Fully restrained vs Partially restrained connection?

[ajw771983]

Good morning all!

I have attached a connection detail, basically a double channel is sandwiching a tube, and they are connected with thru bolts.

The question is if the connection can be assumed as fully restrained. I think is more of a partially restrained connection but wanted to see your opinions

Thanks

 

[JoshPlumSE]

Isn't Partially vs Fully restrained usually a question of beam to column moment connections?

This is more of a beam splice. It certainly is capable of transmitting some moment, but it is not a very good moment splice.

This setup is kind of similar to what I see in wood roofs. Where you have some Glulam beams that span from column to column.... cantilevering over the column on each side. Then you splice in a smaller wood beam. In that case, this would be viewed as a pinned connection.

 

[ajw771983]

Thank you @JoshPlumSE ! Yes, I agree with you. FR vs PR is more for beam to columns connection.

The reason I'm asking is because assuming that the beam is fully continuous at the splice points, (for seismic analysis purposes) is unconservative.
I'm thinking maybe I can do some FEA to try to come up with a rotational stiffness at the connection points. Then, I can model this in RISA with a rotational spring, like the one in the attachment.