A new friction moment joint for steel framed structures is described. It has a similar cost to conventional construction and is designed such that there is negligible damage to the frame or slabs. Experimental testing shows that steel, brass or aluminium shims can provide satisfactory friction resistance and that there is almost no damage to the frame during design level displacements. A method for establishing the dependable friction force is developed considering construction tolerances and bolt moment-axial-force-shear interaction. A design methodology for the joint and a design example are provided.