NIST GCR 09-917-3

NEHRP Seismic Design Technical Brief N! "

Seismic Design f
S#eel S$ecial
%men# &rames'
( G)i*e fr Prac#icing Engineers
Rnal* +! Ham,)rger
Helm)# -ra.in/ler
0ames +! %alle1
Sc## %! (*an

NEHRP Seismic Design 0ames +! %alle12 P!E!2 S!E! , is Senior Principal with Degenkolb Engineers
in San Francisco, California. For the Building Seismic Safety Council he
Technical Briefs
has chaired the technical subcommittee responsible for the deelopment of
!E"#P $!ational Earth%uake "a&ards #eduction Program' (echnical
steel proisions. "e has been awarded the #aymond C. #eese #esearch
Briefs are published by !)S(, the !ational )nstitute of Standards and
*ward of the *merican Society of Ciil Engineers and has sered as
(echnology, as aids to the efficient transfer of !E"#P and other research
president of the Structural Engineers *ssociation of California. For the
into practice, thereby helping to reduce the nation+s losses from earth%uakes.
*merican )nstitute of Steel Construction, he is the chair of the Seismic
Subcommittee and seres on the Specifications Committee.
Na#inal Ins#i#)#e f
Sc## %! (*an2 Ph!D!2 P!E!2 S!E! , is Senior Pro,ect -anager for Simpson,
S#an*ar*s an* Technlg1
.umpert&, / "eger in San Francisco, California where he speciali&es in
(he !ational )nstitute of Standards and (echnology $!)S(' is a federal the inestigation and design of building structures. "e is also actiely
technology agency within the 0.S. Department of Commerce that promotes inoled in the research and deelopment of steel moment1resisting
0.S. innoation and industrial competitieness by adancing measurement connections. For the *merican )nstitute of Steel Construction, he is a
science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security member of the Connection Pre%ualification #eiew Panel and the Seismic
and improe our %uality of life. )t is the lead agency of the !ational Design Committee.
Earth%uake "a&ards #eduction Program $!E"#P'. Dr. 2ohn $2ack' #.
"ayes is the Director of !E"#P, within !)S(3s Building and Fire #esearch
4aboratory $BF#4'.
(,)# #he Re3ie. Panel
NEHRP Cns)l#an#s 0in# 4en#)re
(he contributions of the three reiew panelists for this publication are
gratefully acknowledged.
(his !)S(1funded publication is one of the products of the work of the
!E"#P Consultants 2oint 5enture carried out under Contract SB
D)glas &)#ch2 Ph!D! , is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Ciil
67869:C;996<, (ask =rder >?997. (he partners in the !E"#P
and Enironmental Engineering at the 0niersity of )llinois at 0rbana1
Consultants 2oint 5enture are the *pplied (echnology Council $*(C' and
Champaign, where he has taught courses and conducted research on the
the Consortium of 0niersities for #esearch in Earth%uake Engineering
design of steel buildings and bridges. "e is the recipient of the !orman
$C0#EE'. (he members of the 2oint 5enture -anagement Committee are
-edal of the *merican Society of Ciil Engineers and has sered as the
2ames #. "arris, #obert #eitherman, Christopher #o,ahn, and *ndrew
chair of the Committee on Seismic Effects on Structures for that organi&ation.
@hittaker, and the Program -anager is 2on *. "eint&.
"e is the recipient of a Special *chieement *ward of the *merican )nstitute
of Steel Construction.
(,)# The ()#hrs
Rnal* Ham,)rger2 P!E!2 S!E! is "ead of Structural Engineering, @estern R,er# 5en2 Ph!D! , is Professor of Ciil and Enironmental Engineering
#egion, for Simpson, .umpert&, / "eger, )nc. in San Francisco, California at the .eorgia )nstitute of (echnology, where he carries out research on
and has more than thirty years eAperience in the design of ciil and the seismic performance of steel and composite systems. "e has receied
structural engineering pro,ects. "e has been the president of the Structural both the !orman -edal and the State1of1the1*rt *ward from the *merican
Engineers *ssociation of California and the !ational Council of Structural Society of Ciil Engineers, and the (. #. "iggins *ward from the *merican
Engineering *ssociations and has chaired the committee of the Building )nstitute of Steel Construction. "e is a member of the Committee on
Seismic Safety Council responsible for updating the !E"#P Proisions Specifications and the Seismic Subcommittee of the *merican )nstitute of
for the Seismic Design of Buildings. "e chairs the *merican )nstitute of Steel Construction.
Steel Construction Connection Pre%ualification #eiew Panel and receied
the )nstitute+s "iggins award in B99>. Thmas (! Sa,l2 Ph!D!2 S!E!2 (!I!( , is Principal with Englekirk / Sabol
in 4os *ngeles, California and *d,unct Professor of Ciil and Enironmental
Helm)# -ra.in/ler2 Ph!D!2 P!E! , is the 2ohn *. Blume Professor Emeritus of Engineering at 0C4*, teaching classes in steel design, seismic design,
Engineering at Stanford 0niersity. "e is the recipient of an *merican )nstitute and tall buildings design. "e is both a registered structural engineer and
of Steel Construction Special *chieement *ward and has sered on *merican architect. "e has led his firm+s design work on pro,ects such as the .etty
Society of Ciil Engineers and Building Seismic Safety Council steel design -useum and ma,or buildings on the campuses of the 0niersity of California
proisions committees. "e has been a peer reiewer of ma,or steel design at 4os *ngeles, #ierside, and San Diego. "e is a member of the seismic pro,ects and is an "onorary -ember of the Structural Engineers *ssociation design proisions committee of the *merican )nstitute of Steel Construction. of !orthern California. ($$lie* Technlg1 C)ncil 6(TC7 Cnsr#i)m f 8ni3ersi#ies fr Research in B96 #edwood Shores Parkway 1 Suite B89 Ear#h9)a/e Engineering 6C8REE7 #edwood City, California <89>C 6796 South 8>th Street 1 Building 8B9 $>C9' C<C16C8B #ichmond, C* <8?98 www.atcouncil.org emailD atcEatcouncil.org $C69' >>C17CB< www.curee.org emailD cureeEcuree.org

NIST GCR 09-917-3
Seismic Design f
S#eel S$ecial
%men# &rames'
( G)i*e fr Prac#icing Engineers
Prepared for
U.S. Department of Commerce
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and echnology
!aithersburg" #D $%&''(&)%%
By
Rnal* +! Ham,)rger2 P!E!2 S!E!
Simpson .umpert& / "eger, )nc.
San Francisco, California
Helm)# -ra.in/ler2 Ph!D!2 P!E!
Department of Ciil and Enironmental Engineering
Stanford 0niersity
0ames +! %alle12 P!E!2 S!E!
Degenkolb Engineers
San Francisco, California
Sc## %! (*an2 Ph!D!2 P!E!2 S!E!
Simpson .umpert& / "eger, )nc.
San Francisco, California
0)ne "009
0.S. Department of Commerce !ary Loc*e" Secretary !ational )nstitute of Standards and (echnology +atric* !allagher" Deputy Director

Cn#en#s
6. )ntroduction................................................................................................
.......................6
B. (he 0se of Special -oment
Frames.................................
.............................................
.7
7. Principles for Special -oment Frame
Design.................................................
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8. *nalysis
.uidanc
e............
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C. Design
.uida
nce.....
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...6<
>. *dditional
#e%uirem
ents..........
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................
B7
:. Detailing and Constructability
)ssues......................................
......................................B>
?. #eferences..................................................................................................
...................79
<. !otation and
*bbreiatio
ns.................
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..............76
69. Credits.........................................................................................................
...................77
Disclaimers
(he policy of the !ational )nstitute of Standards and (echnology is to use the
)nternational System of 0nits $metric units' in all of its publications. "oweer, in !orth *merica in the construction and building materials industry, certain
non1S) units are so widely used instead of S) units that it is more practical and less confusing to include measurement alues for customary
units only.
(his report was prepared for the Building and Fire #esearch 4aboratory of the
!ational )nstitute of Standards and (echnology under contract number SB67869:C;996<, (ask =rder >?997. (he statements and conclusions
contained in this report are those of the authors and do not imply recommendations or endorsements by the !ational )nstitute of Standards and
(echnology.
(his (echnical Brief was produced under contract to !)S( by the !E"#P Consultants
2oint 5enture, a ,oint enture of the *pplied (echnology Council $*(C' and the Consortium of 0niersities for #esearch in Earth%uake
Engineering $C0#EE'. @hile endeaoring to proide practical and accurate information in this publication, the !E"#P Consultants 2oint 5enture,
the authors, and the reiewers do not assume liability for, nor make any eApressed or implied warranty with regard to, the use of its information.
0sers of the information in this publication assume all liability arising from such use.
Coer photo F Steel special moment frame under construction. H. # Ci#e This P),lica#in
"amburger, #onald =., Grawinkler, "elmut, -alley, 2ames =., and *dan, Scott -.
$B99<'. HSeismic design of steel special moment framesD a guide for practicing engineers,H N,-R+ Seismic Design echnical Brief No. $ , produced by the !E"#P Consultants 2oint
5enture, a partnership of the *pplied (echnology Council and the Consortium of
0niersities for #esearch in Earth%uake Engineering,
for the !ational )nstitute of Standards and (echnology, .aithersburg, -D., !)S( .C#
9<1<6:17

1! In#r*)c#in
Structural steel special moment frames often are used as part
of the seismic force1resisting systems in buildings designed to
resist earth%uakes with substantial inelastic energy dissipation.
(hey are one of a few select systems that 0.S. building codes
permit without restriction in buildings eAceeding 6>9 ft in
height, een in the most critical occupancies and in areas
mapped as haing the highest ground motions. Beams,
columns, and beam1column connections in steel special moment
frames are proportioned and detailed to resist fleAural, aAial,
and shearing actions that result as a building sways through
multiple inelastic displacement cycles during strong earth%uake
ground shaking. Special proportioning and detailing
re%uirements are therefore essential in resisting strong
earth%uake shaking with substantial inelastic behaior. (hese
moment1resisting frames are called Special -oment Frames
because of these additional re%uirements, which improe the
inelastic response characteristics of these frames in comparison
with less stringently detailed Intermediate and .rdinary
-oment Frames.
Design re%uirements for steel special moment frames are
contained in a series of standards. *SCEISE) :19C, #inimum
Design Loads for Buildings and .ther Structures$*SCE B99>',
referred hereafter as *SCE :, sets the basic loading criteria for
steel special moment frames together with associated lateral
drift limits. *!S)I*)SC 78619C, Seismic +ro/isions for
Structural Steel Buildings $*)SC B99Ca' proides detailed ,
design re%uirements relating to materials, framing members .
$beams, columns, and beam1column ,oints', connections, and
construction %uality assurance and %uality control. )n addition,
*)SC 786 presents re%uirements for columns that are not
designated as part of the seismic force1resisting system. (he
numerous interrelated re%uirements for steel special moment
frames are coered in seeral sections of *)SC 786, with the
primary re%uirements coered in Section < of Part ) of the
document. Section < of *)SC 786 references *!S)I*)SC 7C?1
9C, +re0ualified Connections for Special and Intermediate
Steel #oment Frames for Seismic 1pplications including
Supplement No.2 $*)SC B99Cb', which is written to facilitate
and standardi&e the design of steel special moment frame .
connections to allow their use without the need for pro,ect1
specific testing. * series of different moment connection details
is presented in *)SC 7C?19C, and additional connections are .
being added for the B969 edition of this document.
Si*e,ars in #he g)i*e Sidebars are used in this .uide to illustrate key points, to highlight construction issues, and to proide additional guidance on good practices and open issues in Steel Special -oment Frame design. .
Both *)SC 786 and 7C? are applied in con,unction with the *!S)I*)SC 7>919C
Specification for Structural Steel Buildings $*)SC B99Cc', and *)SC 79719C,
Code of Standard +ractice for Steel Buildings and Bridges $*)SC B99Cd'. *)SC 7>9
is the main *)SC specification that proides the design and detailing re%uirements for
all steel buildings. )n addition to these standards, *merican @elding Society $*@S'
standards *@S D6.6 Structural 3elding Code $*@S B998' and *@S D6.? Structural
3elding Code Seismic $*@S B99C' present re%uirements for welding and fabrication
that pertain to steel special moment frames. (he B99C edition of *)SC 786 duplicated
many of the re%uirements in *@S D6.?. "oweer the B969 edition will refer to *@S
D6.? for these re%uirements *nother useful document is the *)SC Seismic Design
#anual$*)SC B99>', which presents useful design aids and eAamples for moment
frames and other steel seismic force1resisting systems.
(his .uide is written for practicing structural engineers to assist in their understanding
and application of the *SCE :, *)SC 786, and *)SC 7C? documents in steel special
moment frame design. (he material is presented in a se%uence that practicing
engineers hae found useful, with historic and general principles for seismic design
discussed first, followed by system1specific analysis and design re%uirements.
*lthough this .uide is intended especially for the practicing structural engineer, it will
also be useful for building officials, educators and students
(his .uide follows the re%uirements of the B99C editions of
*)SC 786 and 7C?, along with the pertinent design load
re%uirements specified in *SCE :. *)SC 786 primarily addresses the seismic design
of systems in Seismic Design Categories D, E, and F, as defined in *SCE :. (he
)nternational Building Code, or )BC, $)CC B99>', which is the code generally adopted
throughout the 0nited States, refers to *SCE : for the determination of seismic loads.
*)SC 786 was deeloped in con,unction with *SCE :, so the documents are well
coordinated regarding terminology, system definition and application limitations, and
other issues
(he main body of teAt in this .uide emphasi&es code re%uirements and accepted
approaches to their implementation )t includes background information and sketches to
illustrate the re%uirements. *dditional guidance is presented in sidebars appearing
alongside the main teAt. Sections 7 through > present analysis, behaior,
proportioning, and detailing re%uirements for steel special moment frames and other
portions of the building that interact with them. Section : presents a discussion of
detailing and constructability issues to highlight uni%ue features of steel special
moment frame construction. Cited references, notation and abbreiations, and credits
are in
Sections ?, <, and 69
(ISC 3:1 "00; 3ers)s "010 C*e Re9)iremen#s 3ers)s
G)i*e Recmmen*a#ins
*)SC 78619C and *)SC 7C?19C are currently the
documents referenced for seismic design of steel Building codes present minimum re%uirements for
special moment frame structures in *SCE : and design and construction of buildings and are legal
the B99> )BC. *n updated ersion of *)SC 786 is re%uirements where adopted by the authority haing
presently under deelopment with planned ,urisdiction. (hus, where adopted, *)SC 786, 7C?
publication in B969. -ost of the technical and 7>9, in con,unction with *SCE :, must as a
re%uirements for steel special moment frame design minimum be followed. (his .uide is written mainly
in the B969 edition of *)SC 786 will be essentially to clarify re%uirements of the building code and
the same as in the B99C edition. (he document is these referenced standards, but it also presents
being re1organi&ed to be more consistent with *)SC other recommendations for good design and
7>9, and to more integrally incorporate seismic construction practices that may not be specifically
systems of composite construction into the re%uired by the codes or standards. (he .uide
document. * planned supplement to *)SC 7C?19C clearly differentiates between building code
is scheduled for publication in B99<. (his re%uirements and other recommendations.
supplement will include pre%ualified connections
added to those contained in the original publication.
Seismic Design of Steel Special -oment FramesD * .uide for Practicing Engineers B

