Recent research on jointed unbonded post-tensioned precast concrete frames has demonstrated their superior seismic resistance. Inelastic rotation generated during large earthquake motions is accommodated through gap opening and closing at the beam-to-column connections in the frame. By applying the principles of Damage Avoidance Design (DAD), a steel-steel armoured connection has been demonstrated to be effective in protecting the precast elements from damage. The re-centring ability of the unbonded prestressed post-tensioned system allows the building to return to its original undeformed position after the earthquake with negligible residual deformations. This research experimentally assesses the biaxial performance of the unbonded precast beam-to-column joint and simplifies the steel-steel armoured connection details in the joint. The experimental results of both quasi-static unidirectional lateral loading tests and biaxial lateral loading tests conducted on a 80% scaled unbonded jointed beam-to-column joint are presented. The performance of the proposed simplified steel-steel connection is assessed. A theoretical model is developed based primarily on rigid body kinematics and is validated using the test results. A formulation is also developed based on St Vennants' principle, to estimate the effective stiffness of the precast concrete beams under bidirectional rocking. Based on the experimental findings, improvements to the steel-steel armoured connection and joint details are proposed.

Reinforced concrete structures designed in pre-1970s are vulnerable under earthquakes due to lack of seismic detailing to provide adequate ductility. Typical deficiencies of pre-1970s reinforced concrete structures are (a) use of plain bars as longitudinal reinforcement, (b) inadequate anchorage of beam longitudinal reinforcement in the column (particularly exterior column), (c) lack of joint transverse reinforcement if any, (d) lapped splices located just above joint, and (e) low concrete strength. Furthermore, the use of infill walls is a controversial issue because it can help to provide additional stiffness to the structure on the positive side and on the negative side it can increase the possibility of soft-storey mechanisms if it is distributed irregularly. Experimental research to investigate the possible seismic behaviour of pre-1970s reinforced concrete structures have been carried out in the past. However, there is still an absence of experimental tests on the 3-D response of existing beam-column joints under bi-directional cyclic loading, such as corner joints. As part of the research work herein presented, a series of experimental tests on beam-column subassemblies with typical detailing of pre-1970s buildings has been carried out to investigate the behaviour of existing reinforced concrete structures. Six two-third scale plane frame exterior beam-column joint subassemblies were constructed and tested under quasi-static cyclic loading in the Structural Laboratory of the University of Canterbury. The reinforcement detailing and beam dimension were varied to investigate their effect on the seismic behaviour. Four specimens were conventional deep beam-column joint, with two of them using deformed longitudinal bars and beam bars bent in to the joint and the two others using plain round longitudinal bars and beam bars with end hooks. The other two specimens were shallow beam-column joint, one with deformed longitudinal bars and beam bars bent in to the joint, the other with plain round longitudinal bars and beam bars with end hooks. All units had one transverse reinforcement in the joint. The results of the experimental tests indicated that conventional exterior beam-column joint with typical detailing of pre-1970s building would experience serious diagonal tension cracking in the joint panel under earthquake. The use of plain round bars with end hooks for beam longitudinal reinforcement results in more severe damage in the joint core when compared to the use of deformed bars for beam longitudinal reinforcement bent in to the joint, due to the combination of bar slips and concrete crushing. One interesting outcome is that the use of shallow beam in the exterior beam-column joint could avoid the joint cracking due to the beam size although the strength provided lower when compared with the use of deep beam with equal moment capacity. Therefore, taking into account the low strength and stiffness, shallow beam can be reintroduced as an alternative solution in design process. In addition, the presence of single transverse reinforcement in the joint core can provide additional confinement after the first crack occurred, thus delaying the strength degradation of the structure. Three two-third scale space frame corner beam-column joint subassemblies were also constructed to investigate the biaxial loading effect. Two specimens were deep-deep beam-corner column joint specimens and the other one was deep-shallow beam-corner column joint specimen. One deep-deep beam-corner column joint specimen was not using any transverse reinforcement in the joint core while the two other specimens were using one transverse reinforcement in the joint core. Plain round longitudinal bars were used for all units with hook anchorage for the beam bars. Results from the tests confirmed the evidences from earthquake damage observations with the exterior 3-D (corner) beam-column joint subjected to biaxial loading would have less strength and suffer higher damage in the joint area under earthquake. Furthermore, the joint shear relation in the two directions is calibrated from the results to provide better analysis. An analytical model was used to simulate the seismic behaviour of the joints with the help of Ruaumoko software. Alternative strength degradation curves corresponding to different reinforcement detailing of beam-column joint unit were proposed based on the test results.

