World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology 50 2009

Panel Zone Rigidity Effects on Special Steel

Moment-Resisting Frames According to the
Performance Based Design
Mahmoud Miri1, Morteza Naghipour2, Amir Kashiryfar3

Abstract—The unanticipated destruct of more of the steel moment extent of plastic deformations in the panel zone needs to be
frames in Northridge earthquake, altered class of regard to the beam- adequately assessed. [2]
to-column connections in moment frames. Panel zone is one the
significant part of joints which, it’s stiffness and rigidity has an
important effect on the behavior and ductility of the frame.
Specifically that behavior of panel zone has a very significant effect
on the special moment frames. In this paper , meanwhile the relations
for modeling of panel zone in frames are expressed , special moment
frames with different spans and stories were studied in the way of
performance-based design. The frames designed in according with
Iranian steel building code. The effect of panel zone is also considered
and in the case of non-existence of performance level, by changing in
intimacies and parameter of panel zone, performance level is
considered.
Keywords— steel moment frame, panel zone, performance
based design
I. INTRODUCTION
After the Northridge earthquake in 1994, a number of steel
moment-frame buildings were found to have brittle fractures of
beam-to-column connections. Design practice before the Figure 1. Definition of panel zone [13]
Northridge earthquake in 1994, encouraged connections with
relatively weak panel zones. In connections with excessively II. PANEL ZONE
weak panel zones, inelastic behavior of the assembly is
dominated by shear deformation of the panel zone. This panel 2.1 Panel zone strength
zone shear deformation, result in a local kinking of the column Research performed by Krawinkler has shown that the
flanges adjacent to the beam-flange to column-flange joint and strength of the panel zone consists of two components; shear in
further increases the stress and strain demands in this sensitive the panel itself, and flexure in the column flanges. The larger
region. [1]
of these components is the panel zone shear, which is resisted
The panel zone is the region in the column web defined by the
by the web of the column with the stiffener plate(doubler plate)
extension of the beam flange lines into the column (figure1).
, if present. The joint panel zone shear strength can be obtained
Lateral loads in moment frames develop high shear forces
from the following formula:[8,10]
within the panel zone. The resulting deformations of the panel 2
zone can have an important effect on the elastic and inelastic 3bc t cf
Vy 0.55Fy d c t[1  ] (1)
behaviours of the frames. [5] Previous research investigations db dct
have indicated that the panel zone has a ductile and stable
Where bc = the width of the column flange; d b = the depth of
behaviour. The concentration of some inelastic deformations in
the panel zone may be employed to relieve the demand the beam; d c =the column depth; t = the total thickness of the
deformations on the beams. However excessive inelastic joint panel zone including stiffener plates; and t cf = the
deformations in the panel zone may damage the connection
thickness of the column flange.
and impair the global structural behaviour. Therefore, the
2.2 panel zone doubler plate
1
Civil engineering department, University of Sistan & Baluchestan, Zahedan,
Panel zone stiffener plates (doubler plates) may be required to
Iran control panel zone yield and deformation. Stiffener plates
2
Civil engineering department, babol noshirvani University of technology, provided to increase the design strength of the panel zone or to
babol, Iran
3
civil engineering department, University of sistan & baluchestan, zahedan, reduce the web depth thickness ratio shall be placed next to the
Iran column web and welded across the plate width along the top

925
 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology 50 2009

and bottom with at least a minimum fillet weld. The stiffener elastic shear deformation of an effective shear area of the panel
plates shall be fastened to the column flanges using either bolts zone. They suggested the yield moment and elastic stiffness of
or fillet welded joints to develop the design shear strength of the panel zone be taken as follows:[5]
the stiffener plate.[10]

2.3 modeling of panel zone pa Vy db W y Aeff d b (2)

My
Most of the pioneering work on nonlinear panel zone modeling (1  U ) (1  U )
has been done by Krawinkler. A suitable model for modeling My
pa
GAeff d b
the nonlinear behavior of frames with yielding beams, K el (3)
Jy (1  U )
columns, and panel zones is shown in Figure 2.

