DuraFuse Frame EDG

DuraFuse Frame EDG is the latest advancement in special moment frame connections. Its key innovation is a fuse plate at the bottom beam flange, resulting in a compact connection profile with no plates extending beyond the column or above and below the beam. The fuse is engineered to yield in tension and compression without external restraint. Full-scale testing has validated its performance for both new construction and pre-Northridge seismic retrofit applications. For new construction, EDG reduces steel tonnage, eliminates seismic lateral bracing, removes the need for protected zones in beams or columns, and allows for field-bolted erection. These efficiencies lower costs and improve functional recovery after severe

 earthquakes, thanks to the replaceable bottom flange fuse. In retrofit projects, fabrication and construction are streamlined, and testing confirms that existing beam-column welds do not require modification. The fuse has demonstrated strength and ductility in experiments and can be customized to match the capacity of existing elements, minimizing the need to strengthen columns or beams. DuraFuse Frame EDG offers innovative solutions for both new construction and seismic retrofits.