Externally Reinforced Welded I-Beam-to-Box-Column

Seismic Connection
Rupen Goswami1 and C. V. R. Murty2

Abstract: This paper presents an externally reinforced I-beam-to-box-column seismic connection. An inclined rib-plated collar-plated
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configuration with web plates is used to ensure planar continuity between I-beam and box-column webs; the rib plates, inclined in plan
between the beam web and the two column web planes, along with collar-plates encircling the box-column at beam flange levels and web
plates in plane with the rib plates at the beam web level constitute the new configuration. This connection configuration relieves stresses
on box-column flanges and helps in force transfer to the box-column webs. Performance evaluation of the proposed connection configu-
ration shows that sufficient inelasticity is mobilized in the beam away from the column face with connection elements and welds
remaining elastic. The seismic performance of the proposed connection is also found to be better than two state-of-the-art connection
schemes in terms of higher strength, stiffness, and higher reserve strength of the welds under cyclic displacement loading.
DOI: 10.1061/共ASCE兲0733-9399共2010兲136:1共23兲
CE Database subject headings: Box columns; Connections; Welds; Seismic design; Steel; Stress concentration.
Author keywords: Box column; Connections, welded; Seismic design; Steel; Stress concentration.

Introduction box-column. Efficacy of this new inclined rib-plated collar-plated

connection configuration to resist seismic actions is proved
Beam-to-column connections in steel moment resisting frames through results of displacement-controlled inelastic finite element
共MRFs兲 are now designed based on the capacity design concept. analyses of exterior IBBC joint-subassemblages.
This is to ensure that these connections are able to sustain large
lateral drift levels under seismic shaking through elastic actions
only, pushing inelastic actions into the beam. Thus, connection Early Design
elements and welds are designed corresponding to beam over-
strength capacity. In general, much research has been done on Box-columns are primarily of two types based on their method of
I-beam-to-wide-flange I-column 共IBIC兲 connections. However, manufacture, namely tube columns and box-columns. Tube col-
results of similar investigations of I-beam-to-box-column 共IBBC兲 umns are made as closed sections at plants and are usually smaller
connections are not readily available. Also, direct extension of and are cold-formed. Box-columns are made from welding of
results of IBIC connections to IBBC connections is not feasible plates or hot-rolled sections and are larger. Tube column sections
are generally designated as either structural tubing or hollow
due to geometric differences of box-columns compared to wide-
structural shapes in the United States depending on their size and
flange I-columns 共for strong-axis connections兲, the most impor-
application. These are generally used as diagonal bracing mem-
tant difference being the location of webs in box-sections. In IBIC
bers in tall structures for resisting wind or seismic load effects or
strong-axis connections, the column web is coplanar with the
as lightly-loaded columns, mostly in single story buildings.
beam web. However, in IBBC connections, the two column webs
IBBC connections can be classified into early flexible connec-
are in planes that are offset from the plane of the beam web. The
tions, semirigid moment connections, and rigid moment connec-
beam connects to the column flange; the out-of-plane flexibility of
tions. However, rigid moment connection was considered to be
the column flange significantly affects the seismic behavior of
virtually impossible to achieve using tube columns 共Ricker 1985兲.
such IBBC connections. This hinders mobilization of beam plas- Moreover, while established quantitative design procedures and
tic moment capacity. aids exist for standard IBIC connections, little or no such formal-
This paper presents an improved welded seismic IBBC con- ism exists in design of connections with box-columns. Early
nection ensuring smooth flow of forces from the beam to the simple connections were mostly intended for small tubes, carry-
ing predominantly small axial load; they had little or no moment
1
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of carrying capacity 共e.g., shear tab connection, T-connection, slot-
Technology Madras, Madras 600036, India. ted through web-plate connection, double angle connection, and
2
Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology seating angle connections兲 共Plottel and Engelhardt 1991兲. Partial
Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, India 共corresponding author兲. E-mail: cvrm@ moment connections or semirigid connections for IBBC joints
iitk.ac.in
were typically through-beam, through-flange-plate, or through-
Note. This manuscript was submitted on January 11, 2008; approved
on August 10, 2009; published online on December 15, 2009. Discussion column connections. For seismic design, through-column connec-
period open until June 1, 2010; separate discussions must be submitted tion is the best choice. They use external stiffening systems to
for individual papers. This paper is part of the Journal of Engineering facilitate force transfer between beam and column, because the
Mechanics, Vol. 136, No. 1, January 1, 2010. ©ASCE, ISSN 0733-9399/ inside of tube columns is not accessible. Reinforcing the joint
2010/1-23–30/$25.00. using external strap angle or diaphragm plates welded at beam

