Journal of Structural Engineering

Vol. 39, No. 5, December 2012 - January 2013  pp. 393-402 No. 39-51

Behavior of reduced beam section moment connection with reference to

continuity plates: state – of – the – art review
Kulkarni Swati Ajay*,  and R. Vesmawala Gaurang*
 Email: swatiakulkarni@gmail.com
*Department of Applied Mechanics, Sardar Vallabhabhai National Institute of Technology, Surat - 395007, Gujarat, INDIA.

Received: 12 May 2011; Accepted: 20 September 2011

Welded flange bolted web, are the most commonly used connections for the seismic resistant design of a steel structures.
During Post Northridge (1994) and Kobe (1995) earthquake for damaged beams and columns, observations indicated
that, connections suffered damages due to brittle fracture. After this event, extensive research has been carried out
worldwide to address the unexpected damage to welded steel moment resisting frames. Various methods were proposed
for modifying the cyclic performance of the conventional connection for new construction and to retrofit of steel
moment frames. Reduced beam section (RBS) is one of the several connection types pre-qualified for use in new steel
moment frames in seismic zone. To form reduced section, some portion of the beam flanges at a short distance from
column face is removed, so that the yielding and plastic hinge occurs within the trimmed area of flanges. This paper
summarizes the recent studies and visualizes the scope for further study in research developments of RBS connection
with reference to continuity plates.

Keywords: Steel structures; beam-to-column moment connections; reduced beam section; rigid connections; continuity
plates.

After the incidences of Northridge (1994) and Kobe
(1995) earthquakes, out breaking of brittle fracture of
beam-to-column connections (Fig. 1) in a wide variety
of welded specially moment frame steel structures
challenged the previous thought about seismic behavior
of special moment frames (SMF) and other types of steel
seismic resisting systems. Post-earthquake observations
indicated that a wide spectrum of brittle connection
damage was occurred, ranging from minor cracking to
completely severed beams and columns1,2. Therefore,
welded flange and bolted or welded web connection (the
‘pre-Northridge’ connection) became an unacceptable
connection for use in areas of high seismicity, because
it was observed that such connection cannot develop
sufficient beam ductility in the beam, before fracture
occurs at the joint. To access the unexpected damage
considerable research has been carried out worldwide.
Three general approaches were followed in improving
connection detail: 1) improving unreinforced connections
/toughening schemes; 2) strengthening approach:
strengthening connection by addition of cover plates, ribs
or haunches; 3) weakening approach: locally weakening
the beam away from the column face by reduced beam
section (RBS) or slotted web.
The RBS connection is one of the most well-known
details in ‘flange reduction methods’ (Figs. 2, 3). In RBS
connection, the strategic trimming of beam flanges at a
short distance from column flange is planned to promote
stable yielding at trimmed portion as well as to protect
welded joint. In comparison with reinforced connections,
RBS connections are more efficient and economical,
because they do not require extra field welding and

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performing complex details. Use of RBS connection is L/2
found to be advantageous due to: a) the shear force in the
panel zone is reduced; b) the force demand in column
continuity plate is reduced; and c) strong-column –
g/c bf
weak-beam requirement is satisfied. Although reducing
the beam member section reduces the global stiffness of
the structure, this reduction is only about 5 to 7 percent a b
and has a little effect on final detailing of the structure.
According to these characteristics, RBS connection is
potentially the most popular type among post-Northridge
connections. Nonetheless, some typical deficiencies are
introduced in the structure, when this connection is used. ds
Many of these are related to stability based problems
and plastic hinge instability like as: a) lateral torsional
buckling at plastic hinge location; b) beam web local a b
buckling; c) beam flange local buckling; and d) column
e
twisting sensitivity.
Fig. 3 Reduced beam section geometry details (plan, elevation)
Column

