Strength calculation of RHS-column to beam connections with exterior diaphragms for exterior columns

In this paper, design formulae of RHS-column to beam connections with exterior diaphragms are proposed for exterior columns, where design formulae mean yield strength and ultimate strength. The authors have presented strength calculation formulae for interior columns, and it is possible to derive strength calculation formulae for exterior columns in the same way. For the perpose of comfirming the validity of the formulae, we performed monotonic tensile loading tests for beam-to-column connections. Major findings from the tests are summarized as follows: (1) the calculated values of the yield strength agreed well with the experimental results, (2) although the calculated values of the ultimate strength were about 45-70% of the experimental results, deformation of column tube walls was not very large.