Moment resisting frame having cruciform columns and beam connections and method for use therewith

A moment resisting frame comprising a vertical column having a cruciform shape in cross section and having first and second vertically extending surfaces extending at an angle and being disposed at an angle with respect to each other and extending along X and Y axes and defining a space therebetween, upper and lower spaced apart horizontally disposed gusset plates, securing means securing said upper and lower spaced-apart horizontally disposed gusset plates to said first and second surfaces, a beam having first and second ends and a longitudinal axis, said beam having upper and lower flanges and a vertically extending web extending between the flanges, said first end of the beam extending into a position adjacent said space and in a direction which is disposed between said X and Y axes and means disposed in said space foe securing said first end of the beam to said surfaces and to said upper and lower gussets, said securing means including a vertical web of the beam and fillet welds connecting the vertical web connection plate to the gusset plates and to the column.

In a method for constructing a moment resisting frame by the use of vertical columns having a cruciform shape in cross section and having first and second vertically extending surfaces extending at an angle to each other and being disposed along X and Y axes and defining a space therebetween with upper and lower spaced apart horizontally disposed gusset plates secured to the first and second surfaces and by the use of a beam having first and second ends and a longitudinal axis and having upper and lower flanges and a vertically extending web extending between the flanges comprising rotating the cruciform in a direction so that said space with an axis bisecting the space extends in a direction in which the beam is to extend, bringing the first end of the beam into close proximity to the space so that its upper and lower flanges are aligned with the upper and lower gusset plates and securing the first end in the space so that it is secured to the first and second surfaces and to the upper and lower gussets, providing connecting plates overlying and underlying the upper and lower gusset plates and the upper and lower flanges of the beam and forming fillet welds between the connecting plates and the upper and lower flanges of the beam and the upper and lower gusset plates.