1

Prequalification of
Moment Connections

Presented by
Thomas M. Murray, Ph.D., P.E.
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia
thmurray@vt.edu

28 October 2011


2
HIGH SEISMIC MOMENT
CONNECTIONS
All High Seismic Moment Connections
must be Prequalified according to
ANSI/AISC 358.
ANSI/AISC 358-10 Prequalified
Connections for Special and I ntermediate
Steel Moment Frames for Seismic
Applications


3
Why is Prequalification Required?
Because of connection failures during
the Northridge, California Earthquake
on January 17, 1994.
4
ANSI/ASIC 358-10
5
Refers to
Relies on
6
Beam-to-column connections shall satisfy the
following Section 9.2a requirements:

An interstory drift angle of at least 0.04 radians.

The measured flexural resistance shall equal at
least 0.80 Mp of the connected beam at an 0.04
radians.


AISC 341 Seismic SMF Connections
7
Requirements of Sect. 9.2a are to be satisfied
by one of the following methods:

1. Conduct qualifying cyclic tests in accordance with
Appendix S.
Tests conducted specifically for a project
or
Tests reported in the literature representative of
project conditions.
AISC 341 Seismic SMF Connections
8
Project Specific Cyclic Test
Flush Moment End-Plate w/
Sixteen 1 in (75 mm)
A490 Bolts
AISC 341 Seismic SMF Connections
9
2. Use connections prequalified for SMF in
accordance with Appendix P

Use connection prequalified by a review panel
that is approved by the Authority Having
Jurisdiction.
or
Use connections prequalified by the AISC
Connection Prequalification Review Panel
(CPRP) in Standard ANSI/AISC 358
AISC 341 Seismic SMF Connections
10
Permitted Test Subassemblages:

Seismic App. S Qualifying Cyclic Tests

T
e
s
t

C
o
l
u
m
n

Floor
Reaction Reaction
Floor Floor
Reaction
Brace
Load Cell
Test Beam
Points
Mount
Actuator
Actuator
Lateral

Single Beam, Single Column
without a Concrete Slab
11
Two beams, single column w/ or w/o concrete slab
R
i
g
i
d

L
i
n
k

Lateral Support
Typ.
Composite
Slab
Pin Support
R
i
g
i
d

L
i
n
k

W24x68 W24x68
Test Column
Reaction
Frame
Actuator
Test Frame
W
1
4
x
2
5
7

Seismic App. S Qualifying Cyclic Tests
12
Loading Protocol:


Load Step
Number
Interstory
Drift A n gle,
u

(rad)
Number of
Loading
Cycles
1 0.00375 6
2 0.005 6
3 0.0075 6
4 0.01 4
5 0.015 2
6 0.02 2
7 0.03 2
Continue with increments in
u
of 0.01, and
perform two cycles at each step


- 0.06

- 0.05

- 0.04

- 0.03

- 0.02

- 0.01

0

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

Number of cycles
I
n
t
e
r
s
t
o
r
y

D
r
i
f
t


A
n
g
l
e



6 6 6 4 2 2 2 2 2

Notes: Quasi-static testing is permitted.
There is not a required number of tests.
Seismic App. S Qualifying Cyclic Tests
13
Quasi static test conducted at Virginia Tech

Seismic App. S Qualifying Cyclic Tests
14
Interior subassemblage test at UT-Austin

Seismic App. S Qualifying Cyclic Tests
15
Interior subassemblage test with concrete slab

Seismic App. S Qualifying Cyclic Tests
16
-40000
-30000
-20000
-10000
0
10000
20000
30000
40000
-0.08 -0.06 -0.04 -0.02 0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08
Interstory Drift Angle (rad)
B
e
a
m

M
o
m
e
n
t

a
t

F
a
c
e

o
f

C
o
l
u
m
n

(
i
n
-
k
i
p
s
)
0.8 M
p
- 0.8 M
p
M
0.04
>0.8 M
p
M
0.04
>0.8 M
p
Seismic App. S Qualifying Cyclic Tests
17
Dynamic test conducted at UC San Diego

