Experimental Investigation of the Seismic Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Beam to Concrete-Filled Steel Tube Column Connections

In order to investigate the seismic behavior of three kinds of reinforcement concrete beam to concrete-filled steel tube column connection, a series of cyclic loading tests has been conducted. This paper presented the experimental details and the test results. Eight specimens in four groups with various connection details and axial compression ratios were considered. The reinforcements Of four specimens were welded to the outer ring plate of the Steel tube subjected to two levels of axial load; the reinforcements of another two specimens were lapped on long steel bracket, and the other of two specimens lapped on short steel bracket with end anchorages. Constant axial load and cyclic lateral loading were applied at the top of columns. It was found that the performance of the welded connection have better seismic performance under cyclic loading. However, the lapped connection can still be used in practical project, since the ductility of these connections both satisfies the requirement of seismic design. Furthermore, this new kind of beam to column connection will highly decrease the cost of time and money, and simultaneously has a fairish performance in earthquake. It will be very economical to use the lapped connection even in seismic design areas.