Calculation Method of shear strength of vertical stiffener connections to L

Based on the low cyclic loading test results of vertical stiffener connections between L-shaped columns composed of concrete-filled steel tubes and steel beams, a simplified trilinear model to predict the shear strength versus the shear deformation response in panel zone is presented in this article. Considering the characteristics of the panel zone, the strength of the joints is determined by contributions from the web of steel tubes and internal short beams, core concrete diagonal struts and the steel frame yield hinge mechanism. Existing calculation methods, which are applicable to the vertical stiffener connection to L-shaped columns composed of concrete-filled steel tube, are summarized and modified in this article. In addition, the use of the proposed design equations led to excellent agreement with experimental shear strength for both corner and exterior vertical stiffener connections to L-shaped columns composed of concrete-filled steel tube