Article

Advances in Structural Engineering

2016, Vol. 19(5) 795–805
Experimental study on application of Ó The Author(s) 2016
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DOI: 10.1177/1369433216630374

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Ali Naserifar and Fakhreddin Danesh

Abstract
Link-to-column connections in steel eccentrically braced frames must sustain large moments and shear forces to support link rotation.
Recent studies showed that link-to-column connections are prone to failure at low drift levels due to their susceptibility to fracture at
the link flange-to-column connections. The most promising method to overcome this problem is to utilize reduced beam section in
link, in order to keep away stress concentration from the link ends. In this investigation, the application of reduced beam section in
long link beams is studied experimentally. Two full-scale specimens with different reduced beam section locations are constructed and
tested under cyclic loading. In one specimen, reduced beam section is placed at both ends of the link beam; and in the other specimen,
reduced beam section is solely placed at the link end which is near the column. The results show that both specimens have satisfied
the seismic code requirements for the link inelastic rotation, which in turn leads to improvement in seismic performance.

Keywords
cyclic behavior, eccentrically braced frames, long link-to-column connection, reduced link section

Introduction The yielding behavior of EBF links is governed by

Moment resisting steel frames have suitable ductility.
However, dimensions of frame members in such a sys-
tem must be taken substantially large in order to con-
trol story drifts which in turn will increase the cost of
construction. On the other side, the inverse concentri-
cally braced frames exhibit large enough lateral stiff-
ness and easily satisfy code requirements for story
drifts, but they do not have enough ductility to absorb
the input energy during a severe earthquake. The
eccentrically braced frames (EBFs) were postulated by
Roeder and Popov (1978) to relief defects of two
above-mentioned earthquake resistance systems. EBF
offers the enough ductility to absorb the input seismic
energy and at the same time maintains large enough
stiffness to satisfy code requirements for story drifts.
So, there is more than three decades that EBFs have
been used as earthquake resistance structural systems
in many countries. Initial research on this system has
been done by Popov et al. from 1978 to 1984
[Hjelmstad and Popov (1983), Hjelmstad and Popov
(1984), Malley and Popov (1984), Popov (1983),
Popov and Malley (1983)]. The key elements in such
system are link beams (as shown in Figure 1) that must
have stable and ductile hysteretic behavior during
severe earthquake loading.
the normalized link length, r defined as
e
r= ð1Þ
Mp =Vp
where Mp is the plastic moment capacity of the link
section, Vp is the plastic shear capacity, and e is the link
length. According to the link normalized length, they
are categorized into three types: short shear yielding
link (r ł 1:6), long flexural yielding link (r ø 2:6), and
intermediate link (1:6 ł r ł 2:6) that yields in combi-
nation of shear and flexure. Between above-mentioned
link beams, shear yielding one is more recommended
due to its better ductility, stiffness, and strength. Most
of the previous researches focused on the behavior of
this type of links (Chao et al., 2006; Dusicka et al.,
2004, 2010; Kasai and Popov, 1986). However, there is
a tendency to utilize long links instead of short ones in
Faculty of Civil Engineering, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran,
Iran
Corresponding author:
Ali Naserifar, Faculty of Civil Engineering, K. N. Toosi University of
Technology, No. 1346, Vali Asr Street, Mirdamad Intersection, Tehran,
Iran.
Email: Anaserifar@dena.kntu.ac.ir
796
Figure 1. Typical eccentrically braced frames with (a) mid-
span links and (b) links with column connection. (Prinz and
Richards, 2009).
order to provide larger openings which in turn lead to
satisfaction of functional and architectural require-
ments. Daneshmand and Hosseini Hashemi (2012)
investigated the performance of intermediate and long
links through finite element analysis. Consequently,
they showed that some intermediate links that have
