Experimental investigation on the seismic performance of prefabricated fiber-reinforced concrete beam-column joints using grouted sleeve connections

To improve the seismic performance of prefabricated reinforced conventional concrete (PRC) beam-column joints, fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) was used instead of concrete in the core zone of the joint in this article. The optimum volume contents of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers and steel fibers were first determined to be 0.3% and 1%, respectively, through the material properties tests. Then, four PRC beam-column joint specimens using grouted sleeve connections and one cast-in-place reinforced concrete beam-column joint specimen were designed considering the factors of PVA fibers, steel fibers, with or without stirrups. The test phenomena and failure mode of the five specimens under low-cycle cyclic loads were obtained. Finally, the effects of PVA fibers, steel fibers, with or without stirrups on the seismic performance of specimens were analyzed and discussed. The test phenomena indicated that the failure mode of specimens was anchorage damage of steel bars. The prefabricated FRC specimens showed relatively little damage in the core zone of the joint. FRC had a significant improvement on the seismic performance of prefabricated beam-column joints. The use of FRC in the core zone of the joint can reduce or even eliminate the use of stirrups.