The recent earthquakes in Christchurch have made it clear that issues exist with current RC frame design in New Zealand. In particular, beam elongation in RC frame buildings was widespread and resulted in numerous buildings being rendered irreparable. Design solutions to overcome this problem are clearly needed, and the slotted beam is one such solution. This system has a distinct advantage over other damage avoidance design systems in that it can be constructed using current industry techniques and conventional reinforcing steel. As the name suggests, the slotted beam incorporates a vertical slot along part of the beam depth at the beam-column interface. Geometric beam elongation is accommodated via opening and closing of these slots during seismically induced rotations, while the top concrete hinge is heavily reinforced to prevent material inelastic elongation. Past research on slotted beams has shown that the bond demand on the bottom longitudinal reinforcement is increased compared with equivalent monolithic systems. Satisfying this increased bond demand through conventional means may yield impractical and economically less viable column dimensions. The same research also indicated that the joint shear mechanism was different to that observed within monolithic joints and that additional horizontal reinforcement was required as a result. Through a combination of theoretical investigation, forensic analysis, and database study, this research addresses the above issues and develops design guidelines. The use of supplementary vertical joint stirrups was investigated as a means of improving bond performance without the need for non-standard reinforcing steel or other hardware. These design guidelines were then validated experimentally with the testing of two 80% scale beam-column sub-assemblies. The revised provisions for bond within the bottom longitudinal reinforcement were found to be adequate while the top longitudinal reinforcement remained nominally elastic throughout both tests. An alternate mechanism was found to govern joint shear behaviour, removing the need for additional horizontal joint reinforcement. Current NZS3101:2006 joint shear reinforcement provisions were found to be more than adequate given the typically larger column depths required rendering the strut mechanism more effective. The test results were then used to further refine design recommendations for practicing engineers. Finally, conclusions and future research requirements were outlined.

High performance cementitious composites have been increasingly used for a range of structural applications in many countries. More recently, a notable interest has been focused on structural performance under seismic loading. However, a critical lack of coherent information and experimental/numerical data available in the literature has to be recognized along with the absence of specific and well-accepted code-guidelines for use of FRC in seismic applications. More specifically, when dealing with seismic resistant frame systems, few researchers have investigated in the past the seismic response of beam-column joints reinforced with steel fibres. These preliminary experimental tests have shown that adding steel fibres in joints is an effective method for improving joint behaviour and energy absorption capacity as well as enhancing the damage tolerance of joints and reducing the number of stirrups in seismic joints. However, due to the limited number of experimental tests as well as of the wide dispersion in the type and mechanical properties of the fibres adopted in these independent researches, the actual contributions of concrete, steel fibres and stirrups to the overall joint shear capacity has not yet been clearly identified and understood. This research aims to investigate the seismic behaviour and failure modes of beam-column joint subassemblies reinforced with steel fibres with the intent to provide preliminary suggestions for a simple but rational analytical procedure to evaluate the joint shear strength when either fibres and/or stirrups are adopted. As part of a more comprehensive on-going research campaign on the seismic behaviour of FRC members and systems, six 2-D exterior beam-column joint subassemblies were tested under simulated seismic loading (quasi-static cyclic loading regime) at the Civil Engineering Laboratory of the University of Canterbury. In order to assess the contribution of steel fibres to the joint (panel zone) shear strength, both under-designed systems (with no transverse reinforcement in the joint, following older practice before the pre-1970s) and well designed systems (following the NZ concrete design standard NZS 3101:1995) were adopted as benchmark specimens. The performance of steel fibre reinforced beam-column joints were compared with that of conventional joints. Results showed that using steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) within beam-column joints can significantly enhance the shear resistance capacity of joints. However, using steel fibre reinforcement alone can not prevent buckling of the reinforcing bars when joints are under high intensity seismic loading. Furthermore, the test results also showed that using steel fibre reinforcement is an effective method to reduce the lateral reinforcement in the beam plastic hinge region. As part of the analytical investigation, a simplified procedure to evaluate the joint shear contribution provided by different amounts of fibres with or without the presence of stirrups has been also introduced. Influence of the axial load on the joint nominal shear capacity has been accounted for by adopting principle stresses. Tentative strength degradation curves (principle tensile stress vs. shear deformation) have also been calibrated on the experimental data which confirmed that a tentative relationship between the joint shear contributions provided by concrete, stirrups and steel fibres was a viable tool for designing SFRC joint. Furthermore, joint shear resistance coefficient contributed by steel fibres has been compared with previous experimental test available in literature to obtain an appropriate value for SFRC joint design guidelines. M_N performance based domain visualization has also been used to evaluate the hierarchy of strength and sequence of events of beam-column joint subassemblies.