Panel Zone Yielding in Steel Moment Connections

The effect of panel zone yielding on the behavior of fully restrained steel moment connections is investigated. The evolution of seismic design provisions for steel panel zones is discussed and experimental evidence is presented that suggests that an excessively weak panel zone could be detrimental to connection behavior. The observed behavior is explained through detailed inelastic finite element analyses. Based on the experimental and analytical evidence, modifications to existing seismic provisions for steel panel zones are proposed that make the provisions conceptually more transparent.