Tests of Welded Beam-Column Subassemblies. II: Detailed Behavior

Abstract

This paper presents a detailed examination of the experimental behavior of 14 full-scale, welded beam-column subassemblages. First, ductility capacity of the specimens is evaluated in terms of cumulative plastic rotation and maximum skeleton rotation. Second, the effects of dynamic loading are examined in reference to the maximum resistance, ductility capacity, and failure mode of the specimens. Dynamic loading generally increased ductility capacity and produced a more ductile mode of fracture. A significant rise in temperature observed in the dynamic loading tests was the likely cause of the larger ductility capacity and more ductile fracture. Third, strains in the vicinity of beam ends are examined. Strain distributions along the beam flange width were found to be very complex, and were significantly larger at the flange edges over the flange midwidth. Fourth, fracture surfaces were examined from fractography analysis. Changes in material hardness before and after the test are also investigated, and correlation between the hardness increase and cumulative plastic strain was quantified.