1:8 ł r ł 2:2 and called controversial length region
failed to achieve the required rotation capacities. They
advised that the designers shall not use the links in the
controversial length region; however, some considera-
tions have been suggested.
According to their location, link elements are
divided into two forms as shown in Figure 1. In the
first form, link element is placed between the diagonal
brace and column (Figure 1(a)), while in the second
form link is placed between the two braces (Figure
1(b)). The application of EBFs with link beams
attached to the column is more interested than middle
link beams. This is due to the fact that this form has
more flexibility from architectural point of view. But
due to the fracture of link beam-to-column connection,
EBFs with link beam attached to the column have less
plastic rotation capacity than other one (Engelhardt
and Popov, 1992; Prinz and Richards, 2009).
Therefore, an important issue in design of this type of
EBF is the development of suitable link-to-column
connection details.
In addition to the above-mentioned configuration
of EBFs that the link belongs to the beam member,
there is Y-scheme of EBFs that link does not belong to
the beam member. A modern application of the capac-
ity design principle was applied to these types of EBFs
by Montuori et al. (2014b). They presented a design
methodology aiming to assure the development of a
collapse mechanism of global type for seismic-resistant
EBFs with inverted Y-scheme. Also Montuori et al.
Advances in Structural Engineering 19(5)
(2014a) derived an analytical formulation to evaluate
the internal actions and the plastic deformations of
intermediate links and established appropriate hierar-
chy criteria to avoid undesired collapse mechanisms in
such types of EBFs.
Engelhardt and Popov (1992) investigated the per-
formance of link-to-column connections experimen-
tally. The results showed that long link-to-column
connection failed due to fracture at the link flange-to-
column groove weld or at the link flange in vicinity of
groove weld. This failure caused sudden drop in the
load-bearing capacity of connection and prevent the
connection to support the expected levels of inelastic
rotation. Consequently, they recommended that long
links (r ø 1:6) attached to columns should not be used
in EBFs. Okazaki et al. (2006) conducted 12 full-scale
tests to achieve the behavior of link-to-column connec-
tion with various lengths. They observed that the most
of the specimens failed by fracture of the link flange
near the groove weld. Only one of the 12 specimens
met the plastic link rotation requirement and the oth-
ers did not provide the levels of inelastic rotation
required by the 2005 American Institute of Steel
Construction (AISC, 2005b) Seismic Provisions,
referred to as The Provisions herein. They concluded
that further research is needed to identify satisfactory
link-to-column connection details. They also recom-
mended that EBFs with links attached to the columns
should be avoided. Consequently, on the basis of these
studies, The Provisions advises the designers to avoid
EBF configurations with links attached to columns
until further research has been conducted to identify
suitable details.
To overcome these problems, a number of improved
beam-to-column connection design strategies can be
used in link-to-column connection, many of which
have shown to exhibit satisfactory levels of ductility in
numerous tests. Two key concepts have been devel-
oped in order to provide highly ductile response and
reliable performance: strengthening the connection
and/or weakening the beam framing into the connec-
tion (FEMA 350, 2000).
In the tests by Engelhardt and Popov (1992), only
one of the test specimens, where triangular cover plate
has been used in the connection, reached required plas-
tic rotation. Although one test specimen is not enough
to conclude that these types of connections satisfy
requirements, but this can be considered as an appro-
priate approach and further research should be con-
ducted. Okazaki et al. (2014) and Hong et al. (2014)
reinforced the connection region using a pair of dou-
bler plates in the first link web panel next to the col-
umn, parallel to, but offset from the link web, called
the supplemental web doubler connection. These
Naserifar and Danesh 797