Prequalified RBS connection details are described

CJP weld in various codes like, Federal Emergency Management
Shear tab Academy (FEMA) 350-353,355D3-7 and American
Beam Institute of Steel Construction (ANSI/AISC), 341-05-
Continuity
plate Seismic provisions for structural steel buildings8, ANSI/
AISC 358-05-Prequalified connections for special
and intermediate steel moment frames for seismic
applications9, ANSI/AISC 360-05-Specifications
for structural steel buildings10, National Institute of
Weld access standards and Technology-NEHRP Seismic Design
hole Technical Brief No. 211 and AISC Steel design guide
Fig. 1 Typical pre-Northridge beam-to-column moment series – 1312.
connection Some of the main design limitations based on the
range of available successful testing and prequalification
CJP weld are: for beams: 1) use in only flexurally controlled beam
Reduced flange geometry spans. L/d ≥ 5 for intermediate moment frames (IMF)
and L/d ≥ 7 for SMF; 2) no more than 50% flange
Shear tab reduction; 3) symmetry relative to both the left and
Beam
right sides of the beam and the top and bottom beam
flanges; 4) standard wide flange sections 5) beam depth
Panel yone is limited to W36 (W920) for rolled shapes; 6) depth of
built-up sections shall not exceed the depth permitted
for rolled wide-flange shapes; 7) beam weight is limited
Weld access hole to 300 lbs/ft (447 kg/m), 8) beam flange thickness is
limited to 13/4 in. (44.5 mm); 9) the protected zone
Continuity Plates consists of the portion of beam between the face of
Column the column and the end of the reduced beam section
Fig. 2 Typical reduced beam section connection cut farthest from the face of the column. For columns:

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1) standard wide flange sections; 2) the beam shall be strength Eqns. (1, 2) and limitation on panel zone
connected to the flange of the column; 3) there is no (column web) slenderness Eqn. (4).
limit on the weight per foot of columns; 4) there are no
additional requirements for flange thickness. ANSI/AISC (360-05)10
Besides above mentioned prequalification limits of When, Pr £ 0.75 Pc
RBS, FEMA and AISC codes provides other related
é 3bcf tcf2 ùú
guidance on fabrication, beam lateral bracing, reduced R n = (0.6 Fycw d c tcw )´ êê1 +
(1)
stiffness effects and gravity load considerations for êë db d c tcw úúû
new constructions.
Number of analytical and experimental studies When, Pr ³ 0.75 Pc
have been performed on RBS moment connection to é 3bcf tcf2 ùú çæ 1.2 Pr ö÷
examine: flange cut reduction geometry, beam web R n = (0.6 Fycw d c tcw )´ êê1 + ´çç1.9 - ÷ (2)
êë
ú
db d c tcw úû çè Pc ÷÷ø
to column flange connection detail, behavior of panel
zone, requirement of continuity plate, lateral and local Ru £  Rn , = 1 (3)
instability of beam, effect of composite slab, and
usefulness for retrofitting. ANSI/AISC (341-05)8
Substantial work has been reported on the all
(d z + wz )
parameters described in above paragraph but very limited t³ (4)
literature has been found on the absolute necessity of 90
the continuity plates (CP) requirement. In the referred ANSI/AISC (358-05)9
research literature SMF are considered to study the
Equations used to calculate probable peak plastic hinge
cyclic behavior of RBS with respect to CP and panel
moment and maximum moment at the face of the
zone. As and when RBS connection is provided, due to
column are as below Eqns. (5-8)
the formation of the plastic hinge at the reduced flange
area, the amount of shear and axial force generated at M f = M pr + VRBS ´ S h (5)
the column interface are less than the full beam cross-
section. Therefore, use of RBS moment connection, Sh = a + b (6)
2
reduces the force demand in column panel zone and M pr = C pr Ry Z e Fy
(7)
CP. In an effort to gain an insight into the behavior of
RBS connections with reference to continuity plates, an Z e = Z x - 2ctbf ( d - tbf ) (8)
attempt is made to study available literature. The codal
provisions related to panel zone behavior and studies Further, required shear strength of PZ when the
are presented to highlight the importance of minimum moment at the reduced beam section reaches the plastic
column web thickness requirement. moment capacity can be calculated using the following
equation.
CODAL PROVISIONS – PANEL ZONE BEHAVIOR åM f
Ru = - Vc (9)
The panel zone (PZ) is the portion of the column within ( db - tbf )
the depth of the connecting beams in a moment resisting FEMA -350 (2000)3
steel connection as shown in Fig. 2. The transfer
of moments between beams and columns causes a Moment-resisting connections should be proportioned
complicated state of stress and strain in the panel zone. such that either shear yielding of the panel zone
Under the action of forces, the panel zone deforms in initiates at the same time as flexural yielding of the
three modes: axial, shear, and bending. Only the shear beam elements or all yielding occurs in the beam.
deformation of the panel zone has a significant effect Calculation of thickness of PZ (Eqn 10, 11) that results
on the behavior of steel frames13. in simultaneous yielding of the panel zone and beam is
Recent ANSI/ AISC seismic provisions include as given below.
design equations to calculate panel zone design shear

