Evaluation of the Performance of Reduced Beam Section (RBS) Connections in Steel Moment Frames Subjected to Cyclic Loading

摘要

The aftermath of the 1994 Northridge earthquake has spawned a variety of beam-column connection strategies for steel moment frames. Of these, the Reduced Beam Section (RBS) approach has been shown to be both economic and efficient in dissipating the acquired energy. The current literature shows that these conclusions have been drawn largely from experimental testing and numerical simulations on individual members and joints, with very little attention being paid to the behavior of the complete structural system. In the present study, a new type of RBS connection that utilises a reduced web, in contrast to the more usual reduced flange, is shown to have a number of additional benefits, particularly for retrofitting schemes. The work is also placed in the context of the structural system rather than individual members. Thus nonlinear analyses of 4-, 8- and 16-story frames are conducted to establish the most effective configuration of RBS connections that optimize energy dissipation, economy and buildability. The results show that providing RBS connections in the lower storys has a much greater impact than when provided in the upper storys.