Seismic performance of flange plate connections between steel beams and box columns

This paper presents analytical and experimental studies on the cyclic behavior of flange plate connection between a steel beam and a welded box column. Three full-scale specimens were tested to evaluate the effect of flange plate length and plate-to-flange fillet weld geometry on the seismic response of flange plate connection. Flange plate connection in the test specimens achieved the AISC seismic provision requirements for special moment frames. Then, the finite-element model developed using ABAQUS was validated using the test results. This model was subsequently used to further investigate the behavior of the test specimens.

► Three full-scale specimens were tested. ► The effect of flange plate length and plate-to-flange fillet weld geometry on the seismic response of flange plate connection were evaluated using test specimens. ► The finite-element model developed using ABAQUS was validated using the test results ► The finite-element model was used to further investigate the behavior of the test specimens.