Abstract: A modular node for a rectangular steel tubular column to an H-beam is proposed. Nonlinear finite element analysis is conducted to stimulate the monotonic loading of a modular node and a traditional welded node. The propensity for the ductile fracture initiation of different nodes is evaluated. The research shows that the proposed modular node exhibits better ductility, leading to a larger extent to utilize stable energy dissipation capacity from the shear plastic deformation of a panel zone.