Reconsideration of Seismic Performance and Design of Beam-Column Joints of Earthquake-Resistant Reinforced Concrete Frames

Seismic performance requirements for beam-column joints of earthquake-resistant reinforced concrete (RC) frames are discussed, and the experimental data of RC joints under cyclic loading collected from the literature are analyzed. It is observed that joint shear failure under cyclic loading is characterized by significant inelastic joint shear deformation. Joint shear strength should thus be formulated by limiting the influence of joint shear deformation on the seismic performance of RC frames. It is noticed that joint transverse reinforcement does not have significant influence on joint shear deformation and bond deterioration in the joints but may have significant influence on joint axial capacity under cyclic loading. Hence, the requirement for joint transverse reinforcement may be formulated by keeping the joint axial capacity not lower than the column axial capacity under seismic action. The influence of bond deterioration in joints on the seismic performance of RC frames and the anchorage requirement for beam reinforcement in joints are analyzed and discussed.