Simplified assessment of the need for the explicit model of RC beam‐column joints instead of the rigid model

Abstract

The behaviour of reinforced concrete beam‐column (RCBC) joints may have an important influence on the structural behaviour of unbraced framed structures—this explains why current technical specifications require accounting for their deformation. However, the available numerical models for RCBC joints are rather complex, so that, at the end of the day, these joints are commonly modeled using one of two alternative simplified models: the rigid joint model and the centerline joint model. This calls for the development of “Simplified Classification Criteria”, which are simplified procedures to assess the influence of RCBC joints on the structural behaviour, that is, to determine whether a simplified joint model can be employed in the numerical model of the overall structure without leading to major errors in the analysis. This paper focuses on the possibility of using the rigid joint model. As a starting point for the step‐by‐step development of general classification criteria for RCBC joints we employ the basic simplified classification criterion already existing for steel beam‐column joints.