6 D.A. Nethercot and J.S. Hensman Because of concern over the adequacy of the modelling of composite beam to column connections under sagging moments, particular attention was paid in an initial study, Hensman, J $ (1998), to the occurrence (or not) of reversal in the sign of the connection rotations. Initial studies using the sub-frame of Figure 2, that was specially configured to represent a typical intermediate floor in a ‘more extensive structure, showed that for realistic arrangements of frame layout, member sizes and levels of gravity and wind loading reversal of rotations, even at the potentially most vulnerable windward connections was extremely unlikely. It was therefore concluded that the full parametric study need not concern itself with further refinement of this feature. PARAMETRIC STUDY Figure 3 illustrates the basic frame layouts considered and Tables 1 and 2 list the range of variables considered within the numerical study. Although this was based on the equivalent set of restrictions given in Anderson, Reading and Kavianpour (1991) it has been adapted somewhat, both (0 recognise important differences between bare steel and composite construction e.g. the likely use of longer span beams, and to reflect certain preferences from the industry and recent changes in the UK design environment e.g, issue of a new Code for wind loading. A more detailed explanation of the arrangement of the study, including justification for decisions on joint types, load combinations etc., is available, Hensman and Nethercot (2000b). Full details of the 300 cases investigated covering 45 different frame arrangements, including summary results for cach, are available in reference I. In all cases the approach adopted was to first design the frame using the proposed WMM technique and then to conduct a full range computer analysis to check its condition at the SLS and ULS stages. MAIN FINDINGS Undoubtedly the most significant overall outcome of the parametric study was the finding that every frame design using the proposed WMM approach was essentially satisfactory in terms of providing an adequate margin of safety against ULS load combinations. This was despite the fact that the actual distributions of internal forces and moments within the frames often differed significantly from those presumed by the WMM analyses. Only in an extremely small number of cases was any degree of column overstress observed (and then less than 4%) - a comforting feature given that actual end restraint moments obtained from the rigorous analyses were often significantly higher than the assumed 10% of the WMM. The actual values of up to 30% in certain cases might suggest that where gravity loads are high beam sections could be reduced by assuming a larger-say 20% - end restraint moment. Before so doing, however, it would be important to check the effect on overall lateral frame stiffness as it might well prove difficult to satisfy drift limitations with this inherently more flexible system. For all cases of frames designed for maximum gravity load and minimum wind load the SLS conditions were met. However, if higher wind loads were introduced, particularly for frames with short bay widths, some difficulty in ensuring adequate serviceability performance might well be experienced.