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第22431号 / 工博第4692号 / 新制||工||1732(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院工学研究科建築学専攻 / (主査)教授 大崎 純, 教授 西山 峰広, 准教授 聲高 裕治 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DFAM

Yes / A novel prestressed precast reinforced concrete (RC) beam-column joint, composed of prestressed tendons, stiffened steel sleeves, and high-strength bolts, having improved self-centring ability and assembly efficiency is proposed in this paper. Four prestressed precast RC joints assembled by steel sleeves and one cast-in-place RC joint were tested under cyclic loading to investigate the seismic response of the proposed joint. The main parameters studied are the axial compression ratio of columns, stirrup ratio in the core area of the proposed joint and effective prestress of tendons. The energy dissipation capacity, bearing capacity, and self-centring ability of the prestressed precast RC beam-column joints assembled by steel sleeves are higher than those measured for the cast-in-place RC joint. For the prestressed precast RC joints assembled by steel sleeves, both yield and ultimate displacements increase with the increase of the axial compression ratio, stirrup ratio and effective prestress, but the ductility decreases with the increase of the axial compression ratio and effective prestress. The increasing of axial compression ratio can lead to an increase in the energy dissipation capacity, shear capacity and residual displacement. Finally, formulae to predict the shear capacity of prestressed precast RC joint assembled by steel sleeves are proposed, being in good agreement with the experimental results. / The authors would like to thank the financial support provided by the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province, China (BK20201436), the Open Foundation of Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Prefabricated Building and Intelligent Construction (2021), the Blue Project Youth Academic Leader of Colleges and Universities in Jiangsu Province (2020) and the Postgraduate Research & Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province, China (KYCX21_3225).

This research introduces and develops a counter-intuitive seismic retrofit strategy, referred to as “Selective Weakening” (SW), for pre-1970s reinforced concrete (RC) frames with a particular emphasis on the upgrading of exterior beam-column joints. By focusing on increasing the displacement and ductility capacities of the beam-column joints, simple retrofit interventions such as selective weakening of the beam and external post-tensioning of the joint can change the local inelastic mechanism and result in improved global lateral and energy dissipation capacities. The thesis first presents an extensive review of the seismic vulnerability and assessment of pre-1970s RC frames. Following a review of the concepts of performance-based seismic retrofit and existing seismic retrofit solutions, a thorough conceptual development of the SW retrofit strategy and techniques is presented. A “local-to-global” design procedure for the design of SW retrofit is proposed. Based on the evaluation of the hierarchy of strength at a subassembly level, a capacity-design retrofit outcome can be achieved using various combinations of levels of beam-weakening and joint post-tensioning. Analytical tools for the assessment and design of the SW-retrofitted beam-column joints are developed and compared with the test results. Nine 2/3-scaled exterior joint subassemblies were tested under quasi-static cyclic loading to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of SW retrofit for non-ductile unreinforced beam-column connections. Parameters considered in the tests included the presence of column lap-splice, slab and transverse beams, levels of post-tensioning forces and location of beam weakening. Extensive instrumentation and a rigorous testing regime allowed for a detailed experimental insight into the seismic behaviour of these as-built and retrofitted joints. Experimental-analytical comparisons highlighted some limitations of existing seismic assessment procedures and helped in developing and validating the SW retrofit design expressions. Interesting insights into the bond behaviour of the plain-round bars, joint shear cracking and post-tensioned joints were made based on the experimental results. To complement the experimental investigation, refined fracture-mechanic finite-element (FE) modelling of the beam-column joint subassemblies and non-linear dynamic time-history analyses of RC frames were carried out. Both the experimental and numerical results have shown the potential of SW retrofit to be a simple and structurally efficient structural rehabilitation strategy for non-ductile RC frames.

