Limited ductility moment resisting frames with RHS columns

Physical testing and analytical studies have been conducted over the last 25 years to develop steel moment connections and column splices for ductile and moderately ductile moment resisting frames (MRFs); however, research on connections for limited ductility (Type LD) MRFs - which are less expensive and easier to fabricate - has lagged. This glaring lack of attention has left a large part of the Canadian steel market, in regions of low and moderate seismicity, underserved.The primary objective of this research to develop non-proprietary, pre-qualified moment connections for Type LD MRFs, and improved design methods for field-bolted RHS-to-RHS column splices, that are effective (i.e., that meet code requirements) and easy to fabricate. This research is expected to make Type LD MRFs a more attractive and efficient building system, to keep Canada's (approximately) 4-billion-dollar steel industry competitive.