Experimental and Numerical Investigations of Composite Frames with Innovative Composite Transfer Beams

Abstract

Experimental and numerical studies were conducted to investigate the vertical load-carrying behavior and seismic performance of a composite frame structure with an innovative composite transfer beam, which was proposed to overcome the disadvantages of traditional reinforced concrete or steel reinforced concrete transfer beams. In the experimental study, a vertical monotonic loading test and a lateral cyclic loading test were conducted. The test observations, load–displacement curves, and strain measurements were discussed to investigate the structural performance and failure mechanism. The experimental results demonstrated the excellent vertical load-carrying behavior and seismic performance of the composite transfer frame. The characteristics of the plastic hinge distribution were investigated based on extensive data of the steel strains measured to reveal the typical failure mechanism of the composite transfer frame. In the numerical simulation analysis, a multiscale modeling scheme was developed to make full use of the fiber beam–column elements and multilayer shell elements. Comparisons with the experimental results showed that the developed model predicted the overall structural behavior, the individual story and component behavior, and the failure mechanism with a reasonable level of accuracy. In addition, both the experimental tests and numerical analyses indicated that the shear deformation mode and the energy dissipation in the composite joint core were also significant mechanical characteristics of the composite transfer frame.