panel zone frame model

[mel]

I am trying to model the panel zone(s) of a composite sub-assemblage. In the model I am using there is a panel zone where the steel beam connects to the steel column and a panel zone above it where the concrete slab connects to the steel column. If I use rigid elements to represent the parameter of the panel zone I will still need 1 diagonal link per panel zone between the nodes of opposite corners of the panel zone which will represent the tri-linear asymmetric curve type of each panel zone respectively. Do you have any suggestions? The link elements type with a trl-asm is exactly what I need, however the links cannot be utilized unless the first two nodes are coincident which mine would not be. Any suggestions would be great!

[seismosoft]

Mel,

Thank you for the advanced query. SeismoStruct does indeed not currently have non-zero length link elements, as you would need, hence you will have to make do with a combination of rigid elements (or rigid link constraints) plus link elements with a trilinear response curve.

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