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Vol. 39, No. 4, OCTOBER - NoveMBER 2012
 æ h - db ö÷
C y M c çç
çè h ÷÷ø
t pz =
( 0.9 )0.6 Fyc Ryc d c ( db - tbf )
1
Cy =
Z be
C pr
Sb
If tpz, as calculated above, is greater than the thickness
of the column web, doubler plates are provided, or the
column size is increased to a section with adequate web
thickness. As the thickness of web in this particular
region of column varies, column PZ may be considered
as weak, balanced or strong.
CODAL PROVISIONS - CONTINUITY PLATES (CP)
REQUIREMENT
Continuity plates are the stiffeners that provide a load
path for the flanges on both sides of the column. When
stiffeners are required, it is normal to place a full-depth
transverse stiffener on each side of the column web.
The stiffener also serves as a boundary to the very
highly stressed panel zone.
Post-Northridge studies have shown that even
when continuity plates of substantial thickness are
used, inelastic strains across the weld of the beam
flange to the column flange are substantially higher
opposite the column web than they are at the flange
tips. The disproportionate strains can cause the weld
stress at the center of the flange to exceed the tensile
strength prematurely based on a uniform average stress
distribution through the entire weld.
ANSI/ AISC (341-05)8 and FEMA-350 (2000)3
When considering the elimination of continuity plates,
currently as per ANSI/ AISC 341-05 use of CP is
recommended in all cases, unless tests show a given
connection will work without them based on tests.
In addition, FEMA350 states that unless project-
specific testing is performed to demonstrate that
continuity plates are not required, RBS moment
connections should be provided with continuity plates,
when the column flange thickness is below a minimum
value. The required minimum thickness is based
primarily on the beam flange width and thickness.
ANSI/AISC (358-05)9 and FEMA-350 (2000)3
Continuity plates need not be provided when the column
(10)
flange thickness, tcf, is greater than or equal to the value
given by either of the following values (Eqn 12,13).
(11) Fyb Ryb
tcf ³ 0.4 1.8bbf tbf (12)
Fyc Ryc
tcf ³ bbf / 6 (13)
where CP are required, the thickness of the plates shall
be determined as: For one-sided (exterior) connections,
continuity plate thickness shall be at least one-half of the
thickness of the beam flange. For two-sided (interior)
connections; the continuity plate thickness shall be at
least equal to the thicker of the two beam flanges on
either side of the column.
ANSI/AISC (360-05)10 and AISC Steel Design Guide
Series-13(1999)12
Further, as per current AISC specifications for structural
steel buildings the non-seismic provisions that govern
the design of continuity plates are based on four column
limit states: (1) local flange bending Eqn. (14), (2) local
web yielding Eqn. (15), (3) web crippling Eqn. (16) and
(4) web compression buckling Eqn. (17) as discussed
in detail below:
1) Local Flange Bending (LFB): The design local
flange bending strength fRn is calculated as
below
 Rn = 0.9 ´ 6.25´ tcf2 Fyc (14)
2) Lateral Web Yielding (LWY): The column
resistance for LWY is given by following
equation
 Rn = 1´( 5k + N )Fycwtcw (15)
3) Web Crippling (WC): The column web crippling
resistance is given by equation, when the
concentrated compressive force to be resisted is
applied at a distance from the member end that is
greater than or equal to by equation below
é 1.5 ù
ê æç 3 N ö÷æç tcw ö÷÷ ú EFycwtcf
2
   Rn = 0.75´ 0.8t ê1 + çç ÷÷çç ÷ ú (16)
ê çè d c ÷øçè tcf ÷÷ø ú
cw
tcw
êë úû
when it is less than d/2 then in above equation: a)
for N / d c £ 0.2 factor 0.8 changes to 0.4, b) for
Journal of Structural Engineering 396
Vol. 39, No. 4, OCTOBER - NoveMBER 2012
N / d c > 0.2 factor 0.8 changes to 0.4 and term 3N/d
changes to 4N/d – 0.2.
4)Web Compression Buckling (WCB): When a pair of
compressive flange forces coincide on opposite
sides of the column web subjected to compression
