Connecting a W-shape beam to a hollow steel section (HSS) column using
conventional bolts is difficult due to a lack of access inside the ho
llow section column to tighten the nut. Field welding the connection r
emains the common practice. The objective of this work is to propose a
bolted moment connection for rectangular hollow steel columns using h
igh-strength blind bolts, and to evaluate such a connection in terms o
f its performance and its failure modes. An experimental program was c
onducted involving beam-to-column specimens subjected to beam tip mono
tonic loading. Moment-rotation relationships of the tested connections
were obtained while the response of the connection and its elements w
as investigated. Results show promising performance of such a connecti
on type in terms of its stiffness, moment capacity, and ductility. Com
parison is made with a similar connection using ordinary high-strength
A325 bolts. For the blind bolted connection, it was found that column
flange thickness is a critical element that may govern the failure mo
de.