Title: Comparative analysis of the cyclic behaviour of beam-column joints with plain and deformed reinforcing bars

Author(s): C. FERNANDES, J. MELO, H. VARUM, A. COSTA

Publication: IBRACON

Volume: 4

Issue: 1

Appears on pages(s): 147 159

Keywords: Beam-column joints; Cyclic behaviour; Concrete-steel bond; Plain reinforcing bars; Experimental tests.

DOI:

Date: 3/1/2011

Abstract:
Damage reports after recent earthquakes proves that slippage between steel reinforcing bars and the surrounding concrete is one the common causes of damage and collapse of existing RC building structures. The bond-slip mechanism assumes particular importance in RC building structures built until the 70’s, with plain reinforcing bars, previously to the enforcement of modern seismic codes. This type of structures is usually characterized by poor reinforcement detailing, poor bond properties and inadequate concrete confinement. In RC buildings subjected to cyclic loads, as the induced by earthquakes, high stress concentration occurs at the beam-column joints, making this regions prone to the occurrence of severe damage. Beam-column joints are particularly sensitive to the bond-slip mechanism due to the stress concentration, but also due to the fact that anchorage of beam and column longitudinal reinforcing bars is typically made in the joint vicinity. In this paper are presented the main results of the cyclic tests performed on two full-scale beam-column joints with the same geometry and reinforcement detailing, representative of interior joints in RC building structures built until the mid-70’s, without adequate seismic detailing. One specimen was built with plain reinforcing bars (poor bond properties) and the other with deformed bars (good bond properties). For a better comprehension of the bond properties influence on the cyclic behavior of the beam-column joints, a comparison is established between the main experimental results obtained for the two specimens. The comparative analysis shows that the bond-slip mechanism has a strong influence in the cyclic response of RC structural elements.