In this paper the history of moment resisting steel frame connection design is outlined, covering the period from the relaxation of the building height restrictions in Southern California some thirty years ago to the present time. Successive developments such as changes in the panel zone details and reduction in redundancy provisions are covered leading up to the problems exposed by the Northridge earthquake. The establishment of the Joint Venture partnership (SAC) between the Structural Engineers Association of California, the Applied Technology Council and CUREe (California Universities for Earthquake Engineering Research) with the object of solving these problems is described. The Phase I of the SAC Program, costing around two million United States dollars and extending over one year, was concluded in 1995 with the publication of Interim Guidelines for the evaluation, repair, modification and design of welded steel moment frame structures. Phase II, with a budget of about nine million dollars and extending over three years, is also being coordinated by the SAC Joint Venture. The results of Phase I and progress with Phase II are summarised.

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