Experimental investigation of composite moment resisting frames equipped with dissipative replaceable beam splices

This work presents the main outcomes of an experimental hybrid test campaign performed by UNITN, in the framework of the European funded Dissipable project. The testing specimen is a composite frame equipped with easily replaceable dissipative seismic components, called DRBeS. Such components are realized by truncating the composite beam close to the beam-column joint and re-establishing the continuity by means of web and flange plates, that constitute the fuse elements. First, the hybrid test procedure is presented, along with the practical issues encountered while performing such tests and the adopted methods for solving them. After this, the experimental results related to the Near Collapse limit state test are presented and discussed. The frame was capable to overcome the NC ground motion and the connections showed a wide hysteretic behaviour. Finally, the algorithmic correction is quantified for the three tests performed on the frame; it revealed to be negligible as the intensity of the input ground motion increases.