"! The 8se f S$ecial %men# &rames
2.1 Historic Development
(his basic construction style remained popular for high1rise
construction through the 6<79s, though by the early 6<99s,
rolled J"K shape sections began to see increasing use in place
*lthough the concept of a steel special moment frame is a
of the built1up sections, in particular for lighter framing. -any
relatiely recent deelopment in the building codes, steel
ery tall structures, including !ew Lork+s Empire State Building,
moment frames hae been in use for more than one hundred
for many years the world+s tallest structure, are of this
years, dating to the earliest use of structural steel in building
construction type.
construction. Steel building construction with the frame
carrying the ertical loads initiated with the "ome )nsurance
Building in Chicago, a 691story structure constructed in 6??8
with a height of 67? ft, often credited with being the first
skyscraper $ &ig)re "-1 '. (his and other tall buildings in
Chicago spawned an entire generation of tall buildings,
constructed with load bearing steel frames supporting concrete
floors and non1load bearing, unreinforced masonry infill walls
at their perimeters. Framing in these early structures typically
utili&ed J"K shapes built up from plates, and J4K and JMK
sections. Starting with the -anhattan Building $6??<', perimeter
framing connections usually incorporated large stiffened
triangular gusset plates, ,oined to the beams and columns with
angles and riets $ &ig)re "-" '. (ypically, steel framing was
completely encased by masonry, concrete, or a combination of
these, to proide fire resistance. *necdotal eidence suggests
that designers of these early moment frame structures neglected
&ig)re "-" 1 (ypical early moment connection, consisting of heay triangular
the structural contributions of concrete and masonry
gusset plates, angles, and riets connecting built1up columns and beams.
encasement and further assumed that framing connections had
sufficient fleAibility to be treated as JpinnedK connections for
graity loading and JfiAedK connections for lateral loading. Following @orld @ar )), it became uneconomical to construct
Despite these assumptions, the steel framing in these structures perimeter walls out of infill unreinforced masonry, particularly
was substantially stiffened and strengthened by composite for tall buildings, and more modern glass and aluminum curtain
behaior with their encasements and eAhibited significant fiAity wall systems were adopted as part of the new modernist
at framing connections for both lateral and graity loadings. architectural style. (he larger windows possible with these
new curtain wall systems made large gusseted framing
connections undesirable, and engineers began to design
connections without gussets, using angles or split tees to
connect top and bottom beam flanges to columns $ &ig)re "-3 '.
)n the 6<C9s, as welding was introduced into building
construction, the angles and split tees were replaced by flange
plates that were shop welded to the column flanges, then
rieted to the beam flanges. By the 6<>9s, rieting had become
uneconomical and was replaced by high strength bolting.
Finally, in the early 6<:9s, engineers began to use the
connection type known today as the welded unreinforced flange
1 bolted web $&ig)re "-: ', incorporating field1welded, complete
,oint penetration grooe welds to ,oin beam flanges to columns,
with shop1welded, field1bolted shear plates ,oining beam webs to columns. *lmost from their inception as a means of building construction, engineers began to obsere that steel moment frames seemed to eAhibit superior performance in earth%uakes. -ore than B9 such structures were sub,ected to and suried the 6<9> San &ig)re "-11 (he "ome )nsurance Building F Chicago, )4, 6??C, Francisco earth%uake and the fires that followed it while few an early skyscraper. Seismic Design of Steel Special -oment FramesD * .uide for Practicing Engineers 7
other buildings in the central commercial district of San
Francisco remained standing $ &ig)re "-; '. -any of these
steel frame buildings are still in serice today. For nearly <9
years, as additional earth%uakes shook steel structures with
little apparent damage, a reputation of superior earth%uake1
resisting capability was created. )t is worth noting that much
of the seismic and fire resistance possessed by these structures
was a result of the composite interaction of the steel framing
with the encasing masonry and concrete. -odern steel
structures, with lightweight fireproofing applied to steel
members, do not hae the benefit of this composite behaior.
*s a result of the apparent superior performance of these
structures, building codes of the 6<>9s adopted preferential
design criteria for steel moment frames. 0nder these codes,
buildings haing complete ertical load1carrying space frames
as their lateral force1resisting systems could be designed for
two1thirds of the seismic forces specified for braced frames and
half the forces specified for bearing wall structures. Further,
these codes re%uired such moment frames in buildings eAceeding
6>9 ft in height.
)n the 6<>9s and 6<:9s, Professor Egor Popo at the 0niersity
of California at Berkeley and other researchers began to perform
cyclic laboratory testing of steel moment framing and discoered
that some control on the proportioning and detailing of these
&ig)re "-31 #ieted, unstiffened seat angle connection.
structures was necessary to obtain superior inelastic behaior
in strong earth%uakes. Slowly, throughout the 6<:9s and 6<?9s,
the building codes began to adopt these researchers+
recommendations and re%uire special design, configuration, and
detailing of steel moment frames used for seismic resistance in
regions of high seismic risk. Frames conforming to these design
criteria were first designated as Ductile -oment #esisting Space
Frames, and then finally, in the 6<?? 0niform Building Code, as
Special -oment1#esisting Space Frames, which were assigned
the highest response modification factor,R . (he term JspecialK
4
was adopted, both because special criteria applied to the design
of these structures, and also because they were eApected to
proide special superior performance in strong earth%uakes.
)nitially, the special design criteria were limited to a re%uirement
that connections be capable of deeloping the strength of the
connected members, with the welded unreinforced flange 1
bolted web connection identified as a deemed1to1comply
standard. 4ater, re%uirements were introduced to proide for
strong1columnIweak1beam behaior, balance of the shear
strength of panel &ones with beam fleAural capacity, and addition
of section compactness and lateral bracing criteria. Building codes of this era re%uired the use of ductile moment1resisting space frames in all structures eAceeding B89 ft in height in regions with a high risk of eAperiencing strong ground motion, and as a result, nearly eery tall building constructed in the western 0.S. in this era was of steel moment1frame construction. Such &ig)re "-: 1 @elded unreinforced flange F bolted web connection popularly structures designed in the 6<>9s and 6<:9s tended to employ used in the era 6<:916<<8. moment1resisting connections at eery beam1column ,oint, Seismic Design of Steel Special -oment FramesD * .uide for Practicing Engineers 8

&ig)re "-; 1 Steel frame buildings in downtown San Francisco performed well in the 6<9> earth%uake.
proiding great redundancy and distribution of lateral force researchers known as the S*C 2oint 5enture engaged in a
resistance. "oweer, by the 6<?9s, engineers had begun to federally funded, multi1year program of research and
economi&e their designs and minimi&e eApensie field welding deelopment to determine the causes of this unanticipated
by using fewer bays of moment1resisting framing that employed behaior and to deelop recommendations for more robust
heaier beams and columns, resulting in less redundant moment1resisting frame construction. (he S*C research,
structures with more concentrated lateral force resistance. )n conducted at a cost of N6B million oer eight years, resulted in
eAtreme cases, some tall structures were proided with only a the basis for the current design proisions for moment1resisting
single bay of moment1resisting framing on each side of the frames contained in *)SC 786, *)SC 7C?, and *@S D6.?.
building.
Following the 6<<8 !orthridge earth%uake in the 4os *ngeles
199: Nr#hri*ge Ear#h9)a/e an* #he
area, engineers were surprised to discoer that a number of
S(C S#eel Pr<ec#
modern special moment1resisting frame structures had
eAperienced brittle fracturing of their welded beam1to1column
)n the aftermath of the 6<<8 !orthridge, California
connections. &ig)re "-= shows one eAample of such damageO
earth%uake, damage to steel special moment frame
howeer, many different types of fractures, the ma,ority
connections $in the 4os *ngeles area' spawned
initiating where the bottom beam flange ,oined the column flange,
concern about the reliability of established design
were also discoered. Similar damage occurred one year later,
and construction procedures. * number of buildings
in the 6<<C Gobe earth%uake in 2apan. Following these
eAperienced damage in beam1to1column connections
discoeries, a consortium of professional associations and
that underwent only moderate inelastic demands.
Failures included fractures of the bottom beam
flange1to1column flange complete1,oint1penetration
grooe welds, cracks in beam flanges, and cracks
through the column section $FE-* B999'. (he
fractures were a result of the basic connection
geometry, lack of control of base material properties,
the use of weld filler metals with inherent low toughness, uncontrolled deposition rates, inade%uate %uality control and other factors. #esearch conducted by the S*C 2oint 5enture, published in the FE-* 7C9, 7C6, 7CB, 7C7, and 7CC series of reports, underpins current code re%uirements for steel special moment frame design. &ig)re "-=1 Fracturing of @68 column at welded beam1to1 column connection in !orthridge earth%uake. Seismic Design of Steel Special -oment FramesD * .uide for Practicing Engineers C
2.2 Steel Moment Frame Seismic Behavior
Beam-#-cl)mn cnnec#ins . (he connections must be capable
of transferring the moment and shear forces that can be
deeloped in the beam to the column. *s a result of material
Een in regions of ery high seismic risk, like California and
oerstrength, and strain hardening effects, these moment and
*laska, seere earth%uakes are rare eents, affecting typical
shear forces can be substantially larger than the design forces
building sites at aerage interals of hundreds of years. .ien
obtained from analysis, using code1specified loads. Depending
this, it is economically impractical to design structures to resist
on the type of connection used, this might trigger any of the
such seere but rare earth%uakes without damage. )nstead, the
following failure modesD
building codes hae adopted a design philosophy intended to
Fracture in or around welds
proide safety by aoiding earth%uake1induced collapse in
Fracture in highly strained base material
seere eents, while permitting eAtensie structural and
Fractures at weld access holes
nonstructural damage.
!et section fracture at bolt holes, shearing and tensile
failure of bolts, bolt bearing and block shear failures
)nelastic behaior in steel special moment frame structures is
intended to be accommodated through the formation of plastic
0in# $anel >ne ,eha3ir . (he ,oint panel &one resists significant
hinges at beam1column ,oints and column bases. Plastic hinges
shear forces from the beams framing into a column. *cting as
form through fleAural yielding of beams and columns and shear
part of the column, it can also be sub,ected to significant
yielding of panel &ones.
compressie stresses. Potential failure modes include shear
buckling and, if doubler plates are used to reinforce the panel
)n addition to the behaiors discussed aboe, research and
&one, fracture at welds. Failure modes associated with the direct
common sense suggest that a number of other failure modes
transfer of forces from the beam flange to the column can include
should also be considered when designing steel special moment
column flange bending, web crippling, and web buckling.
frame structures, some of which hae not necessarily been
obsered in past earth%uakes. (hese modes, associated with
Cl)mn ,eha3ir . (he intention is to keep inelastic deformations
frame behaior and not that of other elements such as
out of most columns to minimi&e detrimental effects of high
diaphragms and foundations, include the following criteriaD
aAial loads on bending behaior and potential formation of
single1story mechanisms $ &ig)re "-? '. #egardless, many
Beam ,eha3ir . )t is eApected that beams will undergo large
columns designed in accordance with the strong1columnIweak1
inelastic rotations at targeted plastic hinge locations, which
beam re%uirements in *)SC 786, P<.> might eAperience significant
might be at the ends of beams, at deliberately weakened portions
inelastic rotations in a ma,or seismic eent. (herefore, eAcessie
of the beams with reduced beam section designs, or within the
local buckling and lateral1torsional buckling are potential failure
beam span if large graity moments are present. Failure modes
modes, in addition to basic fleAural buckling of columns.
can include eAcessie local buckling $ &ig)re "-7' and lateral1
torsional buckling. Each mode by itself, or the combination of
both, leads to a continuous decrease in strength and stiffness
and is ery costly to repair after an earth%uake.
&ig)re "-? 1 Formation of a single story frame mechanism,
also termed a Hweak storyH mechanism. Cl)mn s$lices . Failure modes at column splices are similar to those enumerated for beam1to1column connections. Failure of column splices will not only reduce or eliminate bending and tension resistance, it will also reduce or eliminate the ability of &ig)re "-71 (ypical local buckling of beam flanges and web in the column to transfer shear forces. Since graity load1carrying &one of plastic hinging at high leels of inelastic rotation. columns in steel special moment frame structures can eAperience Seismic Design of Steel Special -oment FramesD * .uide for Practicing Engineers >
substantial lateral deformations and related seismic forces, with limited re%uirements specified by *)SC 786, P66 are
column splices in these columns also can be sub,ect to such permitted in light, single1story structures and low1rise
failures. residential structures in all Seismic Design Categories, and are
permitted without restriction in Seismic Design Categories *,
Cl)mn ,ases . Failure modes depend on the connection B, and C. )ntermediate moment frames, designed to somewhat
between the column and the foundation. (hey include more restrictie criteria in *)SC 786, P69, are permitted for
anchorage stretching or pull1out, fracture in base plates or in structures up to 7C ft in height in Seismic Design Category D,
column1to1base plate connections, andIor eAcessie local and and for light, single1story structures in Seismic Design
lateral torsional buckling if inelastic deformations are Categories E and F. )ntermediate moment frames are permitted
concentrated in the region aboe the base connection. without restriction in Seismic Design Categories *, B, and C,
and are permitted in structures 7C ft or less in height in Seismic
S#r)c#)re P-*el#a Effec#s. *mplification of internal forces and Design Category D. Steel special moment frames conforming
lateral displacements, known as the P1delta effect, occurs when to the criteria in *)SC 786, P< are permitted without restriction
a structure is simultaneously sub,ected to graity loads and in all Seismic Design Categories, and are re%uired in Seismic
lateral sidesway. (his effect reduces frame lateral resistance Design Categories D, E, and F for most structures eAceeding
and stiffness, might cause a negatie effectie lateral tangent 6>9 ft in height. For structures that meet certain regularity
stiffness once a mechanism has formed, and can lead to collapse. criteria, the re%uirement to incorporate steel special moment
frames is triggered at a height of B89 ft.
Si*es.a1 Clla$se. Frame collapse can occur when the effectie
story shear due to inertial forces and P1delta effects eAceeds )n recent years, many tall buildings in higher Seismic Design
the story shear resistance. Categories hae used Dual Systems, in which steel special
moment frames capable of proiding at least BC Q of the re%uired
-uch of this .uide focuses on design principles and analysis lateral strength are used in combination with shear walls or
checks intended to assure that none of the aforementioned braced frames. From frames not detailed for seismic resistance
failure modes are likely to occur in an intolerable manner. to ordinary moment frames, intermediate moment frames, and
steel special moment frames, the seismic proisions of the
building code re%uire successiely less strength. "oweer the
2.3 When To Use Steel Special Moment
added leel of detailing re%uired for the better performing
Frames systems, also typically increases construction cost.
(he principal adantage of moment frame structures is that
2.4 Frame Proportioning
they do not hae structural walls or ertically oriented diagonal
braces. (hey therefore proide architectural freedom in design,
permitting open bays and unobstructed iew lines. (he tradeoff EAcept for a steel special moment frame used as part of a Dual
for these benefits is that moment frames can be more costly to System, base shear strength is not usually the primary design
construct than braced frame or shear wall structures. (he added consideration. (he primary factors affecting steel special
cost results from the use of heaier sections in the moment1 moment frame member si&e selection are the need to control
resisting frames, re%uiring increased steel usage and more labor1 design drifts below permissible leels, the need to aoid P1
intensie connections than is common in braced structures. delta instabilities, and the need to proportion structures to
"oweer, moment frames typically impose smaller forces on comply with the strong1columnIweak1beam criteria of *)SC 786,
foundations than do other structural systems, resulting in P<.>. @hile many designers find that the use of deep section
somewhat more economical foundation systems. columns $@B8s, @7>s, and built1up boA sections' is an
economical choice that facilitates achieement of both drift
=nce a steel moment frame solution is selected for a pro,ect, control and strong1columnIweak1beam re%uirements, deep wide
designers may be able to choose from seeral types, including flange sections, particularly those with lighter weights, are
special moment frames, intermediate moment frames, ordinary susceptible to undesirable local and lateral1torsional bucklingO
moment frames, and moment frames not specifically designed they should be aoided. )t is usually adantageous to limit the
for seismic resistance. widths of bays in moment1resisting frames, as long1span frames tend to be fleAible, driing up section si&es re%uired to control -oment frames not specifically detailed for seismic resistance drift. Frame spans eAceeding 89 ft are rarely practical. "oweer, hae no special detailing criteria and need only comply with short bay widths also must be aoidedO they can result in the strength and drift limits of *SCE : and the design inelastic behaior dominated by shear yielding, as opposed to re%uirements of *)SC 7>9. (hese frames are not permitted as fleAural yielding, of beams. *lso, most connections pre%ualified seismic force1resisting systems in Seismic Design Categories for use in steel special moment frames hae limits on beam span D, E, or F. =rdinary moment frames, designed in accordance to depth ratio that preent use of eAcessiely short bays. Bay widths less than B9 ft are rarely economical. Seismic Design of Steel Special -oment FramesD * .uide for Practicing Engineers :
(he ability of steel framing members to accommodate large be checked, and may goern strength re%uirements, particularly
inelastic deformations is in part dependent on section depth in taller structures. )t is not uncommon for seismic loads to
and weight. 4ighter, shallower sections and their connections goern drift re%uirements while wind loads goern strength
that meet *)SC 786, P?.Bb compactness re%uirements tend to re%uirements. #egardless of whether graity, wind, or seismic
hae larger inelastic deformation capacity than do deep, heay forces goern, proportioning and detailing proisions for steel
sections. For this reason, it is desirable to distribute lateral special moment frames apply whereer they are used.
resistance in steel special moment frame structures among many
bays of framing, proiding high redundancy, and reduced Frame stiffness must be sufficient to control lateral drift at each
framing si&es. )n some cases, these smaller members can offset story within specified limits. *SCE :, P6B.6, (able 6B.6B16
the cost of the additional framework. proides the allowable story drift, , as a function of structure
a
type. (he redundancy coefficient, , determined in accordance
with *SCE :, P6B.7.8.B, also affects the permissible drift. *SCE
2. Strength an! Dri"t #imits
:, P6B.6B.6.6 limits the design story drift, , toI .
a
*lthough stiffness usually controls the proportioning of most #egardless of whether *llowable Strength Design or 4oad and
steel special moment frame members, strength also must be #esistance Factor Design procedures are used to ealuate
considered. *SCE :, P6B.B.6, (able 6B.B16 allows design of strength, drift is calculated using strength1leel seismic forces,
steel special moment frames using a response modification amplified by the deflection coefficient C . (he code does not
d
coefficient, R, of ?. (hat is, they are allowed to be designed for specify drift limits for wind loadsO howeer, many designers of
a base shear e%ual to one1eighth that obtained from elastic tall buildings limit wind1induced drift to enhance occupant
response analysis, so long as this base shear does not fall comfort during wind storms. )n some buildings, it may be
below minimum leels applicable to all structures. Base shear desirable to limit design drift in order to protect cladding, stairs,
calculations are fre%uently controlled by the approAimate upper and other nonstructural elements that span ertically from one
limit period defined in *SCE :, P6B.?.B. @ind loads also must leel to another from damage.
Seismic Design of Steel Special -oment FramesD * .uide for Practicing Engineers ?

