Recent Research on Panel Zone Behavior in Special Moment Resisting Frames [N29A]

Attendees in this session will hear results of on-going research investigating design and detailing of the panel zone region in Special Moment Resisting Frames (SMF). The presentation will review the role played by the panel zone in the seismic performance of SMF systems, and current design requirements in the AISC Seismic Provisions. Next, results will be presented of a recently completed large-scale test program on SMF beam-column joints with varying levels of panel zone strength. The results of these tests suggest that it may be possible to relax current panel zone strength requirements in SMF systems. In addition, the results of computational studies on doubler plate welding details will be presented. These studies are examining the advantages and disadvantages of various attachment details for doubler plates for cases where doubler plates are used both with and without continuity plates. The presentation will conclude with a look at practical implications of this research.

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