Seismic Performance of Old RC Interior Wide Beam-Column Connections under Seismic Loading

Abstract eng:
The reinforced concrete moment-resisting frame with wide beam-column connections and one-way joist slabs has been a common structural system within countries within the moderate-seismicity Mediterranean area, such as Spain or Italy. It is still extensively used despite the fact that research has unveiled that this type of system is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes due to its large lateral flexibility, low energy dissipation capacity and the deficient transmission of bending moments from beams to columns. However, many buildings were constructed before these drawbacks became evident, and their safety in the event of a severe earthquake is a matter of great concern. This paper presents the preliminary results of an experimental investigations aimed at clarifying the seismic behavior, displacement ductility and ultimate energy dissipation capacity of interior wide-beam column connections built in Spain during the seventies, eighties and nineties of the XX century. To this end, two 3/5 scale test models representative of interior subassemblages in a prototype six-storey building were subjected to gravity-load levels typical of those acting during an earthquake, and to quasi-static cyclic lateral loads until failure. The specimens exhibited a “strong column-weak beam” type yielding mechanism. The average drift ratios at first yielding of the wide beam longitudinal reinforcement and at failure were 2.9% and 6.1%, respectively. This study is part of a larger research project aimed at evaluating the vulnerability of existing RCMRF (Reinforced Concrete Moment-Resisting Frames) with wide beam-column connections, so as to develop innovative seismic upgrading strategies based on the use of hysteretic energy dissipators.

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