• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.57-64
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• 2011

An extensive database has been constructed of reinforced concrete (RC) beam-column connection tests subjected to cyclic lateral loading. All cases within the database experienced joint shear failure, either in conjunction with or without yielding of longitudinal beam reinforcement. Using the experimental database, envelope curves of joint shear stress vs. joint shear strain behavior have been created by connecting key points such as cracking, yielding, and peak loading. Various prediction approaches for RC joint shear behavior are discussed using the constructed experimental database. RC joint shear strength and deformation models are first presented using the database in conjunction with a Bayesian parameter estimation method, and then a complete model applicable to the full range of RC joint shear behavior is suggested. An RC joint shear prediction model following a U.S. standard is next summarized and evaluated. Finally, a particular joint shear prediction model using basic joint shear resistance mechanisms is described and for the first time critically assessed.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.76 no.3
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• pp.337-354
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• 2020

Reinforced concrete beam-column (RCBC) joints of laterally loaded unbraced frames are sometimes controlled by their shear behavior. This behavior relies on multiple and interdependent complex mechanisms. There are already several studies on the influence of some parameters on the shear strength of reinforced concrete joints. However, there are no studies methodically tackling all the most relevant parameters and quantifying their influence on the overall joint behavior, not just on its shear strength. Hence, considering the prohibitive cost of a comprehensive parametric experimental investigation, a nonlinear finite element analysis (NLFEA) was undertaken to identify the key factors affecting the shear behavior of such joints and quantify their influence. The paper presents and discusses the models employed in this NLFEA and the procedure used to deduce the joint behavior from the NLFEA results. Three alternative, or complementary, quantities related to shear are considered when comparing results, namely, the maximum shear stress supported by the joint, the secant shear stiffness at maximum shear stress and the secant shear stiffness in service conditions. Depending on which of these is considered, the lower or higher the relevance of each of the six parameters investigated: transverse reinforcement in the joint, intermediate longitudinal bars and diagonal bars in the column, concrete strength, column axial load and confining elements in transverse direction.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.645-669
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• 2004

In seismic analysis of moment-resisting frames, beam-column connections are often modeled with rigid joint zones. However, it has been demonstrated that, in ductile reinforced concrete (RC) moment-resisting frames designed based on current codes (to say nothing of older non-ductile frames), the joint zones are in fact not rigid, but rather undergo significant shear deformations that contribute greatly to global drift. Therefore, the "rigid joint" assumption may result in misinterpretation of the global performance characteristics of frames and could consequently lead to miscalculation of strength and ductility demands on constituent frame members. The primary objective of this paper is to propose a rational method for estimating the hysteretic joint shear behavior of RC connections and for incorporating this behavior into frame analysis. The authors tested four RC edge beam-column-slab connection subassemblies subjected to earthquake-type lateral loading; hysteretic joint shear behavior is investigated based on these tests and other laboratory tests reported in the literature. An analytical scheme employing the modified compression field theory (MCFT) is developed to approximate joint shear stress vs. joint shear strain response. A connection model capable of explicitly considering hysteretic joint shear behavior is then formulated for nonlinear structural analysis. In the model, a joint is represented by rigid elements located along the joint edges and nonlinear rotational springs embedded in one of the four hinges linking adjacent rigid elements. The connection model is able to well represent the experimental hysteretic joint shear behavior and overall load-displacement response of connection subassemblies.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.427-443
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• 2014

This paper presents detailed analysis of the internal forces of interior beam-column joints of reinforced concrete (RC) frames under seismic action, identifies critical joint sections, proposes consistent definitions of average joint shear stress and average joint shear strain, derives formulas for calculating average joint shear and joint torque, and reports simplified analysis of the effects of joint shear and torque on the flexural strengths of critical joint sections. Numerical results of internal joint forces and flexural strengths of critical joint sections are presented for a pair of concentric and eccentric interior connections extracted from a seismically designed RC frame. The results indicate that effects of joint shear and torque may reduce the column-to-beam flexural strength ratios to below unity and lead to "joint-yielding mechanism" for seismically designed interior connections. The information presented in this paper aims to provide some new insight into the seismic behavior of interior beam-column joints and form a preliminary basis for analyzing the complicated interaction of internal joint forces.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Rock Mechanics Conference
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• 2011.09a
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• pp.3-21
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• 2011

Laboratory experiments and numerical simulations using Particle Flow Code (PFC2D) were performed to study the effects of joint separation and joint overlapping on the full failure behavior of rock bridges under direct shear loading. Through numerical direct shear tests, the failure process is visually observed and the failure patterns are achieved with reasonable conformity with the experimental results. The simulation results clearly showed that cracks developed during the test were predominantly tension cracks. It was deduced that the failure pattern was mostly influenced by both of the joint separation and joint overlapping while the shear strength is closely related to the failure pattern and its failure mechanism. The studies revealed that shear strength of rock bridges are increased with increasing in the joint separation. Also, it was observed that for a fixed cross sectional area of rock bridges, shear strength of overlapped joints are less than the shear strength of non-overlapped joints.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1083-1101
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• 2015