where V y is the yield shear force of the panel zone,

( d b  t bf ) , Wy
U , G is the elastic shear modulus, and
Jy
Hc G
W Y is the Von Mises yield shear stress of the column web, based
on shear and axial force interaction. The Von Mises yield shear
stress, W Y , is taken as:
Vy p 2
Wy 1 ( ) (4)
3 py

Where p and p y are the axial force and the axial yield force
on the column, respectively, and V y is the yield stress of the
Figure 2. panel zone modeling[13] column web.
Fielding and Krawinkler considered the effective shear area

This model holds the full dimension of the panel zone with
Aeff equal to ( d c  t cf )t cw , and Wang considered the
rigid links and controls the deformation of the panel zone using effective shear area Aeff of (d c  2t cf )t cw , where the
two bilinear springs that work as a tri-linear behavior. The first
subscripts ‘c’, ‘f’, and ‘w’ stand for column, flange, and web,
slope past yield is steep and represents the behavior between
respectively.
the time that yielding is initiated and the full plastic capacity is
reached. After the plastic capacity is reached, a small slope (2 2.4.2 Post-elastic range
%) or zero slopes may be used. This is shown in figure 3. Since Fielding and Huang proposed a bi-linear relationship (figure4)
yielding in the beams, columns, and panel zones is represented for the panel zone behaviour in which the post-elastic stiffness
well by this model, the actual distribution of yielding K pel is defined:[5]
throughout the structure will be represented well.
3
Gbc t cf
K p el 5 .2 (5)
d b (1  U )

Figure 3. trilinear relationship for panel zone modeling

2.4 review on panel zone equations

2.4.1 Elastic range
Past researchers (Wang, Fielding and Krawinkler) computed
the elastic stiffness of the panel element by considering pure Figure4. bi-linear relationship for panel zone[2]

926
 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology 50 2009

Krawinkler proposed a tri-linear (figure5) representation in Figure 6 shows the Schematic representations of push over
which the post-elastic stiffness K pel and the second yield curves.
moment M sh pa is:
Gbc t cf
2 (6)
K p  el 1.04
(1  U )

pa pa W y bc tcf 2
M sh My  3.12 (7)
1 U
Wang suggested the post-elastic stiffness K pel , as follows:

2
K p el 0.7Gbcf t cf (8)

Figure5. Tri-linear relationship for panel zone [2]

Krawinkler and Wang assumed that strain hardening begins at

J sh 4J y and J sh 3.5J y , respectively.
The strain-hardening branch stiffness was suggested as
follows:
Gst Aeff d b
K sh (9)
1 U Figure 6. Schematic representations of push over curves[12]
Where G st is the strain hardening shear modulus.
IV. EVALUATIONS OF FRAMES IN ELASTIC REGIOUN
III. CAPACITY SPECTRUM METHOD Most of the designs are performed according to the supposition
ATC-40 details the Capacity Spectrum Method (Freeman et of rigid panel zone. According to FEMA356[11] if the
al., 1975). Commonly this method applies to obtaining target expected shear strength of panel zone exceeds the flexural
displacement for performance based assessment of frames. In strength of the beams at a beam column connection , and the
this approach the pushover curve is plotted as a “capacity stiffness of the panel zone is at the least 10 times larger than
curve,” a form in which plotting occurs in the domain of modal the flexural stiffness of the beam , direct modeling of the panel
response acceleration vs. modal response displacement, as zone shall not be required. Therefore this case should be
opposed to base shear versus roof displacement. Modal considered that if panel zone can not supply this strength and
displacement demand is determined from the intersection of rigidity, hypothesis of rigid panel zone may cause the false
the capacity curve with a demand curve that consists of the estimation of forces and deformations of frame.
smoothed response spectrum representing the design ground In this article , 2D special moment resisting frames(4 story
motion, modified to account for inelastic structural response with 3 span , 8 story with 4 span and 12 story with 6 span)
behavior.[12] studied in supposition of rigid panel zone , panel zone without

927
 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology 50 2009

doubler plate and panel zone reinforced by optimize doubler 4 story- 3span
plate. Frame’s behaviour were evaluated and compared
4
without changing in beam and column profiles, by changing
panel zone. In this paper, panel zone rigidity obtained by 3

doubler plate thickness.

