Title:
Behavior of Closing Knee Joints Using L-Shaped Coupler instead of Bending Bars
Author(s):
Al-Tuhami Abuzeid, Ahmed Ghallab, and Ahmed Y. Al-Tuhami
Publication:
Structural Journal
Volume:
118
Issue:
2
Appears on pages(s):
153-166
Keywords:
bending reinforcing bar; closing moment; experimental study; knee joint; L-shaped mechanical coupler; reinforced concrete
DOI:
10.14359/51728189
Date:
3/1/2021
Abstract:
The purpose of this research is to study the structural behavior of exterior corner beam-column joints subjected to closing quasistatic loads. The perpendicular main tension reinforcement bars are coupled using new L-shaped mechanical couplers instead of bending them. Eight full-scale specimens divided into four groups were tested. Each group consisted of two specimens: a conventional and a proposed reinforcement detail specimen. The parameters also include the effect of concrete grade and presence of horizontal and vertical stirrups in the knee joint. The results showed that using L-shaped mechanical couplers instead of bending bars significantly improved the ductility and load-carrying capacity of the specimens.