Special Truss Moment Frame Component Test 8 - 2HSS8x4x1/2

Similarly to 2HSS8x4x1/4 (Component Test 7), 2HSS8x4x1/2 did not exhibit lateral torsional buckling; thus eliminating the need for lateral bracing in beam-type members. Consequently, the plastic rotational capacity and strength degradation rate are mainly governed by the flange local buckling and web local buckling. In order to delay crack propagation across the flanges which proved to cause loss of strength in Specimen 7, cover plates were welded on the flanges of Specimen 8. Due to the combination of smaller b/t and h/t ratios as well as the presence of the cover plates on the flanges of the HSSs, Component Test Specimen 8 exhibited more stable hysteretic behavior than that of Specimen 7. The hysteretic behavior of 2HSS8x4x1/2 shows that the strength only slightly dropped even when the Specimen was pushed to the maximum stroke limit of the actuator (4.92 in. or 9.03% member drift) at the end of the test.