3! Princi$les fr S$ecial %men# &rame Design
(he *SCE :, P6B.? design base shear e%uations incorporate a
seismic response modification coefficient, R, that reflects the
degree of inelastic response eApected for design1leel ground
motions, as well as the ductility capacity of the framing system.
Steel special moment frames, permitted to be designed using a
alue of RR ?, are eApected to sustain multiple cycles of
significant inelastic response when sub,ected to design1leel
ground motion. "oweer, many steel special moment frame
structures hae substantial oerstrength. (his oerstrength
results from a number of factors, including oersi&ing of columns
to meet strong1columnIweak1beam criteria, use of oersi&e
sections to proide sufficient stiffness for drift control, and
ariability in the strength of the steel material itself. *s a result,
although the Ralue of ? specified by the code would imply
&ig)re 3-1 1 )deali&ed sidesway mechanism intended for
initiation of inelastic behaior at shaking with an intensity 6I?
columns with strong1column I weak1beam design.
that of the design earth%uake, many steel special moment frame
structures will remain elastic for shaking with an intensity as
in the column along with fleAural demands. (he proisions
large as 6I7 that of the design earth%uake, or een more intense
proide an eApression to determine the column1beam strength
shaking.
ratio and acknowledge that the design re%uirement is not
ade%uate to completely aoid fleAural hinging of columns. (he
(he proportioning and detailing re%uirements of *)SC 786 are
proisions re%uire supplemental lateral bracing of beam1column
intended to proide ductile inelastic response. (he primary
connections, unless it can be shown that the columns will remain
goals are as followsD $6' achiee a strong1columnIweak1beam
elastic. Section C.8 of this .uide discusses this additional
condition that distributes inelastic response oer seeral
bracing re%uirement. @hen the column1beam moment ratio is B
storiesO $B' aoid P1delta instability under graity loads and
or greater, *)SC 786, P<.:a permits an assumption that columns
anticipated lateral seismic driftsO and $7' incorporate details that
will remain elastic. #ecent research has found that in cases
enable ductile fleAural response in yielding regions.
inoling larger ground motions, the strong1columnIweak1
beam proisions presently contained in *)SC 786, P<.> may not
be ade%uate to aoid formation of story mechanisms in all cases.
3.1 Design a Strong$col%mn &
Designers may wish to increase column si&es, beyond the code
Wea'$(eam Frame
re%uirements in order to obtain better performance in seere
earth%uake eents. (his also has the adantage of reducing
)n order to aoid deelopment of P1delta instability in multi1 the need to proide costly web stiffener and doubler plates but
story structures, it is desirable to achiee a relatiely uniform will increase the total weight of steel used on the pro,ect.
distribution of lateral drift oer the structure+s height. (o achiee
this, it is important to aoid early formation of single1story
3.2 Proportion "or Dri"t
mechanisms in which inelastic response is dominated by
formation of plastic hinges at the tops and bottoms of columns
within a single story $ &ig)re "-? '. @hen such single story Si&ing of beams in steel special moment frames typically is
mechanisms form, most of the inelastic portion of a structure+s controlled by consideration of drift. *s a conse%uence, the
drift will occur within these stories, resulting in ery large P1 si&es of many columns also are drift1controlled because the
delta effects at those locations. )n order to aoid this, building strong1columnIweak1beam proisions discussed earlier demand
codes re%uire designs intended to promote formation of multi1 larger columns if larger beams are used. EAceptions are end
story sidesway mechanisms dominated by hinging of beams, columns in steel special moment frames, which often hae high
as opposed to column hinging, like the ideali&ed sidesway aAial load demands and in most cases are controlled by strength
mechanism of &ig)re 3-1 . (hese re%uirements are termed design criteria. strong1columnIweak1beam design. *SCE :, P6B.6B.6, (able 6B.6B16 limits story drift under seismic *)SC 786, P<.> adopts a strong1columnIweak1beam design loading to a fraction of the story height. (his design story drift approach that re%uires that the sum of column fleAural strengths may be determined by multiplying the story drift obtained from at each ,oint eAceed the sum of beam fleAural strengths. @hen the lateral analysis by the factor C I I , where the design lateral
d
determining aailable column fleAural strength, it is important forces may be determined based on the computed fundamental to consider the aAial loads that will be simultaneously presentperiod of the structure without the upper limit $ C ' specified
ua Seismic Design of Steel Special -oment FramesD * .uide for Practicing Engineers <
for determination of re%uired strength. @hen modal response sum of shear and fleAural mode drifts. )f the fleAural mode of
spectrum analysis is used, forces obtained from the analysis drift contributes significantly to the story drift, the remedy is to
must be scaled such that the total base force is not less than increase the si&e of the eAterior steel special moment frame
?9 Q of that obtained using the e%uialent lateral force columns or to proide tighter limits on the shear mode drift, so
procedures. (his re%uirement does not apply to drifts. that shear drift plus fleAural drift does not eAceed the allowable
!ecessary amplifications of story drift due to real and accidental story drift. For slender steel special moment frames, optimal
torsion and due to P1delta effects $see Section 7.7' are stated si&ing of members to meet drift re%uiremnts can lead to the use
eAplicitly in *SCE :, P6B.?.: and are treated e%ually in modal of larger beam sections near the frame3s mid1height than at lower
response spectrum and e%uialent lateral force designs. Design leels.
for stiffness due to story drift limitations is often an iteratie
process, because the design lateral forces depend on the
3.3 Frame Sta(ilit) computed fundamental period of the structure.
)n a seere earth%uake, frame structures hae the potential to
Cnsi*era#in f minim)m ,ase shear in
collapse in a sidesway mode due to P1delta effects. (hese
*esign fr *rif#
effects are caused by ertical graity loads acting on the
deformed configuration of the structure. For design purposes,
(he *SCE : treatment of minimum design forces for
the P1delta effect is assessed in codes by means of elastic and
drift determination may lead to much larger stiffness
static concepts, een though in reality the response of the
re%uirements for structures designed in accordance
structure in a seere earth%uake is inelastic and dynamic. (he
with the e%uialent lateral force procedure than the
simple P1delta proisions in *SCE :, P6B.?.: proide some
modal response spectrum procedure, if the com1
protection against sidesway failures, but do not proide accurate
puted period eAceeds the period at which minimum
information on the susceptibility of a structure to such failure.
base shear re%uirements control the design lateral
forces. )t is eApected that this inconsistency will be
*SCE :, P6B.?.:, E%uation 6B.?16> re%uires eAplicit consideration
eliminated in *SCE :169, and that for both proce1
of P1delta effects in each story in which the elastic stability
dures the use of the minimum base shear $E%. 6B.?1
coefficient R $+ ' I $5hC ' eAceeds 9.6. )n this e%uation is
C' for drift design will be remoed. "oweer, the
d
the story drift computed per *SCE :, P6B.?.>, using limited to
modal response spectrum procedure will almost
2
C , which means it contains the deflection amplification factor,
always result in more economical designs for steel
u a
C , i.e., R C . (his implies that the elastic stability coefficient
special moment frames than the e%uialent lateral e d
d
can be computed under any leel of lateral load, proided that
force procedure proides.
the structure remains elastic and and 5 come from the same
e
lateral load condition. (he load+ is the total unfactored ertical
load, including the load tributary to graity framing. @hen
Story drifts are caused by fleAural and shear deformations in
computer analysis is performed, these elastic P1delta effects
beams and columns, and by shear deformations in ,oint panel
usually can be accounted for automatically in the analysisO
&ones, causing a shear $racking' mode of drift, and by aAial
howeer, the user usually must specify that the software perform
deformations in the columns causing a fleAural mode of drift.
this calculation.
(he contributions to the shear mode of drift ary with
*SCE :, P6B.?.:, E%uation 6B.?16:, places an upper limit of
configuration, but in general beam bending is the largest
R 9.C I $6 C ' S 9.BC on the permissible stability coefficient,
contributor while column bending is the smallest. Panel &one
m a7 d
where 6 is the ratio of shear demand to shear capacity for the
shear deformations contribute on the order of 6C Q to 79 Q to
story under consideration. Shear demand is the 4oad and
the total shear mode of drift. Estimates of the contributions to
#esistance Factor Design story design shear force, and shear
story shear drift can be obtained from the e%uations presented
capacity is the maAimum shear force that can be resisted by the
in Section 8.B.6. *SCE :, P6B.:.7b re%uires that the contribution
story. (his shear capacity cannot be defined uni%uely because
of panel &one deformation to story drift be included when
the capacity in one story depends on the load pattern applied
checking drift limits. Section 8.B proides additional discussion
to the full structure. *n estimate of the story shear capacity on this topic. can be obtained by diiding the aerage of the Jfloor momentK capacities of the two floors bounding the story by the story (he fleAural mode of drift becomes important for relatiely height. (he Jfloor momentK capacity is the sum of the maAimum slender frames with a height1to1width $aspect' ratio of about 6.C beam or column moments that can be deeloped at the or larger. For symmetrical frames, this portion of the total story intersection of all beam1to1column centerlines at the floor leel. drift is approAimately e%ual to the rotation of a cantileered For connections at which the strong1columnIweak1beam steel column haing a moment of inertia IR1 D , where, 1 is
$ c c
concept is followed, this amounts to the %uantity S #T the area of a single end column in the frame andDis the distance
p b
employed in *)SC 786, P<.>, E%uation <17, diided by 6.6 to between the frame+s end columns. (he total story drift is the Seismic Design of Steel Special -oment FramesD * .uide for Practicing Engineers 69
eliminate the strain hardening effect. For connections with eAcessie strength loss, when sub,ected to the cyclic loading
weak columns, the %uantityS# T from *)SC 786, P<.>, E%uation protocol specified in *)SC 786, *ppendiA S. ;ualification testing
p c
<17, should be used. must be conducted on full1si&e specimens using sections,
materials, and fabrication procedures comparable to those to
)t is not uncommon for the story stability coefficient to eAceed be incorporated in the actual construction. #elatiely few
9.6, particularly in regions in which the design spectral alues laboratories hae the capability to perform such tests, and the
S and S are relatiely small. )n such cases, the seismic tests are eApensie. )f initial connection designs fail the testing,
DS D 2
design forces are small, and steel special moment frames may it may be necessary to perform multiple iterations of the design
become ery fleAible unless wind criteria control member design. and testing, adding months of delay and hundreds of thousands
)t is also not uncommon in such cases that the criterion of dollars of eApense to pro,ects. (o aoid these difficulties,
ma 7
controls, and P1delta considerations will re%uire an increase in *)SC 786, P<.Bb$a' permits the use of pre%ualified connections.
member stiffness. -ost computer analysis programs will not Pre%ualified connections hae been demonstrated by eAtensie
check for , so this criterion must be checked manually. testing and analysis, acceptable to an eApert reiew panel, to be
m a7
capable of reliable serice when used within specified application
@hen the stability coefficient, , eAceeds a alue of 9.6, *SCE limits. (here are seeral sources of connection pre%ualifications,
:, P6B.? re%uires ealuation of P1delta effects, either using a described below.
first order approach in which computed deflections are amplified
by the %uantity 6I$61 ', or by second order analysis in which
3!;!1 (ISC Pre9)alifie* Cnnec#ins
geometric nonlinearities are eAplicitly considered. -any
*)SC maintains a Connection Pre%ualification #eiew Panel
structural software packages commonly used by engineers to
that deelops an *merican !ational Standards )nstitute $*!S)'1
analy&e and design steel structures hae the ability to perform
approed standard, *)SC17C? +re0ualified Connections for
these second order analyses. "oweer this software generally
Special and Intermediate #oment Resisting Frames for Seismic
does not ealuate whether eAceeds as re%uired by *SCE
1pplications including Supplement No. 2 . *)SC 7C? presents
m a7
:, P6B.?. (herefore, engineers must manually check that this
materials, design, detailing, fabrication, and inspection
condition is satisfied.
re%uirements for a series of pre%ualified moment connection
details. (his standard is referenced by *)SC 786, and connection
P1delta ealuations should be performed for each frame so that
pre%ualifications contained in the standard are acceptable to
torsional effects, which cause displacement amplification, are
most building officials. *)SC updates and reissues this standard
considered. *)SC 786, PC7, contains a suggested proision,
from time to time, as additional research becomes aailable.
E%uation C716, that is more stringent in most cases than re%uired
(he connections in *)SC 7C? are not interchangeableO there are
by *SCE :, P6B.?.:. "oweer, that commentary is not a binding
limits of applicability for each. &ig)res 3-" through 3-= show
part of the code re%uirements.
the configurations of connection technologies currently
included in *)SC 7C?.
3.4 Strength *eri"ication
3!;!" +#her Pre9)alifie* Cnnec#ins
)n addition to *)SC 7C?, seeral other sources of
Columns and beams are re%uired to hae ade%uate strength to
pre%ualification eAist. (he federally funded S*C 2oint 5enture
resist the *SCE :, PB.7 and B.8 load combinations, considering
that performed the post1!orthridge earth%uake research into
aAial1fleAural interaction effects. )n addition, columns are
steel special moment frame behaior published FE-* 7C9,
re%uired to hae ade%uate strength to aoid global buckling or
Recommended Design Criteria for #oment Resisting Steel
tensile fracture under maAimum aAial forces, and beam1column
Frames , which contains a number of connection
connections are re%uired to hae ade%uate strength to deelop
pre%ualifications. -any of the FE-* 7C9 pre%ualifications
the probable fleAural strength of the beams. (he proisions of
hae since been updated and adopted into *)SC 7C?. Some
*)SC 786 and *)SC 7>9 goern the calculation of design
hae not, either because *)SC+s Connection Pre%ualification
strength for both *llowable Strength Diision and 4oad and
#eiew Panel has deemed that there is insufficient research to
#esistance Factor Design procedures.
support pre%ualification, or has not yet had time to reiew the
connection and include it in *)SC 7C?. FE-* 7C9, like *)SC
7C?, includes design, materials, fabrication, and inspection 3. +onnection T)pe Selection criteria for pre%ualified connections. @hen both *)SC 7C? and FE-* 7C9 hae criteria for a particular connection type, Since the 6<<8 !orthridge earth%uake, *)SC 786, P<.Ba has the information in *)SC 7C? should be considered to supersede re%uired that steel special moment frame moment connections that in FE-* 7C9. Some, but not all, building officials will be demonstrated through %ualification testing to be capable of accept FE-* 7C9 pre%ualifications. *n on1line database of deeloping at least 9.98 radians of interstory drift without the tests that were performed as part of the FE-*IS*C pro,ect can be accessed at www.sacsteel.orgIconnectionsI. Seismic Design of Steel Special -oment FramesD * .uide for Practicing Engineers 66

