This paper presents results of fullscale tests conducted to evaluate deformation capacity and failure mode of welded beam-to-column connections adopted in moment frames for early highrise buildings around 1970s. Test specimens are designed and fabricated to reproduce the moment connections at that time according to the welding details and steel work procedures. Loading tests are conducted by cyclic loading protocol to simulate the response of frames subjected to long-period ground motions. The obtained capacity of specimens evaluated by cumulative plastic rotation satisfied deformation demand predicted by numerical response analysis.
