Behaviour of welded connections of moment resisting frames beam-to-column joints

The importance of welded connections on the behaviour of beam-to-column joints in steel moment resisting frames was the reason to develop an experimental programme focused on the behaviour of welding details. A number of 54 'T' assembly specimens that reproduce the beam-to-column welded joints have been tested. The experimental programme considered the following parameters: steel grade, strain rate, welding type (fillet weld, double bevel butt weld, and single bevel butt weld), and type of loading (monotonic and cyclic pulsating). The behaviour of the different types of welds have been evaluated and compared in terms of both performance and economical aspects. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.