Structural behaviour of RC-ECC beam-column connections under quasi-static loading
Mian Asfahan Ali Gul, Sajjad Wali Khan, Muhammad Ishaq, Fasih Ahmed Khan, Khan Shahzada, Mian Safwat Ali Gul, Mian Safwat Ali Gul
Abstract
This research investigates the quasi-static cyclic behaviour of a special moment-resisting frame (SMRF) structure with the application of engineered cementitious composites (ECC) in the beam-column joint . For this purpose, three full-scale beam-column connections were cast and tested under quasi-static loading conditions. The control specimen was cast with the conventional concrete having 21 MPa compressive strength and detailed as per special moment resisting frame (SMRF) requirement. On the contrary, transverse reinforcement was removed from the remaining two (02) specimens with ECC replacing concrete in the joint region and the interface portion of the beam-column connection. Strain gauges and LVDTs were installed at appropriate locations to record the connection's response. After the careful acquisition of data, hysteresis loops , load-displacement envelop and energy dissipation curves were obtained. The test results demonstrated that models with ECC in the joint outperformed the control specimen in ductility, load-carrying capacity and energy dissipation . As compared to the control specimen, the use of ECC in beam-column connection increased the peak displacements by 28.44 %, peak load carrying capacity by 27.13 % and energy dissipation by 58.06 %. Due to high shear strength and ductility, the use of ECC in the joint region was found to address the shear stress requirements without using any transverse reinforcement.