Title:
Seismic Detailing and Behavior of Coupling Beams with High-Peformance Fiber- Reinforced Concrete
Author(s):
R. Lequesne, M. Setkit, G.J. Parra-Montesinos, and J.K. Wight
Publication:
Symposium Paper
Volume:
272
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
189-204
Keywords:
coupling beam, high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete (HPFRC), precast, seismic, shear.
DOI:
10.14359/51664093
Date:
10/1/2010
Abstract:
This paper summarizes a series of tests performed on strain hardening High-Performance Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (HPFRC) coupling beams with span length-to-depth ratios (ln/h) of 1.75 and 2.75. These tests show that incorporating HPFRC simplifies the detailing required to ensure a stable response of coupling beams subjected to earthquake induced displacement reversals. Results from five tests of precast coupling beams, three with ln/h = 1.75 and two with ln/h = 2.75, are reported herein. Strategies for embedding the precast HPFRC coupling beams into the structural walls without interfering with boundary element reinforcement were explored. Test results confirm that HPFRC can reliably confine diagonal reinforcement and ensure stable hysteresis behavior. HPFRC was also found to significantly increase shear strength, thereby forcing a flexurally dominated failure mode with modest stiffness degradation and excellent energy dissipation. A revised coupling beam design philosophy is outlined in order to ensure ductile flexural behavior.