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J. Eng. Mech., 2010, 136(1): 23-30

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Fig. 1. Force flow path from beam centerline toward column webs. Maximum principal stress directions viewed: 共a兲 at a plane through beam web
center; 共b兲 from top; and 共c兲 at the beam to column connection. Stress concentration at beam flange level at reentrant corners can lead to fracture
of CJP weld connecting the beam to the column.

flange levels and going around the columns were used. This con- Force Flow Path
nection scheme, developed in Japan, was considered to resist
large moments. In Japan, fully shop-welded beam-stub connec- Many fractures of welded moment connections in the 1994
tions are most commonly used to which beams are later con- Northridge and 1995 Kobe earthquakes led to extensive research
nected by simple shear connections at locations near point of on seismic connections worldwide. Conventional design of beam-
contraflexure. Welded moment connections using box-columns column joints is based on simplified beam bending theory
became popular in Japan in late 1970s. wherein it is assumed that beam moment is transferred to the
The next development in IBBC connections involved reinforc- column though beam flanges, and shear through the beam web.
ing the box-column flange with end plates welded to the column However, post-Northridge and Kobe research studies have shown
flange to which beam stub was connected. In addition, vertical that the above assumptions are not realistic 共Richard et al. 1995;
web plates, flange plates, and seat angles are used for additional Goel et al. 1997; Lee et al. 2000; Arlekar and Murty 2004兲. Early
column face reinforcement. The next level of conceptual design tests of beam-column joint with welded-flange and no web con-
was that of delivering beam flange forces directly to the column nection 共Popov and Bertero 1973兲 also showed that beam flanges
side walls instead of reinforcing the otherwise flexible column are capable of transferring large shear. The actual stress field in
flange. This philosophy was expected to produce rigid 共moment兲 the beam near the joint indicates a preferential force flow path
connections suitable to be used in MRFs. For heavily loaded col- toward the beam flanges leaving a relatively low stress region
umns in mid- to high-rise buildings, the available tube sizes are near the beam centerline. This suggests that the beam web need
generally small and welded built-up larger sections are required. not be connected to the column.
Built-up sections generally comprised of two welded hot-rolled Fig. 1 shows principal stress directions in unreinforced IBBC
channel sections or four welded plates. This promoted the use of connections; force flows from the beam web toward the beam
internal diaphragms at beam flange levels. The diaphragms serve flanges in elevation, and from the beam web plane toward box-
the dual purposes of reducing column flange distortion and trans- column webs in plan, with concentration of forces at reentrant
ferring beam forces to column webs. Internal diaphragms at beam corners at the beam-column interface. Box-column webs being
flange levels in built-up box-columns are welded during fabrica- parallel to the beam web plane is stiffer than the flanges and thus
tion of the column itself. These are analogous to continuity plates draws more force compared to the flexible box-column flange.
used in typical strong-axis IBIC joints and are still in use. This results in a natural force flow path from the beam centerline
For years, the use of an internal diaphragm was considered to toward the column webs. The T-stiffener connection attempts to
be the most efficient way to strengthen joints in box-columns transfer the beam force to the box-column webs, but only at the
共Shanmugam et al. 1993兲. However, this involves difficult fabri- edges of the beam flanges. Reentrant corners in force flow path,
cation process and cause significant increase in fabrication cost. particularly at the beam-column joints, significantly jeopardize
Thus, a need was felt to stiffen the joint externally. The first the efficacy of joints under seismic conditions. A gradual transi-
logical step of reinforcing the joint externally to channel force tion of geometry, devoid of any abrupt change 共reentrant corners兲
flow to the column webs was by flaring the beam flanges as they is important in reducing stress concentration in connections and
approach the column face; sometimes, the flaring can encircle the ensures smooth flow of forces 共Miller 1998; Ricles et al. 2004兲. A
column by going around it. Various other external stiffeners were direct planar continuity, between I-beam and box-column web
tried at beam flange levels flaring out toward the column webs planes, needs to be established.
共Ting et al. 1991兲. These include angle and T-stiffeners at beam Another study on beam-column joints in box concrete filled
flange levels. T-stiffeners are more efficient in reinforcing the tubular columns with internal diaphragms has shown that internal
joint to produce better response in terms of higher strength and diaphragms locally stiffen the joint and cause strain concentra-
stiffness. Design guidelines developed were based on nominal tions, and lead to brittle fracture in welds and at toe of weld
plastic moment capacity of the beam flange 共Lee et al. 1993兲. access hole 共Ricles et al. 2004兲. Thus, the use of internal dia-

