Hysteretic Behaviour of Composite Reduced Web Section (RWS) Connections for Seismic Applications

Whilst there has been research about reduced web section beams; RWS, their seismic behaviour when they are overlaid by slabs is not well understood. This study addresses this by assessing a high-definition finite element representation of non-seismically detailed RWS connections with slabs. The composite action is investigated, focusing on effects of the size and location of the web openings. These connections can reach a 4% interstorey drift, thus comprising special moment frames in accordance with AISC 341. Moreover, beam, column, and joint tearing were avoided entirely, and at the most, brittle failure of bolts in the end plate was observed.