Seismic App. S Qualifying Cyclic Tests
18


ANSI/AISC 358 Prequalified Connections
for Special and I ntermediate Steel Moment
Frames for Seismic Applications
SOME SPECIFICS
19
Reduced Beam Section Connection
Bolted Unstiffened and Stiffened Extended End-
Plate Moment Connections
Welded Unreinforced Flange Welded Web
Bolted Flange Plate
Kaiser Bolted Bracket
ConXtech Moment Connection

The Double Tee Stub is currently being balloted.
Connections Prequalified
Including Supplement No. 1
20
Reduced Beam Section (RBS) Connection
21
End Plate Moment Connections
Unstiffened Stiffened Stiffened
4-Bolt: 4E 4-Bolt: 4ES 8-Bolt: 8ES
22
Bolted Flange Plate Connection
23
Welded Unreinforced Flange Welded Web
Connection
24
Kaiser Bolted Bracket Connection
25
ConXTech Moment Connection
26
Double Tee Moment Connection
27
Provisions apply only to the prequalified
connections.
Beam and Column cross-section limitations
based on specific test matrices
Rolled and Built-up Members permitted
Specific welding requirements for built-up
members

Prequalified Unique Requirements
28
Probable maximum moment at hinge
specified
Plastic hinge location specified for each
connection
Resistance Factors differ from AISC
Specification and Seismic Specification
Prequalified Unique Requirements
29
Based upon connecting beam strength:

M
pr
= C
pr
R
y
F
y
Z
x
where:
M
pr
= probable maximum beam moment
R
y
= 1.1 for F
y
= 50 ksi
Z
x
= plastic section modulus of beam

Probable Maximum Moment at Hinge
30
Probable Maximum Moment at Hinge
where:
F
y
= yield strength
F
u
= tensile strength

For A992 F
y
= 50 ksi, C
pr
R
y
= 1.1 x 1.15
= 1.27
M
pr
= 1.27 F
y
Z
x
or 27% increase



2 . 1
F 2
F F
C
y
u y
pr
<
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
=
31
Connection Design Moment
S
h
is specified for each prequalified connection.
Plastic
Hinge
Plastic
Hinge
L = distance between plastic hinges
L = distance between centerline of columns
S
h

S
h

32
Connection Design Moment
M
f
= M
pr
+ V
u
S
h

Plastic
Hinge
S
h

V
u
M
pr

33
Connection Design Moment
The connection design moment is the moment
at the face of the column:

M
f
= M
pr
+ V
u
S
h

where:
M
pr
= probable maximum beam moment
V
u
= max. shear at the end of the beam
= 2M
pr
/L + w
u
L/2

S
h
= distance from face of the column
to plastic hinge location
34
Resistance Factors
Different resistance factors in 358 Prequalified:

Specification and Ductile Limit States |
d
= 0.9
Seismic: Non-Ductile Limit State |
n
= 0.75

Prequalified: Ductile Limit States |
d
= 1.0
Non-Ductile Limit States |
n
= 0.9

35
Resistance Factors
REASON:

Specification and Seismic limit states represent max.
expected under strength, i.e. |
d
= 0.9 and |
n
= 0.75.

Whereas, Mpr = C
pr
R
y
F
y
Z
x
= 1.27 Fy Zx, represents
the maximum expected over strength including some
strain hardening.

If both are used, very conservative designs result.

Therefore, the Prequalified resistance factors were
increased to |
d
= 1.0 and |
n
= 0.90, but only for limit
states included in the Prequalified Standard.
36


Specific Prequalified Connections

Reduced Beam
Section (RBS)
37
Reduced Beam Section (RBS)
RBS Concept:
Trim Beam Flanges
Near Connection
Reduce Moment at
Connection
Force Plastic Hinge
Away from Connection
38
Reduced Beam Section (RBS)



