Special Moment Frame and moment connection in weak direction

[whymrg]

Hello everyone,

I got comment from building department that I can not have Special moment frame for seismic load resistance in strong direction of column (with prequalified connection per FEMA 350) and regular moment connection for cantilever or for torsion restrain in weak direction of column (not for seismic load).

Do you have any information that may support moment connection in weak direction?

Thanks.

 

[haynewp]

Are they thinking that it is going to screw up the performance of the special moment frame? The testing for the strong axis prequalified joint was probably done without an additional moment connection in the weak direction, maybe this is their concern.

 

[JAE]

And maybe the presence of a weak direction moment connection will naturally soak up some seismic forces (energy) and possibly fail the weak-axis connection so as to kill its ability to take gravity loads, thus making for an unsafe structure.