Behaviour of beam-to-column minor axis connections - a comprehensive investigation

This paper presents an experimental investigation on beam-to-column minor axis connections in steel frames. A total of 18 tests both unsymmetrical and, cruciform symmetrical and unsymmetrical with different connection configuration were carried out to assess the connection characteristic properties: moment connection resistance, rotation capacity and stiffness of beam-to-column minor axis connections. Among all the unsymmetrical connections, most test specimens failed mainly due to bolt thread stripping and out of plane deformation of column web was not a cause of failure. The two different thicknesses end plate used in all tests demonstrated that the 15 mm thick end plate provided a higher strength and ductility for extended end plate connections but less favourable for flush end plate connections. Also the web stiffeners and backing plate make significant contribution to the strength of the extended end plate connections but not for the flush end plate. In fact, the 25 mm thick backing plate does not show much influence on the strength of the connections but provides greater stiffness.