Story
2
In all frames, width of spans is 5m and stories height is 3m
1
and bottom story height is 2.8m. Sections for all columns are
IPB and for beams is IPE. Structure designing and controlling 0
the criterion of steel moment resisting frame was executed base 0 0.001 0.002 0.003 0.004 0.005
Drift
on UBC97 [10] and Iranian standard No.2800 [7]. PZ w ith thick doubler plate PZ w ithout doubler plate
PZ w ith suitable doubler plate
Linear analysis has been conducted using the ETABS program
Version 8.4.8 and nonlinear analysis has been conducted by 8 story- 4 span

PERFORM-3D version 4 program. In PEROFRM-3D

8
program, with assignment the panel zone element to the joint, 7

Krawinkler tri-linear relation was considered for panel zone.[6] 6

As an example, sections of beams and columns , designed for 8 5

Story
4
story frame were showed in table 1.
3

story ˺ ˻ ˼ ̊ ̋ ̌ ̀ ́ 1

0
Interior 0 0.001 0.002 0.003 0.004
IPB ̊̋˹ ̊̋˹ ̊˹˹ ̊˹˹ ˼̌˹ ˼̌˹ ˼˻˹ ˼˻˹ Drift
columns PZ w ith thick doubler plate PZ w ithout doubler plate
PZ w ith suitable doubler plate
Exterior
IPB ˼̌˹ ˼̌˹ ˼̌˹ ˼̌˹ ˼̊˹ ˼̊˹ ˻̊˹ ˻̊˹
columns 12 story- 6 span
Beams IPE ̊̋˹ ̊̋˹ ̊̋˹ ̊˹˹ ̊˹˹ ̊˹˹ ˼̌˹ ˼̌˹ 12

Table1. Sections assigned for 8story frame 10

8
4.1 Comparison between frames period
Story

6
Comparison between frames period of fundamental mode in
4
different cases of panel zone, has shown in figure 7.
2

0
0 0.001 0.002 0.003 0.004
Drift
1.6
PZ w ith thick doubler plate PZ w ithout doubler plate
PZ w ith suitable doubler plate
1.4

1.2
Figure 8. Comparison between story drifts of frames
1
period(s)

0.8
As it shown in diagrams, by increasing panel zone rigidity
0.6
story drifts are reduced.
0.4

0.2 V. EVALUATION OF FRAMES IN NONLINEAR RANGE

0
4story 8story 12story Pushover method was used for evaluating nonlinear behaviour
w ithout doubler plate w ith suitable doubler plate w ith thick doubler plate of frames, and target displacement of frames was obtained by
capacity spectrum method. Beams and columns plastic hinges
Figure 7. Comparison frames period
and gravity load combination and lateral load distribution were
attributed to frames based on FEMA 356[11] and “Instruction
As it shown in diagrams, by increasing panel zone rigidity
for Seismic Rehabilitation of Existing Buildings No. 360”.[9].
period in fundamental mode of frames is reduced.
Two pattern of lateral load distribution were considered for all
frames. In 4 and 8 stories frames for the modal pattern, a
4.2 comparisons between the story drifts
vertical distribution proportional to the shape of fundamental
mode was used, and for all frames, a uniform distribution
Comparison between story drifts of frames in different cases of
consisting of lateral forces at each level proportional to the
panel zone rigidity shown in figure 8.
total mass at each level, was used for second pattern. But in 12
story frame , due to less than 75% of the total mass participated

