Performance evaluation of high-performance fibre-reinforced concrete composite beam–column joint subjected to quasi-static loading

Abstract

This paper investigates the behavior of exterior beam–column joints under quasi-static loading experimentally with varying fractions of fibre-reinforced concrete, integrated with 10% bagasse ash, as cement replacement. High-performance concrete of grade M60 was designed using the method recommended by P.C. Aitcin. Steel and polypropylene fibre-reinforced concrete joint specimens were casted with three different proportions of each, i.e. 0.25%, 0.50% and 0.75% of steel fibres and 0.15%, 0.3% and 0.45% of polypropylene fibres, respectively. A total of 11 beam–column specimens were casted including conventional, with 10% replacement of cement with bagasse ash and SFRC joints, PFRC joints and hybrid of volume fractions 1% with the combination of steel and polypropylene fibre by volume of concrete. Fibre-reinforced concrete joints were tested under positive quasi-static loading, and the performance of the joints was assessed with respect to load–deflection, displacement ductility, energy dissipation capacity and stiffness degradation. Outcome of the experimental study indicates that replacement of cement with bagasse ash improves the strength and ductility aspects of conventional specimen. The inclusion of fibres extended the failure load and enhanced the ductile behavior of the beam–column joints, under quasi-static loading. The results also show that hybridization is a good preference for arresting minor cracks at different levels and improving the ductile behavior of beam–column joints.