What is moment connection in construction?

A shear tab is a small plate with a few bolts, while a CJP moment connection needs beveled flange preparation, backing bars, preheat, multiple weld passes, tight fit up, and ultrasonic testing by a special inspector. Continuity plates and doubler plates at the column add fabrication cost on top of that. The result is a connection that can run several times the installed cost of a simple shear connection, which is exactly why estimators carry it as a separate adder.

Start with the symbol legend on the structural general notes sheet, then walk every framing plan and check both ends of each beam on the moment frame grid lines. The symbol is usually a small solid triangle or flag at the beam end, and it is easy to miss at half scale on a crowded plan. Cross check against the lateral system elevations or a connection schedule if the set includes one, because the plan symbols and the schedule occasionally disagree and the conflict needs an RFI.

Yes, and the gap is significant. Field welding happens off a lift or scaffold, exposed to weather, with welding machines and leads staged on site, and the UT inspection happens in the field too, so labor productivity drops compared to a fabricator's shop. A shop welded connection with a bolted end plate moves most of that work into controlled conditions and leaves only bolting for the erector, which is why estimators split the count and carry a higher adder for field welded connections.