Composite Connections to External Columns

The behavior of beam-to-column connections in composite rigid frames is examined and the results of tests on ten specimens are presented. The steel beams are connected to concrete slabs by welded studs and are subjected to negative moment. The columns are of encased I-section bent about the major axis. The steel core components are attached with typical welded connections. It is shown that effective composite action can be realized in the beam at the inner face of exterior columns. The rotation capacity at the column face is generally satisfactory and is limited by buckling of the compression flange. The column encasement is effective in assisting the core web to resist the connection shear force. With proper design of slab and encasement, the ultimate moment capacity can be almost doubled as compared with that of the bare steelwork.