed and maintained at a
temperature of 50°F [10°C] or higher (see 3.5 and
6.3.6) 187
3.5 Lowest Anticipated Service Temperature

(LAST).
The lowest 1 hour average temperature with a 100
year mean recurrence interval.
188
189
WELDING SEISMICALLY
190
191

(11) Butt joints subject to tension where tapered
transitions are required (see 4.2)
192
WELDING SEISMICALLY
Details of Butt Joints
Butt Joint—different widths, same thickness
AWS D1.1:2010 Structural Welding Code--Steel
Butt Joint—different widths
2.5
1.0 22o
2.17.1.2 Provide transition for cyclically loaded members with width

changes.
Details of Butt Joints
Butt Joint—different widths, same thickness

WELDING SEISMICALLY

(12) Those joints or groups of joints in which a
specific assembly order, welding sequence, welding
technique, or other special precautions are required
(see AWS D1.1/D1.1M subclauses 2.2.3 and 5.21)
196

(13) Quality Assurance Plan (QAP) for the project
(see 3.4 and 7.1) .
197

(14) Any additional provisions applicable to the
specific project not governed by AWS D1.1/D1.1M or
this code.
198
WELDING SEISMICALLY

• Overview
199
1.General Provisions
2. Reference Documents
3. Definitions
4. Welded Connection Details
5. Welder Qualification
6. Fabrication
7. Inspection
200
3.1 Seismic Force Resisting System (SFRS)

3.2 Demand Critical Welds
3.3 Protected Zone
3.4 Quality Assurance Plan (QAP)
3.5 Lowest Anticipated Service Temperature (LAST)
3.6 k-area
201
WELDING SEISMICALLY
3.6 k-area.
The region of the web that extends from the tangent
point of the web and the flange-web fillet (AISC k
dimension) a distance 1-1/2 in. [40 mm] into the web
beyond the k dimension.
202
k 1 ½” (40 mm)
k1
k-area
203
204
WELDING SEISMICALLY

• Overview
205
206
-10
Effect of Heat Input on
CVN Temperature at 100J, oC
-20 CVN Properties
-30
-40
-50
-60
From Stout and Doty,
Weldability of Steels, WRC,
-70
Better 4th edition, 1971
-80
0 1 2 3 4 5
Heat Input (kJ/mm)
0 25 50 75 100 125
Heat Input (kJ/in) 207
WELDING SEISMICALLY
Interpass Temperature (oF)

70 300 465 575
Effect of Interpass
CVN at -40o C (Joules)
150 Temperature on CVN 200
CVN at -40o F (ft-lbs)

Properties
150
100
100
50
50
0 0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350
Interpass Temperature (oC)
208
Primary Weld Heat Affected

Metal Zone (HAZ)
Twice Refined Refined Weld

Weld Metal Metal
Primary Weld
Metal
(unrefined)
Refined Weld
Metal
(reheated)
WELDING SEISMICALLY
Low Heat Input Test 30 KJ/ in [1.2 KJ/mm] (suggested)

High Heat Input Test 80 KJ/ in [3.1 KJ/mm] (suggested)
211

• Overview
212
213
WELDING SEISMICALLY
214
215
216
WELDING SEISMICALLY
D3.1.2 Welding Procedure Specification.
The test plate assembly shall be welded in

accordance with a WPS using the process for which
the welder is being qualified. The combination of
variables shall be such that the deposition rate used
in the qualification test is equal to or greater than the
highest deposition rate that will be used in
production.
217

• Overview
218
6.11.1 Minimum Weld Tab Length.
Where practicable, weld tabs shall extend a

minimum of 1 inch [25 mm] or the thickness of the
part, whichever is greater, beyond the edge of the
joint. Weld tab length need not exceed 2 inches [50
mm]. Where there is inadequate access for weld
tabs, such as with closely spaced pieces or pieces
intersecting at acute angles, weld ends may be
cascaded for approximately one weld size.
219
WELDING SEISMICALLY
L > tf or 1”,
whichever is greater
Need not exceed 2”

220
4.1 Corner Clips of Continuity Plates and

Stiffeners
Corners of Continuity plates and stiffeners shall be

clipped as follows:
4.1.1. Along the Web

4.1.2 Along the Flange
221
1-1/2” beyond k detail dimension
1/2” beyond
k1 dimension
222
WELDING SEISMICALLY
223
224
225
WELDING SEISMICALLY
226
4.2 Transitions in Thicknesses and Widths
When butt joints subject to tension are required to

be tapered, transitions shall be made in such a
manner that the slop in the transition does not
exceed 1 in 2-1/2….
227
228
WELDING SEISMICALLY
229
6.6 Tack Welds to Steel Backing in the Protected

