Energy-Based Hysteresis Model for Reinforced Concrete Beam-Column Connections

The cyclic response of reinforced concrete beam-column connections is significantly affected by the bond slip of beam flexural bars and joint shear deformations that occur at the joint panel. In this study, using existing test results of 69, interior and 63 exterior connections, the variation of energy dissipation (per load cycle) according to the bond-slip and joint shear strength was statistically investigated. The results showed that the energy dissipation correlated with the parameters of the bar bond slip better than with the joint shear strength. On the basis of the result, the energy dissipation of beam-column connections was defined as the function of the bond parameters. By using the energy function and the existing backbone curve of ASCE/SEI 41-06, an energy-based hysteresis model was developed such that the area enclosed by the cyclic curve is the same as the predicted energy dissipation. The proposed model was applied to existing test specimens. The predictions were compared with the test results and showed good agreement.