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Fig. 3. Inclined-rib plates in IBBC connections: schematic showing

position of and forces on rib plate on the compressive side of the
Fig. 2. Inclined rib-plated collar-plated IBBC connection configura- beam
tion with additional web plates: the supporting small rib plates below
collar plates are only to facilitate proper welding of the collar plates
to the column
the beam web plane to the two column web planes, and is free
from reentrant corners.
phragm is not desirable although its use is generally considered to
be the most efficient way to strengthen joints in box-columns.
Also, the use of internal diaphragms leads to difficult fabrication Numerical Study
process; external stiffening of the joint is preferred 共Shanmugam
et al. 1993兲. The rib plates on the compression beam flange side are subjected
to the combined action of compressive and shear forces along its
base and height 共Fig. 3兲. In the IBBC connection configuration
Reinforced IBBC Connection Configuration presented, the triangular IRPs can be large. Also, connection re-
inforcing elements must not sustain inelasticity and instability 共or
A reinforced connection with inclined rib plates 共IRPs兲 from the buckling兲 as per connection design based on capacity design con-
beam web plane to the box-column webs is introduced based on cept. Although, the former can be controlled directly through
preliminary study on flow of forces. IRPs connected to the beam strength design procedure, stability design is required to prohibit
flange and collar plate from the beam web plane to column web instability or buckling of the IRPs. Thus, a buckling analysis of
planes provide the necessary planar continuity for beam shear to relatively large and slender right-triangular plates is undertaken.
flow into the column webs. Collar plates at beam flange levels Ideally, a buckling analysis for the combined effect of normal and
encircling the box-column help to keep connection elements in shear forces is warranted. For this, let the critical buckling normal
elastic condition when a plastic hinge forms in the beam with and shear loads be Nx and Nxy per unit length of the base and
overstrength due to uncertainty in specified minimum yield height of the plate. This also requires that the translational de-
strength 共e.g., Ry = 1.5 for A36 grade steel兲 and possible strain- grees of freedom along the line of action of the loads be released.
hardening. Collar plates also satisfy the natural force flow path Thus, considering the plate to be in the x-y plane, the degrees of
going outwards from beam toward the column webs. These ar- freedom along both x and y directions needs to be unrestrained
rangements decrease demand on the column flange. Additional along the base and height of the plate. Further, the diagonal is
web plates in plane with the IRPs along with horizontal flaring of totally unrestrained in the x-y plane. This results in a totally un-
the beam flange up to the column corners further reduce stress restrained body in the x-y plane having only rigid body motion
concentrations near the weld access holes and at the corner of the under the applied loads and, as such, a solution to the problem
column. The configuration 共Fig. 2兲 eliminates the need for beam cannot be obtained. Thus, separate buckling analyses are per-
web connection to the column flange and further relieves stresses formed for the two load cases as shown in Fig. 4 on right trian-
in that region. gular plates of different sizes 共ranging from 75–350 mm and
In the connection considered 共1兲 beam flanges along with hori- thickness ranging from 10–32 mm兲 using ABAQUS 共HKS 2005兲
zontal haunches are welded to column flange with complete joint three-node triangular general-purpose shell element 共S3兲. Of these
penetration 共CJP兲 groove welds; 共2兲 collar plates are fillet welded two, the buckling analysis for normal load gives lower critical
to beam flanges, and CJP groove welded to column and inclined stress 共Goswami 2007兲, and that is used as the basis for determin-
rib plates; 共3兲 IRPs are CJP groove welded to beam flanges, collar ing the rib plate thickness. The limiting design d / t ratios for such
plates and column; 共4兲 inclined web-plate is fillet welded to the triangular plates are
beam flange and haunch, and CJP groove welded to the beam web

