UNIFIED CLASSIFICATION-SYSTEM FOR BEAM-TO-COLUMN CONNECTIONS

A new classification system for beam-to-column connections is proposed in which the stiffness and strength characteristics of the connection s are considered simultaneously. Using this method, it follows that a connection is classified into a unique category, thereby clarifying th e position for design engineers. Since connection stiffness and streng th are considered simultaneously, new terms have been proposed for def ining the connection categories; these are: fully-connected, partially -connected, pin-connected and non-structural. Compared with the proper ties of the connected beam as well as the adjoining columns, a fully-c onnected connection should have high strength and high stiffness; a pa rtially-connected connection has moderate strength and stiffness, a pi n-connected connection has either low stiffness or low strength and no n-structural connections are those that cannot meet either the strengt h or the stiffness or the ductility requirements for the other three t ypes of connections. Numerical examples have been included which demon strate the validity of this classification system. Its basis is that t he overall performance of the frame at both the serviceability and ult imate limit states should closely accord with that predicted by the as sociated method of analysis; this is particularly important when eithe r of the standard approaches assuming pinned or rigid connections is u sed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.