• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.37-57
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• 2012

The behavior of beam-column joints in moment resisting frame structures is susceptible to damage caused by seismic effects due to poor performance of the joints. A good number of researches were carried out to understand the complex mechanism of RC joints considered in current seismic design codes. The traditional construction detailing of transverse reinforcement has resulted in serious joint failures during earthquakes. This paper introduces a new design philosophy involving the use of additional diagonal bars within the joint particularly suitable for low to medium seismic effects in earthquake zones. In this study, ten full-scale interior beam-column specimens were constructed with various additional reinforcement details and configurations. The results of the experiment showed that adding additional bars is a promising approach in reinforced concrete structures where earthquakes are eminent. In terms of overall cracking observation during the test, the specimens with additional bars (diagonal and straight) compared with the ones without them showed fewer cracks in the column. Furthermore, concrete confinement is certainly an important design measure as recommended by most international codes.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.447-455
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• 2013

In this study, reinforced concrete slabs with steps were experimentally studied to analyze their structural performance and to suggest reinforcing details in the step. Because the stepped slabs may behave very poorly in terms of bending strength, stiffness, deflection, cracking, etc., the study is aimed to suggest proper reinforcing details such that the same bending strength is obtained as that without steps. The bending strengths of 12 test specimens with a variety of different reinforcing detail types or other parameters were compared with each other. The specimen without any additional reinforcement in the step had a very low bending strength and significant damage, and the specimens with diagonal reinforcements in the step showed substantial early cracks, experienced hinging of the step, and had a substantial loss of the bending strength. In contrast, the specimens with a combination of U-bars, reversed U-bars, L-bars, and reversed L-bars performed very well and almost reached to 100% of the slab bending strength. The U-bars and reversed U-bars were effective in controling the diagonal cracks, while the L-bars and reversed L-bars were effective in preventing from yielding of slab reinforcement near the step.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.40-47
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• 2022

The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of different techniques for controlling the diagonal cracks at the corners of openings on the strength, deformation, and crack propagation in reinforced concrete walls. The crack control strip proposed in this study, the conventional diagonal steel reinforcing bars, and stress-dispersion curved plates were investigated for controlling the diagonal cracks at the opening corners. An additional crack self-healing function was also considered for the crack control strip. To evaluate the volume change ratio and crack width propagation around the opening, downsized wall specimens with a opening were tested under the diagonal shear force at the opening corner. Test result showed that the proposed crack control strip was more effective in reducing the volume change and controlling the crack width around the opening when compared to the conventional previous methods. The crack control strip with crack healing feature displayed the superior performance in improving the strength of the wall and reducing the crack width while healing cracks occurred in the previous tests.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.221-234
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• 2014

A nonlinear finite element analysis using ANSYS is used to evaluate the seismic behavior of reinforced concrete exterior beam-column joints. The behavior of the finite element models under cyclic loading is compared with the experimental results. Two beam-column joint specimens (SH and SHD) with square hoop confinement in joint and throughout the column with detailing as per IS 13920 are studied. The specimen SHD was provided with additional diagonal bars from column to beam to relocate the plastic hinge formation from beam-column interface. The load-displacement relationship, joint shear stress and strain in beam obtained from numerical study showed good agreement with the experimental results. This investigation proves that seismic behaviour of reinforced concrete beam-column joints under reversed cyclic loading can be evaluated successfully using finite element modeling and analysis.