冉冊 冉 冊
and column; 共5兲 beam web is not connected to the column flange;
and 共6兲 connection length is equal to half the beam depth. This d 1
ⱕ 16.9 ␳ + for A36共Fy = 250 MPa兲steel 共1兲
connection configuration provides smooth force flow path from t ␳

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Fig. 4. Buckling analysis of right-triangular plates. Geometry, load,

and boundary conditions for: 共a兲 normal; 共b兲 shear load per unit
length along the base and height. The diagonal length d is free.

冉冊d
t
冉 冊
ⱕ 14.4 ␳ +
1
␳
for A572 Grade 50共Fy = 345 MPa兲steel
Fig. 5. Exterior joint-subassemblage: displacement loading, member
共2兲 sizes, and boundary conditions considered in this study

where ␳ = a / b is the aspect ratio of the plate. The analytical ex-

pression yields an upper bound value of slenderness ratio. was found to be suitable 共Arlekar and Murty 2004兲. Also, a con-
In box-columns, the offset between beam and column webs nection length of half the beam depth is found to be suitable for
causes significant reduction of out-of-plane stiffness of the col- this purpose.
umn flange. This greatly affects the moment transfer capacity of
the beam web 共Hiroshi and Tanaka 2000; Kim and Oh 2007兲 and
the overall beam inelasticity mobilization capacity. Experimental Performance Evaluation
investigation of bolted-web welded-flange strong-axis IBIC con-
nections revealed that ultimate strength of beam flanges alone is a Performance evaluation of the proposed IBBC connection con-
better indicator of the amount of moment that can be mobilized. figuration is done through displacement-controlled multicycle
Stronger beam flanges indirectly requires thicker flange plates and pushover analysis on a representative exterior joint-subassem-
thus have lower b / t ratio with lower possibility of buckling. This blage with 3.05-m-long wide-flange beam 共AISC 2001兲 con-
promotes strain-hardening in the flange; moment transfer capacity nected to 3.81 m long box-column 共Fig. 5兲. Table 1 lists the
of the relatively thin beam web is small. Thus, moment transfer geometric sizes of the connection elements 共IRP and collar
capacity of strain-hardened flanges alone is a good representation plates兲. The beam web is not connected to the column.
of the total moment capacity of the joint. Based on these findings, For the purpose of comparison, two other commonly practiced
a specification for beam strength in the form of Zbf Fu ⬎ 1.2ZbFy connection configurations also are studied alongside. These are
was proposed 共Tsai et al. 1995兲. For IBBC connections, the beam 共1兲 connection with internal diaphragm or continuity plate, and
web moment transfer capacity is small and hence, using beams 共2兲 connection with T-stiffeners. The beam is CJP groove welded
with greater flange strength, or having higher Zbf / Zb ratio, could to the column flange in joint-subassemblages with both continuity
be more useful. Further, adopting strong-column weak-beam plate and T-stiffener. Continuity plate, equal in thickness to the
共SCWB兲 design, along with using seismically compact sections beam flange, is CJP groove welded to the column. T-stiffeners of
共AISC 2005兲, helps formation of plastic hinge in beam. thickness equal to the column web thickness for its vertical part,
Using the SCWB design philosophy, seismically compact sec- and that equal to the beam flange thickness for its horizontal part,
tions for beams and box-columns, beams with high Zbf / Zb ratio are CJP groove welded to both beam and column. The length of
with the reinforced connection configuration with IRPs, collar the T-stiffener is equal to half the depth of the beam as in the
plates and web plates, IBBC connections are designed using a proposed connection configuration.
developed step-wise design guideline using capacity design con- The present study undertakes inelastic finite element analysis
cept considering overstrength due to uncertainty in material yield using ABAQUS 共HKS 2005兲. The beam, column, connection el-
strength and possible strain-hardening 共Goswami 2007兲. For the ements, and welds are discretized using eight-node solid elements
purpose, an existing truss model for strong-axis IBIC connections with three translational degrees of freedom at each node. A finer