39
Connection was Prequalified at UT - Austin
40
Whitewashed Connection Prior to Testing
41
Whitewashed Connection Prior to Testing
42
Connection at u ~ 0.02 radian.
43
Connection at u ~ 0.02 radian.
44
Connection at u ~ 0.03 radian.
45
Connection at u ~ 0.04 radian.
46
Conformance Results
47
Reduced Beam Section (RBS)
Prequalification Requirements for RBS in SMF
Beam depth: Up to W36
Beam weight: Up to 300 lb/ft
Column depth: Up to W36 for wide-flange
Up to 24-inches for box columns
Beam connected to column flange
(connections to column web not prequalified)
RBS shape: Circular
RBS dimensions: Per specified design procedure

48
Beam flange welds: - CJP groove welds
- Treat welds as Demand Critical
- Remove bottom flange backing and
provide reinforcing fillet weld
- Leave top flange backing in-place; fillet
weld backing to column flange
- Remove weld tabs at top and bottom flanges
Beam web to column connection:
- Use fully welded web connection (CJP weld
between beam web and column flange)
See ANSI/AISC 358 for additional requirements (continuity plates,
beam lateral bracing, RBS cut finish, etc.)

Reduced Beam Section (RBS)
Prequalification Requirements for RBS in SMF
49
Reduced Section Geometry
0.5b
f
< a < 0.75b
f
0.5d < b < 0.85d
0.1b
f
< c < 0.25b
f

Reduced Beam Section (RBS)
50
Protected Zone
No Shear Studs.
No welded, bolted, screwed or shot-in attachments for
perimeter edge angles, exterior facades, partitions,
duct work, piping or other construction.
Decking arc-spot welds are permitted.
Reduced Beam Section (RBS)
51
Lateral Brace Violates Protected Zone
52
Lateral Brace Violates Protected Zone
53

End-Plate Moment Connections
Unstiffened Stiffened Stiffened
4-Bolt: 4E 4-Bolt: 4ES 8-Bolt: 8ES

Specific Prequalified Connections

54



End-Plate Concept:
No Field Welding
Simple Erection
Connection is Stronger than
Beam
Special welding requirements
Concrete slab requirements
End-Plate Moment Connections
Connections were prequalified at Virginia Tech
55



End-Plate Moment Connections
56
For High Seismic
and Wind
Applications
AISC Design Guide 4
57
Design Methodology
Basic Philosophy
Strong column
Strong connection (Thick Plate)
Weak connecting beam or girder
Reduced resistance factors

Source of inelastic behavior
Connecting beam or girder
58
Required connection design moment
Connection strength
Welding procedure
Detailing
Column side limit states
Design Considerations
59
Connection Design Moment
M
f
= M
pr
+ V
u
S
h

S
h
= min.[d/2, 3b
bf
] from face of column or
end of stiffener if one exits.
60
Connection Strength
Design connection bolts to resist M
f
Thick Plate so Prying forces are negligible

M
f
< |M
np
with | = 0.9

2(P
t
)
2(P
t
)
d
1

d
o

M
np

P
t
= tensile strength
of bolt
61
To avoid the formation of substantial bolt
prying forces the end-plate strength must
satisfy the following:
M
pl
> 1.11 M
np

Required end-plate thickness from yield-line
analysis is then:


where Y = yield-line parameter


Connection Strength
Y) F /( M t
yp pl p
| =
with | = 1.0
62
) d )(d 2(P M M
1 o t np n
+ = =
Connection Strength
Example: 4E
2(P
t
)
2(P
t
)
d
1

d
o

M
np

63
M
pl
= F
py
t
p
2
Y
where:
F
py
= end-plate material
yield stress
t
p
= end-plate thickness


g

b

p


s

p

d

p

f


t


p

f


Connection Strength
Example: 4E
64
Required end-plate thickness

where
| = 1.0

Y) F /( M t
yp pl p
| =
( ) ( )
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ +
(

|
|
.
|

\
|
+ +
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
2
1
p
h
2
b
g
2
s p
s
1
p
1
2
b
p h Y
f
p
f
f
p
t
g b
2
1
s
p
=


g

b

p


s

p

d

p

f


t


p
f


Connection Strength
Example: 4E
65
Design process is the same as
for the 4ES configuration.

g
pf
pb
pb
pf
d
bp
ts
1"
1"
lst = hst / tan 30
hst
Connection Strength
Example: 8Es
66
Weld access hole not permitted because of
ruptures that occurred during testing.
Rupture
End-Plate Welding
67
Weld access hole not permitted because of
ruptures that occurred during testing.
Rupture
End-Plate Welding
68
Recommended welding procedure:

