Study of steel moment connection with and without reduced beam section

This paper presents test results of two connections tested under cyclic loading. The testing programme addressed connection with reduced beam section (RBS) versus without RBS moment connection. RBS connection is widely investigated and used in US, Japan and Europe. However, design of such type of connection is not presented and used in India. This study is conducted to learn, the advantages and usefulness of RBS connection against connection without RBS for Indian profiles. A theoretical model is also created with the finite element method and the results are compared with those obtained from the experimental study. The analysis observed that specimen without RBS performed poorly due to cracks started at the bottom flange weld. The specimen with RBS reached rotation capacity of 0.02 radians without damage in the welds.