specimens have good cyclic performance and most of

them achieved target inelastic rotation; however, they
are in the range of shear yielding links.
As second strategy, improved performance of link-
to-column connections may be achieved by reducing
the severe stress concentration in the region near the
critical link flange welds. For this purpose, reduced
beam sections (RBSs) such as the ones used for moment
resisting frames may be utilized in the link. The typol-
ogy and the technology of the RBS beam-to-column
connection, as well as its behavior under cyclic load Figure 2. Schematic representation of test setup.
conditions, were comprehensively investigated, in the
United States, after the Northridge earthquake (Moore
configuration is selected such that the link is supposed
et al., 1999; Popov et al., 1996, 1998). However, the
to minimize axial loads, a constant shear force and
large moment gradient along the relatively short length
almost reverse equal end moments. The test setup and
of the link makes the RBS difficult if not impossible to
its schematic representation are shown in Figures 2
implement for link-to-column connections. But apply-
and 3, respectively. This test setup is similar to the one
ing the RBS concept to long links can move the loca-
used by Okazaki (2004) experimental work. However,
tion of severe plastic strain and associated localized
due to the limitations of reaction frame, some changes
flange deformation away from the column face and sen-
are applied. A cyclic displacement is imposed to the tip
sitive link flange welds. Berman et al. (2010) investi-
of the column by a hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic
gated the behavior of reduced link section (RLS)
loading system, mounted between the reaction frame
numerically and observed that the behavior of the link
and the column tip, consisted of a 1000 KN hydraulic
beams is improved when RBSs are used in all types of
actuator with 150 mm equal stroke for both forward
link beams. This is due to the fact that the stress and
and backward directions. The test setup is equipped
plastic strain concentration were at the RLS region
with a load cell which is placed on the tip of a hydraulic
instead of the link ends. Although the analysis results
actuator to record the applied loads. Also, the actuator
by Berman et al. (2010) indicate the promise of the RLS
displacement is measured via both an internal displace-
concept, an experimental verification study was recom-
ment transducer of the actuator and an external linear
mended by the authors before the proposed method be
variable displacement transducer (LVDT).
implemented in link-to-column connections. Also
In order to restrain the out of plane movement of
numerical investigation by Danesh and Faridalam
the specimen, lateral bracings are utilized in the vici-
(2012) showed that the RLS approach is more efficient
nity of the link to beam connection and also near the
in long links when compared to the other types.
beam end. Furthermore, the column is laterally braced
In this article, it is aimed to investigate the applica-
near the point of loading and its far end as shown in
tion of reduced section in long link-to-column connec-
Figure 4. Also, the link is welded to heavy end plate at
tions through experimental study. For this purpose,
the link end opposite to the column where it is bolted
two specimens with long link-to-column connection
to the outside beam.
are tested. At the first specimen, RBS is used at the
both end of the link while at the second RBS is solely
used at the link end which is near the column. These Design and construction of specimens
specimens are called 2SIDE-RLS and 1SIDE-RLS,
respectively. As already mentioned, two specimens are constructed
To the knowledge of the authors, the tests con- which are consisted of an IPB240 as column, an
ducted in this investigation are the first series of experi- IPE300 as link, and beam segment outside of the link
ments specifically aimed to study the seismic using ST37 steel. Full-depth 10 mm web stiffeners are
performance of large-scale EBF with RLS to column provided on both sides of the link web at the start and
connections. end of RBSs, as shown in Figure 6(d). The column is
provided with 12 mm continuity plates and a 10 mm
doubler plate in the panel zone to restrict inelastic
Experimental program behavior in this region. Table 2 summarizes the char-
acteristics of constructed specimens.
Test setup According to the capacity design principles, the spe-
The test setup is prepared to simulate the boundary cimens are designed such that majority of inelastic
conditions of the link-to-column connection. The behavior is concentrated at the link, minor inelastic
798
Figure 3. Test setup.
Figure 4. Overall view of the test setup.
rotations occurred at the panel zone, and the beam
segment outside of the links. To achieve this goal, the
beam outside of the link is strengthened with added
plates on both flanges.
RLS design
In this study, link beam flanges are cut such as RBS
approach in the moment frames, as seen in Figure 5.
Dimensions a, b, and c in Figure 5 are constrained by
the AISC Prequalified Connections for Special and
Advances in Structural Engineering 19(5)
