This paper puts forward an improved side plate reinforced beam-to-column connection.The reinforced plate is composed of two rectangular column side plates and four right angle trapezoid beam side plates.Based on the existing experiment of beam flange side plate reinforced joints

the finite element software ABAQUS was used to simulate the cyclic performance of the improved side plate reinforced beam-to-column connection for 11 models with different part-dimensions.Results showed that under the cyclic loading

the buckling deformation did not formed in the beam section at the end of the reinforced plate in the joint model reinforced by two small rectangular column side plates

while the stress concentration decreased in the beam section at the end of the reinforced plate

and the plastic deformation still concentrated on the panel zone of the column web.After replacing the two small rectangular column side plates with a large column side plate

the bearing capacity of the connection improved substantially

and the plastic deformation concentrated on the beam section at the end of the beam side plate.The panel zone was now in an elastic state.It indicated that the reinforced technique accords with the seismic design principle of "strong joint and weak member".Some suggestions for side plate design were presented.The column side plate was recommended to extend out 50 mm from the column flange surface.The height of the column side plate should be equal to the height of the beam section.The thickness of the column side plate could be 6 mm.The lateral edges of the beam side plate are suggested to reach the edges of the column flange.The ratio of the length to width of the end triangle plate could be 1∶2-1∶3

and the length of the rectangle of the beam side plate could be the same as or slightly larger than that of the triangle is recommended.