buckling, the web must have its slenderness ratio
to avoid the possibility of out-of-plane buckling.
é 24t 3 EF ù
 Rn = 0.9 ´ êê
cw ycw ú
ú (17)
êë Tc úû
The web compression buckling provision (Eqn 17)
applies only when there are compressive forces on both
flanges of a member at the same cross-section, such as
that might occur at the bottom flange of two back-to-
back moment connections under gravity loads. Its use
in the case of external beam-to-column connection is
conservative. But the importance of the web stiffness
t3cw/Tc can be studied to observe the torsional restrain
to column flange.
The required strength, Ru, for the various continuity
plate limit states is based on the force delivered to the
connection by the beam flange. This equation (Eqn 18)
considers the beam flange reduction.
1.1Ry Fy Z b + Vb S h
  Ru = (18)
db - tbf
When the required strength exceeds the available
strength as determined for the column PZ and CP listed
above, stiffeners and/or doublers shall be provided and
shall be sized for the difference between the required
strength and the available strength for the applicable
limit state.
RESEARCH ON RBS CONNECTIONS WITH
REFERENCE TO CONTINUITY PLATES
RBS Connection with Continuity Plates and Doubler
Plates
As mentioned above usually, for one-sided (exterior)
connections, continuity plate having thickness of at least
one-half of the thickness of the beam flange and for two-
sided (interior) connections; the continuity plate having
thickness of at least equal to the thicker of the two beam
flanges on either side of the column are provided as
shown in Fig.4a. Then the panel zone is designed as per
the Eqns. (1-9). The required PZ strength and thickness
is compared to the design PZ shear strength and column
web thickness. Then as per design requirement doubler
plates are provided on both sides of the PZ, or the
column size is increased to a section with adequate
web thickness. The doubler plates are plug-welded to
the column web to prevent local buckling as well as to
achieve web thickness for weak, medium and strong
PZ. In Table.1, for all connections CP equal in thickness
to the beam flange were provided and PZ required shear
strength is compared with design strength.
Behavior and performance of RBS moment
connection significantly depends on the behavior
of column PZ. General consideration for specimens
with ‘balanced’ panel zone strength is that specimens
are designed to promote yielding in both PZ and in
the beams. Specimens with ‘strong’ PZ are designed
so that virtually all yielding would occur within the
beams, with panel zone remaining essentially elastic.
In this case beam lateral torsional buckling (LTB),
beam flange local buckling (FLB) and beam web local
buckling (WLB) will be observed. Finally, specimens
with ‘weak’ PZ are designed so that virtually all yielding
occur in the panel zone, with the beams remaining
essentially elastic.
Apart from Eqns. (1-9), which are generally used,
following equations are also used by some researchers.
Equations (19-21) are the equations used to calculate
panel zone design shear strength by Oskouei and
Gerami14 (Uniform Building Code15), Lee, et
al.16,17 (Krawinkler18), and by Gilton and Uang19,
respectively.
Equations (22-24) are the equations used to calculate
panel zone required shear strength when the moment at
the reduced beam section reaches the plastic moment
capacity by von Mises yield criterion, Roeder20, Tabar
and Deylami21-23, respectively.
é 3bcf tcf2 ùú
R n = (0.55 Fycw d c tcw )´ êê1 + (19)
êë db d c tcw úúû
é 3bcf tcf2 ùú
R n = 0.75(0.6 Fycw d c tcw )´ ê1 +
ê (20)
êë db d c tcw úúû
  v = 0.6 Fyc 2bcf tcf (21)
v y = 0.6 Fyc d c tcw (22)
Journal of Structural Engineering 397
Vol. 39, No. 4, OCTOBER - NoveMBER 2012
 æL d ö é d ù
æ M RBS ö÷ çç b 2 + c 2 ÷÷ æ db ö ê Lb + c ú
ç ç ÷÷´ç1 - ÷÷ 1 1
  VRBS , p = çç ÷´
çè db ÷÷ø ççç Lb - e ÷÷÷ ççè H ÷ø
(23) Vr = b E M p êê - 2 × ú
ú (24)
çè 2 ø ê 0.95db Lb Hú
êë úû
Table 1
Panel zone observations of various RBS studies

