Moment connections are designed to transfer bending moments, shear forces and sometimes normal forces. The design strength and stiffness of a moment connection are defined in relation to the strength and stiffness of the connected members. The design strength of a moment connection may be full- strength (i.e. the moment capacity of the connection is equal to or large than the capacity of the connected member) or partial-strength (i.e. the moment capacity of the connection is less than that of the connected member). Similarly the stiffness of a moment connection can be rigid or semi-rigid compared to the stiffness of the connected member.
The rotation capacity of the structure may be provided by either the connection or the connected member.
The rotation capacity of the structure may be provided by either the connection or the connected member.
