Sharif Digital Repository

There are many steel structures in Iran with semi-rigid saddle connections. It has been observed that, during a strong earthquake, this type of connection can experience a premature fracture, which will endanger the stability of the structure. The present study endeavored to improve the mechanical characteristics including the initial stiffness, yield moment, maximum moment, crack rotation, and load transfer mechanisms of the conventional saddle connections using retrofitting methods. An experimental study was conducted on six full-scale specimens to study the effect of the retrofitting methods on the stiffness, yield moment, and maximum moment of the connection and for the prevention of...