EVALUATION OF PLASTIC DEFORMATION CAPACITY OF BEAM-TO-COLUMN CONNECTIONS WITH H-SHAPED MEMBERS IN EXISTING STEEL BUILDING

This study discusses the plastic deformation capacity of panel-yielding type welded beam-to-column connections with H-shaped columns. Constant-amplitude cyclic loading tests of cruciform subassemblies taken from an existing steel moment frame were conducted to obtain deformation capacity curves until crack initiation and fracture at the beam end. The procedure for evaluating deformation capacity using the capacity curves was validated through variable-amplitude tests. Moreover, time history response analysis of plane frame models were conducted to clarify the influence of panel yielding on the plastic deformation capacity of beam ends based on cumulative damage indexes by the proposed procedure.