Sl. Ref. Author Country Year Type of No. of Tests with Shear tab PZ Observations Observations Remarks
No. No Frame/ Tests (without) connection W/B/S PZ Beam
loading Slab detail
1 24 Jones, S. L., USA 2002 Double sided 8 3(3) Bolted W Severe Fracture of Replacing part of
Fry, G.T., cyclically yielding beam flange beams is easier
and loaded at near weld than the the parts of
Engelhardt,M. top of the B Yielding WLB, FLB column and beam
D. column. therefore Balanced
S No yielding WLB, FLB PZ.
1(1) Welded B Yielding WLB, FLB
2 19 Gilton, C. S., USA 2002 One sided cy- 2 (2) Welded --- --- ---- Since the PZ is com-
and Uang, clically loaded posed of two flanges,
C. M. (weak at the end of the PZ requirement is
axis ) the beam usually satisfied
3 1 6 , Lee, C. H., Korea 2004 One sided 8 (2) Bolted B Yielding Brittle fracture 0 . 7 0  V R P S , p /
17 Jeon, S. W., cyclically across Rn0.90
Kim, J. H., loaded at the Beam flange 0.90  Vr/Rn  1.1
and Uang, end of the at weld access
C.M. beam. hole
S No Yielding LTB
(6) Welded B Yielding FLB
S No yielding LTB
4 2 1 , Tabar, A. M., Iran 2004 One sided 9 (9) Welded W T h o r o u g h l y Susceptible 0.70Vr / Rn
2 2 , and Deylami, cyclically yielded to fracture Vr / Rn  0.85
23 A. loaded at the B Very less WB
end of the yielding
beam.
S No yielding LTB,WB
5 2 5 , Zhang, X., USA 2006 Double sided 3 (3) Welded W S h e a r Large plastic Balanced PZ
26 and Ricles, cyclically distortion strain at
J. M (deep loaded at (Minimal welds /greater
Columns) top of the Column twist) fracture
column. potential FLB
B Shear distor- WLB , FLB
tion reduced
(More Column
twist)
S S h e a r WLB , FLB
distortion
reduced (More
Column twist)
6 14 Oskouei, Iran 2008 Double sided 8 (8) Welded W C o l l a p s e C o l l a p s e VRBS,p / Rn = 0.90
A. G., and cyclically merely occurs merely occurs
Gerami, M. loaded at in PZ and joint in PZ and
top of the area. joint area.
column. B --- ----
S Elastic All
Substructure
energy wasted
in beam.
[W: Weak, B: Balanced, S: Strong]