Propõe-se um modelo analítico para determinação da resistência ao cisalhamento de nós de pórtico externos em estruturas de concreto armado. Faz-se um estudo de modelos analíticos propostos por pesquisadores e sua aplicação em uma extensa base de dados com resultados experimentais de diferentes ligações, a fim de verificar a eficiência de cada modelo analítico. Em paralelo realiza-se uma análise paramétrica por meio de simulação numérica utilizando o software DIANA® de maneira a compreender o comportamento do nó externo analisando a influência da geometria, nível de tensões no pilar, taxa de armadura da viga e taxa de estribos, e assim propõe-se um modelo de cálculo para a resistência ao cisalhamento com base nos resultados desta análise paramétrica. Por fim o modelo analítico proposto é aplicado na base de dados apresentando bons resultados e comprovando sua eficácia tanto para nós de pórtico externos sem estribo como com estribos. / A proposal of an analytical model for determining the shear strength of exterior reinforced concrete beam-column joints is made in this work. A study of analytical models proposed by researchers and their application in a wide database with experimental results is done in order to verify the effectiveness of each analytical model. In parallel a parametric analysis by numerical simulation using the software DIANA® is performed in order to understand the behavior of the joint by analyzing the influence of the geometry, stress level in the column, longitudinal reinforcement ratio of beam and stirrup ratio and thus, it is proposed a model for predicting the shear strength based on the results of this parametric analysis. Finally the analytical design model proposed is applied to the database and presents good results proving its effectiveness for both external joint with and without stirrups.

Este trabalho consiste em um estudo do comportamento de nós de pórtico de ligações viga-pilar de concreto armado submetidos a ações cíclicas. O trabalho é composto por duas etapas: uma de investigação experimental e outra de cunho teórico. A etapa experimental teve como base os ensaios realizados em cinco modelos físicos de ligações viga-pilar. Os resultados desses ensaios permitiram a observação de diversos aspectos do comportamento estrutural dos nós de pórtico frente às ações cíclicas e a avaliação da influência de algumas variáveis. Neste trabalho, as variáveis escolhidas foram a variação do carregamento aplicado e o detalhamento da armadura transversal na região do nó. Os principais efeitos das ações cíclicas sobre as cinco ligações ensaiadas foram: aumento generalizado dos deslocamentos globais, perda de resistência e de rigidez dos elementos estruturais, propagação e aumento da abertura das fissuras inicialmente formadas, tendência de uniformização das deformações dos estribos do nó ao longo dos ciclos e maior deterioração do nó de pórtico em relação aos elementos viga e pilar. Na etapa teórica, foram empregados essencialmente dois tipos de modelos: i) modelos derivados das idealizações dos modelos clássicos de biela e tirante. ii) modelos simplificados que empregam conceitos da Mecânica do Dano e da Fratura, para a avaliação dos efeitos de perda de rigidez (dano) e das deformações permanentes (plasticidade) na resposta global da ligação viga-pilar. Por fim, foram feitas comparações entre os resultados experimentais e teóricos, chegando-se a importantes conclusões sobre o comportamento mecânico do nó frente às cargas cíclicas e sobre a eficiência dos modelos teóricos em simular a resposta do nó de pórtico e da ligação como um todo. As comparações mostraram que, dentro de certos limites, os modelos teóricos fornecem resultados satisfatórios frente aos resultados experimentais / The present thesis studies the behavior of frame joints in reinforced concrete beam-column joints subjected to cyclic loads. The thesis is divided into two parts: an experimental study and a theoretical-based study. The experimental study is based on laboratory tests on five physical models of beam-column joints. The results of this experimental study permitted the observation of various aspects of the structural behavior of frame joint subjected to cyclic load and estimating the influence of certain variables the affect the behavior of such joints. In the present thesis, the variables studied are the applied load and reinforcement detailing at the joint location. The effects of cyclic loads on the tested joints were: an increase in the overall deformation, loss of strength and stiffness of structural elements, crack propagation and increase in crack width of previously formed cracks, a tendency towards a uniform strain distribution