Evaluation of cracked beam-to-column connection from brittle failure using finite element method

The bolted end-plate composite beam-CCSHRC column connection was validated to be ductile and offered an alternative to pre-Northridge connection. This study aims at the beam lower flange fracture in the connection test, and applies the J-integral criteria to examine the connection's nonlinear fracture behavior. Advanced 3-D connection models containing initial crack in the high stress zone at lower flange are created, and the J values at the crack tip are calculated with considering the influences of certain parameters. The results demonstrate that the J values are strongly affected by the initial crack length and interstory drift. For 0.94, 1.35, 1.86 and 2.50 mm long crack, the J values sharply increase during loading history. The crack with a length of 2.50 mm propagates at a 66 mm drift, while the 1.35 mm long crack grows at a 120 mm drift. For 0.94 or 0.61 mm long crack, it keeps stable without growing upon loading. Besides, the J values exhibit a weak sensitivity to the beam concrete strength and tensile reinforcement ratio for beam. Under the same drift, the J-integral increases by about 3.5% when concrete strength changes from 15 to 24 MPa, and the J values at 0.6% tensile reinforcement ratio for beam are 1.5% larger than those at 0.3% or 1% reinforcement ratio.