Fakhar Ul-Islam 1

Research Proposal

Capacity analysis of reinforced concrete beam column joints under monotonic and seismic
loading.

1. Background:

Earthquakes are unpredictable geological phenomenon which may result in unprecedented disasters.
These may cause a great loss of life when they strike densely populated areas if the structures in those
areas do not have the appropriate resistance mechanisms. Large area of Pakistan lies in an active
earthquake zone, which have either been classified as zone I (very high hazard) or zone II (high
hazard) regions [ CITATION htt \l 2057 ]. In 2005, an earthquake of the magnitude of 7.3 on the
Richter scale hit the country’s north resulting in large scale devastation and an estimated 75000
people lost their lives. Failures in reinforced concrete structures were mostly characterized by
collapse of individual members, in most of the cases columns, indicating that weak column and
strong beam concepts were utilized in design. There were a few cases of complete beam column joint
failures also a few very badly damaged buildings exhibited severe cracking of beam-column
connections [ CITATION DrL \l 2057 ]. A detailed research was carried out by Earthquake
Reconstruction & Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) to look into the causes of the devastation. It was
found that there were design deficiencies against seismic forces like improper splice lengths and
location, improper anchorage of lateral column ties and poor quality of concrete (maximum concrete
strength was measured to be 2000 psi (13.78 N/mm2)). Not only that in most of the cases the
construction material was found to be weak, such as dry stone and stone in mud mortar or the
construction was not done poorly despite material being of good quality [ CITATION DrL \l 1033 ].
Clearly no seismic guidelines were followed in the whole region which lies in active seismic zone.
One important aspect which is not discussed in detail in the research carried out after the earthquake
is the study of the beam-column joints.

It has been observed that behaviour of reinforced concrete beam-column joints in moment resisting
frame structures has not been fully understood. These connection points are critical in transfer of
energy developed in the interconnecting members. While designing a frame structure these joints are
considered to be rigid and hence full load transfer is assumed, but during seismic loading these are
subject to large forces therefore this assumption fails to take into account the development of high
shear forces as a result [ CITATION Rei \l 2057 ].

Apart from the above mentioned earthquake in Pakistan which is a developing country, several of the
recent earthquakes in the developed countries have also exhibited Beam-Column joint failures and

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Research Proposal

therefore it is only recently that it has been established that beam-column joints are a critical regions
under seismic loading. Pre 1970 earthquake failures were characterized by structural element failures
and evidences of joint failure are scarce. It was argued after such failures that the members linking
into the joints were poorly detailed and were not designed for inelastic response therefore failed
before the joints could develop its shearing strength [ CITATION TPA92 \l 1033 ]. The improvements
due to limit state designs and better construction materials meant that better, slender and more ductile
structural elements (beams and columns) were possible but at the same time the joints were ignored
assuming these to be rigid as stated before. Therefore we see quite a few earthquakes from 1970
onwards have exhibited joint failures rather than members failing [ CITATION TPA92 \l 1033 ].
Evidence of the beam-column joints failure has been found in the earthquakes in El Asnam (1980),
Mexico (1985), San Salvador (1986), Lome Prieta (1989) and Kocaeli (1999), to name a few
[ CITATION PGB02 \l 2057 ] and most recently 2009 earthquake in L’Aquila, Italy.

2. Research Objective:

This issue has been realised very recently and new innovations have been sought to improve the
structural performance in this area. Therefore it is proposed that a study in this direction is to be taken
up. The primary objective of the proposed research is to seek improvements in design and
construction of reinforced beam column joints keeping in mind the finances involved and
constructability issues.

3. Key Questions:

The research question will be refined after the literature review and baseline study, from the
following:

 To develop firm understanding of the behaviour of RCC beam-column joints under gravity loads
as well as under reversible loads due to seismic excitation.
 To find the effects of several parameters with in the joint region and their specific influence on
the behaviour of the joint as a whole which may include;
a. Concrete strength both in compression and tension,
b. Effect of HCP in strength development
c. Fracture strength of concrete which depends on HCP, coarse aggregate type and size and
water cement ratio.
d. Steel strength and ductility
e. Steel to Concrete bond

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Research Proposal

f. Anchorage to steel bars

g. Detailing of steel in the joint region
h. Transverse reinforcement in the joint region

 To learn and understand earthquake loading and its effects on the buildings.
 To understand the shear stress behaviour in plain and reinforced concrete joints under monotonic
and reversible loading conditions
 To study the effects of the introduction of reinforcing steel bars on stress distribution.
 How the change of reinforcement detailing of the interconnecting members affects the stresses in
the joint core and in the adjoining members
 The cracks generation and development, how to minimise or avoid crack propagation.
 The failure modes. How reinforcement detailing would affect the mode of failure

Additional study of the strengthening techniques of already constructed structures and research into
their adequacy study may be carried out depending on the developed understanding of the problem at
hand and its solution.

4. Methodology

It is envisaged the study will include a practical research element where several beam-column joint
models may be casted to be tested on a shake table to investigate their response to seismic excitation.
The prime target is to find cheap, energy efficient and practical solutions to obtain the desired
strength of beam-column joints under both monotonic and reversible loading conditions. Finite
Element modelling techniques can also be employed to model the joints. It is planed that FEM
software DIANA will be used for this purpose.

Core Issues for investigation may include:

 Development of firm understanding of the behaviour of the joint core both under design loads and
the seismic loads, therefore a detailed literary review will be taken up to come in terms with the
current state of the art.
 Frim understanding of the existing design principle will be developed.
 How stresses develop and distribute and how the failure mechanism is produced.

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Research Proposal

Analysis and Evaluative methods may include:

 DIANA will be used to utilised to visualise the structural and material behaviour. DIANA is
recommended in this research as it is a very strong software for material based analysis especially
in concrete.
 Practical tests on joint models can be performed to physically see the failure modes

Outcomes

The intended final outcomes of the research will be:

 Improvements to the design codes may be suggested

 Development of joint detailing to result in more constructible structures.

Information Sources

The following range of information sources will be consulted:

 Printed Journals
 Online Gateways and Databases
 Standard-Making and Regulatory Bodies
 Online Journals
 Government and other regulatory body publications.
 Reference texts

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References

BODUROGLU M and BAKIR G. P. A new design equation for predicting the joint shear strength
of monotonically loaded exterior beam-column joints [Journal] // Istanbul Technical University, Civil
Engineering Department, Istanbul, Turkey. - 2002.

J.N. PRIESTLEY T. PAULAY Anti-seismic design of structures [Journal]. - New York : John
Wiley and sons, 1992.

NAEEM Dr. A [et al.] "A Summary Report on Muzaffarabad Earthquake" [Journal]. - Peshawar,
Pakistan : Earthquake Engineering Center at the Department of Civil Engineering, N-W.F.P.
University of Engineering, 2007.

NAEIM Farzad and SHI Zhongzhi The Seismic Design handbook [Book]. - [s.l.] : Kluwer
Academic Publishers Group, 2001.

PAULAY T and PARK R "Reinforced Concrete Structures" [Book]. - [s.l.] : Department of civil
engineering. University of Canterbury, Christchurch. New Zealand, 1975.

PMD Pakistan Meteorological Department [Online]. - http://pmdnmcc.net/seismic/szp.asp.

PRIESTLEY M. J. N. and PAULAY T. Seismic design of reinforced concrete and masonry

buildings [Book]. - [s.l.] : John Wiley & Sons, inc., 1992.