Moment resisting bi-axial beam-to-column joint connection

Abstract

A prefabricated column assembly includes a hollow tubular column having a longitudinal axis. A gusset plate assembly includes a plurality of gusset plates connected to the column and extending laterally outward from the column in planes generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the column. A first pair of the gusset plates extends laterally outward from the column along a first axis and defines a space for receiving an end portion of a first beam for mounting the first beam on the first pair of gusset plates. A second pair of the gusset plates extends laterally outward from the column along a second axis that is nonparallel and non-coincident with the first axis. The second pair of gusset plates defines a space for receiving an end portion of a second beam for mounting the second beam on the second pair of gusset plates to provide a bi-axial joint connection.

1 . A prefabricated column assembly comprising:
 a hollow tubular column having a longitudinal axis; and   a gusset plate assembly comprising a plurality of gusset plates connected to the column and extending laterally outward from the column in planes generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the column, a first pair of the gusset plates extending laterally outward from the column along a first axis and defining a space for receiving an end portion of a first beam for mounting the first beam on the first pair of gusset plates, a second pair of the gusset plates extending laterally outward from the column along a second axis that is nonparallel and non-coincident with the first axis, the first and second pairs of gusset plates each intersecting a single plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the column, the second pair of gusset plates defining a space for receiving an end portion of a second beam for mounting the second beam on the second pair of gusset plates to provide a bi-axial joint connection, wherein at least a portion of one of the first pair of gusset plates extends through at least one of the second pair of gusset plates.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The column assembly of  claim 1  wherein each of the first pair of gusset plates passes through each of the second pair of gusset plates. 
     
     
         4 . The column assembly of  claim 1  wherein each of at least two of the gusset plates of the gusset plate assembly includes at least one slot for mating with the slot of the other of the at least two gusset plates for interconnecting the gusset plates to form the gusset plate assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The column assembly of  claim 4  wherein each gusset plate includes at least two slots, each slot mating with a respective one of the slots of another of the gusset plates for interconnecting the gusset plates to form the gusset plate assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The column assembly of  claim 4  wherein each slot includes a closed end and an open end, the open end receiving a portion of said another of the gusset plates for interconnecting the gusset plates to form the gusset plate assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The column assembly of  claim 4  further comprising welds connecting the gusset plates to each other, the welds extending along the slots interconnecting the gusset plates. 
     
     
         8 . The column assembly of  claim 1  wherein each gusset plate includes a plurality of holes. 
     
     
         9 . The column assembly of  claim 8  further comprising threaded rods attaching the gusset plate assembly to the column, wherein the column comprises a polygonal cross section wall including opposing planar wall members, each opposing wall member having holes therein and being in face-to-face relationship with a respective one of the gusset plates, each threaded rod extending through the holes of the opposing planar wall members and through the holes of the gusset plates opposing the planar wall members. 
     
     
         10 . The column assembly of  claim 1  wherein the gusset plate assembly is welded to the column. 
     
     
         11 . The column assembly of  claim 10  further comprising a gusset plate-to-column weld, the first gusset plate-to-column weld extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the column. 
     
     
         12 . The column assembly of  claim 10  further comprising a first gusset plate-to-column weld connecting one of the gusset plates to the column, the first gusset plate-to-column weld extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the column, and a second gusset plate-to-column weld connecting said one of the gusset plates to the column, the second gusset plate-to-column weld extending along the longitudinal axis of the column. 
     
     
         13 . The column assembly of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the gusset plates has an elongate opening extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the column, the column assembly further comprising a weld in the elongate opening connecting the gusset plate to the column. 
     
     
         14 . The column assembly of  claim 13  wherein the elongate opening has an edge defining a closed loop encompassing the opening, and said weld extends along the entire edge of the elongate opening. 
     
     
         15 . A gusset plate assembly for connection to a column to attach a beam of a building to the column, the gusset plate assembly comprising at least two metal gusset plates sized for transferring the weight of the beam of the building to the column, the gusset plates being connected together in a fixed configuration with respect to each other, each gusset plate including at least one slot mated with a slot of another of the gusset plates thereby interconnecting the gusset plates and forming the gusset plate assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The gusset plate assembly of  claim 15  wherein each gusset plate includes at least two slots, each slot mating with a slot of another of the gusset plates for interconnecting the gusset plates to form the gusset plate assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The gusset plate assembly of  claim 15  wherein each slot includes a closed end and an open end, the open end receiving a portion of said another gusset plate for interconnecting the gusset plates to form the gusset plate assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The gusset plate assembly of  claim 15  wherein each gusset plate includes a plurality of holes. 
     
     
         19 . The gusset plate assembly of  claim 15  further comprising welds connecting the gusset plates to each other, the welds extending along the slots of the gusset plates. 
     
     
         20 . The gusset plate assembly of  claim 15  wherein at least one of the gusset plates has an elongate opening therein for receiving a weld to connect the gusset plate to the hollow tubular column. 
     
     
         21 . The gusset plate assembly of  claim 20  wherein the elongate opening has an edge defining a closed loop encompassing the opening, and said weld extends continuously along the entire edge of the elongate opening. 
     
     
         22 . A method of assembling a prefabricated column assembly comprising:
 providing a hollow tubular column;   assembling a gusset plate assembly including a plurality of gusset plates by attaching at least two of the gusset plates together; and   securing the gusset plate assembly to the hollow tubular column to form the column assembly, a first pair of the gusset plates extending laterally outward from the column along a first axis and defining a space for receiving an end portion of a first beam for mounting the first beam on the first pair of gusset plates, a second pair of the gusset plates extending laterally outward from the column along a second axis, the second pair of gusset plates defining a space for receiving an end portion of a second beam for mounting the second beam on the second pair of gusset plates thereby providing for bi-axial joint connection, wherein assembling the gusset plate assembly comprises attaching each gusset plate to at least another of the gusset plates, and wherein attaching each gusset plate comprises mating slots of respective gusset plates and welding the gusset plates together.   
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22  wherein securing the gusset plate assembly to the hollow tubular column comprises welding the gusset plate assembly to the hollow tubular column. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein securing the gusset plate assembly to the hollow tubular column comprises forming a weld extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the column. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25  wherein welding the gusset plate assembly to the hollow tubular column comprises forming a weld extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the column and forming a weld extending along a longitudinal axis of the column. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 22  wherein securing the gusset plate assembly to the hollow tubular column comprises attaching the gusset plate assembly to the hollow tubular column using threaded rods extending through the column and the gusset plates. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 22  further comprising placing concrete into the hollow tubular column. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 22  wherein securing the gusset plate assembly to the hollow tubular column to form the column assembly comprises welding at least one of the gusset plates to the column in an enclosed, elongate opening of the gusset plate, the elongate opening extending lengthwise of the column. 
     
     
         31 . The column assembly of  claim 1  wherein the gusset plate assembly defines a column passage, the hollow tubular column being received in the column passage.