On the basis of analysis and induction of experimental results on earthquake-resistant frame joint both at home and abroad, it is clearly pointed out that the mechanical characteristics of the joint in which shear failure may occur after yielding of longitudinal rebars at the beam end or at the column end are classified into three types, i. e ., diagonal tension, diagonal compression and a combination of diagonal tension and diagonal compression. A region of these three types of mechanical characteristics in the coordinates composed of relative shear force and relative ratio of transverse reinforcement is given, and the variation law and the corresponding reasons for the mechanical behaviors with the relative transverse reinforcement are analysed.