S$ecial Cn*i#ins
*ll of the eAisting pre%ualification tests hae been
conducted using specimens in which the beams and
columns were within a single plane and in which the
beams intersected the columns orthogonally.
Pre%ualifications do not eAist presently for
connections in which the beams are skewed relatie
to the aAis of the column, are connected at other
than orthogonal conditions, or are part of a column
sub,ected to bi1aAial frame behaior. For these
conditions, the code re%uires connection1specific
%ualification. (herefore, it is probably best to aoid
these conditions when laying out the structure+s
seismic force1resisting system.
&ig)re 3-"1 #educed beam section connection.
$a' $b'
&ig)re 3-31 $a' Bolted unstiffened eAtended end plate and &ig)re 3-; 1 @elded unreinforced flange F welded web connection.
$b' Bolted stiffened eAtended end plate connections.
$a' $b' &ig)re 3-= 1 Gaiser bolted bracket connection &ig)re 3-:1 Bolted flange plate connection. $a' welded to beam $b' bolted to beam. Seismic Design of Steel Special -oment FramesD * .uide for Practicing Engineers 6B
)n addition, there are seeral code agencies that operate member strains to a leel that the members can withstand. )n
ealuation serices to %ualify the use of proprietary products addition to the hinging of beams, inelastic behaior can be
and procedures as meeting the criteria contained in the building eApected to occur in beam1column ,oint panel &ones and at
code. (hese ealuation serices publish connection column bases.
pre%ualifications for proprietary connection technologies in the
form of ealuation reports, and building officials typically accept * number of features are incorporated into steel special moment
these reports as eidence of code conformance. "oweer, frame design to achiee the intended ductility leel. =ne primary
engineers relying on these ealuation reports should be aware feature is the leel of compactness re%uired of beam and column
that the rigor of reiew does not always match that performed members. )n addition, steel special moment frame members also
by *)SC+s Connection Pre%ualification #eiew Panel. (herefore, must be laterally braced for stability. *)SC 786, P<.? prescribes
the performance capability of connections that hae been a maAimum spacing distance for lateral bracing of steel special
included in these ealuation reports may not match that of moment frame beams and specifies stiffness and strength criteria
connections contained in *)SC 7C?. for this bracing to aoid lateral1torsional buckling. )n most
applications where the framing supports a concrete floor slab,
Some indiidual patent holders for proprietary connections the lateral bracing is proided for only the bottom beam flange.
maintain their own library of test data and analysis to 4ateral bracing of columns at the floor leels is also re%uired.
substantiate the performance capability of their connections. (his bracing is especially important for deep column sections
Strictly speaking, these connections are not pre%ualified. that, while efficient for frame stiffness because of their high
"oweer, some building officials will accept their use, sometimes moment of inertia to weight per ft ratio, are more susceptible to
re%uiring independent reiew as a condition of such use. lateral1torsional buckling than stockier @68 column shapes.
3!;!3 Pr<ec# S$ecific @)alifica#in *s mentioned in preious sections, implementing a strong1
)n some cases, the pre%ualifications aailable in *)SC 7C?, columnIweak1beam design philosophy is important to good
FE-* 7C9, and ealuation serice reports may not be ade%uate steel special moment frame performance. @hile it is desirable
to coer the design conditions for a particular pro,ect. =ne to aoid column hinging, under ery intense shaking, columns
reason this may occur is that the si&es of frame elements selected will inariabily form hinges at the frame base. Frame design
for a steel special moment frame may fall outside the limits should eAplicitly consider this inelastic demand. .enerally, the
contained within the pre%ualifications. *nother reason this design of steel special moment frame column bases should be
may occur is that presently there are no pre%ualifications strong enough so that inelastic deformation is limited to a region
associated with connections to the minor aAis of wide1flange that can eAhibit significant ductility, such as the column member
columns. )f no pre%ualified connections meet the re%uirements ,ust aboe the base connection. *nother approach, if the steel
of a particular design condition, *)SC 786, P<.Bb $ii' re%uires special moment frame eAtends to the foundation, is to design
pro,ect1specific testing. *t least two specimens must be tested and detail anchor bolts to yield as a means of limiting demand
and must pass the criteria specified in *)SC 786, *ppendiA S. on other elements of the connection, or through the formation
Since the re%uired si&e of specimens needed to comply with the of yielding in supporting foundation elements. )n some cases,
*)SC 786, *ppendiA S re%uirements can be %uite large, often engineers may wish to design columns assuming the bases are
only uniersities hae the capability to perform such testing. Jpinned.K )n those cases, it is important to detail the bases to
Scheduling use of these facilities can be difficult. (herefore, if accommodate the large anticipated rotations without failing the
pro,ect1specific testing will be re%uired, early planning for this anchorage and attachment to foundations.
effort is recommended. Because of specimen fabrication,
shipping, and set1up costs, testing can be eApensie.
3!=!1 Seismicall1 Cm$ac# Sec#ins
Consideration should be gien to using framing configurations
#eliable inelastic deformation re%uires that width1thickness
that will enable the use of pre%ualified connections.
ratios of compression elements be limited to a range that proides
a cross section resistant to local buckling into the inelastic
range. *)SC 7>9, PB8 uses the term JcompactK for steel cross
3., Details "or D%ctile Behavior
sections that are eApected to be able to achiee the full plastic
section capacity. )n *)SC 786, P?.Bb, a higher leel of
*s a highly ductile system, it is eApected that steel special compactness $termed Jseismically compactK' is re%uired of both moment frames will undergo significant inelastic behaior in steel special moment frame beams and columns. Seismically numerous members when sub,ected to seere seismic shaking. compact sections are eApected to be able to achiee a leel of (he primary source of this inelastic behaior is intended to deformation ductility of at least 8. (o be seismically compact, occur in the form of plastic hinging in the beams, ad,acent to *)SC 786, P?.Bb re%uires member flanges to be continuously the beam1column connections. )n a properly configured system, connected to the web$s' and the width1thickness ratios of the this hinging should occur oer multiple stories to spread the compression elements must be less than or e%ual to those that total displacement demand and limit the local deformations and are resistant to local buckling when stressed into the inelastic Seismic Design of Steel Special -oment FramesD * .uide for Practicing Engineers 67
range. 4imiting width1thickness ratios for compression elements cycles of large inelastic distortions without deterioration in
are proided in *)SC 786, P?.B b, (able )1?16. strength, while eAhibiting cyclic hardening $ &ig)re 3-7, '. )t is
desirable, in most cases, to hae panel &ones participate in
dissipating energy through inelastic deformations and by doing
3!=!" Deman*-Cri#ical Ael*s
so decrease the energy dissipation demands on plastic hinge
*)SC 786, P:.7b defines demand1critical welds as those that
regions in beams. (o accomplish sharing of inelastic
re%uire increased %uality and toughness re%uirements based
deformations, one can try to tune the relatie magnitude of
upon inelastic strain demand and the conse%uence of failure.
beam bending strength and panel &one shear strength. (he
0nless otherwise designated by *)SC 7C?, or as determined in
eAtent to which sharing of inelastic deformations will be
either pre%ualification or %ualification testing, welds designated
accomplished in an earth%uake will depend on the accuracy of
demand1critical in steel special moment frames are identified
design e%uations and on actual material properties of beams,
specifically in *)SC 786, P<.Bc as complete F ,oint penetration
columns, and doubler plates, which might be %uite different
grooe welds of beam flanges, shear plates, and beam webs to
from those assumed in the design process.
columns. =ther complete ,oint penetration grooe welds
considered demand1critical by *)SC 786, P:.7b include those at
.lobal shear yielding of the panel &one occurs when the aerage
a column splice, those ,oining a column and base plate, and
shear stress in the panel &one is about 9.>F , where F is the
those in built1up members ,oining a web plate to a flange in the
yy
plastic hinge region.
3!=!3 Pr#ec#e* Bnes
*)SC 786, P<.Bd re%uires designation of the region at each end
of a steel special moment frame beam sub,ect to inelastic straining
as a protected &one. Protected &ones must meet the re%uirements
of *)SC 786, P:.8. *)SC 7C? designates the location and eAtent
of protected &ones for pre%ualified connections. For
connections not contained in *)SC 7C?, engineers should
specify protected &ones based on the inelastic behaior
eAhibited in connection assembly %ualification tests. )n beams
carrying heay graity loads, plastic hinging may occur within
beam spans remote from connections. @hen such conditions
are anticipated, engineers should designate protected &ones in
these additional areas of anticipated plastic hinging.
3!=!: Panel Bne f Beam-#-Cl)mn Cnnec#ins
Panel &ones eAperience large shear forces due to the transfer of
moments from beams to columns. *s these shear forces increase,
a panel &one starts to yield at its center. Subse%uently, yielding
propagates towards the panel &one corners, with deformations
6a7
of the panel &one as shown $greatly amplified' in &ig)re 3-7a.
(ests hae shown that shear yielding in panel &ones is a ery
ductile mode of deformation. Panel &ones can undergo many
Pr#ec#e* Bne
(esting conducted by the FE-*IS*C pro,ect
demonstrated that the regions of beams undergoing
significant inelastic strains are sensitie to
discontinuities caused by welding, rapid change of section, penetrations, or construction1related flaws. Connections, attachments, notches, or flaws may interfere with the formation of the hinge or initiate a fracture. For this reason, areas of anticipated inelastic straining are designated as protected 6,7 &ones and are not to be disturbed by other building construction operations. &ig)re 3-7 1 Panel &one behaiorO $a' mode of deformation, $b' typical shear force F shear deformation relationship Seismic Design of Steel Special -oment FramesD * .uide for Practicing Engineers 68
specified minimum yield stress. (ests and analyses hae shown
Ps#-Ciel* Increase in S#reng#h f Panel Bnes
that the actual shear strength of the panel &one might be
considerably larger than the shear force that causes global shear
Panel &ones in columns with thick column flanges
yielding, because of strain hardening and the additional
eAhibit a si&eable increase in strength beyond global
resistance proided by the column flanges bounding the panel
shear yielding of the panel &one web area. )n large
&one. *)SC 7>9, P2>.> permits utili&ation of this additional shear
part this increase is attributed to the obseration
resistance in design when the fleAibility of the panel &one is
that panel &ones deform in a parallelogram shape
considered in analysis, as re%uired by *SCE :, P6B.:.7.
and the column flanges at the corners of the panel
Designers should be aware, howeer, that significant inelastic
&one proide resistance to this deformation mode
deformations might be associated with this increase in
until plastic hinging occurs. *ttainment of this post1
resistance. For a connection in which beam flanges are directly
yield strength increase, as eApressed in *)SC 7>9,
welded to column flanges, large inelastic shear distortion of the
P2>.>, E%uations 269166 and 26916B, is associated
panel &one might contribute to the initiation and propagation of
with an inelastic distortion on the order of three
fracture at welded beam1to1column connections. )n such cases
times the distortion causing global shear yielding of
sharing of inelastic deformations between beams and panel
the panel &one web.
&ones is not encouraged.
3!=!; 5a#eral Bracing an* S#a,ili#1
Stability bracing is re%uired to inhibit lateral buckling or lateral1
torsional buckling of primary framing members. Beam flange
continuity plates are re%uired in columns, eAcept in certain cases
where the column web and flange thicknesses can address the
limit states associated with concentrated beam flange forces.
Seismic Design of Steel Special -oment FramesD * .uide for Practicing Engineers 6C

