Design provisions for connections between steel beams and concrete filled tube columns

The through beam connection detail has been identified as an ideal rigid connection for attaching steel beams to concrete filled tube (CFT) columns in seismic regions. This connection detail is also well suited for non-seismic applications. In this research program a combination of analytical and experimental studies was conducted to comprehend the behavior of this detail and develop the accompanying design provisions. The experimental research program is presented elsewhere. In this paper the experimental and analytical results are used to identify the force transfer mechanism within the joint. A model to estimate joint strength is presented and used to develop design guidelines for the through beam connection detail. Calculated results based on the proposed design model are compared with experimental data. Finally, a design example demonstrating the step by step procedures to design the through beam connection detail is presented. Additional research areas necessary to ensure the ductile behavior of the through beam connection in seismic areas are also identified. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.