A mathematical steel panel zone model for flanged cruciform columns

Cruciform sections are an appropriate option for columns of orthogonal moment resisting frames for equal bending strength and stiffness about two main axes and the implementation is easier for continuity plates. These columns consist of two I-shaped sections, so that one of them is cut out in middle and two generated T-shaped sections be welded into I-shaped profile. Furthermore, in steel moment frames, unbalance moment at the beamcolumn connection leads to shear deformation in panel zone. Most of the obtained relations for panel zone strength derived from experimental and analytical results are on I-shaped columns with almost thin flanges. In this paper, a parametric study has been carried out using Finite Element Method (FEM) with effective parameters at the panel zone behavior. These parameters consist of column flange thickness, column web thickness, and thickness of continuity plates. Additionally, a mathematical model has been suggested to determine strength of cruciform column panel zone and has been shown its accuracy and efficiency.