:! (nal1sis G)i*ance
4.1 -nal)sis Proce!%re procedure in which 699 Q of the seismic force in one direction
is combined with 79 Q of the seismic force in the perpendicular
direction. -ultiple load combinations are re%uired to bound
*SCE :, P6B.> permits three types of analysis procedures to
the orthogonal effects in both directions. (he design of each
determine member design forces and design drifts. (hese
beam and column is based on an aAial and biaAial fleAural
includeD e%uialent lateral force, modal response spectrum, and
interaction for each load combination. "oweer, this orthogonal
seismic response history analysis. E%uialent lateral force
force combination procedure is not re%uired in all structures.
analysis is the simplest procedure. "oweer, it can lead to
(he re%uirements should be reiewed and the frame designed
eAcessiely conseratie designs. *SCE :, P6B.>, (able 6B.> F
accordingly.
6 prohibits this analysis procedure for structures haing periods
greater than 7.C or structures with certain hori&ontal or ertical
s
building irregularities.
4.2 +onnection Mo!eling
(he e%uialent lateral force procedure is based on an
(raditional structural analyses often model moment frames as
approAimate fundamental period, unless the period of the
line representations of hori&ontal and ertical members, with
structure is determined by more eAact analysis. )n many cases,
the lines intersecting at dimensionless nodes. Such
eAact analysis will determine a substantially longer building
representations are referred to as centerline models.
period than that determined by the approAimate methods. *s a
-odifications to centerline models might be adisable, and in
result, substantial reduction in base shear forces often can be
some cases are re%uired to account for the effects of panel
obtained by calculating building periods using the more eAact
&ones and non1uniform beam stiffness on hori&ontal
methods. "oweer, *SCE :, P6B.?.6.6, E%uations 6B.?17 and
displacements caused by seismic design forces.
6B.?18 place an upper limit on the period that can be used.
-odal response spectrum analysis is the preferred procedure, :!"!1 Effec# f Panel Bne S#iffness n Drif#
as it more accurately accounts for a building+s dynamic behaior, *SCE :, P6B.:.7b re%uires inclusion of the contribution of panel
takes adantage of a calculated rather than approAimated period, &one deformation in drift calculations. (his is also re%uired as
and accounts for modal participation, which can result in a a precondition to the use of the panel &one design shear
lower response than that calculated using the e%uialent lateral strength e%uations, 269166 and 26916B of *)SC 7>9, P2>.>, which
force procedure. *SCE :, P6B.<.8 re%uires scaling the modal allows for the increased panel &one strength that can be
base shear and all corresponding element forces to a minimum mobili&ed by including the effect of column flanges.
of ?C Q of the base shear determined using the e%uialent
lateral force procedure. (his proision is intended to guard Elastic panel &one deformation contributions to story drift can
against the use of analytical models that underestimate a be accounted for by either eAplicit modeling of panel &one shear
structure+s stiffness and produce unrealistically low estimates behaior or by ad,usting the lengths of beams and columns in
of design forces. a manner that accounts implicitly for the contributions of panel
&one deformations to drift. -any analysis programs permit the
For structures with periods calculated to eAceed limits specified insertion of rigid offsets at the ends of beams and columns as a
in *SCE : or for irregular structures, either the modal response means of accounting for panel &one stiffness. (he use of rigid
spectrum or seismic response history analysis procedures are offsets is not recommended unless the dimensions of the offsets
re%uired. "oweer, elastic response history analysis is more are obtained by rational analysis.
difficult than modal response spectrum analysis, does not
proide significant design adantage. * practical way of accounting implicitly for the contribution of
panel &one deformations to story drift is through the use of
*nalysis can use either B1D or 71D computer models. (hree1 centerline dimensions for beams and columns. )n this approach,
dimensional models are recommended, and sometimes re%uired, the contributions of beam and column fleAural deformations to
because they are effectie in identifying the effects of any drift are oerestimated, while the contributions of panel &one
inherent torsion in the lateral system, as well as combined effects shear deformations are ignored. )n most practical cases, the at corner conditions. resulting story JrackingK drift is larger than that obtained from incorporating elastic panel &one shear deformations eAplicitly. *SCE :, P6B.C specifies re%uirements for the combination of E%uations 816 through 817, which proide estimates of the seismic forces along different building aAes. (he design forces contributions of beam and column fleAure and of panel &one for the beams and columns are calculated independently for shear deformations to drift, can be used to check the alidity of response in each orthogonal direction. )t is common to combine this obseration. (hese e%uations are based on the subassembly the resulting seismic forces using the orthogonal combination freebody shown in &ig)re :-1 , which assumes points of Seismic Design of Steel Special -oment FramesD * .uide for Practicing Engineers 6>

compensating errors', the panel &one parameters d and d in
bc
E%uations 816 and 81B become &ero, which greatly simplifies
these e%uations, and E%uation 817 is not needed. )n this manner,
E%uation 816
these e%uations can be used to assess the accuracy obtained
from drift estimates based on centerline dimensions. )f centerline
dimensions are used, the re%uired bending strength for column
design is not obtained directly from a computer analysis, but it
can be obtained by interpolation from the column moments at
E%uation 81B
beam centerlines or the ends of offsets to the moments at the
beam flange leels.
=ne desirable option is to incorporate the effects of panel &one
shear deformations directly in the analytical model. )n a frame
E%uation 817
analysis program that consists only of line elements, panel &one
behaior can be modeled in an approAimate manner by means
of scissors elements $&ig)re :-" ' or more accurately by creating
@hereD
d R story drift due to beam fleAure, in
r
d R story drift due to column fleAure, in
c
d R story drift due to panel &one shear deformations, in
p
5 R column shear force, kip
col
hR story height $centerline dimension', in
l and l R beam spans $centerline dimensions', in
2 $
I and I R beam moment of inertia, in8
2 $
I R column moment of inertia, in8
c
d R depth of beam, in
b
d R depth of column, in
c
t R thickness of ,oint panel &one, in
p
&ig)re :-" 1 Panel &one scissor model.
a panel &one with rigid elements linked by hinges at three corners
and by a rotational spring in the fourth corner, as illustrated in
&ig)re :-3 . )n the scissors model, the rotation is controlled by
a spring that relates the sum of moments in the beams to the
spring rotation. (he sum of moments can be related to the ,oint
shear force $see Section C.8.7', and the spring rotation is e%ual
to the panel &one shear distortion angle. )n this model, the right
angles between the panel &one boundaries and the ad,acent
&ig)re :-11 Contributions of beams, columns, and panel &one
beams and columns are not maintained, which results in
to shear mode of drift.
approAimations in deflections. (he parallelogram model $ &ig)re
inflection at beam midspans and column midheights. (hese
:-3 ' aoids this approAimation, but re%uires the addition of
assumptions should be reasonable eAcept in the bottom story
eight rigid elements per panel &one. (hese eight rigid elements
where a larger story height and column base boundary
create a panel &one that deforms into a parallelogram. (he
conditions hae a large effect on drift.
strength and stiffness properties of the panel &one can be
modeled by a rotational spring located in one of the four panel (he e%uation for d is based on the following simplifying &one corners. )n this case, the elastic spring stiffness is defined
p
assumptionsD panel &one shear force, 5 R S# Id F 5 $see as 8 R $ 5 I 'd R t d d !.
p9 b b col
Section C.8.7', where S# R 5 h, and angle of shear distortion
s p 9 b p c b b c ol
of the panel &one, R 5 I$t d !'.
p9 p c
:!"!" Beam S#iffness Re*)c#ins (he total drift obtained from summing all three e%uations For #educed Beam Section connections, the beam flange width proides a baseline estimate of drift. )f centerline dimensions is reduced near the beam1ends, where curature effects are at a are used and ,oint panel &one deformations are ignored $two maAimum under lateral frame loading. )t is important to account Seismic Design of Steel Special -oment FramesD * .uide for Practicing Engineers 6:

4.3 Base Fi.it)
Base restraint can hae a significant effect on moment frame
behaior. *SCE :, P6B.:.6 permits consideration of the columns
to be either fiAed or fleAible at the base, as suits the conditions
of construction. (herefore, the designer is re%uired to determine
the appropriate analytical restraint conditions for column bases.
Since most column bases and foundations will proide some
restraint against rotation, an assumption that column bases are
pinned will tend to oerestimate column fleAibility, building
period and 6st story drift, all of which are conseratie design
assumptions. @hen pinned bases are assumed, the column
base anchorage must be designed with ade%uate capacity to
transfer the shear and aAial forces to the foundation, while
accommodating the rotations that will occur at the column bases.
Some of this rotation can occur in the foundation itself.
Similarly, since few real column bases proide true fiAity, fiAed
&ig)re :-31 Panel &one parallelogram model.
base assumptions tend to result in underestimates of column
fleAibility, building period and 6st story drift, which can be
for the resulting reduction in beam stiffness in analytical models. unconseratie. Column bases should not be modeled as fiAed
Some software packages used for such analysis hae eAplicit unless the bases themseles and the foundation elements they
elements that can model the reduced stiffness of beams haing are attached to can effectiely proide sufficient restraint.
#educed Beam Section cutouts. *lternatiely, use of <9 Q of Column bases should not be modeled as fiAed unless
the beam section properties is typically a reasonable approAimate foundations are designed with ade%uate strength and stiffness
representation of this effect, when C9 Q reductions in flange to proide such fiAity. (he eAtent of fiAity present at column
width are used and is a conseratie approAimation when smaller bases can be determined by eAplicit modeling of the base and
reductions in beam section are used. foundation conditions.
Seismic Design of Steel Special -oment FramesD * .uide for Practicing Engineers 6?

