Finite-Element Study on the Behavior of Exterior Reinforced Concrete Beam-to-Column Connections with Transverse Reinforcement in the Joint Panel

This paper deals with the influence of transverse reinforcement (TR) in the joint panel on the behavior of RC beam-to-column moment-resisting connections. For this purpose, a numerical study is conducted on different beam-to-column connections by means of a validated model implemented in the finite-element (FE) software ABAQUS version 6.14. The investigated connections exhibit joint shear failure that may be accompanied by the yielding of beam flexural reinforcement. In this study, the effects of two major variables are assessed: the amount of TR and its layout on the seismic behavior of the connections. The results are expressed in terms of load-displacement curves, the ultimate failure mode of the connections, and stress distribution in the TR of the joint panels. According to the analysis results, TR does not significantly improve the ultimate strength of the connections whose governing failure mode is joint shear failure. However, TR can enhance the nonlinear deformation capacity of connections, especially those that exhibit joint shear failure accompanied with yielding of the beam flexural reinforcement. Moreover, the utilized layout for the shear reinforcement in the joint panel can improve the ultimate strength and the deformation capacity of the connections. The observations show that the induced stress in the TR of the joint panels does not necessarily reach the yield strength of the steel reinforcement up to the ultimate failure of the connection. (c) 2020 American Society of Civil Engineers.