Abstract
Connecting a W-shape beam to a hollow steel section (HSS) column using conventional bolts is difficult due to a lack of access inside the hollow section column to tighten the nut. Field welding the connection remains the common practice. The objective of this work is to propose a bolted moment connection for rectangular hollow steel columns using high-strength blind bolts, and to evaluate such a connection in terms of its performance and its failure modes. An experimental program was conducted involving beam-to-column specimens subjected to beam tip monotonic loading. Moment-rotation relationships of the tested connections were obtained while the response of the connection and its elements was investigated. Results show promising performance of such a connection type in terms of its stiffness, moment capacity, and ductility. Comparison is made with a similar connection using ordinary high-strength A325 bolts. For the blind bolted connection, it was found that column flange thickness is a critical element that may govern the failure mode.