Behavior of welded CFT column to H-beam connections with external stiffeners

This paper focuses on the experimental and analytical behavior of concrete filled tubular (CFT) column to H-beam welded moment connections with external T-stiffeners. Six full-scale specimens were tested cyclically. All specimens were designed and manufactured using the following main test parameters: (a) the strength ratio of the horizontal stiffener to the beam flange; and (b) the strength ratio of the vertical stiffener to the beam flange. Three types of failure modes, horizontal stiffeners failure, vertical stiffener failure and beam failure, were obtained. The connections reinforced with T-stiffeners having 130% of strength to beam flanges showed stable hysteretic behavior and good ductility. The ABAQUS finite element package was used to simulate the experimental behavior. The results obtained from the finite element were evaluated by comparing the load–displacement responses and the potential of failure modes.