Figure 5. Geometry of RBS.
Intermediate Steel Moment Resisting Frames for
Seismic Applications (AISC, 2005a), referred to as
Prequalified Connections herein, to be within the limits
0:5bbf ł a ł 0:75bbf
0:65d ł b ł 0:85d
0:1bbf ł c ł 0:25bbf
where bf is the width of link beam flange and d is the
depth of link beam.
In this study, values of above-mentioned parameters
are considered as follows
a = 0:6bbf
b = 0:75d
c = 0:2bbf
And the values of them are listed in Table 1.
Montuori (2014) derived a closed form solution for
the location of RBS in order to avoid the plasticization
of beam-to-column connections. From this study, it
can be seen that when the value of gravity loads is
equal to zero and the ratio of the plastic moment of
the weakened beam section to the plastic moment of
the complete beam section is equal to 0.6 (in the case
Naserifar and Danesh
of the specimens presented in this study), the distance
of RBS center from the beam end to the beam length
((a + b=2)=L) should be limited to 0.25. This ratio is
approximately equal to 0.127 in the specimens adopted
in the experimental tests. Therefore, they satisfy the
abacus obtained in the above-mentioned publication.
As said, the yielding behavior of EBF links is gov-
erned by r (the normalized link length). In the both
specimens, link beam section is designed with IPE300
with r = 3:02 and therefore the behavior of link is
dominated by flexural yielding.
Figure 6 shows the details of two specimens of RLS
to column connection. In these specimens, link beam is
directly connected to the column through complete
joint penetration welds of link flanges to column
flange. The link web is also connected to the column
flange using fillet welds. Weld access hole has been
considered according to The Provisions requirements
as shown in Figure 6(g). In the 1SIDE-RLS specimen,
stiffeners are used on both sides of link web within the
distance of 1.5bf from the end far from the column
where RBS is not placed. Note that these stiffeners are
in addition to the stiffeners used for RBS end. Table 2
lists the specifications of both specimens.
Material properties
Table 3 lists the mechanical properties of the link sec-
tions, determined based on tension coupons sampled
from the edges of the flange, and mid-depth of the
web. The average of the modulus of elasticity was cal-
culated to be about 206 GPa.
Loading protocol
The loading protocol which is used in this study fol-
lows the protocol outlined in The Provisions. This
loading protocol presented in Table 4. However, due
to limitations of actuator, the maximum rotation of
7% is imposed to the specimens. The loading is
Table 1. Reduced link section dimension.
Link beam (IPE300) RBS dimensions
Depth (mm) Width (mm) a (mm) b (mm) c (mm)
300 150 90 225 30
Table 2. Specifications of specimens.
Specimens Column Beam Doubler plate thickness (mm)
2SIDE-RLS IPB240 IPE300 10
1SIDE-RLS IPB240 IPE300 10
799
applied quasi-statically in displacement-controlled
mode of the actuator by low rate to identify the beha-
vior of the connection during the load cycles and
record all the deformations and probable events.
Test results
As noted earlier, incremental cyclic static loading is
applied on the specimens and results are presented
herein. The hysteresis during the displacement-
controlled testing for both specimens is shown in
Figures 7 and 8, which plots link shear versus elastic
and inelastic rotations. It is apparent from this figure
that the 2SIDE-RLS reached the 5% link total rota-
tion and 3% link inelastic rotation without any failure
in the vicinity of welds or at the RLS region. The
inelastic rotation, g p , is evaluated by removing the
contributions of elastic response from the link rota-
tion, g. Due to multiple degrees of freedom in the test
setup, some pinching phenomena can be seen in the
cyclic response of specimens (Figures 7 and 8). The
specimen 1SIDE-RLS reached the 7% link total rota-
tion and 3% link inelastic rotation without any failure
in the vicinity of welds or at the RLS region. It is
worthwhile to note that due to limitations of the actua-
tor, the maximum drift of 7% is applied to the speci-
men. According to The Provision, specimen 1SIDE-
RLS achieved 5% link total rotation and 3% link plas-
tic rotation.
The acceptance criteria for links are defined in The
Provisions based on inelastic rotation. The Provisions
specify that the flexural yielding links should be capa-
ble of an inelastic rotation of 0.02 rad. The inelastic
rotation capacity of the link specimens is defined per
The Provisions, as the maximum level of inelastic rota-
tion sustained for at least one full cycle of loading prior
to the link shear strength drops below the nominal link
shear strength. The target inelastic rotation of 0.03 rad
was exceeded by 50%. Therefore, the link-to-column
connection of both specimens satisfied the performance
requirements of The Provisions.
Observation
In the 2SIDE-RLS specimen, no considerable white-
wash flaking is observed until the end cycle of 1% link
total rotation angle. During the first cycle of 1.5%
Continuity plate thickness (mm) Stiffener thickness (mm)
12 10
12 10
800 Advances in Structural Engineering 19(5)

