Seismic behavior of nonseismically detailed interior beam-wide column and beam-wall connections.

Abstract

Six full-scale nonseismically detailed reinforced concrete (RC)

interior beam-wide column and beam-wall joints with zero to high

axial compression loads were tested to investigate the seismic

behavior of the joints. Quasi-static cyclic loading, simulating

earthquake actions, was applied. The overall performance of each

test assembly was examined in terms of lateral load capacity, drift,

stiffness, energy dissipation capacity, and nominal joint shear

stress. Three levels of axial compressive column loads were investigated

to determine how this variable would influence the performance of the

joints. All the specimens failed adjacent to the joint panel with

gradual strength deterioration and low attainment of structural

stiffness. The low attainment of stiffness and strength was attributed to

the slip of the longitudinal bars through the joint core. The test results

showed that RC interior beam-wide column joints and beam-wall

joints with nonseismic design and detailing attained a drift ratio of

2.0% without significant strength degradation. It was thus

concluded that such joints could also possess inherent ductility for

adequate response to unexpected moderate earthquakes.