This experimental database includes 165 tests conducted on beam-to-column connections for C-SMFs. These tests were categorized into five groups depending on the connection details and cross-section shapes of CFT columns. Group 1 includes 49 tests of connections for rectangular CFT columns using diaphragms. Group 2 includes 12 tests of connections for circular CFT columns using diaphragms. Group 3 includes 14 tests of DST connections for rectangular CFT columns. Group 4 includes 13 tests of through-beam connections for circular CFT columns. Finally, Group 5 includes 77 tests of connections with other details.

For the first four groups, the following details were collected as applicable: (1) joint location (interior or exterior), (2) loading type (cyclic or monotonic) and protocol, (3) axial load ratio, (4) weak link (beams, columns, or panel zone),  (5) geometric and material properties of CFT columns and steel beams, (6) test results (failure modes, ratio of maximum beam moment to beam plastic flexural strength (M_max / M_p), and story drift angle), and (7) figures showing connection details and experimental load-deformation responses. Properties of CFT columns included the length (L_c), steel tube diameter (D) or width (B), steel tube wall thickness (t), steel yield stress (F_y), and concrete compressive stress (f’_c). Properties of steel beams included the length (L_b), depth (H), flange width (B), flange thickness (t_f), web thickness (t_w), and steel yield stress (F_y). The story drift angle capacity is defined as the angle corresponds to 0.8M_p or 0.8M_max (for specimens that cannot develop M_p). For connections using diaphragms (Groups 1 and 2), details of the diaphragm were also collected, including the thickness (t_d), width (b_d), opening hole dimension (for internal and through diaphragms), width (for external and through diaphragms), and yield stress. For DST connections (Group 3), details of the split-tee (flange width and thickness, and stem length and thickness) and bolts (numbers, dimensions, and tensile strength) were collected as well. 

For the last group (Group 5), the following details were collected: (1) cross-section shape of CFT columns, (2) loading type (cyclic or monotonic), and (3) connections details (prescriptive description and figures).  Additional details are available in the provided references.

Researchers should cite this work as follows:

• Zhichao Lai; Amit H. Varma (2018). Experimental database on connections for composite special moment frames (C-SMFs). (Version 3.0). Purdue University Research Repository. doi:10.4231/R7FX77MM

  BibTex | EndNote

1. beam-to-column moment connections
2. CFT
3. Civil Engineering
4. Civil Engineering (Dept)
5. Composite special moment frames
6. concrete-filled tube columns