Development and testing of demountable RC column-to-steel beam connections under cyclic loading

Abstract

In order to achieve the disassembling and recycling of the structure members, three novel demountable Reinforced Concrete column to Steel beam (RCS) joints are developed in this work. By conducting the cyclic loading test and the FEM simulation, the seismic performances of three demountable RCS joints and one reference non-detachable joints are numerically and experimentally investigated. The three demountable RCS joints present larger lateral capacity and better energy absorption than the non-detachable joints. The FEM models are validated by the experimental data and can successfully predict the hysteresis responses and failure modes of the demountable RCS joints. With the help of the validated FEM model, parametric studies are conducted as well. As illustrated by the numerical result, the beam length has a marginal influence on the seismic performance of the three demountable RCS joints, while increasing the longitudinal and transverse ratios can dramatically improve the lateral capacity of the three demountable RCS joints.