No weld access holes
Surface Preparation:
All surfaces ground clean
Flanges beveled 45 full depth
Minimum root opening
45
45
Typical Beam
End-Plate Welding
69
Recommended welding procedure:

Welding Sequence:
1. Fillet welds on both sides of web
installed.
2. Fillet welds on inside of flanges
installed.
3. Flange groove weld root
backgouged and flange groove
welds installed.
Note: Welds over webs are not CJP.
Backgouge
Backgouge
1
2
3
3
End-Plate Welding
70
Effective end-plate width in calculations
Beam flange width + 1 in.
Bolt gage < beam flange width
Bolt spacing and pitch
Provide adequate tightening clearances
Finger shims
Used to correct beam length variations
Detailing Requirements
71
Length of Stiffener

L
st
= h
st
/ tan 30


30
1"
L
st

1"
h
st


4ES and 8ES Stiffener Detailing
72
4ES and 8ES Stiffener Detailing
End-plate stiffener thickness
Stiffener should have same strength as the
beam web
t
s
= (F
yb
/ F
ys
) t
wb

Stiffener Welds
Full penetration groove welds are
recommended.
Designed for one-half of the flange force
73
Other Limit States to Consider
Column Side
Flange bending
Local web yielding
Web crippling
Compression buckling of web
Continuity plates
Panel zone
See AI SC Design Guides 4, 16, and 13
74
8-Bolt Stiffened Moment End-Plate, 8ES
75
8-Bolt Stiffened Moment End-Plate, 8ES
76
Total Plastic Rotation (rad)
-0.08 -0.06 -0.04 -0.02 0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08
M
o
m
e
n
t

a
t

C
o
l
u
m
n

C
e
n
t
e
r
l
i
n
e

(
i
n
-
k
i
p
s
)
-25000
-20000
-15000
-10000
-5000
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
(b) Moment vs Plastic Rotation (a) Moment vs Total Rotation
Total Rotation (rad)
-0.08 -0.06 -0.04 -0.02 0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08
M
o
m
e
n
t

a
t

C
o
l
u
m
n

C
e
n
t
e
r
l
i
n
e

(
i
n
-
k
i
p
s
)
-25000
-20000
-15000
-10000
-5000
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
Moment at Column Centerline Moment at Column Centerline
vs vs
Total Rotation Plastic Rotation
8ES-1.25-1.75-30
8-Bolt Stiffened Moment End-Plate, 8ES
77
Prequalification Requirements:
Beam depth: Min. and max. in Table 6.1
Beam weight: No limit
Column depth: Up to W36
Beam connected to column flange
(connections to column web not prequalified)
Bolts: A325 or A490
Finger Shims: Permitted
End-Plate Moment Connections
78
R
i
g
i
d

L
i
n
k

Lateral Support
Typ.
Composite
Slab
Pin Support
R
i
g
i
d

L
i
n
k

W24x68 W24x68
Test Column
Reaction
Frame
Actuator
Test Frame
W
1
4
x
2
5
7

Connection Test with Concrete Slab
79
Test 1 with Concrete Slab
80
Test 1 with Concrete Slab
81
Premature Bolt Rupture
Test 1 with Concrete Slab
82
W27x84 (A992)
NORTH
W27x84 (A992)
SOUTH
W
1
4
x
3
1
1

(
A
3
6
)
11'-0" 11'-0"
7'-0"
10'-0" 10'-0"
7'-0"
7
'
-
2
"
6
'
-
1
1
"
PAPPLIED
LATERAL SUPPORT
W14X22
FILLER BEAM
PIN SUPPORT
P
I
N

S
U
P
P
O
R
T
P
I
N

S
U
P
P
O
R
T
1 1/4" END PLATE (A36)
W/ 1 1/8" A325 BOLTS
5" COMPOSITE SLAB
(3" COVER ON 2"
COMPOSITE METAL DECK)
10'-0" 10'-0"
3
'
-
0
"
3
'
-
0
"
1'-11 1/4"
3'-4 1/2" 4'-8 1/4"
NO STUDS
HINGE ZONE
E
N
D


