Practical moment–rotation relations of steel shear tab connections

• A practical moment–rotation relation for steel shear tab connections is proposed.
• It was developed using model-based FE simulations calibrated by prototype tests.
• Good agreement was observed for proposed models and experimental results.
• The proposed models are applied into seismic evaluation of non-ductile CBFs.

An analytical model for shear tab connections in modern steel buildings is proposed. This connection model includes the concrete slab effects and has unsymmetrical behaviors under positive and negative moments. Under positive moment, the flexural strengths are determined by two stress patterns: linear triangular tensile stress along shear tab combined with uniform compressive stress of 0.30fc′ on slab at yielding state; uniform yielding stress along shear tab combined with uniform compressive stress of 0.85fc′ on slab at ultimate state. Under negative moment, shear tab plate is the contributor to the flexural strength and the concrete slabs are neglected. Comparisons between experimental and analytical results indicate that the proposed steel shear tab models are able to capture major behaviors with a compatible effort often made in a typical structural design office. Seismic studies of one three-story non-ductile braced frame including proposed models demonstrate the capabilities and simplicities for practical structural engineering application.