Table 1. Geometric and Strength Properties of the Exterior IBBC Joint-Subassemblage Studied
Beam Collar plate Inclined rib plate
Column
d c, t c db bbf tbw tbf lc bcp tcp lirp hirp tirp
mm, mm Name mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
500⫻ 500⫻ 32 W30⫻ 116 762 267 14 22 381 467 25 404 381 20
Note: Connection elements are of A572 grade 50 steel, beam of A36 steel and column of A572 grade 50 steel; design strength of weld is 293 MPa.

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J. Eng. Mech., 2010, 136(1): 23-30

 mesh is used to model the joint region and the beam up to a
distance of half the beam depth from the end of connection rein-
forcement region. The transition of finer mesh to coarse mesh is
modeled using six-node linear solid wedge elements. CJP groove
welds are modeled using eight-node linear solid elements and
fillet welds using six-node linear wedge elements. Material mod-
els include ASTM A36 grade steel for beams, while columns and
all connection reinforcing elements use ASTM A572 Grade 50
steel. Both fillet and CJP groove welds are modeled using E70
weld filler material properties. Only half of the subassemblages
are modeled due to symmetry in both geometry and loading.
Brittle-fracture based failure criterion should be used to assess the
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relative performance of different designs in seismic analysis of

welded connections. This would help in assessing the limiting
cumulative deformation 共e.g., cumulative beam-tip displacement兲
capacity of the connections. However, in this study, von Mises
stress and cumulative plastic strain are used for connection per-
formance evaluation and comparison.
The behavior of CJP groove welds between the connection
elements and column face under reversed cyclic loading is most
critical. Further, performance of beam-to-column joints under
large reversed cyclic displacement loading provides understand-
ing of the likely inelastic response of the connections during Fig. 6. Response of joint-subassemblages. Normalized load-drift re-
strong seismic conditions. Thus, FEMA 350 共SAC Joint Venture sponse of IBBC joint-subassemblages with connections using: 共a兲
2000兲 recommended multicycle displacement load history for continuity plate; 共b兲 T-stiffener; 共c兲 IRPs; and 共d兲 multicycle load
connection prequalification is used for performance evaluation history showing first occurrence of von Mises stress equal to or
关Fig. 6共d兲兴. Fig. 6 shows the beam transverse load V 共normalized greater than yield strength 共345 MPa兲 in a weld element in the finite
with V pb兲 versus drift curves of three joint-subassemblages with element models. Welds in the proposed connection sustain larger dis-
placement excursions before reaching yield strength.

Table 2. Inelastic Finite-Element Results under Multicycle Displacement Loading of IBBC Joint-Subassemblages with Three Connection Configurations
Studied
Connection configuration
Response Continuity plate T -stiffener Proposed
When von Mises stress in weld reaches 345 MPa:
Load step 26 34 51
Displacement 共mm兲 ⫺22.875 ⫺22.875 61
Cumulative beam tip 709.125 1,075.125 2,348.5
displacement excursion 共mm兲
Drift 共%兲 ⫺0.75 ⫺0.75 2
V / V pb ⫺0.69 ⫺0.92 1.54
Location of maximum CJP weld between Entry CJP weld between Entry fillet weld
weld stress 共von Mises兲 beam flange and beam flange and horizontal
column flange portion of T-stiffener
共reentrant corner兲
At end of full load cycle:
Maximum 共or minimum兲 true ⫾584.4 ⫾341.2 ⫾228.7
normal stress 共MPa兲 in CJP
groove weld connecting beam
to column at end of full load cycle
von Mises stress 共MPa兲 in CJP 576.0 389.1 286.0
groove weld connecting beam
to column at end of full load cycle
Maximum cumulative plastic 2.866 4.421 4.920
strain in beam 共flange兲 and weld and and and
1.925 0.153 0.721
Location of maximum cumulative CJP weld between top Entry CJP weld between Entry fillet weld
plastic strain in weld beam flange and column beam flange and T-stiffener at top beam flange level
Normalized plastic energy dissipated 179.5 200.2 252.5
Note: Welds in the proposed connection sustain larger displacement excursions before reaching yield strength; CJP groove weld in the proposed
connection do not yield.