928
 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology 50 2009

in fundamental mode , a vertical distribution proportional to 4 story frame without doubler plate , supplied life safety
the shear story distribution calculated by combining modal performance level (LS).
response from a response spectrum analysis , was used for Figure 10 shows the performance levels of plastic hinge of
modal pattern. frames. Numbers (1) , (2) and (3) in front of frame elements in
figure 10 , are illustrative the cases of panel zone that they are:
5.1 Comparisons between capacity spectrum curve of frames
without doubler plate , with thick doubler plate and with
Figure 8 has shown the comparison between capacity suitable(optimum) doubler plate, respectively.
spectrums of the frames in different cases of panel zone. By evaluating the performance level of 4 story frame in BSE-1
As shown in diagrams, by increasing panel zone rigidity, shear earthquake hazard level , it was shown that if the frame is
capacity of frames increased. studied with the supposition of non-rigid panel zone and , with
According to the figure 9 panel zone has a significant effect on attribution of panel zone element in state without doubler plate
the capacity spectrum of frames with short height. joints , had passed collapse prevention performance level (CP)
4 story
, whereas most of the beams.
0.45
4story
0.4

percentage of plastic hinge in performance

0.35 100% 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0.3 90% 25
80% 37.5
0.25 50 50 50
70%
Sa

0.2 60% 75
84

level(%)
50% 100 100
0.15
40% 75 25
0.1 62.5
30%
50 50
0.05 20%
10% 25 25
0 16
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4 0.45 0% 0 0 0

1)

2)

3)

)
Sd

(1

(2

(3

(1

(2

(3
s(

s(

s(

es

es

es
ns

ns

ns
am

am

am
without doubler plate with thick doubler plate with suitable doubler plate

on

on

on
m

m
be

be

be

lu

lu

lu

lz

lz

lz
co

co

co

ne

ne

ne
pa

pa

pa
8 story IO LS CP >CP

0.4

0.35 8story
percentage of plastic hinge in performance level(%)

0.3
100% 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
12.5 12.5 12.5 8.4
0.25 90%

0.2
80% 40
Sa

70%
0.15
60%
87.5 87.5 87.5
0.1 50% 100
87.5 87.5 87.5 91.6
40%
0.05
30% 60
0 20%
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8
10%
Sd
12.5 12.5 12.5
0% 0
w ithout doubler plate w ith thick doubler plate w ith suitable doubler plate
)

)
1)

2)

3)

(2

(3
(1

(2

(3

(1
s(

s(

s(

es

es

es
ns

ns

ns
am

am

am

on

on

on
m
m

m
be

be

be

lu

lu

lu

lz

lz

lz
co

co

co

ne

ne

ne

12 story
pa

pa

pa

0.4
IO LS CP >CP

0.35

0.3 12 story
percentage of plastic hinge in performance level(%)

0.25
100% 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2.1 0
0.2
Sa

90%

0.15 80%
55
70%
0.1 73
60%
91.6 91.6 91.6
0.05 50% 100 100 100 97.9

0 40%
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 30%
Sd
20% 45
w ithout doubler plate w ith thick doubler plate w ith suitable doubler plate 27
10%
8.4 8.4 8.4
0%

Figure 9. Comparison between capacity spectrum curves of frames in

1)

2)

3)

)
(1

(2

(3

(1

(2

(3
s(

s(

s(

es

es

es
ns

ns

ns
am

am

am

on

on

on
m

m
be

be

be

lu

lu

lu

different cases of panel zone

lz

lz

lz
co

co

co

ne

ne

ne
pa

pa

pa

IO LS CP >CP

5.2 Performance based assessment of frames

It was cleared by evaluating frames in BSE-1(~10%/50 year)

earthquake hazard level[11] or DBE[9] , all frames except the Figure 10. Performance levels of plastic hinge of frames in BSE-1
earthquake hazard level.

929
 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology 50 2009

were in immediate occupancy performance level (IO). In the only 12 story frame with optimum panel zone doubler plate
next stage doubler plates with high thickness are attributed to was supplied collapse prevention performance level (CP).
panel zone element and again the performance level of frame
studied. It was realized that with reducing deformations in
panel zones, their performance levels will reach to (IO) in most VI. CONCLOSIONS

