Title:
Earthquake-Resistant Coupling Beams without Diagonal Reinforcement
Author(s):
Gustavo J. Parra-Montesinos, James K. Wight, and Monthian Setkit
Publication:
Concrete International
Volume:
32
Issue:
12
Appears on pages(s):
36-40
Keywords:
seismic design, diagonal reinforcement, coupling beams, column confinement
DOI:
Date:
12/1/2010
Abstract:
Experimental research has shown that the use of well-confined diagonal reinforcement cages, designed to resist the total shear demand, ensures a stable behavior under displacement reversals such as those induced during a strong earthquake. The reliance on diagonal reinforcement to resist the entire coupling beam shear demand, however, often translates into the use of large diameter diagonal bars. In recent years, the use of relatively slender coupling beams has become popular due to limitations in story heights. This article presents the results from two large-scale tests that show that the addition of randomly oriented steel fibers to the concrete will allow significant simplifications in the design and construction of slender coupling beams, including complete elimination of diagonal bars and substantial reductions in confinement reinforcement.