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Abstract The design of moment connections of steel I-beams and concrete filled steel tube (CFST) columns is not sufficiently covered in the current specifications. The connections of CFST columns are considered a disadvantage due to the lack of experience and labor. In this research program, both experimental and theoretical programs were performed to study the behavior of moment connections of steel I-beams and CFST columns. In the experimental program, five full scale connections were tested. The connections were subjected to a concentrated load applied at the top of the column with hinged and roller supports and at the beam end producing bending moment at beam-to-column connection. A finite element model was developed to simulate the behavior of such specimens taking into consideration nonlinear geometric and material analyses. The modified Newton-Raphson iterative method was used and the load was applied in increments. The results from the developed finite element model showed a good agreement with the experimental results. Once the validity of this model was verified, it was used to conduct wide range parametric studies. In the first part, the effects of column cross section shape (square or circular) as well as different stiffener configurations were studied. In the second part, the effect of column stiffener dimensions, filling the column with concrete as well as column cross section dimensions and shape are studied. Different proposed design equations, based on the results developed from the analytical and experimental studies were proposed. The ultimate moment capacities of such connections computed using the proposed design equations were compared to those obtained analytically from this study and from design guides. The comparison showed a good agreement with the results. |