Zone
Tack welds between backing and the beam flange
outside the weld joint shall be prohibited. Tack welds
that attach steel backing to groove welds in the
Protected Zone shall be placed within the weld joint,
when practicable, with the following exceptions:
steel backing may be tack welded to columns for
beam to column welds.
230
231
WELDING SEISMICALLY
6.6 Tack Welds to Steel Backing in the Protected

Zone
Tack welds between backing and the beam flange
outside the weld joint shall be prohibited. Tack welds
that attach steel backing to groove welds in the
Protected Zone shall be placed within the weld joint,
when practicable, with the following exceptions: steel
backing may be tack welded to columns for beam to
column welds.
232
233
6.15 Protected Zone

6.15.1 Attachments and Welds.
Welded attachments, including stud welds and
fasteners for the connection of other materials shall
be prohibited within the Protected Zone. Arc spot
welds (puddle welds) for the attachment of metal
decking shall be permitted in the Protected Zone.
234
WELDING SEISMICALLY
235
236
237
WELDING SEISMICALLY
6.15 Protected Zone

6.15.1 Attachments and Welds.
Welded attachments, including stud welds and
fasteners for the connection of other materials shall
be prohibited within the Protected Zone. Arc spot
welds (puddle welds) for the attachment of metal
decking shall be permitted in the Protected Zone.
238
239
OK
240
WELDING SEISMICALLY
241
242
6.15 Protected Zone (cont’d)
6.15.2 Erection Aids.

If erection aids are required to be attached within the
Protected Zone, the Contractor shall obtain the
Engineer’s approval for the use of such attachments.
243
WELDING SEISMICALLY
• Introduction
• Ductility
Details Design
Materials Inspection
Workmanship
245

Welding Seismic Connections

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Welding Seismic Connections

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

WELDING SEISMICALLY

Welding Seismically Resistant Connections

Welding Seismically Resistant Connections

• Prequalified Moment Connections

• AWS D1.8 Seismic Welding Supplement

Welding Seismically Resistant Connections

• Prequalified Moment Connections

• AWS D1.8 Seismic Welding Supplement

Prequalified Connections for

Note: AISC documents are

Structural Welding Code-

Welding Seismically Resistant Connections

• Prequalified Moment Connections

• AWS D1.8 Seismic Welding Supplement

The Northridge Earthquake

Weld Access Hole

Beam Bottom Flange

Backing Groove Weld

FEMA 267: Interim Guidelines:

Figure 3-2 Types of Girder Damage

90% of fractures occurred in

94-01 SAC Invitational Workshop on Steel Seismic Issues

94-01 SAC Invitational Workshop on Steel Seismic Issues

Flange W1 Incipient weld crack

W1 Incipient weld crack

Crack in fusion zone

Crack in Crack in Crack in

All could be identified as W1 in inspection reports

Incomplete Lamellar Good

Crack in Crack in Crack in

The solutions to these problems are very different

Incomplete Lamellar Good

Report No. SAC/BD-99/10 Paret

Clarifying the Extent of Northridge-Induced

Report No. SAC/BD-99/10 Paret

Clarifying the Extent of Northridge-Induced

1. W1’s are a result of poor welding and inspection

Report No. SAC/BD-99/10 Paret

Clarifying the Extent of Northridge-Induced

2. Ultrasonic inspection as normally employed by testing

Report No. SAC/BD-99/10 Paret

Clarifying the Extent of Northridge-Induced

3. The extent of earthquake damage to WSMF buildings is

Report No. SAC/BD-99/10 Paret

Clarifying the Extent of Northridge-Induced

However, assorted anecdotal evidence suggested that

Report No. SAC/BD-99/10 Paret

Clarifying the Extent of Northridge-Induced

Report No. SAC/BD-99/10 Paret

Clarifying the Extent of Northridge-Induced

2/3rds of building = damaged

Report No. SAC/BD-99/10 Paret

Clarifying the Extent of Northridge-Induced

1/3rds of building = damaged

Report No. SAC/BD-99/10 Paret

Clarifying the Extent of Northridge-Induced

Report No. SAC/BD-99/10 Paret

Clarifying the Extent of Northridge-Induced

Figure 7. Cumulative Occurrence of Non-W1’s in City of Los Angeles Inventory

90% of all non-W1 damage in 27 buildings

Building, ranked in increasing # of non-W1s 59

Figure 7. Cumulative Occurrence of Non-W1’s in City of Los Angeles Inventory

80% of all non-W1 damage in 16 ( + ) buildings