Experimentally investigation of replaceable reduced beam section utilizing beam splice connection

This study presents a replaceable reduced beam section (R-RBS) located at the column end in moment resisting frames (MRFs). An end of the R-RBS is connected to column by using end-plate moment connection and the other end of that is connected to main beam with beam splice connection. Therefore, the RBS that is expected to yield under an earthquake can be easily replaceable. Geometry of the RBS and the thickness of the beam splice connection are the prime variables of this study. A total of eight experimental test was carried out to examine the seismic performance of the proposed R-RBS with the connection details. The results obtained from experimental studies demonstrated that plate sizes of the beam splice connection significantly affect the seismic performance of RBSs used in MRFs.