Experimental behaviour of non-seismical RWS connections with perforated beams under cyclic actions

The use of perforated (in particular cellular and castellated) beams has become widespread as their manufacturing processes keep minimising wasted material cost-effective by reducing self-weight steel structures, while allowing for larger clear spans. Although behaviour to time-invariant vertical loads been extensively investigated validated in laboratory setups, response reversible actions not explored the same extent. This paper presents results cyclic load tests beam-column reduced web section (RWS) connections, considering setups representative what is observed low-rise buildings UK; a region with sparse seismicity. Results show that RWS connections on these frames can achieve stable hysteresis loops without significant strength degradation, due simultaneous occurrence yielding critical cross-section development Vierendeel mechanism edges perforations (web openings). Also, inelastic action mostly within beam, thus being successful protecting connection. Performance particularly exceeds benchmarking RBS connection styled according underlying assumptions, hinting could be more suitable solution structural retrofitting regions where seismicity sparse.