O
F
S
T
I
F
F
E
N
E
R
1'-11 1/4"
4'-8 1/4" 3'-4 1/2"
NO STUDS
HINGE ZONE
E
N
D


O
F
S
T
I
F
F
E
N
E
R
1/2" MIN. GAP
FORMED W/ NEOPRENE
FILLED W/ FOAM INSUL.
5" COMPOSITE SLAB
(3" COVER ON 2 COMPOSITE METAL DECK)
REINFORCED W/ 4x4-W2.9xW2.9 WWF
3/4" X 4" SHEAR STUDS
@ 1'-0" MAX.
DOUBLER PLATE
(FAR SIDE)
Test 2 with Concrete Slab
83
Test 2 with Concrete Slab
84
-250
-200
-150
-100
-50
0
50
100
150
200
250
-0.05 -0.04 -0.03 -0.02 -0.01 0.00 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05
Total Rotation (rad.)
C
o
l
u
m
n

T
i
p

L
o
a
d

(
k
i
p
s
)
-250
-200
-150
-100
-50
0
50
100
150
200
250
-0.06 -0.04 -0.02 0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06
Beam Rotation (rad.)
C
o
l
u
m
n

T
i
p

L
o
a
d

(
k
i
p
s
)

Column Tip Load Column Tip Load
vs . vs.
Total Rotation Beam Rotation
Test 2 with Concrete Slab
85
Requirement for All Prequalified Bolted
Connections
Compressible expansion joint material, at
least 1 in. thick, shall be installed to isolate
the column/connection from the concrete
slab.
86

Bolted Flange
Plate (BFP)

Specific Prequalified Connections

87
Bolted Flange Plate (BFP)



BFP Concept:
Shop Welded/Field Bolted
A325 or A490 bolts
Top and bottom flange
plates must be identical
Hinge at end of flange
plates
88
Prequalified at
U. of California
at San Diego
Bolted Flange Plate (BFP)
89
Bolted Flange Plate (BFP)
90
Bolted Flange Plate (BFP)
91
Bolted Flange Plate (BFP)
92
Bolted Flange Plate (BFP)
93
Bolted Flange Plate (BFP)
94
Bolted Flange Plate (BFP)
95
Bolted Flange Plate (BFP)
96
Fracture
Location
Close-up of Fracture
Location
Bolted Flange Plate (BFP)
97

Welded Unreinforced
Flange - Welded Web
(WUFW)

Specific Prequalified Connections

98
WUF-W Concept:
Full beam strength
Shop welded single plate
with bolts for erection
Field welded beam flange
to column flange
Field welded single plate to
beam web
Similar to pre-Northridge
Welded Unreinforced Flange- Welded Web
(WUF-W)
connection
99
Welded Unreinforced Flange- Welded Web
(WUF-W)
Erection Bolts
100

Proprietary
Kaiser Bolted
Bracket (KBB)
Flange Welded Flange Bolted

Specific Prequalified Connections

101



KBB Concept:
Cast steel bracket
Welded or bolted to
beam flanges
Bolted to column flange
Shop welded single plate web connection
Pretensioned 1-3/8 or 1-1/2 in. diameter A490
or A354 bracket bolts
Used for retrofiting
Kaiser Bolted Bracket (KBB)
102
Kaiser Bolted Bracket (KBB)
103

Proprietary
ConXtech
CONXL
TM

Moment
Connection

Specific Prequalified Connections

104
ConXtech CONXL
TM
Moment Connection
105
Concept:
Biaxial
16 in. square HSS or
built-up box concrete
filled columns
Shop welded forged steel
fittings on beams and columns
Field bolted with 1-1/2 in. A574 bolts
All beams must be of same nominal depth
Extremely fast erection

ConXtech CONXL
TM
Moment Connection
106
ConXtech CONXL
TM
Moment Connection
107
ConXtech CONXL
TM
Moment Connection
108
ConXtech CONXL
TM
Moment Connection
109
Thank You!!