Seismic behavior of diaphragm-through connections of concrete-filled square steel tubular columns and H-shaped steel beams

Based on the introductions of a type of diaphragm-through connection between concrete-filled square steel tubular columns (CFSSTCs) and H-shaped steel beams, a finite element model of the connection is developed and used to investigate the seismic behavior of the connection. The results of the finite element model are validated by a set of cyclic loading tests. The cyclic loading tests and the finite element analyses indicate that the failure mode of the suggested connections is plastic hinge at the beam with inelastic rotation angle exceeding 0.04 rad. The suggested connections have sufficient strength, plastic deformation and energy dissipation capacity to be used in composite moment frames as beam-to-column rigid connections.