in the transverse reinforcement at the joint section and a more rapid deterioration of frame joints compared to beam/column joints. At the theoretical level, two types of models were used to study the behavior of the joint: i) a model derived from the idealization of the classical strut-tie model, and ii) a simplified damage and fracture mechanics-based model for estimating the effects of the loss of stiffness (damage) and permanent strains (plasticity) on the overall response of the beam column joint. To reach any conclusion on the mechanical behavior and the efficiency of existing theoretical models employed in the design of reinforced beam-column joints and other joints subjected to cyclic loading, a comparative study between the theoretical and experimental results was carried out. The results show that within certain limits, the theoretical models employed are in good agreement with experimental results

Este trabalho consiste em um estudo do comportamento de nós de pórtico de ligações viga-pilar de concreto armado submetidos a ações cíclicas. O trabalho é composto por duas etapas: uma de investigação experimental e outra de cunho teórico. A etapa experimental teve como base os ensaios realizados em cinco modelos físicos de ligações viga-pilar. Os resultados desses ensaios permitiram a observação de diversos aspectos do comportamento estrutural dos nós de pórtico frente às ações cíclicas e a avaliação da influência de algumas variáveis. Neste trabalho, as variáveis escolhidas foram a variação do carregamento aplicado e o detalhamento da armadura transversal na região do nó. Os principais efeitos das ações cíclicas sobre as cinco ligações ensaiadas foram: aumento generalizado dos deslocamentos globais, perda de resistência e de rigidez dos elementos estruturais, propagação e aumento da abertura das fissuras inicialmente formadas, tendência de uniformização das deformações dos estribos do nó ao longo dos ciclos e maior deterioração do nó de pórtico em relação aos elementos viga e pilar. Na etapa teórica, foram empregados essencialmente dois tipos de modelos: i) modelos derivados das idealizações dos modelos clássicos de biela e tirante. ii) modelos simplificados que empregam conceitos da Mecânica do Dano e da Fratura, para a avaliação dos efeitos de perda de rigidez (dano) e das deformações permanentes (plasticidade) na resposta global da ligação viga-pilar. Por fim, foram feitas comparações entre os resultados experimentais e teóricos, chegando-se a importantes conclusões sobre o comportamento mecânico do nó frente às cargas cíclicas e sobre a eficiência dos modelos teóricos em simular a resposta do nó de pórtico e da ligação como um todo. As comparações mostraram que, dentro de certos limites, os modelos teóricos fornecem resultados satisfatórios frente aos resultados experimentais / The present thesis studies the behavior of frame joints in reinforced concrete beam-column joints subjected to cyclic loads. The thesis is divided into two parts: an experimental study and a theoretical-based study. The experimental study is based on laboratory tests on five physical models of beam-column joints. The results of this experimental study permitted the observation of various aspects of the structural behavior of frame joint subjected to cyclic load and estimating the influence of certain variables the affect the behavior of such joints. In the present thesis, the variables studied are the applied load and reinforcement detailing at the joint location. The effects of cyclic loads on the tested joints were: an increase in the overall deformation, loss of strength and stiffness of structural elements, crack propagation and increase in crack width of previously formed cracks, a tendency towards a uniform strain distribution in the transverse reinforcement at the joint section and a more rapid deterioration of frame joints compared to beam/column joints. At the theoretical level, two types of models were used to study the behavior of the joint: i) a model derived from the idealization of the classical strut-tie model, and ii) a simplified damage and fracture mechanics-based model for estimating the effects of the loss of stiffness (damage) and permanent strains (plasticity) on the overall response of the beam column joint. To reach any conclusion on the mechanical behavior and the efficiency of existing theoretical models employed in the design of reinforced beam-column joints and other joints subjected to cyclic loading, a comparative study between the theoretical and experimental results was carried out. The results show that within certain limits, the theoretical models employed are in good agreement with experimental results