Semi-rigid connections structural steel framing: A practising engineer's view

The types of building structure with potential for economy through the use of semi-rigid connections are identified. In low-rise buildings, it is emphasized that the preponderance of steel in the beams focusses attention to potential savings in these members, requiring developemnt of semi-rigid joints for this specific purpose. The desirability of regarding connections as mechanisms for the designers' control of moment, whether in floors, braced or unbraced frames, is demonstrated. The potential for reducing the peak moments associated with fully rigid connections to produce more uniformly flexed members is presented. Adoption of this technique to frames provides control of column moments. The concept of the designer controlling moments throughout structures by the selection of appropriate connections is suggested; the potential for worthwhile economies is thought to exist but the exercise of considerable design skill will be needed to achieve this goal. It is suggested that co-operative efforts between researchers, designers and fabricators should be initiated to develop concepts and details that are likely to prove economical.