Cyclic performance of frames with prestressed steel-concrete composite beams

This paper presents a study of the cyclic performance of moment-resisting frames with prestressed steel-concrete composite beams subjected to cyclic displacement reversals. The failure patterns, failure mechanism, hysteretic model, ductility, energy dissipation capacity, stiffness degradation, and deformation-restoring capacity of two composite frames are discussed. Larger slip could be observed along the beam span of the frame with the common composite beam in comparison with the prestressed composite beam. A four-linear hysteretic model with descending branches and two pinching pivot points is proposed for the two composite frames. Tests show that both the test frames failed in a beam side-sway mechanism within the plane of the frame, and the frame with the prestressed composite beam develops relatively high deformation restoring capacity. The applied prestressing in the composite beam has a small contribution to cyclic behavior of the composite frame. Studies also show that more energy is dissipated by the frame with the prestressed composite beam than that with the common composite beam.