Moment connections for structural steel frames and construction methods thereof

A method for producing a moment connection in a metallic frame, the method comprising:

• providing a bracket;
• affixing the bracket to a metallic column;
• providing a clamp;
• affixing the clamp to an end of a metallic beam;
• and
• slidably engaging the bracket and the clamp to one another along their respective lengths, wherein the step of slidably engaging the bracket and the clamp to one another includes raising the clamp above an elevation of the bracket and lowering the clamp onto the bracket to engage the bracket and the clamp to one another, wherein the slidable engagement between the bracket and the clamp enables gravitational loads, a bending moment and/or axial load to be transferred from the beam to the column,
• wherein the bracket has an elongated body and is configured to be connected to the first structural member;
• wherein the clamp includes:
• a hollow structural member extending in a first direction, the hollow structural member including a plurality of sidewalls connected to one another and defining a cavity of the hollow structural member in the first direction;
• a first bar protruding from a first sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls of the hollow structural member, the first bar extending in a second direction that intersects the first direction, the first sidewall of the hollow structural member being arranged between the cavity of the hollow structural member and the first bar;
• a second bar protruding from said first sidewall and extending in the second direction, the second bar being spaced apart from the first bar, the first sidewall of the hollow structural member being arranged between the cavity of the hollow structural member and the second bar;
• and
• a third bar protruding from said first sidewall and extending in the first direction, the first sidewall of the hollow structural member being arranged between the cavity of the hollow structural member and the third bar, the third bar connecting the first and second bars to one another such that the first to third bars define a space configured to selectively receive the elongated body of the bracket therealong to selectively connect the bracket and the clamp to one another,
• wherein the step of slidably engaging the bracket and the clamp to one another includes inserting the elongated body of the bracket in the space defined by the first to third bars.