Cyclic Load Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Beam Column Subassemblages of Modern Structures

The key to the design of ductile moment-resisting frames
is that the beam-to-column connections and columns must
remain essentially elastic throughout the load history to
ensure the lateral stability of the structure. If the connections
or columns exhibit stiffness and/or strength deterioration
with cycling, collapse due to P-Δ effects or to the formation
of a story mechanism may be unavoidable.
1,2
Four one-half scale beam-column subassemblages were
designed and constructed in turn, according to Eurocode 23
and Eurocode 8,
4
according to ACI 318-055
and ACI 352R-02,
6
and according to the new Greek Earthquake Resistant
Code7 and the new Greek Code for the Design of Reinforced
Concrete Structures.
8
The subassemblages were subjected to cyclic lateral load
histories so as to provide the equivalent of severe earthquake
damage. The results indicate that current design procedures
could sometimes result in severe damage to the joint, despite
the use of a weak girder-strong column design philosophy.
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