Cyclic behaviour of fully-rigid and semi-rigid steel beam-to-column connections

A test program was considered to clarify the cyclic characteristics of eight full-scale unstiffened extended end-plates with variable parameters and one SidePlate moment connection. All specimens were subjected to 2010 AISC seismic provision loading protocol where flexural strengths were identified at each interstorey drift angle. The results showed that all unstiffened extended end-plate failed to develop full inelastic capacity of connected beams and plastic hinges mainly appeared in the connection’s components. On the other hand, the SidePlate moment connection had the capacity to develop adequate interstorey drift angles up to 0.06 rad, indicating that this type of connection possesses sufficient stiffness and strength to be classified as a rigid and full-strength connection. The results also showed that SidePlate possesses considerably more energy dissipation capacity and an equivalent hysteretic damping ratio compared to unstiffened extended end-plate specimens, especially at higher interstorey drift angles