Journal of Structural Engineering 398

Vol. 39, No. 4, OCTOBER - NoveMBER 2012
 Properly designed PZ could avoid problems related of ANSI/AISC, the specimens satisfied minimum web
strong or weak PZ and use of expensive doubler plates. and flange thickness requirements, which eliminated
Excessive yielding in weak PZ can lead to low cycle the need for doubler plates and continuity plates. It was
fatigue and brittle fracture of the beam flange to column observed that all specimens reached a total interstory
welds. Strong PZ may induce probability of local and drift angle of 0.05 radians, which satisfied the AISC
lateral buckling in beam. Therefore, a balanced PZ requirements for a special moment frame of a total
strength criterion was proposed by various researchers interstory drift angle of 0.04 radians, with strength not
and to achieve this desired range was also suggested as less than 80 percent of the capacity. Local instability
discussed in Table 1. at high levels of interstory drift; that was attributed to
RBS connection can be classified into two types lateral-torsional buckling of the beam bottom flange
according to the web attachment details: RBS with coupled with local twisting of the connected column
welded web connections and RBS with bolted web flange was observed.
connections. FEMA 3503 permits both RBS bolted and
welded web connections for ordinary moment frames
Continuity plate,
(OMF) and SMF. But as per ANSI/AISC 358-059 RBS top and bottom on both sides
bolted web connection is qualified for intermediate
moment frames (IMF) and should not be used for Doubler plate, on both sides
SMF.
From the observations shown in Table 1, balanced PZ
welded web connection may have an edge over bolted
web connection, due to brittle fracture was observed
near weld access hole in bolted web connection.
Another consideration for PZ strength is the
strain demand around the beam flange-column flange
weldment. PZ deformation and flange weldment
demand appeared nearly proportional. So, weldment in
a very weak PZ specimen must withstand considerably
higher demand than a weldment in a very strong or Fig. 4a RBS connection with continuity plates and doubler plates
balanced PZ specimen.
Further, to learn CP requirements for weak-axis
RBS connections Gilton and Uang19, performed studies
with the presence of continuity plates. It was observed
that, longer the CP stickout and trimming the corners,
reduces the stress concentration at the edge of the beam
flange groove weld. For one sided connections, effect
of adding a CP on the far-side of the column is found
unnecessary.

RBS Connection without Continuity Plates

Generally CP are provided as per the thickness
requirement given by AISC. However, the absolute
necessity of continuity plates in RBS moment
connections is not bifurcated clearly. To establish a
design procedure for using the RBS beam-to-column
moment connection without CP Adan and Reaveley27,
Pantelides28 tested RBS connections as shown in Fig. 4b.
Column specimens were designed as per requirements
Fig. 4b RBS connection without continuity and doubler Plates
Further for W14 and W18 sections, Pantelides28
suggested that CP are required if the column web
thickness is less than the value given by Eqn. (25).
Also, observed that given equation safely limits local
web yielding and column flange twist even at higher
level of inelastic drift.