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J. Eng. Mech., 2010, 136(1): 23-30

 the three connection configurations studied, where V pb = load at
the cantilever beam tip that would result in bending moment
equal to nominal plastic moment capacity M pb of the beam at a
theoretical truss point at a distance lt共=db / 2兲 from the end of the
connection reinforcement region. Thus, V pb is given by

M pb

冉 冊
V pb = 共3兲
dc
Lcb − + lc + lt
2
where Lcb共=3.05 m兲 = distance between the column centerline and
cantilever beam tip; dc = column depth; and lc共=db / 2兲 = length of
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the connection reinforcement region along the beam span from

the column face. The transverse drift ␦ is given by

⌬
␦= ⫻ 100 共4兲
Lcb
where ⌬ = beam tip displacement. The subassemblage with the
proposed connection sustains larger number of cyclic load excur-
sions before a weld element in the finite element model reaches a
von Mises stress equal to yield strength of the material. The nor-
malized beam shear is 1.54 at this load step 共Table 2兲, compared
to 0.69 and 0.92 in cases of connections with continuity plate and
T-stiffeners, respectively. Further, maximum von Mises stress in
CJP groove welds connecting the beam to the column at end of
full load history in the subassemblage with the proposed connec-
tion configuration is only 286 MPa, well below the material yield
strength of 345 MPa. The corresponding von Mises stress values
in subassemblages with continuity plate and T-stiffener are 576
and 570 MPa, respectively.
In the joint-subassemblages, the cumulative plastic excursions
in the welds are 1.925, 0.153, and 0.721 in the connections with
continuity plate, T-stiffener and proposed configuration, respec-
tively; the connection with continuity plate shows largest excur-
sion, implying small reserve for further plastic actions. Further,
the cumulative plastic strain in the beam flange is large 共4.421 and
4.920兲 in T-stiffener and proposed connection configurations.
This does not cause concern because the plastic actions were
indeed expected in the beam flange, under the multicycle dis-
placement loading history particularly at 6% drift level. However,
these large strains in the beam flange result in excessive straining
of the adjoining welds. Fig. 7. Yielding under multicycle displacement loading: cumulative
Fig. 7 shows cumulative plastic strain contours of the subas- plastic strain contours at end of full loading history 共6% drift兲 show-
semblages with the three connection configurations at the end of ing that proposed connection configuration 共c兲 limits yielding in
the full multicycle load history 共6% drift兲. Yielding of the beam in beam only beyond the connection reinforcement region. Significant
the vicinity of the column face 共plastic actions at the column face兲 yielding of welds and connection elements occur in connections with
is significant in the subassemblage with the continuity plate. This continuity plate 共a兲 and T-stiffener 共b兲.
results in high inelastic strain demand on the CJP groove welds
connecting the beam to the column; fracture of the CJP groove
welds is inevitable. In the subassemblage with T-stiffener, yield- ticity in the beam flange immediately beyond the entry fillet weld;
ing zone propagates within the connection reinforcement region, the beam flanges undergo large strain-hardening. This requires the
including the horizontal part of the T-stiffener. This requires collar plate 共equivalent to cover plate in typical reinforced strong-
crossing the CJP groove weld line at the edge of beam flange. axis IBIC connections兲 to be provided to reduce the stress inten-
This also jeopardizes the seismic performance of the connection. sity within the connection region by accommodating the beam
Further, yielding of the connection elements is not recommended overstrength forces. This, in turn, requires the entry fillet weld to
as per capacity design concept. connect the collar plate 共cover plate, in general兲 to the beam
In the subassemblage with the proposed connection configura- flange. Thus, in general, the proposed connection configuration
tion, inelasticity is confined in the beam span away from the ensures improved seismic response compared to the connections
connection reinforcement region; all connection elements includ- with continuity plate and T-stiffener. This is primarily achieved
ing the CJP groove welds remain elastic even at the end of the full through the inclined-rib plates and web plates bridging the other-
load history. However, the entry fillet weld is the critical connec- wise discontinuity in the beam and column webs in IBBC con-
tion component here, which could be stressed beyond its yield nections, ensuring smooth flow of forces. Instability of IRPs is
strength. This is expected because of the presence of large inelas- also prevented through stability design 关Eq. 共2兲兴 even at 6% drift.