Previous theoretical equations for the shear capacity of steel beam to concrete filled steel tube (CFT) column connections vary in the assumptions for the shear deformation mechanisms and adopt different equations for calculating shear strength of each component (steel tube webs, steel tube flanges, diaphragms, and concrete etc.); thus result in different equations for calculating shear strength of the joint. Besides, shear force-deformation relations of the joint, needed for estimating building drift, are not well developed at the present. This paper compares previously proposed equations for joint shear capacity, discusses the shear deformation mechanism of the joint, and suggests recommendations for obtaining more accurate predictions. Finite element analyses of internal diaphragm connections to CFT columns were carried out in ABAQUS. ABAQUS results and theoretical estimations of the shear capacities were then used to calibrate rotational springs in joint elements in OpenSEES simulating the shear deformation behavior of the joint. The ABAQUS and OpenSEES results were validated with experimental results available. Results show that: (1) shear deformation of the steel tube dominates the deformation of the joint; while the thickness of the diaphragms has a negligible effect; (2) in OpenSEES simulation, the joint behavior is highly dependent on the yielding strength given to the rotational spring; and (3) axial force ratio has a significant effect on the joint deformation of the specimen analyzed. Finally, modified joint shear force-deformation relations are proposed based on previous theory.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.429-449
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• 2013

Current Design Codes for Reinforced Concrete (RC) interior beam-column joints are based on limited experimental studies on the seismic behavior of eccentric joints. To supplement existing information, an experimental study was conducted that focused on the effect of eccentricity of the deeper beams with respect to the shallow beams. A total of eight one-third scale interior joints with beams of different depths were subjected to reverse cyclic loading. The primary variables in the test specimens were the amount of joint transverse reinforcement and the cross section of the shallow beams. The overall performance of each test assembly was found to be unsatisfactory in terms of joint shear strength, stiffness, energy dissipation and shear deformation. The results indicated that the vertical eccentricity of spandrel beams in this type of joint led to lower capacity in joint shear strength and severe damage of concrete in the joint core. Increasing the joint shear reinforcement was not effective to alter the failure mode from joint shear failure to beam yielding which is favorable for earthquake resistance design, whereas it was effective to reduce the crack width at the small loading stages. Based on the observed behavior, the shear stress of the joint core was suggested to be kept as low as possible for a safe and practical design of this type of joint.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.517-524
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• 2012

In this study, the effects of the inelastic shear behavior of beam-column joint and the vertical distribution of lateral load are evaluated considering higher modes on the response of RC OMRF using the pushover analysis. A structure used for the analysis was a 5-story structure located at site class SB and seismic design category C, which was designed in accordance with KBC2009. Bending moment-curvature relationship for beam and column was identified using fiber model. Also, bending moment-rotation relationship for beam-column joint was calculated using simple and unified joint shear behavior model and moment equilibrium relationship for the joint. The results of pushover analysis showed that, although the rigid beam-column joint overestimated the stiffness and strength of the structure, the inelastic shear behavior of beam-column joint could be neglected in the process of structural design since the average response modification factor satisfied the criteria of KBC2009 for RC OMRF independent to inelastic behavior of joint.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Railway
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.194-202
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• 2000

Fatigue behavior of shear joints between the combined reinforced concrete(RC) and the reinforced steel fiber concrete(SFRC) specimens has been experimentally investigated. Experimental parameters used are the amount of steel fiber and the type of shear joint. Six specimens have been tested under static load, and eight specimens have been subjected to the fatigue load in a range of 50 % and 5 % of the ultimate static load. The purpose of this research is to propose an empirical formula for fatigue shear behavior of the combined RC and SFRC structures on the basis of experimental result. It can be observed from experimental results that addition of steel fibers to concrete specimen increases the static ultimate load by approximately 25 %, enhances the fatigue behavior, and also reduces vertical and lateral displacements at the shear joint for a given load cycle after the occurrence of first crack.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.235-244
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• 2011

Failures of segmental bridges have been attributed to the inadequate joint connection techniques, which led to corrosion of the post-tensioned tendons connecting the segmental joints. The principal objective of this study is to evaluate the performances of the in-situ cast joint and epoxy applied shear key joints as a function of shear and ultimate strengths. Furthermore, shear behavior and strength of shear key joints in ultra high performance precasted concrete segmental bridges are experimentally evaluated to understand its shear failure behavior. The test parameters of shear key shape and type, load-displacement relations, cracking behavior, concrete strength, and fracture modes are considered in the study. Also, several parameters which influence the mechanical behavior of the shear key joint are analyzed. Based on the study results, the optimal shear key shape and joint type are proposed for the joint design and analysis guidelines.