Cyclic performance of a type of steel beam to steel-encased reinforced concrete column moment connection

Abstract Two full-scale subassemblies with steel-encased reinforced concrete (SRC) columns and steel beams were tested to evaluate the seismic performance of the connection details. For ease of construction, continuity plates were eliminated and less transverse reinforcement than that specified in the NEHRP seismic provisions was used in the connection region. The reduced beam section was introduced to reduce the shear demand on the connection. In addition, two doubler plates were placed away from the column web to enhance the connection shear resistance. This study showed that: (1) the stringent requirement for the transverse reinforcement could be relaxed; (2) the offset doubler plates were able to resist a significant amount of connection shear; and (3) the inner concrete strut could be mobilized in the two-sided moment connection, but not in the one-sided moment connection.