Application of steel channels as stiffeners in bolted moment connections

This paper proposes a stiffening method to meet some architectural needs. This method uses bolted channels as alternatives to both continuity and doubler plates in bolted moment-resistant beam-to-column connections. The present study investigates the performance of channels as stiffeners to: increase yield load in the tension zone of connection, gradually increase overall moment capacity of connection, and avert shear failure of the column web panel zone. We conducted experiments to examine the tension region of the connection loaded from T-stubs. The moment capacity of full connection was predicted by considering T-stub idealization and shear effects on the column web panel. T-stub tensile behavior and overall connection behavior were also monitored using three-dimensional finite element simulations in ANSYS simulation software because this problem is three-dimensional in nature. Effects of geometrical and material non-linearities on interaction among connecting members should be clarified. This study showed marked strength improvement in connection by use of channels. The performance of channel stiffeners was examined through comparison of results.