Journal of Structural Engineering 399

Vol. 39, No. 4, OCTOBER - NoveMBER 2012
 1
æ 0.0026( Fyb tbf b f )1.69 ö÷3 Mp = Plastic moment capacity of the
tcw < ççç ÷÷ (25) beam section
çè Fycw ÷÷ø
Mc = Moment at column centerline
based on the beam plastic moment
CONCLUSIONS capacity projected from the beam
plastic hinge; the location of
A summary of behavior of reduced beam section
expected plastic hinge
moment connection with reference to continuity plates is
presented in this paper. Elimination of continuity plates Mpr / MRBS = Probable peak plastic hinge
in RBS moment connections can reduce the material moment
and labour cost for steel moment frame construction. N = length of bearing
It is seen that studies are generally performed with Pr = Required tensile strength
continuity plates and doubler plates. It is observed Pc = Available tensile strength/ yield
that to understand the behavior of RBS connection strength
further study is necessary to learn aspects like a) the
Ryb / Ryc / Ry = The ratio of the expected yield
behavior of column sizes other than W14 and W18
strength of the beam (column)
without continuity plates; b) study of continuity plates
material to the minimum specified
in conjunction with panel zone for more connections;
yield strength, in accordance with
c) absolute necessity and size of the CP on the far-side
the AISC Seismic Provisions.
of the column for weak- axis connections.
Rn / Rv / vy / v = Panel zone design shear strength
NOTATION Ru/VRBS.F / Vr = Panel zone required shear
strength
be = A coefficient , assumption range Rn = Design strength for various limit
1 - 0.85 states
f = Resistance factor Ru = Required strength
Cpr = A factor to account for the peak Sb = the elastic section modulus of
strength, defined as 1.15 for the the beam at the zone of plastic
RBS connection hinging
Cy = Ratio of yield moment capacity Tc = Clear distance between flanges
to the plastic moment capacity of less the fillet or corner radius for
the beam rolled shapes; distance between
E = Modulus of elasticity of steel adjacent lines of fasteners or the
clear distance between flanges
Fycw = Specified minimum yield stress
when welds are used for built-up
of column web
shapes
Fyb (Fyc) = Specified minimum yield stress
VRBS / Vb = Larger of the two values of shear
of the beam (column) flange
force at the centre of the reduced
Fy = The specified minimum yield beam section at each end of the
stress of the material of the beam
yielding element (beam/
Vc = Column shear
column).
Ze / Zbe = Plastic section modulus at center
H = Column height
of the reduced beam section
Lb / Lb / 2 = Beam length from column face
Zx = Plastic section modulus for full
to beam tip
beam cross-section
Mf = Probable maximum moment at
face of column

Journal of Structural Engineering 400

Vol. 39, No. 4, OCTOBER - NoveMBER 2012
 a = Horizontal distance between a 5. FEMA-352., “Recommended post-earthquake
column flange (face) and the start evaluation and repair criteria for welded, steel
of an RBS cut moment frame buildings”. Federal Emergency
Management Agency, Washington DC, USA,
b = Length of an RBS cut
2000.
bf = Width of beam flange
6. FEMA-353., “Recommended specifications and
bcf = Width of column flange quality assurance guidelines for steel moment
c = Depth of cut at the center of the frame construction for seismic applications”.
reduced beam section Federal Emergency Management Agency,
dc = Overall depth of column Washington DC, USA, 2000.
dz = Overall panel zone depth between 7. FEMA-355D., “State of the Art Report on
continuity plates Connection Performance”. Roeder C, Team
db = depth of beam Leader. Federal Emergency Management Agency,
h = The average story height of the Washington DC, USA, 2000.
stories above and below the 8. ANSI/AISC 341-05., “Seismic Provisions for
panel zone. Structural Steel Buildings- Including Supplement
k = Distance from outer face of the No. 1”. American Institute of Steel Construction,
flange to the web toe of the fillet Inc., Chicago, IL.2005.
t = Thickness of column web or 9. ANSI/AISC 358-05., “Prequalified Connections
doubler plate for Special and Intermediate Steel Moment Frames
for Seismic Applications including Supplement
tcf = Thickness of column flange
No.1”. American Institute of Steel Construction,
tcw = Column web thickness Inc., Chicago, IL. 2005.
tbf = Thickness of beam flange 10. ANSI/AISC 360-05., “Specification for Structural
tpz = Thickness of panel zone Steel Buildings”. American Institute of Steel
wz = Width of panel zone between Construction, Inc.,Chicago, IL. 2005.
column flanges 11. Hamburger, R. O., Krawinlker, H., Malley, J.
M. and Adan, S. M., “Seismic Design of Steel
REFERENCES Special Moment Frame- A Guide for Practicing
Engineers”. NEHRP Seismic Design Technical
1. Miller, D. K., “Lessons learned from the Northridge
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(Discussion on this article must reach the editor before
March 31, 2013)
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