Figure 6. Details of specimens: (a) 2SIDE-RLS, (b) 1SIDE-RLS, (c) link beam properties of specimen 2SIDE-RLS, (d) link beam
properties of specimen 1SIDE-RLS, (e) details of RLS from link top view-Specimen 1SIDE-RLS (in cm), (f) details of RLS from link top
view-Specimen 2SIDE-RLS (in cm), and (g) dimension of weld access hole (in mm).
Naserifar and Danesh 801

Table 3. Link section properties. rotation, the yielding is initiated in the beam flanges
after a minor flaking within the reduced section region,
Fy (Mpa) Fu (Mpa) Elongation (%) as seen in Figure 9, and extended to the entire reduced
region at the end of 2% story drift and 3% drift.
Web 282.0 416.7 27.7
Flange 271.8 411.4 29.3 Figure 10 shows the RLS region of the 2SIDE-RLS
at the end of the test. This RLS is the one near the col-
umn. Yielding of RLS is evidenced by flaking of the
whitewash. Also, local buckling can be seen in the link
Table 4. Cyclic loading protocol. flange at RLS region. Initiation of web local buckling
in the RLS induces flange local buckling followed by
Amplitude: g (rad) Number of cycles
strength degradation in the specimen and reduced
0.00375 6 demand on the panel zone. Finally, 2SIDE-RLS speci-
0.005 6 men failed due to fractures at the fillet welds connect-
0.0075 6 ing the link flanges to the end plate in the beginning of
0.01 6
0.015 4
cycle 7% of loading as is seen in Figure 11. This failure
0.02 2 is considered an artifact of the test setup, as the link
0.03 2 end connection used for the specimen was not repre-
0.04 1 sentative of conventional link end connection used in
0.05 1 actual EBFs. Significant yielding is visible inside the
0.07 1
0.09 1 link reduced section panels. Yielding in RLS region at
0.11 1 the link end opposite to the column is shown in
Figure 12. As be seen from this figure and obvious

Figure 7. Cyclic response of specimen 2SIDE-RLS.

400 400
300 300
200 200
LINK SHEAR (KN)

LINK SHEAR (KN)

100 100
0 0

-100 -100

-200 -200

-300 -300

-400 -400
-8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

LINK ROTATION γ (%) LINK INELASTIC ROTATION γp (%)

Figure 8. Cyclic response of specimen 1SIDE-RLS.

802 Advances in Structural Engineering 19(5)

Figure 9. Yielding at the RLS region, specimen 2SIDE-RLS at (a) 1.5%, (b) 2%, and (c) 3% drift.

Figure 10. RLS region near the link-to-column connection.

Figure 12. RLS region near the link end opposite to the
column.

Figure 13 shows the RLS region in 1SIDE-RLS at

the end of the test. Once again, yielding in the RLS is
evidenced by flaking of the whitewash and local buck-
ling can be seen in the link flange and web of RLS
region. Similar to the results of 2SIDE-RLS, initiation
of web local buckling in the RLS induces flange local
buckling in the specimen. Finally, 1SIDE-RLS speci-
men failed, because of rupture occurrence at the link to
end plate weld in the cycle 7% of loading (Figure 14).

Figure 11. Fracture at the link to end plate weld.

