Behaviour of I-beam to box-column connections stiffened externally and subjected to fluctuating loads

Abstract

This paper is concerned with an experimental investigation into the cyclic behaviour of seven full size I-beam to box-column connections. Two of the specimens were stiffened internally using continuity plates while the rest were stiffened externally with T- or angle-stiffeners. They were subjected to cyclic loading and tested to failure. Hysteretic curves obtained experimentally were found to be stable in all cases, and the connections exhibited good ductility values. Different failure modes were observed; some specimens failed by fracture of welds at the joints while most failed by excessive yielding of stiffeners followed by buckling of either the column webs or beam flanges at the joint. External T stiffeners were found to perform better than external angle stiffeners. They were also marginally better than thoseconnections with internal continuity plates. © 1992.