With the Criteria – Column Moments command the user can specify the portion of the calculated Gravity load moments to be included in the design of the columns. The purpose of this command is to reduce or eliminate the Gravity load moments on the columns. For the Live and Roof Loads, this reduction is in addition to any Live Load Reduction calculated for the column. This does not have any impact on the axial load in the column, and it does not have any impact on the beam design forces.

One application of this command is when the so-called "Type 2 connection" or "Wind connection" design methodology is being employed, wherein it is assumed that the beam-to-column connection acts as a moment connection under wind loads, but acts as a pinned connection under gravity loads. It allows the user to specify that the Gravity load moments on the column be ignored, while considering the full design axial forces. This command has no impact on Wind or Seismic moments and axial forces. The beam design moments are not affected by this command; beams must be investigated as necessary.

Note that this is not a true "Partially Restrained" analysis; the values specified by the user do not represent some type of joint softening or joint capacity; there is no redistribution of the column moments into the beam. This command merely causes the program to ignore a portion of the column gravity moments, and therefore, must be used cautiously.

This command only impacts the calculation of the design moments when performing a Code Check on the column. It does not impact the values shown for the Member Forces listed in any reports elsewhere in the program.