Abstract
This paper presents a method of evaluating the yield strength of square hollow section column to H shaped beam connections stiffened by exterior diaphragms. The full plastic strength is obtained by applying limit analysis to the collapse mechanism, which consists of the yield lines on the column wall and the some yield zones of the diaphragm. The yield strength is derived from the yield areas of diaphragms on the mechanism. The analytical results are verified through comparison with results of finite element analyses and experiments. Further, a practical formula for evaluating the yield strength of the connections is proposed.
