Seismic behavior of weak-axis beam-column connections

Seismic design of steel moment frames expects the beam-column connections, along the strong-axis and the weak-axis to accommodate 4-6% drift levels that the building sustains during strong earthquake shaking. Strong-axis connections have been extensively researched upon, and provided for, to fulfill these demands. The prevalent weak-axis connection configuration is highly insufficient in terms of a defined logical force flow path, provisions of components to facilitate effective flow of forces. The paper presents a detailed understanding of the force flow path and proposes a new configuration to rectify the identified problem areas. Detailed displacement controlled nonlinear finite element analyses under cyclic loading history of typical joint and storey sub-assemblages are carried out to validate the proposed connection scheme. Performance of the proposed connection configurations is compared with other connection configuration that is currently being used in steel MRF buildings.