Local Strength of a Compression Zone in Extended Endplate Beam-to-Column Connections Stiffened with Bolted Channels

Abstract

Recently, a new stiffening method was proposed for moment-resisting beam-tocolumn connections of steel frames. The method uses bolted channels as alternatives to both continu ity and doubler plates. This study investigates the compression zone behavior of bolted extended endplate connections stiffened with channels. Four tests were conducted to examine the actual per formance of channels as stiffeners. Compression yield loads of specimens were also predicted by applying some conventional formulae considering failure mechanisms. Estimated strengths were verified through comparison with test results. The performance of channel stiffeners is satisfactory to increase compression strength.