Moment Frame Beam-to-Column Connection

References

American Institute of Steel Construction. 2010. Seismic Design Manual . Chicago, IL:American Institute of Steel Construction.

Details

Refer to Joint JT-1 in Figure 3-2 of the reference. Design a bolted flange-plated fully restrained moment connection between Beam BM-1 and Column CL-1. The beam and column are ASTM A992 W-shpaes and ASTM A36 is used for the connecting material. Use ASTM A325-N bolts and 70-ksi electrodes.

From the reference:

LRFD
  • Vu = 33.9 kips
  • Mu = 316 kip·ft

Refer to the figure in the reference for additional details.

Results

Table 1. Comparison with AISC Seismic Design Example 3.4.4
Parameter RAM Connection Reference Difference
Available flexural strength of beam (kip·ft) 351.9 352 < 1%
Available bearing strength of beam flange (kips) 628.8 627 < 1%
Flange plate block shear rupture (kips) 320.4 320 < 1%
Flange local bending of column (kips) 171.1 171 < 1%
Web local yielding of column (kips) 185.9 186 < 1%

Input

The following data is input into the New Joint dialog:

Joint Data tab:
  • Joint = BCF
  • Beam/Section = W 18x55
  • Beam/Material = ASTM A992 Gr50
  • Column/Section = W 12x87
  • Column/Material = ASTM A992 Gr50
Loads tab:
  • V2 (beam) = 33.9 kips
  • M33 (beam) = 316 kip·ft

Select the Smart Connections/Smart FP Bolted connection type.

The following data is input into the Connection Pad:

Flange Plate group:
  • Top plate thickness, tp = 1 in.
  • Bottom plate thickness, tpb = 1 in.
Flange Plate / Beam Side group:
  • Bolts = 7/8"⌀ A325N (from AISC database, according to the example)
  • Number of bolt rows, nr = 5
  • Gage (transverse center-to-center spacing), g = 4 in.
  • Longitudinal distance to top plate edge, Lev = 2 in.
  • Transverse distance to top plate edge, Leh = 1.5 in.
  • Longitudinal distance to bottom plate edge, Levb = 2 in.
  • Transverse distance to bottom plate edge, Lehb = 1.5 in.
  • Longitudinal distance to beam edge (top plate), ef = 2 in.
  • Longitudinal distance to beam edge (bottom plate), efb = 2 in.
Flange Plate / Support Side group:
  • Weld size to support (1/16s in), D2 = 9