REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAM-COLUMN JOINT:SEISMIC DESIGN OF JOINTS CONNECTING WEAK BEAMS AND STRONG COLUMNS

Abstract

Nine-Parameter Model predicting ultimate strength of reinforced concrete beam-column joints proposed by the auther is applied to establish a new seismic design method of beam-column joints in moment resisting frames designed by the weak beams-strong columns concept. The objectives of the seismic design are (a) to gurantee flexural capacity of the beams derived from flexural theory and (b) to preclude premature failure of the joint due to crushing of concrete. A set of design equations is proposed which includes requirements for the upper limit for the amount of longitudinal reinforcement as well as required amount of auxiliary reinforcement. The prediction of the design equations are compared with the prediction by the current design provisions derived empirically based on joint shear failure capacity. The current design methods are criticized with respect to their scope and the reliability.