;! Design G)i*ance
.1 Design Proce!%re lateral bracing of top and bottom flanges near concentrated
forces, changes in cross1section, locations where analysis
indicates that a plastic hinge will form during inelastic
(he three basic steel special moment frame design components
deformation, and spaced at no more than 9.9?>r ,I F , where r
are beams, columns, and beam1column connections. Beams
yyy
is the beam radius of gyration about the weak aAis, , is the
span the hori&ontal clear distance between protected &onesO
modulus of elasticity, and F is the specified minimum yield
columns span the ertical clear distance between panel &onesO
y
stress. &ig)re ;-1 shows eenly spaced lateral bracing for the
and the beam1column connections encompass both protected
bottom flange of a steel special moment frame beam in which
and panel &one regions at the beam1column intersections.
the top flange is braced by attachment to the concrete1filled
metal deck aboe. &ig)re ;-" shows the use of intermediate
*)SC 786 permits the use of either 4oad and #esistance Factor
framing to proide lateral bracing of both flanges in a condition
Design or *llowable Strength Diision design approaches to
where the diaphragm is a fleAible, unfilled metal deck.
proportion beams and columns in steel special moment frames.
"oweer, *)SC 7C?, P6.7 permits the use of 4oad and #esistance
Factor Design procedures only for design of pre%ualified
connections. (he corresponding nominal strengths, resistance
and safety factors, and aailable strengths of the components
must be determined in accordance with the proisions of *)SC
7>9, unless noted otherwise in *)SC 786 or *)SC 7C?.
.2 Beam Design
;!"!1 5imi#a#ins
(o proide for reliable inelastic deformations, *)SC 786, P<.8
re%uires seismically compact beam cross sections. Beams
should not be designed as composite with supported concrete
slabs as the composite behaior is not aailable when the top
flange is in tension and also because *)SC 786, P<.Bd prohibits
placement of shear studs in the &one of anticipated plastic &ig)re ;-1 1 Steel special moment frame beam stability
bracing with a concrete filled metal floor deck.
hinging $see Section :.B'. *)SC 786, P<.Bd re%uires the
designation of the region at each end of the beam that is sub,ect
to inelastic straining as a protected &one. *)SC 786, P<.8b
prohibits abrupt changes in beam flange area in this region.
(he drilling of flange holes or trimming of the flanges is permitted
only if %ualification testing demonstrates that the resulting
configuration can deelop a stable plastic hinge. @elds
connecting the web$s' and flanges in the eApected regions of
plastic hinging in built1up beams must be made using complete
,oint penetration grooe welds with a pair of reinforcing fillets
in accordance with *)SC 7C?, PB.7.Ba.
*)SC 7C?, PB.7 re%uires both rolled wide1flange and built1up
beams to conform to the cross1section profile limitations
applicable to the specific connection type. (hese limitations
include restrictions on beam depth, weight, flange thickness, and clear span1to1depth ratio. (he limitations do not apply &ig)re ;-" 1 Steel special moment frame beam stability when pro,ect1specific %ualification testing is performed using bracing with a fleAible unfilled metal roof deck. beams of the proposed cross section. Plastic hinge locations must be consistent with *)SC 7C?, PB.8.B, ;!"!" 5a#eral-Trsinal B)c/ling or as otherwise determined with either pre%ualification or @hen sub,ected to inelastic deformation, steel special moment %ualification testing. *)SC 7C? re%uires placement of lateral frame beams must resist member instability resulting from lateral1 bracing ,ust outside designated protected &ones. Such bracing torsional buckling. For this reason, *)SC 786, P<.? re%uires also is re%uired at any other locations where plastic hinging Seismic Design of Steel Special -oment FramesD * .uide for Practicing Engineers 6<
can occur, which for beams with heay graity loading can be built1up boA columns, fabricated by welding four plates together
within beam spans. )n many cases, when a beam supports a to form a closed boA1shaped cross section, and $8' flanged
concrete structural slab that is connected to the beam between cruciform columns. (he flanged cruciform columns are
the protected &ones with welded shear connectors, fabricated by splitting a wide1flange section in half and welding
supplemental lateral bracing may be eliminated at the plastic the webs on either side of the web of an unsplit )1shaped section
hinge. Such detail1specific eAceptions are outlined in the at its mid1depth to form a cruciform shape, each outstanding
indiidual connection chapters of *)SC 7C?. leg of which terminates in a rectangular flange.
)f lateral braces are proided ad,acent to the plastic hinge, *)SC (he preponderance of connection tests reiewed as a basis for
786, P<.? re%uires a brace strength e%ual to at least > Q of the the pre%ualification of steel special moment frame assemblies
eApected flange capacity at the plastic hinge location. =therwise, consists of rolled wide1flange beam1column connections. Some
the brace strength must meet the proisions of *)SC 7>9, limited testing has been performed with built1up boA sections.
*ppendiA >, E%uation *1>1:. *ll braces also must meet the .ien that the predominant steel special moment frame inelastic
stiffness proisions of *)SC 7>9, *ppendiA >, E%uation *1>1?. behaior is eApected to occur in the beams, additional testing
has not been deemed essential to pre%ualify built1up column
sections.
;!"!3 S#reng#h
#e%uired beam strength initially is determined using the
specified loads of *SCE :, PB.7 and B.8. *lthough steel special ;!3!" S#a,ili#1
moment frame story drift limits often will control the selection )n most cases, steel special moment frame columns are re%uired
of the beams, the fleAural and shear strengths still must be to be braced at beam1to1column connections to preent rotation
erified. out of the plane of the moment frame, particularly if inelastic
behaior is eApected in or ad,acent to a beam1column
Beam nominal fleAural strength,# , is determined in accordance connection. )n some special cases, such as when a column
n
with *)SC 7>9, PFB. Since *)SC 786 re%uires seismically compact spans two or more stories without a supporting floor, the
sections with ade%uate lateral bracing, it is necessary to ealuate potential for out1of1plane buckling at the unbraced connection
only the yielding limit state $plastic moment'. @hen using must be minimi&ed. )n the eent such a column containing a
#educed Beam Section connections, ade%uacy of beam fleAural connection is not laterally braced, *)SC 786, P<.:b re%uires the
strength must be ealuated both at the column face and at the column to conform to *)SC 7>9, P"6, but with a number of
reduced section. (he effectie #educed Beam Section plastic eAceptions. For eAample, the unbraced column segment must
section modulus is determined in accordance with *)SC 7C?, be designed using the distance between ad,acent lateral braces
PC.?, E%uation C.?18. as the column height for buckling transerse to the plane of the
frame.
Beam nominal shear strength, 5 , is determined from the limit
n
states of shear yielding and shear buckling in accordance with @hen columns are braced laterally by the floor or roof framing,
*)SC 7>9, P.B. Beam sections are designed for fleAure and column and beam webs are coplanar, and columns remain elastic
shear such that design strengths including corresponding outside panel &ones, *)SC 786, P<.: re%uires only bracing at
resistance or safety factors are at least e%ual to re%uired demand beam top flanges. =therwise, column flange bracing is re%uired
moments and shears. at both the top and bottom leels of beam flanges. )t is assumed
that a column will remain elastic outside the panel &one when
the beam1column moment ratio is greater than B.9. Flange lateral
.3 +ol%mn Design
bracing can be direct or indirect. Direct lateral support $bracing'
can be achieed through the use of braces or other members,
deck and slab, attached to a column flange at or near the desired
;!3!1 5imi#a#ins
bracing point. )ndirect lateral support can be achieed through
*s with beams, *)SC 786, P<.8, re%uires seismically compact
the stiffness of members and connections that are not directly
column sections. *)SC 7C?, PB.7 also re%uires that both rolled
attached to column flanges, but rather act through column web
wide1flange and built1up columns conform to the cross section
or stiffener plates.
profile limitations applicable to the specific connection type.
(hese limitations include restrictions on depth, weight, and *)SC 786, P<.:a$B' specifies a re%uired braced strength for flange thickness. column flange bracing that is e%ual to B Q of aailable beam flange strength. *)SC 7C?, PB.7.Bb pre%ualifies a number of built1up column shapes including the followingD $6' )1shaped welded columns that resemble standard rolled wide1flange shape in cross section ;!3!3 S#reng#h shape and profile, $B' boAed wide1flange columns, fabricated by #e%uired column strength initially is determined using the adding side plates to the sides of an )1shaped cross section, $7' specified load combinations of *SCE :, PB.7 and B.8. *lthough Seismic Design of Steel Special -oment FramesD * .uide for Practicing Engineers B9
steel special moment frame story drift limits and strong1columnI to be controlled by ductile yielding of a steel element and also
weak1beam re%uirements often will control the selection of reduces the aailable capacity of such anchors by a factor of
column sections, the combined aAial and fleAural strengths still 9.:C. (hese re%uirements apply for calculation of aailable
must be erified. strengths to match re%uired strengths that are calculated for
load combinations including 6.9, . #e%uired strengths for bases
*de%uacy of column strength for combined fleAure and aAial and anchors in *)SC 786, P?.C are calculated at higher force
loads is erified using interaction e%uations contained in *)SC leels. (herefore, these special anchorage re%uirements need
7>9, P"6. (he interaction e%uations accommodate fleAure about not apply.
one or both principal aAes as well as aAial compression or
tension. )n these e%uations, the column aailable aAial
;!3!; Cl)mn S$lices
compressie strength,+ , is determined in accordance with *)SC
Contrary to the notion that steel special moment frame columns
c
7>9, PE as the alue obtained by the limit state of fleAural
typically will bend in double curature with an inflection point
buckling. (he column aailable fleAural strength, # , is
near mid1height, nonlinear analyses hae demonstrated that
c
determined in accordance with *)SC 7>9, PFB as the lower alue
mid1height column bending moments can be substantial, and
obtained by the limit states of yielding $plastic moment' and
under some conditions single curature bending is possible.
lateral1torsional buckling.
*ccordingly, *)SC 786, P<.< re%uires that the eApected fleAural
strength of the smaller column cross section be deeloped at
Column nominal shear strength,5 , is determined from the limit
column splices, either through the use of complete ,oint
n
states of shear yielding and shear buckling in accordance with
penetration grooe welds or through other means that can
*)SC 7>9, P.B. Column sections are designed for shear such
proide similar strength. )n addition, it re%uires the shear
that nominal strength including corresponding resistance or
strength of the splice be sufficient to resist the shear deeloped
safety factors is at least e%ual to the re%uired demand shear.
when the column nominal plastic fleAural strength, # , occurs
pc
at each end of the spliced column. *)SC 786, P?.8a permits
)f the column aAial demand to capacity ratio computed using
column web splices to be either bolted or welded, or welded to
re%uired combined loads $not including amplified seismic
one column and bolted to the other. )n the case of bolted
forces' considering design seismic forces and corresponding
splices, plates or channels must be used on both sides of column
resistance or safety factors eAceeds 89 Q, *)SC 786 F ?.7$6'
webs and single1sided connections are not permitted.
and ?.7$B' re%uires that columns hae sufficient aAial strength
to aoid global buckling or tensile fracture under combined
*n eAception in *)SC 786, P<.< permits the design of column
loads computed using the system oerstrength factor, . )n
splices based on appropriate inelastic analysis to determine
o
this case, it is permitted to neglect consideration of concurrent
re%uired strength, coupled with the use of fracture mechanics
bending moments and to use an effectie length factor, 8R 6.9.
principles to determine the aailable connection strength.
"oweer, this will seldom result in a more economical column
;!3!: Cl)mn Bases splice design.
Column base connections are among the more important
elements in steel special moment frame design. @hen design
.4 +onnection Design assumes a fiAed base condition, the column bases must be
designed and detailed to deelop potential plastic hinging in
the columns. *)SC 786 F ?.Ca, ?.Cb$B', and ?.Cc$B' outline the ;!:!1 Pr,a,le %aDim)m %men#
column base re%uirements for aAial, shear, and fleAural strengths, *)SC 7C? identifies the locations of assumed plastic hinge &ones
respectiely. in the respectie proisions for each of the pre%ualified
connection types. (hese plastic hinge locations are specified
*)SC 786, PC?.Cc, Figure C161?.C.7 shows seeral eAamples of based on obsered hinge formation during connection assembly
rigid base assemblies that employ thick base plates, haunches, tests. (hey represent the anticipated location of inelastic
coer plates, or other strengthening mechanisms to deelop deformation in connection assemblies conforming to the
plastic hinging in the column. )n addition, *)SC 786, PC?.Cb, pre%ualification re%uirements. *lthough *)SC 7C? specifies
Figure C1)1?.C.6 shows eAamples of base assemblies that employ the region of primary plastic hinging, some limited inelastic
anchor rod bearing, shear key bearing, or grout bearing to behaior also may occur in other locations such as the column transfer shear forces into the supporting concrete foundation. panel &one, and, in beams that hae large graity load demands, Friction should not be relied on as a means of shear transfer at within the beam span. column bases. *)SC 7C?, PB.8.7, E%uation B.8.716, re%uires connection strength (he aailable strength of concrete elements at column bases capable of deeloping the probable maAimum moment in the must be in accordance with the *merican Concrete )nstitute beam at the location of the plastic hinge. (he probable plastic *C) 76?, *ppendiA D. *C) 76?, *ppendiA D F D.7 re%uires moment at the plastic hinge is intended to be a conseratie design of anchorage in Seismic Design Categories D, E, and F estimate of the maAimum moment likely to be deeloped by the Seismic Design of Steel Special -oment FramesD * .uide for Practicing Engineers B6
connection under cyclic inelastic response. )t includes
consideration of likely material oerstrength and strain
hardening.
;!:!" Cl)mn-Beam %men# Ra#i
*)SC 786, P<.>, re%uires, with some eAceptions, a check on the
relatie bending strength of columns ersus beams, using the
intersection of beam and column centerlines as a reference point.
*t this intersection, the ratio S# TIS# T should be greater
p c pb
than 6.9, whereS# T is the sum of the plastic moment capacities
p c
of the columns aboe and below the panel &one, reduced for
aAial load effects, and S# T is the sum of beam moments
pb
obtained by Jpro,ectingK the eApected fleAural strengths of the
beams from the plastic hinge locations to the column centerline.
(he term Jpro,ectingK implies that each of these moments is
calculated from the fleAural strength at the plastic hinge locations
and amplified by a moment due to shear forces based on 4oad
and #esistance Factor Design load combinations from the
&ig)re ;-3 1 Panel &one free body diagram.
location of the plastic hinge to the centerline. !ote that S# T
pc
will determine the need for panel &one doubler plates. *)SC
is based on nominal strengths, and S# T is based on eApected
p b
786, P<.7b presents limits on the plate thickness of column web
strengths $defined as nominal strength times 6.6 R '.
y
and doubler plates. *)SC 786, PC<.7, Figure C1)1<.B and Figures
C1)1<.7a, b, and c show alternatie details for connection of the
(he larger the ratio S# TI S# T, the smaller is the likelihood
p c p b
web doubler plate$s' to the column panel &one, when doubler
that undesirable plastic hinges will form in columns. *)SC 786,
plates are re%uired. =ften it will be more economical to use a
P<.:a permits the assumption that columns remain elastic if this
heaier column section than to proide doubler plate
ratio is greater than B.9. @hen a column cannot be shown to
reinforcement in panel &ones.
remain elastic outside the panel &one, column flanges hae to
be braced laterally as discussed preiously in Section C.7.B.
;!:!: Cn#in)i#1 Pla#es
*)SC 786, P<.C re%uires continuity plates in steel special moment
;!:!3 Beam-Cl)mn Panel Bne
frames consistent with the pre%ualified connection designated
*)SC 786, P<.7, specifies that the re%uired panel &one shear
in *)SC 7C?, or as otherwise determined with either
strength be determined from the summation of moments at the
pre%ualification or %ualification testing. *)SC 7C?, PB.8.8 includes
column faces, as determined by pro,ecting the eApected moments
a proision re%uiring continuity plates unless the column flange
at the plastic hinge points to the column faces. (he eApected
thickness is ade%uately proportioned in accordance with *)SC
moment is the bending strength at the plastic hinge point based
7C?, PB.8.8 E%uations B.8.816 and B.8.81B for wide flange or built1
on eApected material yield strength, i.e., based on R F . )f the
y y
up )1shaped columns, or with *)SC 7C?, PB.8.8 E%uations B.8.81
Jsummation of moments at the column facesK is denoted as
7 and B.8.818 for boAed wide1flange columns.
S# , the re%uired panel &one shear strength can be estimated
b
as 5 R S# Id F 5 , $see &ig)re ;-37 . -ore elaborate
p9 b b col
*)SC 786, PB.8.8a goerns the design of continuity plate
e%uations should be used if 5 aboe the panel &one differs
col
thickness. (he continuity plates must be attached to the column
significantly from 5 below the panel &one, and if the depths of
c ol
in accordance with *)SC, PB.8.8b. )n addition, to aoid welding
the two beams framing into the panel &one are different. (he
in regions of potentially low notch toughness in wide1flange
design shear strength is f R , with f R 6.9 for 4oad and
/
sections, the corners of the continuity plates are re%uired to be
#esistance Factor Design. (he nominal shear strength R is
/
clipped in accordance with *)SC 786, P:.C and as shown in
determined from *)SC 7>9 F 2691>.
*)SC 786, PC?.6 Figures C1)1:.Ba and b.
)f the effect of panel &one deformations on frame stability is
considered $see Section 8.B.6', *)SC 7>9, P2>.> permits an ;!:!; Beam Ae, # Cl)mn Cnnec#in increase in the design shear strength beyond the leel associated *)SC 7C? proides beam web1to1column connection design with global shear yielding of the panel &one. )n this instance, and detailing re%uirements for pre%ualified connections. (wo E%uations 269166 and 26916B may be used rather than E%uations types of web connection details are used for steel special moment 2691< and 269169. )f panel &ones are modeled in analysis, as frame connectionsD a welded and a bolted detail. )n the welded recommended preiously in Section 8.B, it is permissible to use detail, the beam web is welded directly to the column flange these e%uations. using a complete ,oint penetration grooe weld. For the bolted detail, pretensioned high1strength bolts are used to attach the E%uating re%uired shear strength with design shear strength beam web to a single plate shear connection. Details for this shear connection ary between different connection types. Seismic Design of Steel Special -oment FramesD * .uide for Practicing Engineers BB