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J. Eng. Mech., 2010, 136(1): 23-30

 2. It is not necessary to connect beam web to column flange as
the entire shear is directed toward column webs through
beam flange. Triangular inclined rib plates allow a smooth
transfer of beam shear to column webs, along with vertical
beam web plates.
3. Compared to the connection configurations currently in use
for IBBC connection, the proposed connection configuration
has larger reserve strength, and is capable of larger deforma-
tions without fracture.
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Notations

The following symbols are used in this paper:

a ⫽ base dimension of right-triangular plate;
b ⫽ width; height of right-triangular plate;
bbf ⫽ width of beam flange;
bcp ⫽ end-width of collar plate;
d ⫽ depth; diagonal length of right-triangular
plates;
db ⫽ depth of beam;
dc ⫽ depth of column;
Fu ⫽ ultimate 共tensile兲 strength of material;
Fy ⫽ minimum specified yield strength of material;
hirp ⫽ height of inclined rib plate;
Lcb ⫽ length of cantilever beam stub in
Fig. 8. IBBC connection flexibility: schematic of connection flexibil- joint-subassemblage from column centerline;
ity reflected in the initial elastic portion of moment-rotation relation- lc ⫽ length of connection;
ships of the spectrum of connections available. The connection lirp ⫽ length of inclined rib plate;
presented in this paper gives greatest connection rigidity and is most lt ⫽ truss length;
suitable for use in MRFs with box-columns. M pb ⫽ nominal plastic moment capacity of beam;
Nx ⫽ buckling normal load per unit length;
Nxy ⫽ buckling shear load per unit length;
Ry ⫽ strength modification factor due to uncertainty
The numerical results also show that the proposed inclined in material yield strength;
rib-plated collar-plated connection configuration with web plates t ⫽ thickness;
is an improvement over the whole set of available IBBC connec- tbf ⫽ thickness of beam flange;
tions. The proposed connection offers the greatest rigidity and tbw ⫽ thickness of beam web;
strength 共Fig. 8兲 and is ideal for use in MRFs with box-columns. tc ⫽ thickness of box-column flange and web;
tcp ⫽ thickness of collar plate;
tirp ⫽ thickness of inclined rib plate;
Summary and Conclusions V ⫽ shear force;
V pb ⫽ load at cantilever beam tip in
An externally reinforced inclined-rib plated collar-plated connec- joint-subassemblage that would result in
tion configuration along with additional web plates is presented bending moment equal to M pb at theoretical
for IBBC welded seismic connection based on preliminary study truss point;
of flow of forces. A stability design tool is developed for right- Z ⫽ plastic section modulus;
triangular plates subjected to compressive and shear forces. Zb ⫽ plastic section modulus of beam;
Detailed finite element analyses of a typical prototype exterior Zbf ⫽ plastic section modulus of only beam flanges;
joint-subassemblage with three different IBBC connection con- ⌬ ⫽ beam tip displacement;
figurations are used to highlight the efficacy of the configuration ␦ ⫽ drift 共expressed as percentage兲; and
with IRPs. The results of finite element analyses predicts good ␳ ⫽ aspect ratio of right-triangular 共inclined rib兲
seismic performance of the proposed IBBC connection configu- plate.
ration; experimental validation of the same needs to be done.
The following salient conclusions are drawn from this analyti-
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