Experimental and numerical study on cyclic behaviour ofsteel beam-to-column joints

Ten specimens are tested to investigate the cyclic behavior of beam-to-column joints of steel frames with joint panels. The performances of the joints with respect to strength, rigidity, and hysteretic performance are examined. Three different loadcarrying mechanisms can be identified. Panel resistance ratio (R_p) is presented for predicting the buckling patterns. The validityof R_p is confirmed through the present experimental results. On the basis of the experimental results of steel beam-to-columnmoment joints, 3-D nonlinear finite element models are established to analyze the mechanical properties of these connections.The load-displacement curves of the finite element analysis are in good agreement with those of the tests in terms of strengthand unloading stiffness. A shear lag phenomenon was captured in the beam flanges by not only experimental results but alsonumerical analysis. Parametric studies are conducted on the connections under monotonic loading to investigate the influencesof connection dimension, resistance ratio on the connection behavior. It was found that the failure modes are influenced by theresistance ratio, while the thickness of joint panels resulting in large effects on the strength and stiffness under shear failure mode.