Patent ID: 8074359

Claim:
A method of narrow-gap vertical Electroslag-welded moment connection between erected vertical column flanges for construction of buildings, the method comprising the steps of: a) determining a vertical column web thickness; b) determining a vertical column doubler plate thickness; c) determining a horizontal beam web thickness; d) determining a horizontal beam doubler plate thickness; and e) determining an optimal beam doubler plate slope to provide even shear stress distribution on a high deposition, submerged arc-weld length; by determining a maximum bending moment generated by a horizontal beam and determining a maximum allowable bending moment through a horizontal beam web and two horizontal beam doubler plate thicknesses, wherein the full force developed by a beam flange is transferred to a block formed by the horizontal beam web and the two horizontal beam doubler plates and through a vertical column web and two vertical column doubler plates; f) providing two vertical column doubler plates of equal length and thickness; g) shop welding the two vertical column doubler plates on either side of the vertical column web at a horizontal beam-to-column moment connection location; h) providing two horizontal beam doubler plates of equal length and thickness for the horizontal beam, each horizontal beam doubler plate having an equal sized radius; i) shop welding the horizontal beam doubler plates on either side of a horizontal beam web end; j) providing a horizontal beam erection support assembly, including a SUMP, wedges, and a lack screw assembly; k) shop welding the horizontal beam erection support assembly to the side of the vertical column web at the horizontal beam-to-column moment connection location; l) positioning the horizontal beam end with welded horizontal beam doubler plates into the horizontal beam erection support assembly thus defining a weld cavity between the supported horizontal beam web with horizontal beam doubler plates and the vertical column flange; m) placing copper welding shoes on either side of the weld cavity; n) placing a loose run-off tab made from copper or steel on top of the horizontal beam web and horizontal beam doubler plates; and o) vertical Electroslaq welding the horizontal beam web and horizontal beam doubler plates to the vertical column flange at the location of the erected vertical column web and welded vertical column doubler plates.