ScienceAsia 34 (2008): 049-058 |doi: 10.2306/scienceasia1513-1874.2008.34.049

Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis of Non-Seismically Detailed Interior Reinforced concrete Beam-Column Connection under Reversed Cyclic Load

Teeraphot Supaviriyakit^a, Amorn Pimanmas^a* and Pennung Warnitchai^b

 
ABSTRACT:     This paper presents a nonlinear finite element analysis of non-seismically detailed reinforced concrete (RC) beam-column connections under reversed cyclic load. The test of half-scale nonductile reinforced concrete beam-column joints was conducted. The tested specimens represented those of the actual mid-rise reinforced concrete frame buildings designed according to the non-seismic provisions of the American Concrete building code (ACI). The test results show that the specimens representing small and medium column tributary area failed in brittle joint shear while the specimen representing large column tributary area failed by ductile flexure though no ductile reinforcement details were provided. The nonlinear finite element analysis was applied to simulate the behavior of the specimens. The finite element analysis employed the smeared crack approach for modeling beam, column and joint, and employed the discrete crack approach for modeling the interface between beam and joint face. The nonlinear constitutive models of reinforced concrete elements consisted of coupled tension-compression model to model normal force orthogonal and paralleled to the crack and shear transfer model to capture the shear sliding mechanism. The finite element model (FEM) shows good comparison with test results in terms of load-displacement relations, hysteretic loops, cracking process and the failure mode of the tested specimens. The finite element analysis clarified that the joint shear failure was caused by the collapse of principal diagonal concrete strut.

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a School of Civil Engineering and Technology, Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology, Thammasat University, Thailand.
b Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand.

* Corresponding author, E-mail: amorn@siit.tu.ac.th

Received 2 Mar 2007, Accepted 19 Oct 2007