Hysteretic performance of reinforced concrete external beam-column joint subassemblies using non-conventional diagonal bars

The performance of beam-column joints in reinforced concrete (RC) framed structures have long been recognized as a significant factor that affects the overall response of structure subjected to cyclic loads. The reversal of forces in beam-column joints during earthquakes may cause distress and often failure, when not designed and detailed properly. The present work aims to study the seismic performance of exterior beam column joint with non-conventional reinforcement detailing. Four one third scaled beam-column joint sub assemblages were tested under reverse cyclic loading applied at beam end. The specimens have been looked after into two groups based on the joint reinforcement detailing. The first group of two specimens (Group-I) comprises of joint assemblages having joint detailing as detailed in construction code of practice in India i.e. IS 456:2000. The second group (Group-II) consists of two specimens, one of the specimens having additional cross bracing reinforcements for the joint detailed as per IS 456:2000 and another specimen having diagonal bars in form of development length. Here comparison between conventional and non-conventional type reinforcement has been done to study its effect on strengthening of joint. The experimental results and findings indicate that additional cross bracing reinforcements improves the seismic performance.