ABSTRACT
Simple-welded plate specimens (SWPS) and T-Stub tension specimens were used to investigate the effects of weld strength mismatch and weld metal toughness on both mechanical and fracture behavior of welded moment connections. A large number of tests were performed under various base material (BM) and weld metal (WM) matching conditions. Selected finite element analyses were also performed to shed light on the structural behavior of these specimens for interpretation of the experimental results and of structural frame behavior. Implications on structural behavior in welded moment connections will be discussed in detail with a special emphasis on constraint and weld residual stress effects.