Strain distribution
from whitewash flaking, yielding in this region is a few According to Figure 15, the normalized longitudinal
less than the column side of the link. strains along link flange center versus drift ratio in the
Naserifar and Danesh
Figure 13. RLS panel near the link-to-column connection.
Figure 14. Fracture at the link to end plate weld near the link
outside beam.
2SIDE-RLS specimen are compared. The results show
that up to drift 4%, the maximum flexural strain is
observed in the center of the link flange near link-to-
column connection groove welds. At this point, flex-
ural strain exceeds the elastic limit in the drift ratio
within 0.5%–0.75% while strains at the other points
are in the range of elastic limit and the yield strain is
achieved after 1% drift ratio. Also, this figure shows
that the values of the flexural strain on the link flange
near the column are more than column opposite side
up to 4% drift ratio.
803
Figure 15. Distribution of strains along the link length.
Figure 16. Distribution of the flexural strains across the link
flange.
Distribution of the flexural strains across the link
flange at the back of groove welds shows that after
1% drift ratio its value at the center of the link flange
is higher than flange edge (Figure 16). Therefore, it is
more susceptible that the fracture to be initiated from
the center of the link flange than from its edge.
The comparison of flexural strains on the link
flange near the column reveals that the flexural strains
at the end of the link are much more than in the RLS
region at the start of the loading until 2% of drift
(Figure 17). But the growth rate of the longitudinal
strains on the reduced region of the link become so
extensive than the link end by increasing the loading
after 2% drift. This appears that reducing the link
flange is effective in decreasing strains and stresses
demands in high rotation level at the vicinity of the
groove welds and therefore increases ductility of the
link-to-column connection. These results clearly indi-
cate that the RLS did not eliminate all inelastic strain
demands at the link flange groove welds but reduction
in this demand is significant. These results are com-
mon in the RBS to column connection in the moment
frames and are previously remarked by the other
researchers (e.g. Deierlein and Chi, 1999; Engelhardt
804
Figure 17. Distribution of strains on the link flange near the
column connection.
Figure 18. Comparison of strains in test specimens.
et al., 2000). Some of strain gages are separated from
the flange due to high strain values in this region after
3% of the link rotation. Thus, there are no records to
be compared.
The comparison of the longitudinal strains across
the center of the RLS region at both end of the link
beam indicates that strain values in the edge of the
flange are more than the flange center. According to
test images (Figures 10 and 13), the local buckling in
the RLS flange edge near the column approves this
statement. In Figure 18, the normalized values of flex-
ural strain of 2SIDE-RLS and 1SIDE-RLS specimens
near the groove weld of the link flange up to the drift
level 4% are compared. Much higher strain in the
2SIDE-RLS specimen is evident.
Summary and conclusion
In this investigation, RBS concept is utilized in a long
link in order to keep away stress concentration from
the link ends. Two full-scale specimens with different
RBS locations are constructed and tested under cyclic
loading. In one specimen, RBS is placed at both ends
of the link beam; and in the other specimen, RBS is
solely placed at the link end which is near the column.
Advances in Structural Engineering 19(5)
The results show that both specimens have satisfied
the seismic code requirements for inelastic rotation of
the long link, which in turn leads to improvement in
the seismic performance. According to studied speci-
mens, it is also shown that this method prevents the
fracture to be occurred at the link-to-column connec-
tion. However, the strain gage values showed that the
stress concentration was being mitigated but not thor-
oughly removed from the link ends.
Since typically in practice, a continuous member is
used for the link and the beam segment outside of the
link, the RLS can be solely utilized at the link end near
the column. The results of 1SIDE-RLS specimen show
good performance of this form of RLS.
The experimental results confirm that the cyclic per-
formance of the RLS to column connection is excellent
and the plastic hinge is formed at the RLS region.
Also, no weld fracture was observed while both of spe-
cimens reached over the acceptable 0.02 rad plastic
rotation without fracture, supporting the overall valid-
ity of the RLS application. It is important to note that,
due to the limitations of this study to investigate the
influence of other parameters such as RLS dimension,
link length, and column size and section on the beha-
vior of RLS, further experimental researches are
required to be conducted prior to its application.
Declaration of Conflicting Interests
The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with
respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this
article.
Funding
The author(s) received no financial support for the research,
authorship, and/or publication of this article.
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