• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.817-827
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• 2008

The seismic performance of a column splice fabricated with PJP (partial joint penetration) welds for special moment frames was experimentally evaluated in this study. The steel materials that were used for the specimens included SHN490 and SN490 steel, or the newly developed structural steel for seismic application. Fabricating the column splice with PJP welds is highly attractive from the perspective of reducing the welding cost and the construction time. PJP welds in column splices are viewed apprehensively, however, because several tests have shown that PJP welds in thick members tend to become brittle under tensile loads. The column splices in this testing program were designed for the expected plastic moment of the column that current seismic codes typically require. The design strength of partial-penetration welded joints was determined according to the 2005 AISC-LRFD Specification. Three-point loading was applied monotonically, using a universal testing machine, such thatthe column splice joints were subjected to pure tension. The test results showed that the PJP welded splices, if designed properly, can develop a strength exceeding that of the actual plastic moment of the column. The specimen made of the SM490 rolled section, however, showed a brittle fracture at the splice soon after achieving the actual plastic moment of the column. The tensile coupon test results also showed that the material properties of SM490 steel are more unpredictable. Overall, although the test data are limited, the SHN490 and SN490 steel specimens showed a superior and reliable performance.