Panel zone modelling of Flanged Cruciform Columns: An analytical and numerical approach

Flanged cruciform sections are proper alternatives for columns of orthogonal moment-resisting frames because of their outstanding structural characteristics and their easy fabrication process, especially regarding continuity plates. However, providing all conventional details of I-shaped columns, such as panel zone doubler plates, is not applicable. In this paper, a new panel zone detail for Flanged Cruciform Columns is proposed as a practical solution to increase the shear strength and stiffness of the panel zone region and to supersede the common doubler plates. The proposed detail includes inclined plates welded to edges of the column flanges and to continuity plates and two new corrugated panel zones parallel to the main panel zone. According to the different load path and behaviour of the proposed detail, new behaviour models and design equations are provided. The results of detailed parametric finite element analyses showed that the inclined plates and Accordion Paths effectively contributed to panel zone shear strength and stiffness. Furthermore, the proposed behaviour models and the designed relationships are in good agreement to numerical results and can estimate the connection behaviour reasonably well.