WUF-W Moment Connection in Steel Box-Column Subjected to the New Cyclic Loading Protocol

Loading protocols simulate local earthquakes are usually used to evaluate structural components’ strength and deformation capacities. First, the present research proposes a loading protocol that accurately simulates the local seismic demand based on far-field conditions, while being also consistent with the region’s structural design and construction conditions. The proposed loading protocol can be applied to the steel structure’s bending components, particularly the steel moment connections in general and experimental terms. Moreover, the proposed loading protocol presents the guidelines for evaluating the moment connections’ performance at the target, qualifying, and collapse control levels. Similar specimens of welded unreinforced flange-welded web (WUF-W) steel moment connections in box-columns were subjected to the proposed and SAC loading protocols in the laboratory; and the results were analysed. Based on the experimental and finite element studies performed in this research and matching and controlling the proposed loading protocol’s presented conditions and regulations, the damage parameters and the seismic demand resulting from both loading protocols were evaluated and compared. The experimental and finite element of the WUF-W connections have well satisfied the target value level; and the qualifying condition of the proposed and SAC loading protocols and the control conditions of the collapse threshold provided in the proposed loading protocol was well satisfied the experimental specimen.