Title: Effect of Foor Slab on Behavior of Slab-Beam-Column Connections

Author(s): Catherine Wolfgram French and Jack P. Moehle

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 123

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 225-258

Keywords: beams (supports); columns (supports); flexural strength; earthquake-resistant structures; joints (junctions); loads (forces); reinforced concrete; slabs; T-beams; tests; Structural Research

DOI: 10.14359/2853

Date: 1/1/1991

Abstract:
In structures subjected to lateral loading, slab reinforcement acting as effective tensile reinforcement of the beams has been found to increase significantly the beam flexural strength. The enhanced beam flexural strength has several effects on the structural behavior, including a shift in the ratio of strengths between the beams and other members. This may result in a failure mechanism different from that anticipated. The slab contribution depends on several variables, including the connection type (interior or exterior), lateral deformation level, and lateral load history (uniaxial or multiaxial). This paper summarizes general behavior observed during isolated and multiple beam-column-slab connection tests. An approximation is given for estimating the amount of slab reinforcement to be considered as effective tensile reinforcement of the beams.