Study on exterior RC beam-column joints upgrade with SIFCON in joint core under reversed cyclic loading

Abstract

Beam-column joint is a key component of a Reinforced Concrete (RC) moment resisting frame and should be designed and detailed properly, particularly when the frame is subjected to earthquake seismic forces. Failure of beam-column joints is governed by bond and shear failure mechanism which are brittle in nature. Therefore, all international codes insist sufficient anchorage to longitudinal bars and confinement of core concrete in resisting shear. In this paper, the behavior of exterior RC beam-column joints with Slurry Infiltrated Fibrous Concrete (SIFCON) in the joint core under reversed cyclic loading is presented. Beam-column joints made entirely with RC, Fibre Reinforced Concrete (FRC) and SIFCON are also investigated for comparison. A total number of ten specimens corresponding to five test series are cast and tested under reversed cyclic loading to study the load deformation behavior, ductility associated parameters, ultimate load carrying capacity and failure characteristics. A nonlinear finite element model is also developed using FEA software ANSYS to validate the experimental results such as load-deflection response and the corresponding failure modes. From the test results, it is observed that the ultimate load carrying capacity, stiffness, ductility and energy dissipation capacity are improved to a greater extent for beam-column joints with SIFCON when compared with that of conventional RC beamcolumn joints.