ABSTRACT
One of the most prom1smg structural concepts now receiving a great amount of attention in both research and in practical applications is the use of PR connections in frames. In the United States with the recent publication of the current limit design specifications[ 1 I - LRFD - use of actual connection restraint has been recognized. Through the LRFD specifications, the designer has the guidelines to produce safe designs that employ PR connections. The field is now open. While the design rules are there through LRFD, the actual experience and recorded performance of frames in real buildings with PR connections are far behind the technical design aspects. It is true that frames using other assumptions of connection behavior, such as the Typt> 3 semi-rigid of the ASIC specifications, have been used for many years. However, frames using the actual moment rotation curves for the connections have not yet been designed in great numbers in the United States. Thus, a limited performance base is available to the profession. This paper will describe some of the important design aspects that have been learned through the writer's actual design of buildings with PR connections.
