Enhancement in performance of RC beam-column joint under cyclic loading by using various grades of engineered cementitious composites in the joint zone-a sustainable numerical study

Abstract

In this research, the response of the RC Beam-Column Joint under the cyclic loads was analyzed with a FEM solver (Abaqus) by using various grades of Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC) in the joint zone. The concrete damage plasticity model for concrete and ECC material under cyclic loading was proposed. Accordingly, the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) model was established with the consideration of different constitutive material models for concrete and Engineered Cementitious Composites. The accuracy of the proposed FEA model was validated with the experimental results. Failure mechanism, crack propagation, moment rotation relationship, and energy absorption under cyclic loading were investigated. Under controlled deformation, cyclic loads were applied to the samples at the end of the beam up to the failure point. It was found that the use of various grades of Engineered Cementitious Composites in the joint zone was effective in enhancing the ultimate moment capacity upto 38.50%, ductility upto 13.72%, and siffniness degradation upto 28.57% respectively of the joint up to the failure stage alongwith significant reduction in crack propagation.