=! (**i#inal Re9)iremen#s
,.1 Special /nspection frames to hae additional Charpy 51!otch toughness
re%uirements.
Steel special moment frames are compleA structural systems
whose performance depends on proper implementation of design =!"!" Cncre#e
re%uirements during construction. (herefore, whereer steel Concrete used in composite components and in supporting
special moment frames are used, regardless of the seismic design foundations must meet the re%uirements of *C) 76?, PB6.6.8
category, )BC, P6:98 re%uires continuous special inspections through B6.6.?. *C) 76?, PB6.6.8.B re%uires a minimum concrete
by %ualified inspectors for the fabrication and construction of compressie strength, f: , of 7,999 psi.
c
the steel frame. Continuous special inspection generally is
interpreted to mean that the special inspector is on1site at all
,.3 Bolting times obsering the work re%uiring special inspection. (his
includes welding and high1strength bolting.
*)SC 786, P:.B re%uires fasteners used in steel special moment
.enerally, the special inspector is re%uired to inspect work for
frames to be pretensioned high1strength bolts meeting the
conformance to approed design drawings and specifications.
re%uirements of *)SC 7>9, P27.? with a Class * surface. (he
0nder )BC, P6:98.6.6, the engineer of record should designate
faying surfaces for some types of bolted connections are
the specific inspections and tests to be performed in a Statement
permitted to be painted with coatings not tested for slip
of Special )nspections, submitted as part of the permit
resistance, or with coatings with a slip coefficient less than that
application. Contract documents should specify that the special
of a Class * faying surface. *)SC 7C?, P8.6 re%uires bolts in
inspector will furnish inspection reports to the building official,
pre%ualified steel special moment frame connections to conform
the engineer of record, owner, and contractor. Discrepancies
to *S(- *7BC, *8<9 or F6?CB. *)SC 7>9 F -6 and *)SC
should be brought to the immediate attention of the contractor
786, PC.7 re%uire the locations of pretensioned bolts to be shown
for correction, then, if uncorrected, to the proper design authority
in the shop and erection drawings. (here may be connections
and the building official. * final signed report should be
or applications for which details are not addressed specifically
submitted stating whether the work re%uiring special inspection
by referenced standards. )f such a condition eAists, the shop
was completed in conformance with the approed plans and
drawings should include appropriate re%uirements for that
specifications and applicable workmanship proisions of the
application.
)BC and its referenced standards.
)nspection of bolts and bolting operations in steel special
moment frames must be performed in accordance with )BC,
,.2 Material Properties
P6:98.7.7, *)SC 786, *ppendiA ;, and *)SC 7C?, P8.B.
@hereer steel special moment frames are used, regardless of
,.4 Wel!ing
the seismic design category, *)SC 786 and *C) 76? stipulate
that material properties conform to specific re%uirements. (hese
re%uirements are intended to result in a frame capable of
*)SC 786, P:.7 re%uires welding of steel special moment frames
sustaining multiple inelastic deformation cycles without critical
to be performed in accordance with *)SC 786, *ppendiA @. )n
degradation.
addition, welding must be performed in accordance with an
appropriate @elding Procedure Specification approed by the
=!"!1 S#eel engineer of record, as re%uired by *@S D6.6. (he @elding
*)SC 786, P>.6 re%uires that structural steel used in steel special Procedure Specification essential ariables, including current
moment frames meet the re%uirements of *)SC 7>9, P*7.6a, setting, length of arc, angle of electrode, speed of trael, and
eAcept as modified by *)SC 786. (he specified minimum yield filler metal specification must be within the parameters
stress to be used for members in which inelastic behaior is established by the filler metal manufacturer. *)SC 7>9, P-6
eApected cannot eAceed C9,999 psi, unless the suitability of the and *)SC 786, PC.6, C.B, and C.7, re%uire that the locations of material is determined by testing in accordance with *)SC 786, shop and field welds, particularly demand1critical welds, be *ppendiA S or other rational criteria. (his same limitation does included in the structural design, shop, and erection drawings not apply to columns for which the only eApected inelastic and in the structural specifications. behaior is yielding at the column base. )nspection of welds and welding operations in steel special *)SC 7>9, P*7.6c and *)SC 786, P>.7 re%uire structural steel moment frames must be performed in accordance with )BC, hot rolled shapes with flanges 6 6IB inches thick and thicker or P6:98.7.6, *)SC 786, *ppendiA ; and *@S D6.6. plates B inches or more in thickness used in steel special moment Seismic Design of Steel Special -oment FramesD * .uide for Practicing Engineers B7
=!:!1 &iller %e#al for metal deck and composite diaphragms are aailable in code
*)SC 786, P:.7b re%uires that welds designated as demand1 ealuation serice reports and from other industry sources.
critical be made with a filler metal capable of proiding a minimum
Charpy 51!otch toughness of B9 ftUlb at 1B9 VF as determined *s the thickness of concrete oer a metal deck is increased, the
by the appropriate *@S classification test method or shear strength can approach that for a formed concrete slab of
manufacturer certification, and 89 ftUlb at :9 VF as determined the same thickness, using the concrete and reinforcement aboe
by *)SC 786, *ppendiA W or other approed method, when the the metal deck ribs and ignoring the beneficial effect of the
steel frame is normally enclosed and maintained at a temperature concrete in the flutes. @hen the re%uired composite shear
of C9 VF or higher. For structures with serice temperature strengths eAceed those aailable from industry sources, *C)
lower than C9 VF, the %ualification temperature for *)SC 786, 76?, PB6.66 outlines re%uirements for concrete diaphragms that
*ppendiA W must be B9 VF aboe the lowest anticipated serice are applicable in Seismic Design Categories D, E, or F.
temperature, or at a lower temperature.
=!=!" &)n*a#ins
*)SC 786, P:.7a re%uires all other welds in members and
*C) 76?, PB6.6B.6 outlines design re%uirements for foundations
connections in the Seismic 4oad1#esisting System to be made
that transfer earth%uake1induced forces between the steel special
using filler metal with a minimum Charpy 51!otch toughness of
moment frame and the ground in Seismic Design Categories D,
B9 ftUlb at 9 VF as determined by the appropriate *@S
E, or F. *s foundation damage can be eAtremely difficult to
classification test method or manufacturer certification.
detect and repair, it is desirable that inelastic response during
earth%uake ground shaking occurs aboe the foundation. (he
re%uirements include specific proisions for foundation
,. B%ilt$Up Mem(ers
elements $footings, foundation mats, pile caps, grade beams,
etc.'. )n addition, when concrete grade beams connect ad,acent
(he use of built1up members in steel special moment frames are
column bases, such as that shown in &ig)re =-1 , longitudinal
permitted with pre%ualification or %ualification testing, or if the
and transerse reinforcement must meet the concrete steel
members meet geometric, profile, and connection limitations
special moment frame re%uirements of *C) 76?, PB6.C.
specified in *)SC 7C?, PB.7.B.
(he flanges and webs of a built1up member must hae a width,
depth, and thickness profile similar to rolled wide1flanges
sections meeting specific profile limitations. (he webs must be
connected continuously to flanges in accordance with *)SC
7C?, PB.7.Ba or B.7.Bb. Complete ,oint penetration grooe welds
,oining the web plate to the flange are demand1critical in
accordance with *)SC 786, P:.7b. Built1up columns must also
satisfy the re%uirements of *)SC 7>9, PE> eAcept as modified by
*)SC 7C?, PB.7.Bb.
,., -!!itional S)stem Design
0e1%irements
&ig)re =-1 1 Concrete grade beam connecting ad,acent
column steel special moment frame bases.
=!=!1 S#r)c#)ral Dia$hragms
)n steel special moment frame construction, roof and floor slabs
typically consist of either composite or noncomposite concrete1 =!=!3 %em,ers N# Designa#e* as Par# f #he
filled metal deck slabs that are connected to the structural Seismic 5a*-Resis#ing S1s#em
framing and proide an in1plane diaphragm that collects and Due to the inherent fleAibility of steel special moment frame
distributes inertial forces. *SCE :, P6B.69 specifies re%uired systems, columns that are not part of the seismic load1resisting
diaphragm design forces and re%uires design of diaphragm system still may deelop significant bending moments and collectors for forces amplified by the applicable system shears when the frame is sub,ected to the design displacements. oerstrength factor, $*SCE :, P6B.69.B.6'. Shear forces are Een though the connections of beams framing to columns are o most commonly transferred through puddle welds of the steel often considered to be pins, the columns typically will bend in deck to the framing. @here large loads must be transferred to a double curature with the inflection point near mid1height. *)SC diaphragm, and concrete slabs are present, it can be 786, P?.8b$6' re%uires the splice location for such columns be adantageous to use headed shear studs. (he recommended located away from the beam1to1column connection and near diaphragm $in1plane' shear strength and stiffness design alues the eApected inflection point. Seismic Design of Steel Special -oment FramesD * .uide for Practicing Engineers B8

*t the splice, if partial ,oint penetration grooe welds are used,
*)SC 786, P?.8a re%uires that the aailable column strength be
at least B99 Q of the re%uired strength. =therwise, the aailable
strength for each flange splice must be at least half the eApected
flange strength of the smaller column connected. Partial
penetration grooe welds are not recommended because such
welds are susceptible to fracture under tensile forces, and
fracture of a flange splice can lead to fracture of the web splice.
)n addition, *)SC 786, P?.8b$B' re%uires the shear strength of
the splice be sufficient to resist the shear deeloped when the
column nominal plastic fleAural strength, # , occurs at the
pc
smaller end of the spliced column in both orthogonal aAes. *s
with other column splices, the column web splices can be either
bolted or welded, or welded to one column and bolted to the
other. )n the case of a bolted splice, plates or channels must be
used on both sides of the column web. )n the eent of a flange
splice fracture, the plates are eApected to maintain alignment of
the column.
Seismic Design of Steel Special -oment FramesD * .uide for Practicing Engineers BC

7! De#ailing an* Cns#r)c#a,ili#1 Iss)es
(his section of the .uide addresses a number of issues related behaior can be eApected to concentrate oer a length
to documentation of the design engineer3s information, approAimately e%ual to the beam depth, or slightly longer.
connection detailing, and construction %uality and control that Because large inelastic strains are eApected to occur at these
are essential to achieing the eApected seismic performance of locations, any discontinuities in the material in the steel beam
steel special moment frames. in the hinge &ones could become fracture initiation points. )n
an attempt to aoid these fractures, *)SC 786, P<.Bd has
designated that these &ones be protected from discontinuities
2.1 Str%ct%ral Dra3ings4 Speci"ications4
to the greatest eAtent possible. Specifically, *)SC 786, P:.8
Shop4 an! 5rection Dra3ings re%uires the following measures for these JProtected MonesKD
*ny discontinuities created by fabrication or erection
Clear documentation of the eApectations of the Structural
procedures must be repaired.
Engineer of #ecord is essential to coney the design intent to
*ttachments for support of perimeter edge angles,
the general contractor, fabricator, and erector. For steel special
facades, ductwork, piping or other construction are
moment frame pro,ects, this is especially important, since the
to be located outside the protected &one.
design is intended to result in significant inelastic response
@elded shear studs are not permitted within the
when sub,ected to shaking e%ual to or greater than the design
protected &one.
earth%uake. (his documentation manifests itself in the form of
complete drawings and pro,ect specifications, with special
(he limitation on shear studs in the protected &one was the
emphasis on the uni%ue aspects of steel special moment frame
result of a fracture that occurred in a connection test with a
connections design, details, and ,oining ia welding andIor
composite floor slab that had headed shear studs in the plastic
bolting.
hinge region to connect the deck and slab to the moment frame
beam. )f the connection being used in the design has been
#ecogni&ing the importance of this documentation, *)SC 786,
tested successfully with these shear studs or other connectors
PC.B, C.7, *ppendiA @B.B, and *ppendiA @B.7 specifically list
in place, *)SC 786, P:.8 allows these connectors to be included
items that are re%uired for documentation, beyond the standard
at the protected &ones.
documentation listed in the *)SC Code of Standard +ractice
for Steel Buildings and Bridges $*)SC B99C'. For structural
*)SC 786, PC.6, C.B, and C.7 re%uire designation of the location
design drawings and specifications, this list includes the
and dimensions of protected &ones on structural design, shop,
followingD
and erection drawings. Engineers should be aware that trades
Designation of the members and connections that make
that may make attachments to structural framing often may not
up the Seismic 4oad #esisting1System.
be familiar with these re%uirements. *s shown in &ig)re 7-1,
Configuration, materials and si&es of connections,
enforcement of the protected &one proisions can be a significant
including gusset plates that are intended to
challenge on construction sites. Preconstruction meetings with
accommodate inelastic rotation.
the general contractor should be used to emphasi&e the
4ocation of demand1critical welds and protected &ones.
importance of these re%uirements. (he concept needs to be
)n cold weather regions, definition of lowest anticipated
serice temperature for eAposed steel members of
the Seismic 4oad #esisting1System.
@elding re%uirements that go beyond standard *@S
D6.6 re%uirements as outlined in *)SC 786, P:.7.
2.2 Protecte! 6ones
(he ma,ority of steel seismic force1resisting systems not designated as JordinaryK in *)SC 786, P66 hae specific elements that are intended to be the primary source of inelastic response when the structure is sub,ected to seere ground shaking. )n steel special moment frame structures, the primary inelastic behaior is intended to occur in the beams near the beam1 column connections, either ,ust outside a region of strengthening, or within the length of the reduced section for a &ig)re 7-1 1 0nauthori&ed attachment within the protected &one of a #educed Beam Section connection. #educed Beam Section connection. )n most cases, this inelastic Seismic Design of Steel Special -oment FramesD * .uide for Practicing Engineers B>
clear not only to the structural steel and decking subcontractors, cutting machines used in modern fabricating facilities can
but also to all curtain wall, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing achiee this leel of surface roughness.
subcontractors. )t also may be helpful to hae these regions
painted or otherwise designated once any fireproofing materials
2.4 We( Do%(ler Plate
are applied.
@hen repair of a discontinuity within the protected &one is
*s discussed preiously in this .uide, high shear forces occur
re%uired, the repairs are sub,ect to the approal of the engineer
in the ,oint panel &ones of steel special moment frames. )n many
of record. *s a reference, the engineer of record can refer to
cases, in order to meet panel &one shear strength re%uirements,
*@S D6.6 and *S(- *>, P< for guidance in establishing repair
a doubler plate is needed to locally strengthen the column web.
acceptance criteria. =utside the protected &one, *@S D6.6
*dding doubler plates is eApensie because of the significant
re%uirements apply for the repair of discontinuities.
shop fabrication time that is needed to prepare the plate and
weld it into the column web. * rule of thumb that commonly
applies is that for most typical moment frame configurations
2.3 Wel! -ccess Holes
$story heights on the order of 6C ft and beam spans of
approAimately 79 ft' if the designer can increase the mass per
-any steel special moment frame connections include a
foot of the column by less than 699 lbIft and aoid the need for
complete ,oint penetration grooe weld between the beam
doubler plates, the cost of the frame will be reduced. Engineers
flanges and the column flange. )n most cases, this ,oint is made
should confirm this approach with the fabricators selected for a
with a single beel weld that is detailed with weld backing across
gien pro,ect.
the width of the flange, with the weld being made in the flat
position. (he backing is typically a steel bar, one inch wide by
Proper detailing of the welds between the doubler plates and
7I? inch thick, though ceramic and copper backing can also be
the column web, column flanges, andIor continuity plates is
used. (o accommodate this backing and to proide access for
needed to ensure that force transfers through this highly
the welder to make the weld at the bottom flange, a weld access
stressed region can be achieed. Since the *)SC 786, P<.7
hole is proided. *)SC 7>9, P26.> specifies the minimum
design proisions are intended to result in some yielding of the
permissible shape of these access holes for typical conditions.
,oint panel &one, the design of all welds $whether grooe or
fillet' between the doubler plate and the other elements of a
=ne finding of the post1!orthridge earth%uake research was
connection need to be able to deelop the capacity of the plate.
that the configuration and preparation of these access holes
)n most applications, the doubler plate is placed immediately
can play a critical role in the performance of steel special moment
ad,acent to the column web plate. (his location re%uires welding
frame connections. 4arge inelastic strains are concentrated in
of the doubler in the region of the web1flange ,unction of the
these regions in connections that focus much of the inelastic
column, sometimes known as the Jk1area.K Some fabrication1
behaior at the beam1column interface, for eAample in the @elded
induced cracking in this area of the column also has led to the
0nreinforced Flange F @elded @eb connection. Both
suggestion of moing the doubler plate, or plates, to obtain
eAperimental and parametric finite element analytical studies
symmetry in the connection, away from this highly stressed
hae confirmed that modifications to the standard *@S access
area closer to the mid1point of the flange half1width. (his practice
hole configurations are needed to achiee the leels of inelastic
has not gained widespread acceptance because the need for a
deformation anticipated in steel special moment frame designs.
second plate and the increased thickness necessary for plate
*)SC 786, P66.B.a, Figure 6616, shows the weld access hole
stability increases the cost of this detailing approach oer the
configuration re%uired for @elded 0nreinforced Flange F
typical single plate placed ad,acent to the column web. *)SC
@elded @eb connections. *ccess holes for #educed Beam
786, P<.7b re%uires that all plates hae a thickness that is larger
Section connections must be detailed according to *)SC 7>9,
than 6I<9 of the sum of the panel &one depth plus width $all
P26.>. )t also should be noted that complete ,oint penetration
terms in inches'. Doubler plates that are thinner than this limit
grooe welds for end plate connections fabricated per *)SC
are typically brought into conformance with this re%uirement
7C?, P>.<.: are to be detailed without weld access holes, since
by the addition of a series of four plug welds at about the
eAtensie testing of this connection indicates that eliminating
%uarter points of the ,oint panel &one. *)SC 786, PC<.C, Figure
the access holes significantly improes the performance. C1)1<.7, depicts the arious configurations for web doubler plates. Similar to Protected Mones, weld access holes should be free of discontinuities that could cause a premature fracture. *s a 2. +ontin%it) Plates result, *)SC 786, P66.Ba$B' and *)SC 7C?19C, PC.: stateD H(he maAimum surface roughness of the thermally cut surface shall be C99 microinches $67 microns' in accordance with *!S) B8>.6, *s shown in &ig)re 7-" , continuity plates often are added as measured using *@S C8.61::.K -ost automatic thermal between column flanges to help transfer beam flange forces Seismic Design of Steel Special -oment FramesD * .uide for Practicing Engineers B:

careful detailing of the two welded ,oints that would occupy
the same space at this intersection. (he option of eAtending
the ertical length of the doubler plate beyond the eAtent of the
beam can facilitate welding procedures, but the need to transfer
continuity plate forces results in both a thicker doubler plate
and a larger weld between the longer doubler plate and the
column web.
2., +ol%mn Splices
Splices in steel special moment frame columns also can be critical
to system performance. )t is important to note that, in many
cases, the primary demand on steel special moment frame
columns is fleAure, or fleAure combined with aAial tension, rather
&ig)re 7-"1 )nstalled connection continuity plates in a bolted
than aAial compression. )n effect, these columns act as Jertical
stiffened eAtended end plate connection.
beamsK rather than classical columns. !onlinear response
history analyses of steel special moment frame designs
through an entire connection. )n steel special moment frame
performed for the FE-*1S*C Steel 2oint 5enture pro,ect
designs, the need for and design of continuity plates should be
demonstrated that column fleAural and tension demands can
included in the oerall connection design and testing process
approach column capacity $FE-*, B999'. (hese studies also
that is used to erify connection deformation capacity.
indicate that the location of minimum moment in a column is not
Connections included in *)SC 7C? specify the procedures to be
static, but moes along the length of the column, depending on
used in the design of continuity plates.
the characteristics of the ground motion and the frame
configuration. )n some instances, no point of inflection occurs
4ike doubler plates, proper detailing of continuity plates is crucial
oer entire story heights at arious times during seismic
to the anticipated ductile performance of steel special moment
response of the frames. *s a result of these findings and the
frame connections. @elds between continuity plates and the
potentially dramatic conse%uence of column splice failures,
other elements of a connection typically also are re%uired to
*)SC has put seere demands on steel special moment frame
deelop the capacity of the plate. )n most instances, complete
column splice design. )n most cases, it is likely that complete
,oint penetration grooe welds are specified between these plates
,oint penetration grooe welds, such as those shown in &ig)re
and the inside face of the column flanges because the load is a
7-3 , will be re%uired for these splices. Seere limitations are
direct tension that approaches the capacity of the plate. Because
placed on the use of partial ,oint penetration welds.
the force transfer between continuity plates and the column
web, or doubler plate, is primarily a shear force, double fillet
welds or grooe welds are both options.
*)SC 786, P:.C re%uires that continuity plates be configured to
aoid the welding in the k1area of the column. (his is because
the straightening process used by some mills can cause local
embrittlement of the wide flange section in this area. @hen
shapes hae been made brittle by mill straightening, welding
can result in fracturing of the section during fabrication. *)SC
786, PC>.7, Figure C1)1>.6 illustrates the location of the k1area.
Specific dimensions are proided for the clipping of continuity
plates to aoid the rounded area at the web flange ,unction.
(he reader is referred to *)SC 786, PC?.6, Figure C1)1:.B, for a
graphical eAplanation of the continuity plate clips in this region.
&ig)re 7-3 1 Steel special moment frame complete ,oint @hen both continuity plates and doubler plates are included in penetration grooe weld column splice. a steel special moment frame detail, the engineer needs to decide whether or not the length of the doubler plates will be stopped (he proceeding discussion focused on splices for Seismic 4oad1 at the face of the continuity plates that are ad,acent to the ,oint #esisting System columns. (he S*C Steel research studies panel &one. Stopping the doubler plate in this way re%uires noted aboe also found that non1Seismic 4oad1#esisting Seismic Design of Steel Special -oment FramesD * .uide for Practicing Engineers B?
System columns that are intended primarily for graity load cases, by other protruding elements associated with the
resistance can proide beneficial effects to oerall system connection. )n this manner, the slab will not inhibit the eApected
seismic performance. Continuity of these columns was found performance of the connection. *s shown in &ig)re 7-:,
to help ertically distribute inelastic demands throughout the detailing compressible material against the protruding elements
height of a building, thereby aoiding focusing inelastic prior to the placement of the concrete is a sufficient means to
demands in a single or small number of stories. (his finding address the re%uirement.
caused *)SC 786 to place a design re%uirement on shear
connections of non1frame column splices as a means of proiding
this continuity. (his re%uirement increases design forces on
this splice substantially, but still can be accomplished by bolted
connections in most cases.
2.2 +oncrete Placement
*)SC 7C? limits the pre%ualification of some moment connections
when a concrete structural slab is present. (his is because
slabs will tend to act compositely with the steel framing, whether
intended to or not, and in the process shift the location of the
beam neutral aAis and alter stress distributions in the connection.
*)SC 7C? permits some connections to be used with a structural &ig)re 7-: 1 Compressible material used to isolate a protruding bolted
stiffened eAtended end plate connection prior to concrete placement.
slab only if the slab is not restrained by the column or, in some
Seismic Design of Steel Special -oment FramesD * .uide for Practicing Engineers B<

?! References
*C) $B99?'. Building code re0uirements for structural concrete ;1CI <2&(%&= and commentary , *merican Concrete )nstitute,
Farmington "ills, -).
*)SC $B99>'. Seismic design manual , *merican )nstitute of Steel Construction, )nc., Chicago, )4.
*)SC $B99Ca', *!S)I*)SC 78619C. Seismic pro/isions for structural steel buildings , *merican )nstitute of Steel Construction,
)nc., Chicago, )4.
*)SC $B99Cb', *!S)I*)SC 7C?19C. +re0ualified connections for special and intermediate steel moment frames for seismic
applications including Supplement No. 2 , *merican )nstitute of Steel Construction, )nc., Chicago, )4.
*)SC $B99Cc', *!S)I*)SC 7>919C. Specification for structural steel buildings , *merican )nstitute of Steel Construction, )nc.,
Chicago, )4.
*)SC $B99Cd', *)SC 79719C. Code of standard practice for steel buildings and bridges , *merican )nstitute of Steel Construc1
tion, )nc., Chicago, )4.
*SCE $B99>'. #inimum design loads for buildings and other structures ;1SC,>S,I ?(%@= including
Supplement No.$
,
*merican Society of Ciil Engineers, #eston, 5*.
*@S $B99C', *!S)I*@S D6.?D B99C. Structural 4elding code ( seismic supplement , *merican @elding Society, -iami, F4.
*@S $B998', *!S)I*@S D6.6D B998. Structural 4elding code stee2, *merican @elding Society, -iami, F4.
FE-* $B999'. Recommended seismic design criteria for ne4 steel moment frame buildings , FE-* 7C9, Federal Emergency
-anagement *gency, @ashington, DC.
)CC $B99>'. International building code , )nternational Code Council, @ashington, DC.
Seismic Design of Steel Special -oment FramesD * .uide for Practicing Engineers 79

9! N#a#in an* (,,re3ia#ins
- area of the end column, in 0 panel &one nominal shear strength, kip B
c
v
+ deflection amplification coefficient defined in *SCE : 0 response modification factor
!
3
+ coefficient for upper limit on calculated period as defined 0 ratio of eApected strength to the specified minimum
%
)
in *SCE : tensile strength
D distance between end columns, in S design, C Q damped, spectral response acceleration
DS
parameter at short periods as defined in *SCE :
! oerall beam depth, in
(
S design, C Q damped, spectral response acceleration
D1
! oerall column depth, in
parameter at a period of 6 s as defined in *SCE :
c
5 modulus of elasticity of steel, ,R B<,999 psi
T approAimate fundamental period of building defined in
a
*SCE :
F specified minimum yield stress, ksi
)
T SD6ISDS as defined in *SCE :
s
"7 specified concrete compressie strength at B? days
c
t thickness of the panel &one including doubler plates, in
p
8 elastic shear modulus
*
seismic shear force as defined in *SCE :, kip
h story height as defined in *SCE :, in
* column shear force, kip
col
/ moment of inertia, in
8
* nominal shear strength, inUlb
l
n
l
l
beam span, in
* panel &one shear force, kip
p9
: effectie length factor
X
X
X
ratio of shear demand to shear capacity for the story
: panel &one rotational stiffness
under consideration, as defined in *SCE : s
M column aailable fleAural strength, inUlb
unit shear deformation of panel &one
c
M nominal fleAural strength, inUlb
design story drift as defined in *SCE :
n
M column nominal plastic fleAural strength, psi
allowable story drift as defined in *SCE :
pc
a
M probable peak plastic moment capacity of a structural
story drift determined by an elastic analysis
pr
e
section, considering material strength ariation and
strain hardening effects
system oerstrength factor

;
SM summation of moments at the column faces
stability coefficient as defined in *SCE :
(
;
SM sum of the pro,ected column moments at the top and
d story drift due to beam fleAure, in
d pc
r
bottom of the panel &one, inUlb
dstory drift due to column fleAure, in
d
;
c
SM sum of the pro,ected beam moments on either side of
p(
the panel &one, inUlb d story drift due to panel &one shear deformations, in dp P total ertical design load as defined in *SCE :, kip redundancy factor as defined by *SCE : P column aailable aAial compressie strength, lb f resistance factor for strength c r radius of gyration about y1aAis, in f resistance factor for panel &one shear strength ) 3
0 response modification coefficient as defined in *SCE : Seismic Design of Steel Special -oment FramesD * .uide for Practicing Engineers 76

(,,re3ia#ins
(CI *merican Concrete )nstitute
(ISC *merican )nstitute of Steel Construction
(NSI *merican !ational Standards )nstitute
(SCE *merican Society of Ciil Engineers
(ST% *merican Society for (esting and -aterials
(TC *pplied (echnology Council
(AS *merican @elding Society
C8REE Consortium of 0niersities for #esearch in Earth%uake Engineering
&E%( Federal Emergency -anagement *gency
IBC )nternational Building Code
ICC )nternational Code Council
S(C S*C Steel 2oint 5enture $SE*=C, *(C, C0#EE'
SE(+C Structural Engineers *ssociation of California
SEI Structural Engineering )nstitute
Seismic Design of Steel Special -oment FramesD * .uide for Practicing Engineers 7B

10! Cre*i#s
C3er $h# )mage courtesy of -ichael D. Engelhardt
&ig)re "-1 )mage courtesy of YWC7<.7Ic, )mages of *merica, 4ibrary of Congress
&ig)re "-" )mage courtesy of Simpson .umpert& / "eger
&ig)re "-3 )mage courtesy of Simpson .umpert& / "eger
&ig)re "-: )mage courtesy of Simpson .umpert& / "eger
&ig)re "-; )mage courtesy of CB87<>, !ational *rchies and #ecords *dministration !*#*
&ig)re "-= )mage courtesy of S*C Steel 2oint 5enture
&ig)re "-7 )mage courtesy of -ichael D. Engelhardt
&ig)re "-? )mage courtesy of Simpson .umpert& / "eger
&ig)re 3-1 )mage courtesy of Simpson .umpert& / "eger
&ig)re 3-" )mage courtesy of Simpson .umpert& / "eger
&ig)re 3-3 )mage courtesy of Simpson .umpert& / "eger
&ig)re 3-: )mage courtesy of Simpson .umpert& / "eger
&ig)re 3-; )mage courtesy of Simpson .umpert& / "eger
&ig)re 3-= )mage courtesy of "elmut Grawinkler
&ig)re 3-7
Copyright Z 6<:? by *merican )nstitute of Steel Construction
#eprinted with permission. *ll rights resered.
&ig)re :-1 Copyright Z 6<:? by *merican )nstitute of Steel Construction
#eprinted with permission. *ll rights resered.
&ig)re :-" )mage courtesy of "elmut Grawinkler
&ig)re :-3 )mage courtesy of "elmut Grawinkler
&ig)re ;-1 )mage courtesy of Simpson .umpert& / "eger
&ig)re ;-" )mage courtesy of Simpson .umpert& / "eger
&ig)re ;-3 )mage courtesy of "elmut Grawinkler
&ig)re =-1 )mage courtesy of Simpson .umpert& / "eger
&ig)re 7-1 )mage courtesy of (homas *. Sabol
&ig)re 7-" )mage courtesy of Simpson .umpert& / "eger &ig)re 7-3 )mage courtesy of Simpson .umpert& / "eger &ig)re 7-: )mage courtesy of Simpson .umpert& / "eger Seismic Design of Steel Special -oment FramesD * .uide for Practicing Engineers 77