of the joints , whereas deformations in beams increased and In frames with weak panel zone area, that the story drifts are
beams were placed in more ultimate performance level than more than permitted rate according to standards, the story
column’s and panel zone’s performance level. drifts could be developed by reinforcing panel zone by doubler
Therefore in the next stage doubler plates will be attributed to plate.
panel zone that will develop this element performance level Panel zone rigidity has important effect on other elements of
and on the other hand beam and panel zone performance level structure like beam. In evaluating performance level of the
will be adjacent , so that plastic hinges are created firstly in the most considered frames, panel zone has performance level
beams and then in the panel zones and finally in columns. This more critical than other elements like beam. By assignment
method of plastic hinge formation in the structural frame is the doubler plates in the panel zone, increasing panel zone rigidity
most suitable method of losing energy obtained from seismic reduces deformations of this element and develops it’s
forces and creating suitable seismic function for structure. performance level. But it should be considered that high
Capacity spectrum of 4 and 8 story frames had not passed thickness of doubler plates and high rigidity of panel zone will
demand spectrum of BSE-2(~2%/50year) earthquake hazard increase nonlinear deformation rates in beam element.
level or MPE [9]. Target displacement of 12 story frame was Therefore doubler plates should be attributed to the panel zone
found in BSE-2 earthquake hazard level and performance so that after creating plastic hinge in beams and losing most
levels of plastic hinges shown in figure 11. part of energy due to earthquake by this element, the panel
zone can prevent beam destruction by losing earthquake
comparision between performance levels of energy with nonlinear deformations.
panel zones in 12 story
By increasing height of frames, the frames will show better
120 function.
percentage of plastic hinge of panel zones in

100 0 0
16.6
performance level(%)

31.3
80 7 REFERENCES
>CP
4.1 64.6 CP
60 [1]: Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA-355d,
LS

40
39.6
83.4 IO September, 2000, State of the art report on connection
performance.
20 35.4
25 [2]: J.M.Castro, A.Y.Elghazouli, and B.A Izzuddin. “Modeling
0 of the Steel and Composite Moment Frames”, Journal of
w ithout doubler w ith thick doubler w ith suitable
plate plate doubler plate Engineering Structures, 27(2005) 129-144
[3]: William M.Downs, Simpson Strong Tie, “Modeling
com parision betw een perform ance levels of beam s in Procedures for Panel Zone Deformation’s in Moment
12 story
Resisting Frames”, International Conferences of Connection’s
120
in Steel Moment Frame’s, V, Amsterdam, June 3-4 , 2004
[4]: FEMA 451, NEHRP Recommended Provisions: Design
percentage of plastic hinge of beams in

100 0 0 Examples, Chapter 3, Structural Analysis, 49-144

performance level(%)

80 36.2 41.6
[5]: Kee Dong Kim, Michael D. Engelhardt. “Monotonic and
>CP
58.4 Cyclic Loading Models for Panel Zones in Steel Moment
CP
60 Frames” Journal of Constructional Steel Research; No. 58
LS
16.6
40
I0 (2002) 605-635
63.8 [6]: PERFORM-3D, Nonlinear Analysis and Performance
20 41.6 41.6 Assessment for 3D Structures, User Guide, version4, August
0 0 0 0
2006
w ithout doubler w ith thick doubler w ith suitable [7]: Building & Housing Research Center , Iranian Code of
plate plate doubler plate
Practice for Seismic Resistant Design of Buildings , Standard
No.2800 2nd.Edition-2005
Figure 11. Performance level of plastic hinges of beams and panel
[8]: Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Iranian
zones of 12 story in BSE-2 earthquake hazard level.
National Building Code , part:10 , Steel Structures , 2004

930
 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology 50 2009

[9]: Islamic Republic of Iran , Management and Planning [12]: Applied Technology Council, ATC 55: Evaluation and
Organization , Instruction for Seismic Rehabilitation of Improvement of Inelastic Seismic Analysis Procedures,
Existing Buildings ,No. 360, 2007 December 2001
[10]: 1997 Uniform Building Code, UBC97 [13]: Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA 356f,
[11]: Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA 356, State of the Art Report on Performance Prediction and
November 2000, Prestandard and Commentary for the Seismic Evaluation of Steel Moment-Frame Buildings.
Rehabilitation of Buildings.

931