Analysis of Seismic Performance of RC Frames with Centrally Reinforced Columns

Abstract

A centrally reinforced column is a new type of RC columns, formed by providing a reinforcement skeleton at the central part of the cross section of an ordinary RC column. Tests have shown that as compared with an ordinary RC column, this type of columns has a higher load carrying capacity and ductility. From the pushover analysis of a frame composed of ordinary RC columns and one consisting of centrally reinforced columns, their seismic performance under seismic load of 9-degree intensity was studied according to Chinese code, including target displacements, story-level displacements, interstory drifts, appearance and development of plastic hinges. The results indicate that although the dimensions of cross sections of columns in the frame with centrally reinforced columns are smaller than those of the ordinary frame, the former still has a higher overall load carrying capacity and seismic performance than the latter.