Elasto-plastic behavior of offset beam-to-column connection panels with exterior diaphragms

This paper presents the behavior of offset beam-to-column connection panels with exterior diaphragms. The plastic strength of panel is proposed based on two collapse mechanisms of the connection panels. One of the mechanism is only panel yielding type which is the same as the standard panel. The other is a mechanism by a combination of yielding in some parts such as panels, exterior diaphragms and column tube wall. The yield strength of panel is derived from conditions of stress corresponding to when the panel, which is connected by beams in both sides, initially reaches yielding. In order to confirm the applicability of the strength, cyclic loading tests of cruciform subassemblages were conducted. The major findings obtained by the test are summarized as follows: 1) the strength and stiffness of offset panels could be properly evaluated by the proposed formulae, 2) the characteristics of panels have been stable and shown no remarkable deterioration up to large deformation, 3) the assumed collapse mechanisms were in good agreement with the test results.