Analytical model for the prediction of the plastic shear resistance of the panel zone in welded joints

This article addresses the problem of prediction of the plastic shear resistance of the panel zone (PZ) in welded steel beam-to-column joints under monotonic loading. Existing analytical models are first critically reviewed through comparisons with available experimental data. These comparisons reveal that none of them is able to accurately capture all the complex phenomena governing the plastic shear resistance of the PZ. Therefore, a new analytical model is developed based on the extensive use of finite element (FE) analysis. This approach includes the development and validation of a FE model within the Abaqus environment and the use of the so-validated model in order to perform a parametric study on (non-)axially loaded (un-)stiffened interior and exterior joint configurations. This parametric study helps to gain a better understanding of the actual distributions of stresses within the PZ. Based on these observations, a new analytical model is proposed and validated against the numerical results. This model proves to work well and to outperform existing analytical models by providing a more coherent estimation of the plastic shear resistance of the PZ.